• Live From Guerrilla Studios

    July 1, 2020 - By 

    Since launching back in 2011, Dublin’s Guerrilla Studios has become a vital hub in the landscape of independent Irish music. Situated under a bridged railway close to Dublin City Centre, it has produced myriad first-rate sounds from some of the country’s finest forward-pushing propositions. On Thursday, July 9, the studio space will play host to the very first episode of Live From Guerrilla Studios. The brainchild of two titans in Irish music, Ray Wingnut and John ‘Spud’ Murphy, it will feature performances from TTA favourites The Bonk and John Francis Flynn. Things kick off at 10pm from here. Stay tuned…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – July 3rd

    July 3, 2020 - By 

    It’s been a huge week, featuring new EPs from the likes of  MuRli, Arvo Party, And So I Watch You From Afar, Aislinn Logan and King Pallas, a bonus charity compilation of NI-based artists covering each other, as well as welcome returns from the likes of Fontaines DC, VerseChorusVerse, Gemma Dunleavy, Elaine Mai, Malojian, and many more. And in case you haven’t had it telegraphed by the independent acts of Ireland already today, Bandcamp are waiving all their takings until 8am on Saturday. MuRli – the CULTURE And So I Watch You From Afar – Odd Seal Successors by And So I Watch…

  • Sea Pinks Announce Indefinite Hiatus; Stream Single ‘Running Down the Clock’

    July 2, 2020 - By 

    Tomorrow, Belfast’s finest purveyors of sun-kissed jangle-pop Sea Pinks will mark 10 years in existence with a new EP. Arriving exactly a decade on from the Neil Brogan-fronted band’s debut single, ‘Japanese Knotwood’, it doubles up as an ending – an inexorable line drawn under the sand – for one of the country’s most prolific and consistently on-form bands. On the heels of its title track, we’re pleased to present a first listen to the release’s new single ‘Running Down The Clock’. Sure enough, even at the eleventh hour, Sea Pinks are a band that sound like no other. Centering on the onward march…

  • Another Love Story 2020 Cancelled

    July 1, 2020 - By 

    Another Love Story has officially announced that this year’s festival will not go ahead. The annual get-together at Killyon Manor, Co. Meath – is the latest Irish festival forced to pull the plug as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. In a statement, organisers said, “Being small and nimble, we have waited as long as we possibly could to give circumstances as much chance as possible to settle down enough to allow the freewheeling joy of our weekend at the Manor to occur. “However, given the government’s latest announcement regarding event capacities, and more importantly the ongoing risks that abound around all…

  • Celtronic 2020: Together-Apart

    June 30, 2020 - By 

    For the last 20 years, Celtronic has been a vital part of the island’s world-beating festival scene. Uniting some of the very best names in electronic music worldwide with all Ireland has to offer, its annual, forward-pushing presence in Derry has been an unwavering joy to behold. As with so many other festivals, big and small, organisers have had to think outside the box to make this year’s outing a reality. Cue Celtronic 2020: Together-Apart. Taking place online from Tuesday June 20th to Sunday July 5th, this year’s festival will feature over 100 hours of exclusive performances from more than 60…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – June 26th

    June 26, 2020 - By 

    This week’s round-up of Irish songs features new music from the wonderful, fast-rising likes of CMAT, Silverbacks, Thumper, Ailbhe Reddy, Nevvv, Goodtime John, and the comeback single from Belfast’s Charles Hurts. Silverbacks – Up The Nurses CMAT – Rodney Charles Hurts – Living Under Lockdown Squashed by Charles Hurts Thumper – Topher Grace Ailbhe Reddy – Time Difference Nevvv – Passionate/Stupid Goodtime John – Black Sunrise Hang On by Goodtime John

  • Premiere: Charles Hurts – Living Under Lockdown

    June 26, 2020 - By 

    Though there have been many reunions and recommencements in Irish music since we launched back in May 2013, none have demanded our attention more than the long-awaited return of Charles Hurts. A solo moniker of Belfast musician Philip Quinn aka Gross Net, who is also a one-third of Grave Goods and guitarist with the currently inactive Girls Names, ‘Living Under Lockdown’ arrives eight years on from his last Charles Hurts release (Blue Valentine, a stellar split with Hello Translinks? on CF/Recs). Taken from forthcoming three-track EP Squashed, which is released on July 3, it’s a typically phantasmal effort from Quinn, and a wonderfully balmy rumination…

  • Stream: Nevvv – Passionate/Stupid

    June 26, 2020 - By 

    A soon-to-be graduate of BIMM in Dublin, Navan musician Niamh McGoldrick aka Nevvv is on a self-proclaimed mission to “deliver WonkyPop to this little break little world of ours.” The intention isn’t to “brighten, eradicate or hide from the darkness,” McGoldrick says, but to “throw a party in it.” A valiant undertaking and no mistake, and she’s already on our her way. Having already collaborated with the likes of Tribal Dance Kynsy and I Am The Main Character (a new project by Sam Burton and Ben Bix of Sim Simma) Nevvv’s lead single, ‘Passionate/Stupid’ is a deftly produced and wonderfully off-kilter alt-pop gem. Produced…

  • Watch: CMAT – Rodney

    June 24, 2020 - By 

    Having launched herself into the world via her debut single ‘Another Day (kfc)’ back in April,  County Meath singer-songwriter Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson aka CMAT has returned with another dose of first-rate alt-pop. A tongue-in-cheek ode to deceased American actor Rodney Dangerfield (but of course) the song and accompanying video has us smitten. If there’s a downright catchier song released this week, in Ireland or otherwise, we’ll be very surprised.

  • Damning Report Reveals Gender Disparity in Irish Radio Play

    June 24, 2020 - By 

    An extensive new report has revealed a frankly inexcusable gender disparity in Irish radio play. Collating data from various Irish radio stations across the period of June 2019-2020, the report reveals a huge gender disparity on Top 20 Artists on playlists and airtime allocation. Carried out by Linda Coogan Byrne of Good Seed PR, the figures – which also include the Top 5 songs on each station throughout the period – are damning. In many instances, female Irish artists account for only 5% of playlisting. The conclusion of the introduction to the report concluded, “The findings on the Gender Disparity…