• Video exclusive: C-BEAMS – Tannhauser

    March 24, 2014 - By 

    Ahead of its general release later in the week, we’re happy to present an exclusive first look at the new electronic audio/visual project by Belfast-based artists Paul Shevlin and Richard Butler AKA C-BEAMS. Featuring music by Shevlin (also of alt-pop band Hologram) and film by Butler, the pair’s somnambulant debut offering, ‘Tannhauser’, is the first song to be taken from their debut four-track EP, Scars. Speaking of the project, Shevlin (pictured above) said, “The project started when Richard and I started spitballing ideas to work on together. We both have similar tastes when it comes to music/film and the idea of working on…

  • Interview: Solar Bears

    March 21, 2014 - By 

    Ahead of their Thin Air show at Belfast’s Voodoo this Saturday night (March 22), Brian Coney talks to John Kowalski from Dublin electronic duo Solar Bears about the evolution of their sound, the imprint of cinema on their music-making and how things are going in the process of piecing together album number three. Hi John. You’re currently in the process of making your third album. How have things been progressing over the last couple of months? Really good thanks. We are deviating a lot and making sure we are covering new ground, which is our preference. At the moment there…

  • Gig of the week: Solar Bears, Ryan Vail, Blue Whale @ Voodoo

    March 18, 2014 - By 

    We hope we’re not accused of too much bias with this one but… our gig of the week for March 17-24 is our next showcase at Belfast’s Voodoo Bar on Saturday, March 22. Supported by Belfast jazz-punk masters Blue Whale and fast-rising Derry electronic duo Ryan Vail, Dublin electronic pair Solar Bears – currently in the process of writing their third studio album – will make their long-awaited return to Belfast with a headlining DJ set. Doors are at 8.30pm, door tax is £8 (pay at the door) and the first 10 people through the door get a poster from the…

  • First acts announced for Electric Picnic 2014

    March 19, 2014 - By 

    Trip-hop pioneers Portishead and U.S hip-hop duo Outkast are amongst the first wave of acts announced for this year’s Electric Picnic. With tickets for the festival going on sale at 7pm tonight, the following acts were revealed to play the festival, taking place at Stradbally Estate, Co. Laois from Friday 29 to Sunday, August 31: Portishead Outkast Beck Foals Pet Shop Boys Paulo Nutini Chic featuring Nile Rodgers Lily Allen St. Vincent Simple Minds London Grammar Metronomy Slowdive Laura Mvula Annie Mac Flume The Stranglers Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks The Blades The Wailers Omar Souleyman White Denim Temples Sohn Jungle…

  • Watch: Deadlights – Passenger

    March 17, 2014 - By 

    Four months after the release of the stellar ‘Glass Houses’, Lisburn alt-rock band Deadlights have unveiled the video for their new single, ‘Passenger’. Created by Tommy Keery of Dog Kennel Productions, the video, which features the band performing the track, is inter-cut with a story that holds no bars in conveying the harsh reality of abduction. The single, mastered by the masterful Jon Moorehead, was recorded by Mike Mormecha of Mojo Fury at Millbank Studios. Watch the video below.

  • Interview: Slint

    March 14, 2014 - By 

    Over two decades since it was released into unravelling obscurity, Spiderland by Louisville post-rock pioneers Slint has ever-increasingly climbed the ranks to be commonly heralded as one of the most revered cult records of all time. As much lauded for its distinctly impenetrable introversion as it is its decidedly forward-thinking musical mastery, the six-track release will finally see a remastered release as part of a deluxe boxset – also featuring a feature-length documentary by Lance Bangs titled Breadcrumb Trail – next month. Ahead of our exclusive screening of Breadcrumb Trail at The Garrick, Belfast on Thursday, March 27, Brian Coney talks to…

  • Watch: RAMS’ Pocket Radio – Love Is A Bitter Thing

    March 12, 2014 - By 

    Taken from his album Béton, Northern Irish singer-songwriter Peter McAuley AKA RAMS’ Pocket Radio has released the subtly sublime video for his new single, ‘Love Is A Bitter Thing’. Directed by Darren Lee, the video see a solitary and evidently yearning McAuley – currently in Texas for South by Southwest 2014 – in a desolate yet beautiful woodland, forcefully playing and treating his piano to inevitable (but perhaps necessary?) abandon RAMS’ Pocket Radio play the following dates throughout March: March 12: The British Music Embasy – SXSW, Texas March 14: The Full Irish Breakfast – BD Riley, SXSW, Texas March 14:…

  • Inbound: The Wood Burning Savages

    March 13, 2014 - By 

    In the latest installment of Inbound, we chat to Paul Connolly and Dan Acheson from hotly-tipped Derry alt-rock quartet The Wood Burning Savages. Having just released their debut video for their wonderful new single ‘America’ following a hugely impressive headline performance at Belfast’s Radar, the pair talk about the band’s stance on being “old school” in the modern age, their stance on the imprint of last year’s City of Culture and having two albums worth of material waiting in the wings. Hi guys, you have just released the video for your new single, ‘America’. Can you tell us more about…

  • Watch: BeeMickSee – Awkward

    March 12, 2014 - By 

    Featuring his good friend Kev Jones from alt-punk band Empty Lungs, Belfast-based hip hop artist Brendan Seamus AKA BeeMickSee has unveiled the video for his new single, ‘Awkward’. Directed by Lauren Dusty McLune, the video – also featuring Seamus – is nicely edited together Sarah McGlinchey. The single itself is taken from BeeMickSee’s forthcoming album, The Belfast Yank, which features co-production from Rocky O’Reilly. BeeMickSee will play the following dates over the next couple of weeks: March 17: w/Blood or Whiskey and More Than Conquerors – Lavery’s Bar, Belfast April 24: Sweeney’s, Dublin April 25: w/Pocket Billiards – Stiff Kitten, Belfast April…

  • Watch: The Wood Burning Savages – America

    March 12, 2014 - By 

    Having becoming highly evolved over the last couple of months, Derry alt-rock quartet The Wood Burning Savages have unveiled their first music video, for their single ‘America’. Shot on zero budget and featuring some masterfully-compiled stock footage, the video was created and edited by Chris McAlinden. Additional footage was supplied by Fiachra O’ Longain and Lisa Byrne. The single is officially release on March 18, and will be available from iTunes and all other major online retailers. Watch the video below.