• The Good DIY Young: An Interview With Belfast Promoters Asphyxia

    April 13, 2023 - By 

    Ross Cullen from Belfast’s newest independent promoters gives Cathal McBride the lowdown on the DIY spirit behind their packed-out shows across the city Photo by David McEneaney  For such a relatively small city, Belfast often punches above its weight in terms of live events, both in terms of big-name bookings from larger promoters and those on the more DIY side, like the brilliant Strange Victory or the now sadly departed Sizeable Bear. A newer name in the city’s DIY promoter circuit is Asphyxia. Helmed by Ross Cullen, Ethan Rea, Conall Coulter and Sienna-Lillie Munn, they have hit the ground running…

  • Lisa O’Neill – All of This is Chance

    April 11, 2023 - By 

    Lisa O’Neill offers up her finest release to date with All of This is Chance. The Cavan native’s fifth album boasts an impressive variety of collaborators, from concertinist Cormac Begley, violinist Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Kate Ellis of the Crash Ensemble, and more. O’Neill’s timeless sound breathes new life into traditional balladry. Upon a foundation of droning harmoniums, concertinas, and violins, which create a sound akin to fellow trad revivalists Lankum, her haunting vocals sit, captivating her listeners and luring them into a state of transcendence. Here, tracks like ‘Birdie From Another Realm’ slip nimbly from the clutches of modernity,…

  • Stream: Junior Brother’s Favourite

    April 11, 2023 - By 

    In the five short years since we featured him as one of our 18 for ‘18 ones-to-watch, Kerry experimental folk artist Ronan Kealy, aka Junior Brother, has curveballed with a flair and vision all his own. Taking in the likes of his resounding second album from last year, The Great Irish Famine, it’s a journey that reaches a thrilling new summit today. Offered up as a “final chapter” to his previous releases, ‘Junior Brother’s Favourite’ is a 20-minute effort like no other. Doubling up a self-contained EP, it‘s a masterfully mercurial weave of Kealy‘s unrepeatable, increasingly unfuckwithable craft. Zig-zagging between beatific…

  • Stop Learning, Start Dying: An Interview With Toby Amies, Director of In The Court of the Crimson King

    April 11, 2023 - By 

    Few modern music documentaries approach the kind of magic that is layered throughout Toby Amies’ In The Court of the Crimson King. The British filmmaker and broadcaster’s study of Robert Fripp and his band, King Crimson, is a fascinating exploration of the dynamics – both personal and creative – that have long made Fripp’s musical vehicle a thing of near mythos. Ahead of a screening and Q+A with Amies at Belfast’s Queens Film Theatre on Sunday 16th April, Brian Coney chats to the director about the many challenges, and myriad rewards, of tackling such an inscrutable subject and towering musical…

  • Tracks of the Week – 7th April

    April 7, 2023 - By 

    This Bandcamp Friday, dig into the very best Irish songs and releases of the week from YARD feat. YinYang, Lemonade Shoelace, Therapy? and more YARD + YinYang – Ecdysis Lemonade Shoelace – I Think My Heart Is Set On You Therapy? – Poundland of Hope and Glory Swimmers Jackson – Now Is All Walshy ft. Housewife – Just Walk Away Orwells ‘84 – The Crucible The Crucible by Orwells ’84 Ham Sandwich – Good Friday Clare Sands and I Have a Tribe – Teasgal Slow Moving Clouds – The Longest Lie

  • Video Premiere: Swimmers Jackson – Now Is All

    April 5, 2023 - By 

    We’re pleased to be able to give you a first peek at the second single and title track from Swimmers Jackson‘s second solo album Now Is All – and it’s a wonderfully rare slice of optimistic nihilist power-pop. Niall, the songwriter behind the Swimmers pseudonym, tells us: “The title track is a sunny song about being kind to yourself and saying yes to good times, within reason of course. It’s kind of a celebration of being somewhat free again – we all spent long enough locked up, locked down, dragged in, burnt out. It’s time to live a little…even if just for now – It’s…