• Airhead – For Years

    June 21, 2013 - By 

    Long-time James Blake collaborator Rob McAndrews aka Airhead is quite happy doing things at his own pace. Since the release of 2010’s ‘Pembroke’ (his breakthrough single with Blake) McAndrews has only released three 12” singles, and whilst he’s kept himself busy with Blake’s touring band on guitar and synth duties, he hasn’t really thrust himself into the limelight in the way that he might have done following ‘Pembroke’’s success. He was briefly, after all, being mentioned in the same breaths as Blake and Mount Kimbie as a kind of post-dubstep ‘One to watch’  – yet both Mount Kimbie and James…

  • Watch: Silhouette – Put The Silence On Hold

    June 19, 2013 - By 

    Silhouette AKA Maghaherafelt singer-songwriter Shauna Tohill has unveiled the video to her new single, ‘Put The Silence On Hold’. Taking from the fast-rising songstress’ debut EP, Can’t Keep Up, the video was produced by Darren Lee of Maverick Renegade Productions. According to Silhouette’s YouTube page, the song “is a story about love and letting love develop into the beauty that it is, even through difficult times.” Silhouette will support Blondie on their two Irish dates next week before performing Glasgowbury and Kendal Calling next month. Watch the video for ‘Put The Silence On Hold’ below

  • The Breeders – Limelight 1, Belfast

    June 18, 2013 - By 

    Yesterday, it was announced that indie songstress par excellence Kim Deal had left boundlessly influential Boston band Pixies nine years into their reformation. This evening, she’s in town with her very own Breeders to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their breakthrough album, Last Splash. Nothing short of an alt-rock masterstroke, all but spanning every shade of sub-genre and sentiment, the record crystallised a supremely accomplished brand of sonic slackerdom effectively forged by Deal, her twin sister Kelley, bassist Josphine Wiggs and drummer Jim MacPhearson. As to which fact will warrant the most interest and acknowledgement from tonight’s crowd, only time will reveal.…

  • Inbound: Joshua Burnside

    June 18, 2013 - By 

    Hands down one of the most-forward thinking folk artists from these shores in recent times, Joshua Burnside is set to release his latest EP, If You’re Goin’ That Way, off the back of a wave of momentum created by his latest single ‘Black Dog Sin’. Having received 6Music Airplay from the likes of Lauren Laverne and Gideon Coe, Burnside’s wistful, altogether playful brand of experimental folk not only defies regional comparison, it is indicative of a particular musical spirit that has every potential to thrive much further afield. We catch up with the Comber-based singer-songwriter to get his thoughts on lyrical…

  • Stream: Smith Westerns – Soft Will

    June 17, 2013 - By 

    Last month we posted a stream of Chicago indie rock band Smith Westerns’ exquisite single, ‘3am Spiritual’. Now, the band are streaming the album from which it is taken, Soft Will, via NPR. The third album by the U.S. quartet, it will be officially released next week and is the follow-up to the 2011’s Dye It Blonde. Stream the album here.

  • Final acts announced for Glasgowbury 2013

    June 17, 2013 - By 

    The final acts set to play this year’s Glasgowbury Music Festival have been confirmed. Joining the likes of headliners The Answer, And So I Watch You From Afar and Japanese Popstars at the annual Eagle’s Rock Valley event are Dublin’s blues-rock band The Mighty Stef, singer-songwriters Katharine Philippa, Alana Henderson, Rob Murphy and Paul Casey. Dance DJs Deep Fried Funk, electro-indie band Don’t Fear The Natives, Derry rock band Wyldling and  Hurdles, Aces Wild, Windings and The Last Generation make up the final line-up. The announcement comes off the back of Belfast-based rockers LaFaro, ska-punk troupe Pocket Billiards and singer-songwriter Peter McAuley AKA Rams Pocket Radio being confirmed to play the festival, set to take place over two days…

  • Watch: Our Krypton Son – Gargantuan

    June 15, 2013 - By 

    Derry based singer-songwriter Chris McConaghy AKA Our Krypton Son has unveiled the video to his forthcoming single, ‘Gargantuan’. Produced by Tristan Crowe and Sarah McGlinchey, the video features McConaghy and his band performing inter-cut with a short film. ‘Gargantuan’ is the third single to be taken from McConaghy’s self-titled debut album, released last year via Smalltown America Records. Our Krypton Son will play Music City 2013 at the Craft Village Derry on June 21 and Sea Sessions in Bundoran, Co. Donegal the following night. Watch the video below.

  • Belfast City Blues Festival

    June 14, 2013 - By 

    Now in it’s fifth year, the Belfast City Blues Festival is set to over 40 local and international artists performing over 3 days. With a wide range of shows taking throughout the afternoon and evening, performances from legendary artists and classic blues musicians is very much on the cards. Some of the main events taking place during the festival are as follows: A Tribute to Sam Mahood Belfast City Blues presents a tribute to Irish soul legend Sam Mahood. Move and groove to the sounds of 60’s classic soul with The Soul Foundation performing their tribute to the late Sam…

  • Kim Deal leaves the Pixies

    June 14, 2013 - By 

    Pixies bassist and co-vocalist Kim Deal has announced that she is to leave the legendary Boston band, 9 years after they reunited in 2004. The band posted an announcement on their Facebook page stating: “We are sad to say that Kim Deal has decided to leave the Pixies. We are very proud to have worked with her on and off over the last 25 years. Despite her decision to move on, we will always consider her a member of the Pixies, and her place will always be here for her. We wish her all the best. Black Francis, Joey Santiago…

  • Graffiti Jam

    June 14, 2013 - By 

    Some of the world’s leading street and graffiti artists from USA, Germany, Ireland and Britain will unite in Derry-Londonderry City centre on July 2013 to join with the best local artists for a two-day Graffiti Jam, resulting in an arresting 250ft-long themed cityscape. In the weeks leading up to the event, young people from across the city will take part in a series of intensive workshops to learn design and graffiti skills, so that they too can take part in the main event on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July. The Graffiti Jam, almost more than anything else, shows the…