• Far At Sea: An Interview with Ailbhe Reddy and Maria Kelly

    May 5, 2017 - By 

    Two of the country’s brightest indie-folk talents, Ailbhe Reddy and Maria Kelly are on the road as part of their Far At Sea Tour, which will take them across the country over the next while. Ahead of stopping off at Belfast’s the MAC on Friday, May 12, we chat to the pair about collaboration, inspiration and why Ireland is a fertile land for folk music. Hi guys. First off, your show at the MAC in Belfast is part of your forthcoming Far At Sea tour. How did that first come about? Ailbhe: Well, Maria and I were working on getting venues…

  • Premiere: Silverbacks – What’s In Your Bag?

    May 4, 2017 - By 

      Set to release their Sink The Fat Moon EP upstairs in Whelan’s on Saturday, May 27, Dublin lo-fi indie rock quintet Silverbacks couldn’t be more up our street. With an aesthetic stemming directly from the source U.S. alternative rock’s heyday of the late 80s and early 90s, they weave slack tales with killer Jazzmaster shapes and spirals of glassy melody like few others in these parts. Following on the heels of last month’s ‘Dirty Money’, new single ‘What’s In Your Bag?’ is another stellar effort from probably our favourite Irish band at the minute. Have an exclusive first listen to the single…

  • Watch: Mons Olympus – Incognito

    May 4, 2017 - By 

    Ahead of releasing their long-awaited debut album, Vampyroteuthis, at Belfast’s Empire Music Hall tonight, space-prog quartet Mons Olympus have unveiled one of the downright funnest music videos from an Irish act that we’ve seen in quite some time. The accompaniment to riff-fuelled new single ‘Incognito’, the cosmically-inclined visuals were filmed on location at The Burren in Co. Clare, and other locations.  Stream the album in full and check out the video – directed and edited by Mervyn Marshall and Chris McConnell, with after FX by Paul McGrath – below. Vampyroteuthis by Mons Olympus

  • Watch: Robocobra Quartet – You’ll Shrug (Live)

    May 4, 2017 - By 

    Ahead of a string of Irish and UK dates over the summer, Belfast’s Robocobra Quartet have unveiled a live video of ‘You’ll Shrug’, a highlight from Chris Ryan-fronted band’s debut album, Music For All Occasions. Filmed at the launch of said release at Belfast’s Reedemer Central Church back in November, the track’s sprawling tangents and sax-laden primal scream is captured in slick multi-shot monochrome courtesy of Belfast artist Stuart Calvin. Have a peek and endeavour to make one of these dates: May 12: Dublin – Whelan’s May 19: Brighton – Great Escape Festival (Hope & Ruin) May 19: Brighton – Great Escape…

  • Video Premiere: Hornets – Threads

    May 3, 2017 - By 

    On May 20, Belfast hardcore punk quartet Hornets will launch their long-awaited debut album, Witch Hunt, as part of one of the finest local heavy bills we’ve seen in quite some time. Ahead of that, we’re pleased to present an exclusive first look at the first video for a track taken from the release, ‘Threads’. Filmed and edited by band member Craig McCloskey, it’s a suitably menacing, monochrome accompaniment, driving home the track’s vengeful attack and tone. Witch Hunt is released via Solid Choice Industries on May 19.

  • Stream: Vogelbat – Lithx (feat. Sad Mermaid

    April 27, 2017 - By 

    From 2015’s ‘Miw’ right through to ‘Ovl’ – a stellar single released back in September of last year – we’ve been closely following the output of Berlin-based Kilkenny producer and soundtrack composer Dave Sheenan AKA Vogelbat. New track ‘Lithx’ continues his run in fine fashion. Featuring Sad Mermaid – who featured on both the aforementioned singles – it’s another first-rate slice of ambient-leading electronica, melding shuddering pockets of rhythm, synth swells and abstracted vocals over nigh on five minutes. We dig it. Check it out.

  • Album Premiere and Q+A: Ships – Precession

    April 27, 2017 - By 

    The product of two long years of writing, demoing, debating and recording, Dublin electronic duo Ships will release their debut album – and one of the Irish albums of the year – on Monday. Ahead of its official release, have an exclusive first listen to Precession and read our interview with Simon Cullen and Sorca McGrath from the fast-rising outfit below. What was the writing process like for the album? And are there are any overarching main themes? The songs were written over the space of two years or so and the idea of the album gathered momentum over time.…

  • Home Truths: An Interview With Lisa O’Neill

    April 27, 2017 - By 

    Ahead of her highly-anticipated appearance at Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy next Friday, May 5, Cavan folk raconteuse Lisa O’Neill talks to Brian Coney about the imprint of literature on her work, her admiration for Heaney and plans for album number four. Go here to buy tickets. Photos by Joe Laverty Hi Lisa. First off: what compels you to play HomePlace and what are your own experiences with the writing of Seamus Heaney? I’ve heard great things about HomePlace and feel honored to be invited to perform there. From what I’ve read and listened to of Seamus Heaney, I’m left…

  • Little Dragon Set For Dublin Hallowe’en Show

    April 27, 2017 - By 

    Touring in support of their recent fifth full-length studio album, Season High, Swedish electronic quartet Little Dragon will play their first Irish show in three years when they hit up Dublin’s Vicar Street on Hallowe’en night (October 31 – just in case). Tickets for the show are priced at €24.50 (incl. booking fee) and go on sale at 9am on Thursday, May 4.

  • Todd Terje Set for District 8

    April 26, 2017 - By 

    With the Irish festival and gig calendar already brimming with many must-attend events, it’s been announced that Norwegian electronic wizard Todd Terje will play a live set at Dublin’s District 8 on Friday, June 16 courtesy of Hidden Agenda. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 9am from €18 + fees. Go here for the show’s Facebook event page and here to buy tickets.