• Exclusive stream: The Late David Turpin – Bear of a Star

    September 11, 2013 - By 

    On the eve of the release of his forthcoming third album, we have an exclusive stream of ‘Bear of a Star’ by Dublin-based singer-songwriter The Late David Turpin. Having already released two albums under his own name, Turpin – who recently died for “approximately died for 28 seconds” – will release We Belong Dead on September 13. To celebrate the release, Turpin will perform the album in full with a chamber choir  on September 15 at Dublin’s Smock Alley Theatre.  ‘Bear of a Star’ strikes a rather brilliant balance between Beck, Eels and Of Montreal, with hints of Wire and Soul Coughing. Ahead of our interview with Turpin on…

  • Watch: Arcade Fire – Reflektor

    September 9, 2013 - By 

    After considerable anticipation, Montreal indie band Arcade Fire have unveiled the interactive video for their new single, Reflektor. Easily one of the more interesting promos of its kind, the video allow viewers to alter effects in the clips via either their mobile, tablet or mouse. Reflektor is our on October 29 on Merge records. Watch (or direct) the incredible video here.

  • Recap: Hello Skinny, Dig, Survival Knife, etc.

    September 9, 2013 - By 

    This week’s installment of Recap – our weekly look back at the best songs released the week previous – is arguably our most diverse collection to date. Featuring three Irish acts of varying stature and attack, and a new track by a band that describe themselves as… wait for it… “post-music”. More Than Conquerors – Try-Antlers Ahead of the release of their debut album next month, Northern Irish four-piece More Than Conquerors released new tracks, ‘Jaw’ and ‘Try-Antlers’, on Wednesday afternoon. My favourite of the two is the latter – a brilliantly brooding distillation of the band’s increasingly inimitable alt-rock shtick. Dig –…

  • Video exclusive: FOG – Paranoids

    September 9, 2013 - By 

    Belfast-based rock band FOG (otherwise curiously known as Friends of Granleese) have unveiled the Sarah McGlinchey-directed video to their new single, ‘Paranoids’ – and we have an exclusive first look. The track – recorded at Omagh’s Outland Studios in June – will feature on the band’s forthcoming debut album Hollow & The Grace, due for release in late October. The track is also available to download via Soundcloud here. Check out the video below.

  • Watch: Blue Whale – Was

    September 9, 2013 - By 

    Belfast jazz-punk quartet Blue Whale have released the video for ‘Was’, the lead single from their forthcoming self-titled EP. Crated by Stuart Sloan, the video splices footage of the band performing the track with an array of contorted, skittering, warped images. The band’s self-titled EP will be releaesd on 7″ vinyl on Friday, September 20 at Culture Night Belfast, when the band will be performing a “rooftop tour” in the City Centre from 4-8pm followed by their EP launch party in St. Anne’s Car Park at 10pm. Watch the video for ‘Was’ Below.

  • Watch: Axis Of – The World’s Oldest Computer

    September 6, 2013 - By 

    As part of their “Sharing St. Kilda” Day – and ahead of their performance at the fourth annual Tweed Fest tomorrow – North Coast three-piece Axis Of have unveiled the video to their new single, ‘The World’s Oldest Computer’. For all of today, the Ewen Friers-fronted band have asked the fans to the spread the word about all things Axis Of via social media and other platforms. Earlier today, they announced details of a forthcoming thirty-two date tour. See below for the dates. September 7: Ballymoney – Tweedfest 11: Dublin – Workmans w/ Jetplane Landing 12: Dublin – Tower Records…

  • EP Stream: The Last Generation – Torann

    September 6, 2013 - By 

    Having come on serious leaps and bounds over the last few months to establish themselves as one of the most promising rock acts in the country, Mid-Ulster four-piece The Last Generation have unveiled their new four-track EP, Torann. Displaying a more progressive, decidedly metal-influenced sound, the four-track follow-up to last year’s Revelation EP is the band’s first release with new drummer Conchobhar Ó Dochartaigh, also of Mid-Ulster acid-prog band The Institute*. The Last Generation hold their hometown launch of the EP tonight (Friday, September 6) at Draperstown’s soon to be sadly-missed Cellar Bar. The EP will see its Belfast launch…

  • Watch: VerseChorusVerse – No More Years (Live)

    September 5, 2013 - By 

    Belfast-based singer-songwriter Tony Wright AKA VerseChorusVerse has unveiled a the third installment of his four-part live video sessions. Featuring a full band comprising members of LaFaro and General Fiasco, the video was filmed by the lovely chaps at Bandwidth. You can check out some of their other work here. ‘No More Years’ is set to feature on Wright’s forthcoming debut album. Watch the live video right here.

  • Belfast Festival 2013 programme unveiled

    September 5, 2013 - By 

    Now in its 51st year, the programme for Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queens 2013 was launched today. Taking place from October 17-27 the annual multi-disciplinary arts festival will take place across various venues and feature countless continent-spanning events and showcases in music, arts, dance, theatre, film, talks and more. Acts set to play the festival include New York indie-folk/roots band Hem, Copenhagen classically-infused indie rock three-piece Efterklang (above) and cult blues American guitarist Eric Bibb and his band. Other highlights of the festival include a performance by world-renown Spanish tenor José Carreras, a staging on Samuel Beckett’s iconic absurdist play…

  • Hard Working Class Heroes 2013: 10 must-see acts

    September 5, 2013 - By 

    Set to take place from Thursday to Saturday 5 October, Hard Working Class Heroes – hands down the country’s leading independent music showcase – is soon set to take place right across Dublin. Over three days and nights, 101 acts will perform at 7 venues across the city for the annual event, now in its eleventh year. From Northern Irish singer-songwriters Joshua Burnside and Little Rivers to Dublin noise pop-quartet September Girls and Cork psych-rock band The Altered Hours, the very best of the country’s musical talent is represented right across the board. Go here to check our the full schedule for…