• Stream: Sleep Thieves – Sparks (Haüer Remix)

    May 21, 2015 - By 

    Eight months on from the release of his (inter)stellar debut EP, Esperbyte, Dublin electro producer John Rooney AKA Haüer has unveiled his remix of Sleep Thieves‘ ‘Sparks’, the b-side to the latter’s latest single, ‘You Want The Night’. A synth-drenched masterstroke, the remix is a retro-futuristic, electro-disco re-imaging of ridiculously danceable proportions, re-igniting our excitement for new Haüer material later in the year. Haüer and Extra Fox support Sleep Thieves at Dublin’s Grand Social tonight (Thursday, May 21) Photos by Loreana Rushe.

  • Stream: Hot Cops – Decay/Six

    May 20, 2015 - By 

    We’re going on the record here: Belfast trio Hot Cops are one of the best up-and-coming bands in the country at the minute, and easily the most satisfyingly spot on indie rock power-triptychs Ireland has probably ever produced. “Aye, right!” cries out an ill-informed, anonymous voice in the proverbial crowd. And we refute that refutation with the following link to the Carl Eccles-fronted trio’s blisteringly brilliant new double single, ‘Decay/Six’. Familiar in all the right places, with a carefully-considered lack of affectation (paradoxes are “in”, man), both tracks are outright highlights from the band’s ever-impressive live show – one that you shouldn’t pass…

  • Inbound: Oaks

    May 21, 2015 - By 

    When he’s not drumming for the likes of Matua Trap and Kasper Rosa, Belfast-based drummer and producer James ‘Tree’ Bruce is concocting some sublime electronic sounds as Oaks. Having just released his consistently impressive, hugely promising debut release, L’etoile Mysterieuse, Brian Coney chats to Bruce about the project. You’re a drummer in a couple of different bands – what inspired you to branch out (no pun intended) into Oaks? I’ve been making music on my own for years but it was always just for the pleasure of doing it, seeing what I could come up with. It was actually a…

  • More Acts Set for Longitude

    May 20, 2015 - By 

    With just under two months to go to go until the festival, several new acts have been confirmed to play Longitude 2015. Set to take place at Dublin’s Marlay Park across the weekend of Friday, July 17 to Sunday, July 19, the following acts are amongst the latest additions: Le Galaxie / Carl Craig / Cashmere Cat / Leon Bridges / Josef Salvat/ Haelos / All Tvvins / Brame / EMBRZ / Frank B / Jeremy Underground / Wife / Shane Linehan / Hubie Davison / Niall D’Arcy / John Daly / Faune / 4Wrd Grad / Contour / Lee…

  • Watch: Fierce Mild – Equal People

    May 19, 2015 - By 

    Far from sitting on the proverbial Marriage Equality fence, Dublin lo-fi trio Fierce Mild play a ridiculously endearing brand of lo-fi punk, inflected with little flourishes of danceable beats and a general sense of celebration. “Celebration of what,” you ask? “Equality, in all its forms” we reply. Watch the video for their single ‘Equal People’, taken from their debut EP, Yes N Yes N Yes, below.  

  • Front of House: Louise McElvanna (CQAF)

    May 19, 2015 - By 

    In the latest installment of Front of House, Brian Coney chats to Louise McElvanna, Event Manager at the likes of Open House Festival, Belfast Festival at Queens and the recent Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. Photos by Sara Marsden. Hi Louise. You’ve just finished working at this year’s Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. First off, any highlights? Hello The Thin Air. It’s always a mad 11-day whirlwind. There were so many highlights for me, but The Staves show was amazing, I just love them. I’m considering applying for the position of fourth Stave, but I’m not actually sure there’s a vacancy going! It was also…

  • Monday Mixtape: Christian Donaghey (Autumns)

    May 18, 2015 - By 

    In the latest installment of Monday Mixtape, Derry musician Christian Donaghey – best known for his noise-pop project Autumns – selects and talks about some of his all-time favourite songs, featuring the likes of The Telescopes, Psychic Tv and Medicine. Autumns support Blue Whale at our BYOB, filmed show at Belfast’s The Loft this Saturday night (May 23). They will also support The KVB in Berlin on June 17. James Chance and The Blacks – Contort Yourself There’s two versions of this song, the other is by James Chance and The Contortions. I love this version a lot more because they made guitars…

  • New Additions to Forbidden Fruit Line-Up

    May 14, 2015 - By 

    Shaping up to be one of the festivals of the Irish summer, Forbidden Fruit have announced a handful of next acts to its 2015 bill. Joining the likes of Wu Tang Clan, Nicolas Jaar and Jamie XX to the line-up – taking place at Dublin’s Royal Hospital Kilmainham from May 29-31 – are East India Youth, Kowton, Lorenzo Senni, Tei Shi and U.S. electronic maestro Will Wiesenfield AKA Baths (pictured). Check out the full line-up below and go here to buy tickets to the festival.

  • Stream: Sorcha Richardson – Petrol Station

    May 14, 2015 - By 

    Having first caught our attention back in October, 2013 with the delicate, confessional folk of her wonderfully understated EP, Last Train, New York-based Dublin songstress Sorcha Richardson has just released a new track, ‘Petrol Station’. A simmering, nocturnal slice of electro-pop which sees Richardson’s lyrical gymnastic take centre-stage, the track was recorded by Gian Stone. Stream it below.

  • Inaugural Hollow Sounds Festival Announced

    May 14, 2015 - By 

    Jape, Slow Skies, I Have A Tribe, Elephant and The Man Whom are amongst the acts set to play the inaugural Hollow Sounds festival at the scenic Ballykeeffe Ampitheatre in Co. Kilkenny this Summer. Set to take place across the weekend of July 3-4, the festival – presented by KPB and Homebeat – promises to bring together a line-up of forward-thinking Irish music and classic cinema to the Kilkenny countryside venue. On the Friday, Happenings will be making their Kilkenny debut by screening The Goonies (we’re sold!). Sounds like a really cool and intimate event in the making. Snap up tickets for the festival – which go on…