• Playlist: 10 Must-See Acts at Hard Working Class Heroes 2015

    September 30, 2015 - By 

    On the eve of the return of the country’s leading celebration of homegrown, independent music, Hard Working Class Heroes, we have compiled a list of 10 comprehensively unmissable acts to catch across Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Go here for the full schedule. Everything Shook Argento Nights EP by Everything Shook Arborist Twisted Arrow ft. Kim Deal by arborist Inni-K The King has Two Horse’s Ears by Inni-K The Altered Hours Silences Participant Bit Slow by Participant Elastic Sleep Slip by Elastic Sleep I Have a Tribe SlowPlaceLikeHome Best Boy Grip Sharks by BestBoyGrip

  • Stream: My Tribe Your Tribe – Ghost With You

    September 30, 2015 - By 

    Following a packed summer schedule that included slots at Electric Picnic, Body & Soul, Valentia Isle, Spirit of Folk and Secret Village Festivals, eclectic Kildare duo My Tribe Your Tribe have released their third single this year, ‘Ghost With You’. With their debut album due in 2016, this cut fuses their anthemic pop sensibilities with jagged, alt. rock guitar lines and electro-pop synth use. They play The Academy Green Room this Thursday for Hard Working Class Heroes at 9pm, and you can preview the rest of their material on Bandcamp. ‘Ghost With You’ will be released on October 30, but you can stream it…

  • Watch: Blue Whale – Jack Irons

    September 25, 2015 - By 

    Ex-drummer for the likes of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam and Eleven, Jack Irons has an interesting and illustrious CV – one which he can (yet probably won’t) now add, “Title of instrumental banger by Belfast-based experimental band Blue Whale” to. A collaboration between the band, filmmaker Tom Hughes and contemporary dancer Maeve McGreevy, the quartet’s new single is a potent, wonderfully emphatic audio-visual creation, fusing Blue Whale’s bombastic, Battles-esque experimental instrumental rock with Hughes’ sublime directorial eye and a truly compelling performance by McGreevy throughout. The track was recorded by Start Together’s Ben McAuley and is available to download here. Blue Whale play…

  • Premiere: SlowPlaceLikeHome – Cesare’s Principle

    September 25, 2015 - By 

    One of our must-see acts at this year’s Hard Working Class Heroes, Donegal producer Keith Mannion AKA SlowPlaceLikeHome has summoned some spectacular sounds over the last few years. “Finally the album it as supposed to be,” Mannion will released a rebooted version of his sublime debut album, Romola, on October 27. A largely re-recorded version of the original, Mannion says it will close the chapter on the album, with new material planned for early next year. The penultimate track on Romola, we’re very happy to premiere the latest incarnation of Cesare’s Principle, featuring guest vocals by the Masterson sisters. SlowPlaceLikeHome play Dublin’s…

  • Track Record: Nialler9

    September 30, 2015 - By 

    Niall Byrne AKA Nialler9 selects and talks about some of his all-time favourite records, including The Redneck Manifesto, J Dilla, Ships and Kraftwerk. Photos by Mark Earley. The Redneck Manifesto – First Three Album package I found this at the Dublin Flea Market one Sunday in Newmarket Square which is just around the corner from my house. The Rednecks were among the first independent Irish bands I got into so it was nice to get this. Fun fact, Lisa Hannigan called me a bollocks because I bought it before she did. Beastie Boys – Ill Communication I first discovered the Beastie…

  • Stream: Galants – Out of Sight

    September 24, 2015 - By 

    It comes as no surprise that the five artists listed under the “influences” section of Dublin noise-pop band Galants‘ Facebook page read as a veritable “who’s who” of the genre’s exalted heyday. Evoking the varyingly shimmering, feedback-soaked lulls and barrages of the aforesaid imperial quintet – Dinosaur Jr., Teenage Fanclub, My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth, Swervedriver and Yo La Tengo – their new single ‘Out of Sight’ presents a fleecy levee of fuzz with perfectly languid vocals, throwing back and looking forward in wonderfully realised unison. Throw in Connor Walls’ guest guitar solo – knowingly reminiscent of Lord J Mascis’s more intent-drenched lead forays – and you are very…

  • Watch: Le Galaxie feat. Elaine Mae – Love System

    September 23, 2015 - By 

    Yet another visual masterstroke by Brendan Canty of Feel Good Lost, the brand new video for ‘Love System’ by Le Galaxie (feat. Elaine Mae) features an Irish couple delving headfirst into the throes of night and complete abandon, zig-zagging across the country, getting up to all kinds of badness in service stations, amusement arcades, greasy spoon diners and driving ranges. Le Galaxie’s Le Club will be available worldwide from November 6 via Universal Music Ireland. Watch the video for Love System below.

  • Video Premiere/Q+A: Edward F Butler feat. Katharine Philippa – Futures Full

    September 24, 2015 - By 

    Doubling up as an exclusive first look at the former’s video for the release, Brian Coney chats to Edward F Butler and Katharine Philippa about their inspired collaboration on superb new single ‘Futures Full’ and more. Hi guys. First off, when were proverbial seeds for this collaboration sown? Edward: When I first heard Katharine’s voice I knew that there was something special, and then the more we started to hang out, we just were kindred spirits, both hyper creative. We met at S.A.R.C, the breeding ground for Belfast’s experimental pop types, but didn’t start working together until the start of this year. Katharine:…

  • Brand New w/ Basement @ Vicar Street, Dublin

    September 23, 2015 - By 

    Vicar Street is buzzing tonight. This evening’s show, Brand New, is rather comfortably sold out. The touts out front are making a killing and the attendees are decked out in a multitude of attires ranging from well worn tees to freshly pressed school uniforms. The anticipation is pabalate as this is the first time the New York punks have visited the Republic in many years. The group also haven’t had a major release since 2009’s Daisy and have only recently released any kind of output, the single ‘Mene’. Yet, as evidenced by the crowd, Brand New are able to inspire…

  • Video Premiere: Kate Quinby – Jack and Jill

    September 23, 2015 - By 

    Having recently resided in Belfast by way of Chicago and New Orleans, Kate Quinby is an artist who effortlessly marries jazz, soul and folk to create a sound very much her own. With her instantly striking vocals at the forefront of her craft, new single ‘Jack and Jill’ is one of the highlights from her sublime debut album, Tribute to Water. Filmed in Chicago – namely the beach at Lake Michigan during sunrise and an urban abandoned lot – the video for the track is a wonderfully radiant accompaniment featuring professional dancers and performers from the Chicago area. Better still, it’s all entirely improvised. Have…