• Video Premiere: Nick Carlisle – End of Terrain

    September 21, 2023 - By 

    Nick Carlisle is an auteur who has well and truly made his stamp on the landscape of DIY music culture in these isles. Originally from Dromore in Co. Down, the Brighton-based composer, performer and producer has deftly spanned whole soundworlds in projects such as Peepholes, Bamboo, Katy and Nick and Lean Logic. Last year, he even ventured out solo with his sublime, QFT Belfast-comissioned score for 1922 silent film Häxan. Pay attention and you’ll trace a revelatory journey that leads to his upcoming album Bloody Saturnalia. Taking its title from Sebastian Haffner’s Defying Hitler, it’s a self-produced effort that sees…

  • Slomatics

    September 19, 2023 - By 

    Off the back of their trouncing new LP Strontium Fields, the Belfast prog-doom titans sit down with Pádraic Grant to talk sci-fi, analogue synths and two decades of sonic expansion Photos by Sean McMahon ​​Twenty years into their existence, Slomatics have entered a new phase. Over six albums, countless splits and EPs, their fuzzed-out sound has grown in complexity and scope. Emerging from the chaos of the pandemic, latest release Strontium Fields, sees the trio – guitarists David Majury, Chris Couzens and vocalist/drummer Marty Harvey – push beyond the doom-stoner-fuzz continuum to blossom into an experimental rock unit as likely…

  • Every Little Helps: 2 Royal Avenue

    September 19, 2023 - By 

    Human connection is at the heart of revamped Belfast community and cultural venue 2 Royal Avenue Words by Brian Coney Photos by David McEneaney It may still be referred to as some variation on “the big Tesco” by many locals, but 2 Royal Avenue has seen quite the evolution since doors back in 1869. With its deep, Romanesque arches and breathtaking gothic dome, it’s safe to say the former bank building (and, yes, Tesco Metro) has all the outward form to match its esteemed address. But since 2021, the listed building has undergone a remarkable transformation. Having reopened at the…

  • Monday Mixtape: Connor McCann

    September 18, 2023 - By 

    Following the release of his new single ‘Hard Times,’ the fast-rising Belfast singer-songwriter waxes lyrical about a handful of his favourite songs, from Big Thief and Unknown Mortal Orchestra to John Martyn and beyond Big Thief – Masterpiece The core line of this song made a list of my favourite lyrics of all time, and it might not be the best line in the song. An incredible and heart-breaking song which is no surprise if you follow the work of Adrianne Lenker Hozier – Like Real People Do Playing a few covers in sessions around Belfast, this generally never fails…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – 15th September

    September 15, 2023 - By 

    Another banner week for Irish music sees essential new releases from Search Results, Chubby Cat, John Francis Flynn, NewDad, Negro Impacto and more Search Results – Information Blip Information Blip by Search Results Chubby Cat – Kissin In The Valley-o Brand New Friend – Grandstand Grandstand by brand new friend Negro Impacto – Maybe John Francis Flynn – Mole In The Ground Connor McCann – Hard Times No Oil Paintings – Release Me Garrett Laurie – Novak Glen of the Downs – Octagon EP Octagon EP by Glen Of The Downs Colm Warren – Truth NewDad – Angel Luz –…

  • Kindred Soul: An Interview with Negro Impacto

    September 18, 2023 - By 

    Off the back of their new single ‘Maybe,’ Ciara Byrne chats to Dundalk neo-soul duo Negro Impacto about encapsulating the vitality and fun of the scene, representing diversity in genre and celebrating the cultural soul of Irish music Photos by Sean McMahon Emerging from the effervescent Dundalk music scene, Negro Impacto have been making a name for themselves across the island of Ireland since forming as a band in 2021. Composed of vocalist and songwriter Chi Chi and multi-instrumentalist Laurence Kapinga, aka StrangeLove, Negro Impacto first met as part of the skate scene in Dundalk, living within 2km of each…

  • Video Premiere: Ṣelu – For You

    September 14, 2023 - By 

    Featured as an Inbound artist in the Autumn issue of the magazine – which you can read below – Ṣelu is someone we feel confident is worthy of your attention and destined for great things. His new single ‘For You’ is a minimalist soul ballad dealing with the tribulations of being human, especially in this age of living vicariously through curated social media and the isolation of remote work. It’s a song that essentially asks people to remember life isn’t all about your personal achievement and what you choose to share online – it’s your contribution to those around you…

  • Track Record: Lucy Gaffney

    September 14, 2023 - By 

    From Spacemen 3 and Serge Gainsbourg, to Beck, Air and Astrud Gilberto, Belfast alt-pop artist Lucy Gaffney selects eight records that have left an indelible imprint on her music & life   Photo by David McEneaney Beck – One Foot In The Grave This album brought something new into my life when I first heard it. I played it on repeat until I new every word and guitar riff like second nature. Each song blissfully brings with it a mood of off the cuff nonsense that resonated to the nth degree.  It changed my songwriting and allowed me the ability to…

  • Maija Sofia and Aoife Wolf at McHughs, Belfast

    September 14, 2023 - By 

    Choice Prize-nominated Galway singer-songwriter Maija Sofia makes her long-awaited Belfast debut at McHughs on Saturday, 30th September. Hosted by The Thin Air, the show comes off the back of the release of True Love, Sofia’s critically acclaimed second album, which was released via TULLE Collective on 1st September Four years on from her debut, Bath Time, True Love has been hailed by the likes of the Quietus. In their review, they said: “It’s about real people, alive and dead, and the power of objects, substances, time and place. It is the work of someone with an enviable talent, and it…