Having already featured the likes of Scottish headliners Carnivores, Derry punk outfit Lost Avenue and hotly-tipped duo Rosseau, the latest in our series of videos looking back at Smalltown America Records’ Sixth All-Dayer features quartet American Clay and their track ‘Gutted’. Quintessential indie-rock stylings, this. We approve. Check out Paul Martin Brown’s video below and buy the STA All Dayer #6 live album here.
Having recounted some exquisite tales for us in his previous alias of Meb Jon Sol last year – and with the release of his new single, ‘Pilgrim’, on Friday – Omagh songsmith Michael McCullagh AKA Son of the Hound returns for a new string of columns for The Thin Air. Photo by Tom Nicholl. The train shook the window as it passed. The fixings of the steel bunks shuddered and cream paint flaked from the wall, falling quietly as the noise of the train faded into the Dublin hum. ‘That’s why the room was so cheap’ I said. I heaved my guitar case on…
Citing Cluster, Harmonia and Neu! as key influences, the Kraut-soaked dream-psych of Dublin artist Andy Walsh AKA White Sage is right up our Kosmiche-inclined street. Following on from his debut EP under the moniker, Way Beyond Our Means, ‘Kassetten Stimme’ – the first track to be lifted from his forthcoming self-titled LP – is a cunning canvas of weaving cosmic sounds, analog synths, found conversations and braying guitar shapes, driven forth by palpitating drum machine rhythms throughout. Released via Little Gem Records this Friday, September 25, the video for the track – a suitably warped, phantasmagoric affair – was also produced by Walsh. Speaking about…
Supported by The Amorettes, Danko Jones and his band stopped off at Belfast’s Limelight 2 at the weekend. Photos by Liam Kielt.
An eight-track, homemade, mini-album, Metal Alligator by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Shanley is a snapshot of an artist who threw complete caution to the wind in favour of reaping the artistic fruits of flux, providence and transformation. Having relocated to London, throwing himself into a heady maelstrom of writing and recording for both himself and others, Shanley took time to assemble this new release, the follow-up to Bedroom Tapes, released at the tail-end of 2013. Beginning on lead single, ‘My Mind Ain’t Pretty (At The Minute)’, Metal Alligator was recorded “on various devices” throughout 2015 and features multi-instrumentalist Shanley performing “vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, fristleism, synths,…
Despite kicking off at the very beginning of Autumn, Achill Island’s Battle for the Burning Lake festival is set to make the most of a forecast Indian summer over the weekend of September 25-27. With the likes of The Eskies and Daithí set to perform at the annual Co. Mayo celebration, the festival also has watersports – namely kitesurfing at the legendary Keel Lake – at the heart of its programme. Also boasting a funfair and the food village, entry for Friday and Saturday is free during the day for spectators. Check out the full artist line-up below and go here to buy tickets (also…
To say we have intently dug The Altered Hours‘ summoning psych wizardry over the last few years would be something of a towering understatement. Not unlike their fellow rebel county alchemists The Vincent(s), the band have always tapped into something primordial and rooted in darkly spectral, deeply charismatic allure; a conjuring that has only grown more potent and steadfast over time. With their fervidly-sought debut album, In Heat Not Sorry, set for release via Art For Blind Records/Penske Recordings in January, the Cork band have whetted our psych-inclined appetite yet further with ‘Way of Sorrow’, a brisk and purposeful burst of chugging force…
Featuring everyone from Naive Ted and Isaac Hayes to Dungen and Build an Ark, Limerick electronic hip-hop trio Rusangano Family have well and truly sorted our evening’s listening with the very first, hour-long installment of their podcast, Rusangano Radio. Recorded in Clonakilty, this first volume – perfectly balanced between a whole heap of great tunes and the collective’s musings on evetything under the Irish sun – features none other than Pa and Steve from Windings. Check it out below and share the goodness.
Back in 2013, Brendan Fennessy from Waterford five-piece O Emperor took part in our Track Record feature, selecting the likes of Tame Impala and The Stooges as some of his most treasured records. Two years on, his band have distilled the spectral psych-pop of the former and the pounding punk panache of the latter on their new single ‘Switchblade’. Set to feature on the band’s forthcoming, Trout Record-released EP Lizard, the track is a prismatic slice of throwback alt-pop, suggesting we might well be in for something rather special with the new release. O Emperor play the following shows over the next few months:…
Formerly the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Festival, The Cork International Short Story Festival runs from September 22-26. Featuring workshops, readings, talks, launches, screenings and more from the likes of Susan Burke-Treky, Eimean Ryan, Marie Helene Bertino, Danielle McLaughlin, Thomas Morris and Siddhartha Gigoo, the programme for this year’s festival is speckled with a whole host of curious and captivating literary happenings taking place right across the city. Whilst some of the events aren’t, much of this festival programme is free to attend. Go here to learn more information about events, times, venues and admission.