• Watch: Robyn G Shiels – An Offering as Such

    November 29, 2018 - By 

    Tonight, Robyn G Shiels launches his exceptional new five-track EP, Death of the Shadows, at Belfast’s Strand Arts Centre. Originally from Kilrea, the Belfast-based singer-songwriter has, with the help of some friends including Ben McAuley, who recorded it at Belfast’s Start Together Studios, crafted a release of exquisite doom-folk depth and lyrical incision. A perfect case in point is lead single, ‘An Offering as Such’, which comes accompanied with a wonderfully minimalist, yet visually potent video courtesy of Tristan Crowe. Death of the Shadows is self-released on 10″ vinyl via Black Tragick records tomorrow.

  • Cate Le Bon For Dun Laoghaire

    November 28, 2018 - By 

    Welsh avant-pop singer-songwriter Cate Le Bon will play a solo piano show at the Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire at the start of next year. The critically-acclaimed artist – who is currently working on her fifth studio album – will play the venue on January 6. Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Thursday, November 29) at 9am, priced €22.

  • Stefan Murphy Set For Dublin Return

    November 27, 2018 - By 

    Hands down one of the most incisive and naturally-gifted songsmiths that the island of Ireland has ever produced, Atlanta-based Dublin artist Stefan Murphy will return to play upstairs in Whelans on Thursday, January 24. It’s a new tour from a rejuvenated artist whose output and shows over the years, – from Subtonics and the Mighty Stef to his fertile solo guise Count Vaseline – speaks for itself. Better still, a forthcoming solo album (his first simply as Stefan Murphy) bears the imprint of some of his all-time big influences, including Velvet Underground, Van Morrison, Jonathan Richman and Townes Van Zandt. Tickets for…

  • 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…