• The Thin Air’s Top 100 Irish Releases of 2021

    December 21, 2021 - By 

    It’s not always been easy but over the last few years, we’ve stuck to the script of keeping our releases of the year round-up to a neat top 50. Granted, it stung to omit the odd thing here and there, but it always felt apt and to the point. The smaller the number, the more essential the releases, right? These last twelve months have revealed that notion not to be necessarily true. In fact, as the following one hundred albums, compilations, and EPs luminously attest, this year, it’s categorically false. Frankly, we’ve never been more content to be wrong. 100. Rory…

  • Video Premiere: wornoc – Deep Within

    December 15, 2021 - By 

    Via singles including ‘Signs’ and ‘Rising Tides’, Dublin-based artist Conor Walsh aka wornoc has carved out a niche in forward-pushing alternative-electronic sounds from these shores. At the heart of his craft is a sensibility rooted in the push-and-pull of post-rock – all gossamer phrases one moment and surging release the next – inspired by the likes of God Is An Astronaut, Olafur Arnolds and Bonobo. New single ‘Deep Within’ is a distilation of just that. Inspired by a memory of his time spent in Norway on the island of Stord, it’s a halcyon trip, building sparse synth and guitar motifs before a swelling finale. Accompanying the…

  • Watch: Hatchet Field – Leave The Bodies Where They Lay (live)

    December 14, 2021 - By 

    Over the years, Belfast musician Hornby has melted fizzogs and blown a fair few minds as the guitarist in bands such as We Are Knives and The Continuous Battle of Order. Earlier this year, his five-track debut offering in the guise of Hatchet Field, Survival Is Triumph Enough, proved a ruminative detour and a masterfully skeletal affair. Released via Belfast imprint Black Tragick – whose roster boasts the likes of Peng Weng and head hellion/hallion Robyn G Shiels – its foreboding death folk struck a sparse, altogether special chord, laying bare the subtleties of an artist who can be full-blown,…

  • Stream: Big Daisy – Poinsettia

    December 14, 2021 - By 

    Belfast quartet Big Daisy have unveiled a new festive single titled ‘Poinsettia’. Capping off a busy year emerging as one of the island’s first indie-pop propositions, it is – true to form – a wonderfully lo-fi gem from the four-piece, honing in on the true spirit of the season. “‘Poinsettia’ is a Christmas love song,” said the band.” The main lyric “Christmas without you baby, I would be so blue” is sang with heart at the thought of being without your true love at Christmas time.” Stream the song – which was recorded in the attic of Big Daisy’s home by the…

  • The Jealous Wall at Belvedere, Mullingar

    December 14, 2021 - By 

    Featured dark and twisted tales, read by Eimear Keating, The Jealous Wall is one of Dublin Digital Radio’s most essential monthly slots. On Wednesday, 29th December, she takes the show beyond the airwaves for a storytelling event at the Jealous Wall itself, at Belvedere in Mullingar, Westmeath. Beginning with live music by experimental artist Frog of Earth, the event will come to a head with a series of carefully handpicked short stories, featuring upcoming writers from the Midlands. Taking place entirely outside, and therefore COVID compliant, the event kicks off at 6.30 pm and admission is €12.50/€8.00 (OAP/Student). Alcohol (wine and…

  • Merchy Christmas at the Grand Social, Dublin

    December 7, 2021 - By 

    Returning for its second consecutive year, Merchy Christmas will take over Dublin’s Grand Social later this month to throw Irish artists a lifeline in the face of the huge challenges presented by COVID-19. Running from 10am-4pm on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th December, countless TTA favourites including Lankum, Myles Manley, Junior Brother, Pillow Queens, Silverbacks, Nealo and Loah will set up stall for a real-life merch market. “The Christmas merch sale last year was one of the highlights of the year for me,” said Nealo. “It was heartwarming to meet people face to face and to hang out and chat…

  • The Cure To Play Belfast and Dublin

    December 6, 2021 - By 

    The Cure are set to play Belfast and Dublin next year. As part of a new European tour, the English goth rock legends will play Dublin’s 3Arena on December 1st 2022 and Belfast’s SSE Arena on December 2nd. Support for both shows comes from the Twilight Sad. Tickets go on sale this Friday (December 10) at 9AM.

  • Win Tickets to Gilmore, Brién & uladh. at the Ulster Sports Club, Belfast

    December 2, 2021 - By 

    Amid much worldly doom and certainty, Belfast promoters table it! have well and truly levelled things up over the last couple of months. It’s set to continue with another essential one on Thursday, December 9th: producer/drummer Gilmore, with support from Brién & uladh. As ever, we recommend parting with some silver for the pleasure but if you’re feeling, send your answer to the following question to info@thethinair.net to be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to the show. Traditionally, how many legs does a table have? Good luck! DIY VOL. 1 by Brién

  • Premiere: Arthur Itis – Am I Dancing?

    December 1, 2021 - By 

    Arthur Pawsey aka Arthur Itis has long been a sonic law unto himself, and we couldn’t be more here for it. Having drawn comparisons to such esteemed meddlers such as Sun Araw, Ween and our actual Lord and Saviour, R Stevie Moore, the Cork musician releases his fifth full-length, Occam’s Razor, via Sligo’s finest Art For Blind tomorrow (December 3rd). Recorded and mixed by Pawsey at Non Space & The Pleasure Centre, the nine-track album features guest appearances by likes of Sara Leslie & Jamie Leipert aka These Are Atoms, Pretty Happy’s Abbey Blake, Sam Clague and the Altered Hours’…

  • Protomartyr and Oh Boland Set For Irish Shows

    December 1, 2021 - By 

    Protomartr will team up with Tuam’s finest, Oh Boland, for four Irish dates next year. As part of the former Michigan post-punk band’s up UK and Irish tour, both bands will play Cork’s Cyprus Avenue on April 20th, Limerick’s Dolans on April 21st, Dublin’s Button Factory on April 22nd and Belfast’s Ulster Sports Club on April 23rd. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday, December 3rd 2021. Revisit a highlight from Protomartyr’s 2015 album The Agent Intellect below.