• Stream: An Taobh Tuathail Vol. 9

    September 10, 2020 - By 

    The arrival of An Taobh Tuathail Vol. 9 doesn’t come a second too soon. Long a highlight of the Irish music calendar, Cian Ó Cíobháin’s annual compilation, which is based on music played on his stellar leftfield radio show of the same name, is as reliable and filler-free as many of us have come to expect. Thankfully, Vol. 9 isn’t an exception to the rule. Featuring over 120 tracks (roughly akin to ten hours of music) the compilation includes TTA favourites such as Elaine Howley, Natalia Beylis, Mark Waldron-Hyden, Maria Somerville and Elma Orkestra, alongside international acts like Mica Levi, Mary Lattimore, Carla dal…

  • the arts column: September 10th

    September 10, 2020 - By 

    In this week’s edition of the arts column we’ve details on new exhibitions opening in Dublin, Kilkenny and Navan, as well as details on an open call and an artist talk. If you’ve an event, talk, exhibition, etc., please do get in touch via aidan[at]thethinair[dot]net. And as always – Stay Safe, and Support the Arts x Exhibition Opening | National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin This coming Friday sees the opening of a new exhibition in the National Gallery of Ireland featuring the works of George Wallace. While Wallace may be better known on the other side of the Atlantic, he spent the…

  • Video Premiere: Ordnance Survey – Moving Statues

    September 7, 2020 - By 

    Over two decades into producing music under various monikers, most notably Somadrone, Neil O’Connor is rightly regarded as a giant in Irish electronic music. Last year, in the guise of Ordnance Survey, he revealed yet another string to his bow. Accompanied by the likes of Sean McErlaine, Linda Buckley, and Tortoise’s John McEntire, Relative Phase was a delicately emphatic release that wielded nuance and restraint. Next month, O’Connor will unveil its follow-up. Backed by an array of musicians from traditional and contemporary music, Ampere is set for release on October 1st. Lead single ‘Moving Statues’ is a sublime snapshot of what to expect. Featuring Dónal Lunny…

  • Video Premiere: Gnarkats – Volume Up

    September 7, 2020 - By 

    Four days after lockdown hit way back in March, Belfast alt-rock threesome Gnarkats unveiled one of their strongest efforts to date, ‘Dreamers‘. Last week, the band went one further with the fuzzed-out indie-pop idealism of ‘Volume Up’. Today, we’re pleased to present a first look at the single’s homemade visuals. Featuring footage of the band zig-zagging across London on a pilgrimage to see The Strokes at All Points East last year, it distils the forward-moving spirit of both the song and Gnarkats as one of Northern Ireland’s most forward-moving alternative acts. Revisit our Track Record with the band here. Photo by Niall Fegan

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – September 4th

    September 4, 2020 - By 

    It’s been yet another stellar week for new releases in every corner of the island, boosted by today being the monthly Bandcamp Friday, which sees the platform waive all its own cuts – take that, Spotify. Delve into the best of the lot, featuring Lankum, Girl Band, JYellowL, NewDad, Arvo Party, A Bad Cavalier, Girl Band, Æ Mak, Alpha Chrome Yayo and many more. Girl Band – Why They Hide Their Bodies Under My Garage (Live at Vicar Street) Live at Vicar Street by Girl Band A Bad Cavalier – Losers Losers by A Bad Cavalier Lankum feat. Spider Stacy…

  • Live From Guerrilla Studios – Episode 5

    September 3, 2020 - By 

    It’s Thursday in the cursed year of our Lord 2020, which can only mean one thing. Yes, from 10 pm tonight (September 3rd), the country’s very best weekly broadcast Live From Guerrilla Studios returns with another stellar line-up. Having already played host to the likes of The Bonk, Maija Sofia, Junior Brother and Myles Manley, tonight’s live episode will feature sets from Aoife Nessa Frances and Elaine Malone. There will also be some additional pre-recorded revelry from Jinx Lennon and Ordnance Survey. Join Ray Wingnut, in-house turntablist Djackulate, Moojoo the merch monkey and more from 10pm over at the Live From Guerrilla Studios YouTube…

  • the arts column: September 3rd

    September 3, 2020 - By 

    In this week’s edition of the arts column we’ve details of a number of new exhibitions opening in Northern Ireland, a double-launch in Dublin, information on an open call for 2021 and links to online artists talks. If you’ve an event, talk, exhibition, etc., please do get in touch via aidan[at]thethinair[dot]net. And as always – Stay Safe, and Support the Arts x Exhibition | ArtisAnn Gallery, Belfast A new exhibition featuring the works of recent graduates has opened in Belfast’s ArtisAnn Gallery. All three, Saffron Monks-Smith, Lauren O’Hara and Irene Sweeney, graduated from Ulster University in June and all work with oils –…

  • Preview: Origins is the Appreciative Ode That Irish Hip-hop Deserves

    September 2, 2020 - By 

    Origins: The Story of Irish Hip Hop is a brand new documentary presented by Red Bull and Collective Films charting the development and growth of the Irish hip-hop movement over the last four decades. Multiple years in the works and due for release on RTÉ One this Thursday, Origins takes a deep dive into the stories and mythologies of the scene through key figure interviews, live footage and narrative talking points. With an inimitable soundtrack (surely an official compilation is on the way?) and a familiar, amiable tone, Origins is the appreciative ode that Irish hip-hop deserves. Some of Origins’…

  • Orville Peck – Show Pony

    September 1, 2020 - By 

    Bedecked in a Stetson hat, a Roy Rogers Nudie Suit and enough rhinestones and country verve to power the Dollywood Ferris wheel, enigmatic troubadour Orville Peck’s star has been on a steady rise since first ten-stepping his way onto the world stage back in 2019. His acclaimed debut album Pony marked Peck out as an important new songwriter in country music, showcasing not only his unique style and towering vocal chops but also a seemingly endless array of face obscuring leather fringed masks, a stylish nod to anonymity that has since become his calling card.  Melding the macho “outlaw country”…