Off the back of the release of their second LP, Greater Than Or Equal To The Bonk, and a much-hyped Irish tour, The Bonk’s Phil Christie talks with Jack Rudden about the orbits of rhythm, language as music and what it means to improvise Photos by Sean McMahon From time to time, you will come across a band that makes you rediscover why you love music. They’ll unearth that little spark that makes you go, “Of course, this is why we listen. This feeling is why our species decided to organise sound in the first place”. Other times, a band…
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It’s a stacked week for Irish music, with some new music from some of the best names around, including Maija Sofia, Jape, The Mary Wallopers, Kojaque, Nealo, Sweetlemondae, Moondiver and more. The Mary Wallopers – Wexford Maija Sofia – Telling The Bees Space Shepherds – What Fabric? What Fabric? by Space Shepherds Sweetlemondae – Turn The World Jape – Heal These Wounds Kojaque – Bambi (Feat. Gotts Street Park) Connor McCann – I Believe Al Reddan – Galtee Mountain Boy Galtee Mountain Boy by al reddan Moondiver – When U Land moondiver · When U Land Nealo & Jehnova – Tears…
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Father John Misty live at the Iveagh Gardens in Dublin with support from Jealous of the Birds. Photos by Monika Ruman
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Here’s the very best Irish tracks and videos of the week, from Joel Harkin, CMAT and John Grant, Krea, Soda Blonde and more Joel Harkin – Letters From Alan To George The Sleeveens – Give My Regards To The Dancing Girls CMAT and John Grant – Where Are Your Kids Tonight? Krea – The Callows Soda Blonde – Bad Machine Drew Makes Noise – Flame I Have A Tribe – Fly Like a Bird
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The highly-anticipated second installment of Galway festival Fall Right Into Place will take place on 16th and 17 September 2023. After a hugely successful first outing last year with New Dad, The Mary Wallopers and The Scratch, the festival will once again take over the wonderfully imposing Claregalway Castle for two nights of top-tier live music, food and drink. Headlining the first night of this year’s outing on Saturday, 16th September are recent TTA cover stars Pillow Queens. Expect nothing less than a set of worldbeating indie-rock from the fast-rising Dublin four-piece. The following night, 17th September, sees The Murder Capital…
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Kelly Doherty chats to the founders of club night and community Honeypot about providing welcoming and accessible events for queer women and their friends in Dublin Photo by Kate Lawlor A new series of parties proving community for “gay girls and friends” has taken the Dublin sapphic scene by storm. Honeypot, founded by couple Kerry Mahony and Emma Murphy – aka Rhyzine – just last summer, has already sold out numerous events and built a steady online following with its irreverent, bubbly branding. In a Irish queer scene where almost every other night primarily serves a male audience, Honeypot is…
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As one-quarter of sadly-missed Northern Irish band Ed Zealous, Andrew Wilson played a sizeable role in soundtracking what’s long been held as the country’s indie heyday. But why look back? In Wilson’s case, it seems lightning most certainly strikes twice. Fast-forward to 2023 and the Belfast-based artist is digging deep to further his prismatic alt-pop craft as Drew Makes Noise. Where recent singles like ‘This Matter’ and ‘Hey’ were lysergic and widescreen in equal measure, new single ‘Flame’ is a feat of masterful restraint. One of several peaks from his stellar debut solo album Let The Whole Tape Run, it’s…
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In between pulling double duty with The Shaker Hymn and The Tan Jackets, Caoilian Sherlock has been threatening to release a solo album for years. First testing the waters under the moniker St. Caoilian over 5 years ago, his first full-length album Teenage Jesus is more than worth the wait. Album opener ‘The Wheels Come Off’ is a dreamy, sentimental exposition to a record that drifts between its psychedelic, folk, pop, and country influences, showcasing a singer-songwriter who is at ease with his own creative process. Stand-out tracks include ‘Candidate’, a snappy and self-deprecating rock ‘n’ roll homage with more…
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Off the back of playing Glastonbury, and the release of her thrilling new album Carry Them With Us, Christine Costello speaks with acclaimed smallpipes player Brìghde Chaimbeul about the sounds and inspirations behind her singular craft Photos by Monika Ruman Carry Them With Us is Brìghde Chaimbeul’s second solo album and features a combination of original compositions and songs inspired by Gaelic folklore and archive recordings. The album is as dark as it is whimsical from the soaring lilts of ‘Banish the Giant’ to weighted tragedies of ‘Oran an Eich Uisge’. Chaimbeul’s rich understanding of her instrument adds a new layer…
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Another stacked week for Irish music sees an incredible traditional and Sean-Nós collection from Nyahh Records, as well as new singles and albums from the likes of Lucy Gaffney, Anna’s Anchor, Larks, Ian Nyquist and Niamh Bury Various Artists – A Collection of Songs in the Traditional & Sean-Nós Style A Collection of Songs in the Traditional & Sean-Nós Style by Nyahh Records Lucy Gaffney – Just Friends Ian Nyquist – Thiar Thiar by Ian Nyquist Anna’s Anchor – The Merries The Merries by Anna’s Anchor Larks – Talking To Myself Niamh Bury – Beehive N.O.A.H – Sour Kiss Jillelli –…