• Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter

    March 9, 2015 - By 

    THIS IS A TRUE STORY. The events depicted in this film took place in Minnesota in 1987. At the request of the survivors, the names have been changed. Out of respect for the dead, the rest has been told exactly as it occurred. The preface of Joel and Ethan Coen’s 1996 dark comedy film, Fargo, is perhaps one of the most discussed in recent cinema history. Claiming itself to be based exactly on factual events, the authenticity of these opening lines has long been debunked as simply a device to set the tone. No big deal. Screenwriters have been bending the…

  • TTA Session #006: R51

    January 25, 2015 - By 

    Following on from our recent live session with Jape, our latest audio-visual snoop falls at Belfast-based alt/gaze-pop five-piece R51. Featuring the band in conversation, as well a performance of the pummelling ‘I Hate That Too’, the session was filmed and edited by Colm Laverty, with sound by Stevie Lennox and Michael Hanvey R51 release their forthcoming EP, Pillow Talk, on March 25. Make sure to check back for our premiere of the release and watch the live session below.

  • Frame by Frame #11: Tucan – As It Was

    August 8, 2014 - By 

    Back in June, Sligo instrumental band Tucan released easily one of the more interesting music videos from an Irish act that we’ve seen in quite some time. We called it “gloriously messed up”, concluding with “charmed or abhorred, you can’t look away.” Two months on, Colm Laverty delves further, talking to co-director Bryan Quinn about the inspiration behind and the production of the video. Hi Bryan. First off, tell us a little bit about your role on this music video. Bobby (McGlynn, co-director) started the sentence “We should just film someone performing the song, like…” “Jonathan Gunning?” I said. We made the rest of it…

  • Monty Python: still relevant, influential and, yes, funny

    July 10, 2014 - By 

    I write in reference to an article published yesterday on the Belfast Telegraph’s online Opinion section, by editor Mike Gilson. Today’s topic was that of Monty Python Live (Mostly), the group’s first major reunion since 1983’s Meaning Of Life, their string of performances at the O2 in London, and, specifically, the simultaneous broadcasting of the closing night across 450 of the UK’s cinemas (July 20) – a theatrical teaser trailer of which Gilson had the misfortune of witnessing with his own naked eyes. Before I continue, I’d like to clarify that my intentions, as crass and insulting as they may appear, are…

  • TTA TV: The Wood Burning Savages

    June 26, 2014 - By 

    Currently en route to perform at this year’s Glastonbury – an extraordinary feat for such a relatively new act – Derry quartet The Wood Burning Savagespopped into Belfast’s Voodoo last week for a quick interview and live session. Filmed and edited by photographer and filmmaker Colm Laverty, Paul, Dan, Shea and Aaron perform a couple of songs and talk about forming, recording and playing the greatest festival around.  

  • TTA TV: A Plastic Rose Interview

    June 20, 2014 - By 

    Having nipped home for a few days to play a triumphant set at Spectrum Festival, Nottingham-based alt-rock band A Plastic Rose kindly called into Belfast’s Voodoo late last week for an interview with Colm Laverty, touching upon their formation, the Nottingham music scene, their “epic” second album, Flickering Light of an Inner War, as well as the benefits and disadvantages of no longer being a band living in Belfast.  

  • Frame by Frame #10: Ciaran Lavery – Left For America

    May 29, 2014 - By 

    In the grand tenth installment of Frame by Frame, Belfast-based photographer and filmmaker Colm Laverty chats to singer-songwriter Ciaran Lavery and filmographer Richard O’ Connor about the superb video for the former’s ‘Left For America’. Featuring actor Ro Graham as a spontaneously-liberated everyman, the video has charmed thousands since its release two weeks ago, wonderfully emphasising Lavery’s towering songwriting talents. Hi guys. First off, tell us a little bit about each of your roles on this music video. Ciaran Lavery: I provided the track ‘Left For America’, Richie provided the magic. Richard : I was the guy behind the camera shooting…

  • Frame by Frame #009: Sullivan & Gold – Glory

    April 29, 2014 - By 

    In the ninth installment of Frame by Frame, Belfast-based photographer and filmmaker Colm Laverty talks to Ben Robinson from Derry acoustic duo Sullivan & Gold and director Michael Barwise about the former’s recent, rather lovely video for their single ‘Glory’. Hi guys. First off, tell us a little bit about each of your roles on this music video. Michael: I was director and editor on the video. In a sentence, what sets ‘Glory’ apart from other Northern Irish music videos? Ben: We’ve wanted to keep Sullivan & Gold something quite organic and homely. Forget Myself was one of the ‘poppier’…

  • Frame by Frame #008: Joshua Burnside – Desert Wine

    April 14, 2014 - By 

    Over the last couple of years, Joshua Burnside has steadily and confidently established himself as one of the country’s more distinctive songwriting voices. Having honed his own brand of increasingly experimental folk, the young artist returned to Belfast’s Whites Tavern recently to launch his latest release, double single ‘Desert Wine/Platonia’. A raucous success (not unlike the launch of his previous EP, If You’re Goin’ That Way the year previous) the show felt a fully-fledged “arrival” of a musician who has been dredging the treasure of his songwriting soul over the last few years. In the latest installment of Frame by…

  • Frame by Frame #007: We Cut Corners – Best Friend

    April 9, 2014 - By 

    In the latest installment of Frame by Frame, Belfast-based filmmaker and photographer Colm Laverty talks to Dublin indie-rock duo We Cut Corners and creative duo Kijek and Adamski about the former’s recent, altogether spellbinding video for their single ‘Best Friend’, touching upon the creative process, the inspiration behind the animation, as well as music videos in general. We Cut Corners headline our next No Tomorrow night at Voodoo Belfast on Saturday, May 3. Go here for the show’s Facebook event page. First off, tell us a little bit about each of your roles on this music video. We Cut Corners: We…