• Watch: Cubs – Swallows Will Be Leaving

    November 27, 2018 - By 

    Comprising artists on Galway indie imprint Rusted Rail –  namely Aaron Hurley (Phantom Dog Beneath The Moon), Keith Wallace (Loner Deluxe), Cecilia Danell (A Lilac Decline), Eddie Keenan (AKA The Driftwood Manor), Scott McLoughlin (Phantom Dog Beneath The Moon) and James Rider of United Bible Studies) – Cubs‘ sedate and self-proclaimed “left-of-field folk” is equal parts phantasmal and pastoral. It’s improvisational, sylvan and snugly-woven approach that is laid bare on the group’s second album, the recently-released, Darkr Earlyr. A highlight from the release, ‘Swallows Will Be Leaving’ is a paean to nature’s passage into wintertide via the parting of hirundinidae from the skies.…

  • Stream: Comfy Coffin – Lifetime Achievement Award

    November 27, 2018 - By 

    Last year, we were introduced to Utrecht-based Wicklow artist Bobby Mink AKA Comfy Coffin via debut single ‘Content as a Cog‘. Sixteen months on, Mink has caught our attention again with the homespun, electro-leaning pop of ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’. Paired with its b-side – the cosy, Postal Service-conjuring ‘All Smiles’ – the self-proclaimed “lonely one man band” is clearly in inspired form. Stream the tracks – as well a live acoustic version of the a-side, and a music video for the b-side – below.

  • Win Tickets to Robyn G Shiels EP Launch

    November 27, 2018 - By 

    On Thursday (November 29), Belfast-based singer-songwriter Robyn G Shiels will release one of the Irish releases of the year, Death of the Shadows, at Belfast’s Strand Arts Centre. Self-released via Black Tragick Records on 10″ vinyl on Friday, it’s a masterfully funereal five-track EP that finds Shiels’ unmistakable brand of darkly alt-folk at its most emphatic. To win a pair of tickets to the launch show, featuring Shiels and full band, with support Oisín ó Scolaí & The Virginia Slims, simply send your answer to the following question to info@thethinair.net: What is the title of Robyn G Shiels’ debut album?

  • Album stream: SPIES – Constancy

    November 27, 2018 - By 

    Having re-emerged back in March after a three year hiatus, Dublin five-piece SPIES have released their long-awaited debut album, Constancy. From single and cascading alt-pop anthem-in-the-making ‘Ho Chi Minh’ to slow-burning closing lament ‘Love is a Dream’, via three other first-rate singles, ‘Young Dad’, ‘Broadstone’ and ‘Uriah’, it’s an assured return from a band who have well and truly hit their stride. According to singer Michael Broderick, the album primarily revolves around change and transformation: “Our attempts to remain constant in an environment that is inevitably transforming. I wanted the songs to journey through a process of coping (and not…

  • Slash and Tiësto Set For Belsonic

    November 27, 2018 - By 

    Two more big names have been announced to play next year’s Belsonic. With the likes of Hozier and Stormzy already revealed to play the annual series of concerts in Belfast’s Ormeau Park, Slash feat. Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, with support from Blackberry Smoke and Screaming Eagles, will play on Wednesday, June 12. The globetrotting Tiësto, meanwhile, will play the festival on Friday, June 28. Tickets for both events for on sale on Friday, November 30 at 10am, priced £30+ including booking fee. Go here for full info for Belsonic 2019.

  • Glen Hansard Set For Vicar Street Shows

    November 27, 2018 - By 

    As part of a European tour that takes him via a sold-out show Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie and beyond, Glen Hansard will stop off at Dublin’s Vicar Street for a brace of shows in April. The Dublin songwriter, The Frames’ founder member, actor and activist – who released his third studio album, Between Two Shores, back in January – will play the Thomas House venue on April 9 and 10.  Hansard has previously played the venue in a solo guise fourteen times. Tickets for both shows are priced at €35.00 and go on sale this Friday at 9am.

  • Stream: Silverbacks – Just In The Band

    November 23, 2018 - By 

    Back in January, we featured Dublin five-piece Silverbacks as one of our ones to watch in 2018. Having underscored their ascent with the release of the blitzing indie-rock of ‘Dunkirk‘ shortly afterwards, the band have since been working alongside Girl Band’s Daniel Fox on their debut album, which is set for release next year. In the meantime, the band’s new single, ‘Just In The Band’, has us very excited. Over four minutes, it’s sharp and shapeshifting guitar music from a band whose knack for filtering the imprint of New York’s art-rock elite – without neglecting what makes their own sonic tact great – continues unabated. Artwork…

  • Listen Back To This Week’s Death Culture Blues on Dublin Digital Radio

    November 23, 2018 - By 

    We returned to Dublin Digital Radio last night for our weekly two-hour show, Death Culture Blues. As ever, it was 120 minutes of cosmic and cosy sounds, this week featuring the likes of Yo La Tengo, Spark Sparkle, Wire, The Monochrome Set, Spacemen 3, Liars, Stereolab, BEAK> Faust and more. Miss it? Never fear. Stream below now and tune in this coming Thursday (November 30th), where our reviews editor Eoin Murray will be serving up only the very best experimental, ambient, electronic and cosmic sounds from 8-10pm.

  • Win Two Golden Tickets to Other Voices

    November 23, 2018 - By 

    Next weekend sees the return of the downright unmissable Other Voices to Dingle in Co. Kerry. As well as hosting the likes of Gruff Rhys, Loah, Mahalia and whenyoung in St. James’ Church, the showcase’s legendary Hennessy Music Trail welcomes a host of the country’s very best musical talent, including Arvo Party, Just Mustard, Junior Brother, Girlfriend, Silverbacks, Fears, Dowry, Elma Orkestra, Galants, Jyellowl and Wastefellow. Full line-up below. As it happens, we have a pair of golden tickets to give away to this year’s outing. Fancy heading to Dingle and seeing everything on offer? Just Like our Facebook page here, and…

  • Bouts Announce Tour, Stream ‘Love’s Lost Landings (Part 2)’

    November 21, 2018 - By 

    Dublin indie rock quartet Bouts are about to hit the road for the first time in almost five years in support of their new album, Flow. The 9-track album – which is released on January 25th 2019 and available for pre-order from today on Wonky Karousel Records – will be available on a limited run of 100 vinyl records. Half of the run will sold exclusively on their UK and Irish tour which kicks off in London with two shows (Lion Coffee + Records and The Finsbury) on Saturday, January 26th. The tour then moves to Ireland for a series of five Irish shows:…