• Dinosaur Jr @ Vicar Street, Dublin

    November 21, 2016 - By 

    Not least since their much-heralded 2005 reunion, Dinosaur Jr shows have always been something of a foregone conclusion in that the following facts will almost always hold sway throughout: it will be “should-really-have-brought-earplugs” loud; the band probably won’t verbally interact with each other and – perhaps most assured of all – those who kneel at the altar of J Mascis will spend the entire mass show gawking at the frontman, agog, often open-mouthed and expectant of the next face-melting solo. Having had its doors darkened by many a revered figure this year, Dublin’s Vicar Street is no exception to that trifecta tonight.…

  • Premiere: Our Krypton Son – Everything Reminds Me Of You

    November 16, 2016 - By 

    Last month Derry songsmith Chris McConaghy AKA Our Krypton Son penned a column for TTA reflecting upon the somewhat unorthodox – yet seemingly very effective – songwriting process for his forthcoming second studio album. Bounding with the self-effacing spirit and wondrous lyricism that has defined his output to date, it well and truly piqued our interest in what lay in store for album number two. Now, a handful of weeks later, we’re very pleased to premiere the ‘Everything Reminds Me Of You’, not merely just the lead single from the release but easily one of McConaghy’s most focused and masterfully crafted…

  • Premiere: Dowth – Dowth

    November 16, 2016 - By 

    Every once in a while something lands in our inbox that makes us punch the air in quiet “fuck yeah” abandon. In the case of Dublin’s self-proclaimed “greatest pagantronic duo in the universe” Dowth, their debut self-titled LP induced that precise reaction on our first listen this morning. Comprise of John Kelleher (Rats Blood, GRIT) and Tim Ording (Melodica Deathship), the pair fuse acoustic instrumentation from melodica and fiddle to sample-based beats and synth drones, the pair conjure heavy, atmospheric sounds that draw “inspiration from the concept of ‘the otherworld’ in Irish folk and mythology.” Ahead of its release on hand screenprinted 12″…

  • Watch: Hot Cops – Dumbbo

    November 14, 2016 - By 

    Ahead of their debut London show at the Islington on November 30, Belfast trio Hot Cops have resurfaced with the suitably spaced-out video for recent single ‘Dummbo’. Featuring age-old visual hallmarks like burning marshmallows, pink bedsheet ghosts and some field ironing at dusk, it makes for a curious, uniquely realised four minutes for the threesome.

  • Monday Mixtape: Jack O’Rourke

    November 14, 2016 - By 

    In the latest installment of Monday Mixtape, Cork artist Jack O’Rourke guides us through some of his all-time favourite songs, including Iggy Pop, O Emperor, Beach House and Randy Newman. O’Rourke plays Mike The Pies in Listowel, Kerry and Belfast’s Duncairn Arts Centre on Thursday and Friday respectively. O Emperor – Po Everything O Emperor have put out is fucking incredible. They are edgy and push the boundaries sonically but there’s so many melodic hooks and genuine musicianship, so you’re never left thinking, is this Emperor’s new clothes? Inventive melodies and the sentiment about running from The Man with the trippiest video makes it compulsive…

  • AVA x NYE x Shine @ QUBSU

    November 14, 2016 - By 

    Following the success of their debut collaboration last New Year’s Eve, Belfast’s premiere electronic festival AVA will team up with Shine once again on December 31 at the home of the latter, Belfast’s Queen’s Students Union. Taking place across 3 rooms once again, Sunil Sharpe, Dave Clarke, Chris Hanna, Guerilla Shout, DSNT resident Ryan Dallas, Marion Hawkes and Claire Hall of GIRL and Clockwork are amongst those that will make an appearance for the annual blow-up.  Check out the full line-up below. A limited amount of early bird tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, November 14 from 10am from here, priced…

  • Watch: Robyn G Shiels – If I Were Thy Demon

    November 14, 2016 - By 

    Unveiled with the launch of a brand new website, Kilrea doom folk master Robyn G Shiels has teamed up once again with Belfast illustrator (and musician) Richard Davis for the funeral video for the former’s exceptional new single, ‘If I Were Thy Demon’. Having worked together on singles ‘Underneath The Night of Stars’ and ‘Hello Death’, it marks the third in a long-running series of collaborations between the two artists. Great as they all are, this might well be our favourite of the three to date. Get lost in the pair’s darkly netherworld.

  • Video Premiere: Hannah McPhillimy – Ruins

    November 14, 2016 - By 

    For many in the North (and quite a few others further afield) the name Hannah McPhillimy is synonymous with a very particular brand of delicately-woven, jazz-tinged indie-pop. Bearing the imprint of the likes of Feist and Daughter, the Belfast-based North Coast singer-songwriter has been on our radar for a few years now, with EPs Freedom Songs, Seeing Things and new four-track Wind Machine tracing the bloom of an artist whose craft and confidence have segued in sublime fashion. The second single to be taken from Wind Machine, ‘Ruins’ takes a philosophical look at a disintegrating relationship with both its musical and visual backdrop…

  • Stream: Marlene Enright – Alchemy

    November 11, 2016 - By 

    Beyond her work as a member of The Hard Ground, Cork’s Marlene Enright occupies a wonderfully spectral – and increasingly promising – place within the realm of Irish alt-folk and dream-pop. Conjuring the very best, inward-leaning hallmarks of acts like Mazzy Star and Sparklehorse, her new single ‘Alchemy’ is a truly accomplished effort weaving Enright’s command of forging vulnerability with mettle, all framed with some sublime production. Enright plays the following Irish dates in November and December. November 19: supporting John Blek in John Cleere’s Bar & Theatre, Kilkenny November 25: supporting John Blek in Coughlan’s Bar, Cork November 26: supporting…