• Dublin Digital Radio Announce Alternating Current

    September 22, 2021 - By 

    The country’s most essential radio station, Dublin Digital Radio, have announced details of a new city festival. Originally planned for March 2020, but delayed for obvious reasons, Alternating Current will finally take place via radio broadcasts and in-person events from October 26 to October 31. Marking five years on the air, the festival’s schedule wonderfully mirrors the commitment of ddr. to representing the country’s more peripheral and experimental musical traditions. In their words: “This is the alternating current, the one that seeks to give voice to the other island, the sounds less heard, the other traditions. The sounds of the hinterlands…

  • Stream: M(h)aol – Gender Studies

    September 22, 2021 - By 

    Back in March, Róisín Nic Ghearailt, Constance Keane, Jamie Hyland, Zoe Greenway and Sean Nolan, otherwise known as M(h)aol, returned with one of the most emphatic singles of the year. Six months on from ‘Asking For It’, the band – who are based between Dublin, Cork, London and Bristol – are back with the no less powerful ‘Gender Studies’. Clocking in at 1 minute and 50 seconds, it’s a brief and masterfully understated effort taken from the band’s forthcoming debut EP of the same name. “Gender Studies weaves past and present in an exploration of how the construct of gender shapes our lives,” said lead…

  • Pillow Queens Re-Release ‘Rats’, Sign to Royal Mountain

    September 16, 2021 - By 

    What a year it’s been for Pillow Queens. Six months on from signing a publishing deal with legendary Seattle label Sub Pop, the Dublin quartet have announced that they have signed to Royal Mountain Records, the Canadian indie imprint that is home to the likes of Alvvays, Mac DeMarco and others. To mark the occasion, the band have also released a re-recorded version of one of their very best tracks, ‘Rats’. Originally released back in 2016, ‘Rats’ 2.0 now features stellar visuals courtesy of Michael Maxxis. Check it out below. All the best to the band on what’s sure to be an…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – September 17th

    September 17, 2021 - By 

    Here’s the very best Irish tracks and releases of the week, featuring BANYAH, Pillow Queens, Havvk, Somebody’s Child, April, Peter Sumadh, Biig Piig, Colm Warren, Smallmint and more. BANYAH – Lost With The Lights Pillow Queens – Rats HAVVK – No Patience Somebody’s Child – Staying Sane EP April – Piece of Me Biig Piig (w/ Metronomy) – 405 Peter Sumadh – Parting Wounds Smallmint – Synonym Synonym by smallmint Colm Warren – September Roses Steven Rainey – Ultra Contact Sports by Steven Rainey Sophie Doyle Ryder – Hunni Hunni

  • Video Premiere: Ódu – Saturday

    September 16, 2021 - By 

    With ‘Men Like Me‘, Bray-based singer-songwriter Ódu sealed her status as one of the country’s most promising alt-pop propositions. Produced by Asta Kalapa – who has worked with everyone from Daithí to Ailbhe Reddy) new single ‘Saturday’ goes one better. Filtering the throwback disco production of its predecessor, it’s a wonderfully heart-stung, deftly crafted gem from the fast-rising artist. Speaking about the track, which traces the small, everyday things you come to miss after the breakdown of a relationship, Ódú said: “Saturday is a song about reaching a stage in your life where your self-worth is tied to the things…

  • NI Music Prize Longlist Revealed

    September 13, 2021 - By 

    The longlist for this year’s Northern Ireland Music Prize has been revealed. From the initial eligible list, 55 albums and 91 singles have been longlisted for the Best Album and Best Single prizes.  Among the names longlisted for the former include Bicep, New Pagans, Joshua Burnside, Hannah Peel, Saint Sister, Brién, Son Zept, Arvo Party, Nomadic Rituals, and many more. Check out the full lists here. In a change from previous years, the public are also being invited to vote for one album and single through to the shortlist. More info can be found here. This year’s NI Music Prise takes…

  • Watch: Naive Ted at Féile na Gréine

    September 10, 2021 - By 

    Today’s the day. After a whole lot of uncertainty, and profound governmental incompetence, Féile na Gréine returns to Limerick city this weekend. To mark the occasion, the heroes at Piquant Media have unveiled a blistering ‘Bring Your Own Lunch’ set from Limerick native Naive Ted. Shot yesterday, September 9th, the DJ, producer and Unscene main man weaves a heady 40-minute set, doubly confirming his status as one of the island’s most singular talents. Get stuck in below. Curated by local collectives DIY LK and Lower Your Expectations, this year’s sold out Féile na Gréine will feature sets from Jinx Lennon, Eimear Reidy, Bodycam,…

  • Pavement Set for Dublin Show

    September 8, 2021 - By 

    Indie rock legends Pavement are coming back to Dublin. 11 years on from last playing the city, the Stephen Malkmus-fronted band will play Vicar Street on November 10, 2022 as part of their latest reunion. The show follows a string of dates in the UK, including four dates at the Roundhouse in London. Tickets for the Dublin show go on sale this Friday, September 10 at 10 AM. Best be quick.

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – September 3rd

    September 3, 2021 - By 

    It’s Bandcamp Friday once again, and it’s been yet another stacked week for Irish releases. Dig into best of them below, featuring The Altered Hours, Hey Rusty, NewDad, Natalia Beylis, Silverbacks, ANDI and more The Altered Hours – You Are Wrong You Are Wrong by The Altered Hours Silverbacks – Wear My Medals Wear My Medals by Silverbacks Natalia Beylis – Pink Sky Dawn Pink Sky Dawn by Natalia Beylis NewDad – How Arvo Party – THE GRAND STRETCH Corpus II by Arvo Party Hey Rusty – Anorak Anorak by Hey Rusty Evan Miles – If This Is It of…

  • Stream: Silverbacks – Wear My Medals

    September 2, 2021 - By 

    With the release of their debut LP, Fad, last year, Dublin five-piece Silverbacks‘ deftly-crafted art-rock well and truly came into its own. A year on – and ahead of a string of new dates over the next while – the band have just announced that they’ve signed with London imprint Full Time Hobby, home to the likes of White Denim and Micah P. Hinson. To mark the occasion, new single ‘Wear My Medals’ is a typically first-rate effort from the band. With Emma Hanlon up-front, its transit from an Ulrika Spacek-like blitz to slow-burning sorcery fully hits home. Check out Laura Gregory’s sublime video for the single…