• Watch: Sister Ghost – Scent

    Derry garage-punk singer-songwriter Shannon O’Neill AKA Sister Ghost have unveiled the video for her debut single, ‘Scent’. Recorded by Russell Matbouli at Belfast’s Resonate Studio, the track is the first outing from multi-instrumentalist O’Neill, previously of Belfast-based three-piece Vanilla Gloom. The track – accompanied with an acoustic demo of the debut single – is available to stream/purchase via Bandcamp. Check that and the video for the track out below. Scent by Sister Ghost  

  • Women’s Christmas join Out on a Limb

    With their debut album, Too Rich For Our Blood, set for release in October, Dublin indie rock band Women’s Christmas have signed to one of the country’s finest independent labels, Out On a Limb. Comprised of members of Jogging, No Monster Club and Villagers (Son Christmas, Boy Christmas and Kid Christmas), the three-piece formed in 2013 with the aim to “capitalise on The Replacements reunion and possible accompanying wave of nostalgia for scrappy out-dated boozy alt-rock”. Fair play, we say. Women’s Christmas launch Too Rich For Our Blood at Dublin’s The Pop Inn on Friday, October 17, supported by Night Trap…

  • Watch: Groom – I’ve Never Been In a Real Fight

    Having released three albums and EP to date – the latter the exquisite Brothers and Sisters – Dublin indie-pop four-piece Groom have unveiled the video to ‘I’ve Never Been In A Fight’. Directed and edited by the band’s drummer Ruan Van Vliet, the video features frontman Michael Stevens in various places in Dublin including The Lower Deck on Portabello Harbour. The track is taken from Groom’s forthcoming album Bread and Jam, released via Popical Island. Watch the video below. [/video  

  • Stream: SlowPlaceLikeHome – Luna

    Having caught our ear a few months back, Donegal producer Keith Mannion AKA SlowPlaceLikeHome has released his second single proper, the beguiling ‘Luna’. Lifted from Mannion’s forthcoming debut album, titled Romola, the track is a wonderfully phantasmal release, capturing a more fleshed-out, concentrated songwriting approach. Romola is released via August 11th via Bluestack Records. Stream SlowPlaceLikeHome via Soundcloud below.

  • Garth Brooks concerts officially cancelled

    The final chapter in what’s (let’s face it) been a disastrous series of events, Garth Brooks has finally released a statement confirming that the proposed five Dublin concerts will not go ahead, and that the refund process to go ahead via Ticketmaster. Read his statement below. “I have always been advised to NEVER send a message in “the moment.” It is said it is best to take a walk, wait awhile, and think about it. With that said, I just received the news the Irish council cannot change their earlier ruling to not allow the licenses for all five shows. To…

  • Download: Robocobra Quartet – Artbook Flipping/Spring Rounds

    The follow-up to their double single ‘Threnody for Vengaboyz/Snake Charmin’, self-proclaimed “chamber punk” four-piece Robocobra Quartet have made their latest double single, ‘Artbook Flipping/Spring Rounds’, available as a Pay as You Like download. A heady and compelling sonic concoction evoking Soul Coughing, Gil Scott-Heron, Charles Mingus, Allen Ginsberg, Isotope 217, John Zorn and Rage Against The Machine, the quartet’s blend of hip-hop, jazz, beat poetry-inspired vocals (courtesy of drummer/vocalist Chris Ryan) and improvisational noise is captured very nicely over the two tracks, alliterative throwdowns blending with frenetic sax overtures and some wonderfully boss bass work. Stream/download the double-single via Abbreviated Records on…

  • The Thin Air Writers Club @ Oh Yeah Centre, Belfast

    We’re teaming up with Belfast’s Oh Yeah Music Center from Monday, July 21 to Friday, July 25 to present The Thin Air Writers Club, a five-day music journalism course looking at many different aspects of the craft, profession and industry. Aimed towards those aged 14-18 year old, the course will take place from 10am to 4pm each day, with each daily installment focusing on everything from writing reviews, conducting interviews, feature writing, digital presentation, blogging, building a portfolio and much more. Culminating at the next Volume Control gig at the Oh Yeah Centre on Friday, July 25, the course – £60.00…

  • “We Are…” by Diarmuid Kennedy

    One of the leading lights in Irish freelance photography, Belfast-based photographer Diarmuid Kennedy will host “We Are…”, an exhibition featuring a selection of his superb black-and-white local gig photography at Belfast’s Linen Mill Library from Monday, August 4 to Thursday, August 28. Having snapped countless bands and artists in numerous venues across the last couple of years, Kennedy has captured some extraordinary and unforgettable performances. The exhibition – part of the Local Art by Local Artists exhibitions featuring Northern Irish artists – is sure to be a wonderful testatment to Kennedy’s skill and passion for capturing up-and-coming musicians in the live…

  • Becks Rhythm Weekender

    New Belfast venue Aether & Echo will play host to two nigh on unmissable shows as part of the forthcoming Becks Rhythm Weekender on Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24. Legendary Godfather of neo-soul, co-founder of jazz funk and one of the most sampled artists in history, Roy Ayers will grace the stage on the Saturday night. Renown for his stunning live jazz shows, his tracks such as ‘Everybody Loves The Sunshine’, ‘Searchin” and ‘Running Away’ has seen him become one of the most iconic and respected musicians of his genre. His influence and reach over six decades cannot be overstated; to…

  • Stream: REID – Fractures

    Featuring suitably enchanting vocals by Karen Sheridan AKA Slow Skies) Cork producer REID has concocted delicate somnambulant wonder on his new track, ‘Fractures’. Clocking in a just over four minutes, the track evolves from a simmering, shady eulogy to a fully-blossomed dancefloor jam, shuffling beats marrying gently stabbing synth lines and tinkling chimes. The track is taken from REID’s new EP, Fractures, which will be released via M:UK on August 11. Stream ‘Fractures’ via Soundcloud below.