• 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…

  • Birth of a Label: Broken Melody Records

    September 12, 2013 - By 

    Having recently released their first ever compilation – featuring tracks from seven of the country’s best unsigned band including Seven Summits and Hurdles – Broken Melody Records is a brand new record label based in Belfast City Centre that has got off to an extremely promising start. We chat to the guys about the first few months of the imprint, what lies in store over and their passion for showcasing the very best in homegrown untapped talent. Hi guys. First off, could you tell us how Broken Melody Records come about and what is the “mission statement” so to speak? Broken Melody…

  • Watch: New Ancestors – A Hard Heart

    September 4, 2013 - By 

    Originally from Belfast, Glasgow-based alternative folk pop duo New Ancestors have unveiled the video to their latest single, ‘A Hard Heart’. Illustrated and animated by Debbie Montgomery, the video is a simple but wonderfully poignant accompaniment to the two-minute track, exquisitely propelled by restrained fingerpicking phrases, subtle ambience and the dual harmonies of Jonny Solari and Andrew Cameron. Watch the video below.

  • End of an Era: Sketchy Bids Farewell

    September 4, 2013 - By 

    After eight long years and hundreds of unforgettable – and, for many, forgetful – Thursday nights at the Stiff Kitten, legendary Belfast club night Sketchy comes to an end tomorrow night (Thursday, September 5). Touching on the colourful past, present and (potential) future of the club, we speak to its founder and resident DJ Rigsy about the end of a clubbing era. As the club’s final ever flyer says: one more time with feeling, eh? Hi Rigsy. The last ever Sketchy is before us. Firstly: why’s it coming to an end? Is there “why”? In short, because it had to end some time.…

  • Glen Hansard announces Autumn tour

    September 4, 2013 - By 

    Dublin singer-songwriter Glen Hansard has announced a string of Irish and European dates across the months of October and November. Starting off on October 20 in Sligo, the tour will pass through several European cities before concluding in Dublin’s Vicar Street on November 26. The Frames frontman will stop off at Belfast’s The Mac on October 21. Oct 20: Hawkswell, Sligo Oct 21: MAC Theatre, Belfast Oct 22: Spirit Store, Dundalk Oct 24: DeBarras, Clonakilty Oct 25: Blackbird, Ballycotton Oct 26: Blessings Bar, Cavan Oct 28: Cyprus Avenue, Cork Oct 29 : Town Hall, Galway Nov 07: Moscow Hall, Moscow, Russia Nov 09: Kosmonavt Club, Saint Petersburg, Russian…

  • Lee’ll Paint It: An Unsung Mid-Ulster Talent

    September 4, 2013 - By 

    A native of Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, Lee Jackson is arguably one of the country’s true unsung comedy talents. Taking to MS Paint – in much the same way that Jim’ll Paint It does – to concoct his distinctive pieces, Jackson’s approach is underpinned with a deeply perceptive appreciation of the unmistakable mannerisms, ways and superstitions of smalltown (in his case, Mid-Ulster) people and places. As well as being side-splittingly observant, there is a palpable tenderness and conscience that permeates Jackson’s style. Imbuing the thoughts and scenarios of predominantly hypothetical rural characters with allusions to celebrities, politicians and others in the…

  • Stream: Bouts – 6.0

    September 4, 2013 - By 

    Set to feature on their forthcoming debut album, Dublin indie-rock foursome Bouts are streaming their ridiculously infectious new single, ‘6.0’. Having already release a self-titled EP in 2011 and a double A-side single last February, Nothing Good Gets Away is set for release on the band’s very own Wonky Karousel Records on October 25. Mixed by Jessie Gander (Japandroids’ Celebration Rock), the album was recorded in various locations in Dublin. Check out the rather lovely artwork for the album by David Darragh Nolan below. Check out our recent photo feature with the band (conducted by Aideen McFadeen here. Dig Dinosaur Jr? Appreciate Pavement?…

  • Stream: More Than Conquerors – Jaw and Try-Antlers

    September 4, 2013 - By 

    Ahead of their release of the hugely-anticipated debut album, Everything I’ve Learnt, at the end of the month, Belfast-based quartet More Than Conquerors are streaming two new tracks – ‘Jaw’ and ‘Try-Antlers’ via the Smalltown America Soundcloud. The band are set to the launch the album at Belfast’s Limelight 2 on Monday, September 23. Support on the night comes from Fatherson and Craig Conkey. Check out the rest of the band’s tour dates below. September 11: The Workman’s Club, Dublin (supporting Jetplane Landing) September 12: Tower Records, Dublin September 13: The Stables, Derry (supporting Jetplane Landing) September 23: Limelight 2, Belfast (Everything…

  • Radar announces first line-up of new semester

    September 4, 2013 - By 

    Radar, one of Belfast’s best weekly showcases of establishing and up-and-coming musical talent, has announced it’s first line-up of the new semester on Thursday, September 12. Marking the return of headliners, Belfast-based electronic three-piece Not Squares (above), the line-up will also feature performances from Newbridge artist Gavin Elsted AKA Adultrock and Belfast indie-rock band Go Wolf, who make their return to the Radar stage at the QUBSU Speakeasy having last graced it with presence back in mid-May. Check out the Facebook event page for the show here and check out the poster (featuring a sweet new design) below.

  • Cut The Transmission: Fighting With Wire Interview

    September 4, 2013 - By 

    “We promise that this show will be something special.” Amicably bowing out after ten years and two stellar albums, Derry three-piece Fighting With Wire have more than left their imprint on Northern Irish music and modern alternative rock as a whole. A must-see swansong like few others, headlined by none other than Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls, the band will play for one final time and curate Cut The Transmission at the Venue, Derry on Saturday, September 28 as part of the City of Culture celebrations. We catch up with the band’s frontman Cahir O’Doherty to learn more about what is…