• Watch: Axis Of – Wetsuit

    November 25, 2014 - By 

    North coast erstwhile punk trio Axis Of have unveiled the video for ‘Wetsuit’ – the first single off their second album, The Mid Brae Inn – which sees them take off in a decidedly more indie, pop-rock direction, a huge departure from the band’s early brand of frantic hardcore; although, in saying that, they’ve been known to have an ear for a hook since the sludge-pop of ‘Lifehammer‘ from their debut LP, 2012’s Finding St. Kilda. The Mid Brae Inn gets its launch through Smalltown America on New Year’s Eve at Belfast’s Empire Music Hall, with ‘Wetsuit’ available from November 26 from Independent Music, with the b-side being…

  • Smart Casual Vol. 1: Come Down With Me

    November 13, 2014 - By 

    The Pavilion hosts a unique, new – to Belfast – night, tentatively titled Smart Casual – almost certainly a reference to this – in its middle bar on November 23. The night takes its cues from other clubs, with the likes of Body & Soul, Optimo, and the aim is to create something of a chillfest, with an eclectic but dubby/spacey atmosphere, which will progress to a conclusion of straight-up house and techno. The laid-back night is open deck, meaning anyone with the skills and the means is encouraged to bring their own wax and spin to their heart’s content. Admission is completely free and the event kicks…

  • Axis Of – The Mid Brae Inn

    November 12, 2014 - By 

    Punk-cum-pop trio Axis Of release the their second album, The Mid Brae Inn, on New Year’s Eve through Smalltown America. The three – comprising Ewen Friers, Niall Lawler & Ethan Harman – launched their debut album Finding St. Kilda in the same venue over two years ago, an altogether more punk affair. ‘Wetsuit’ – the first track to get airplay from The Mid Brae Inn – hints at a much more indie-pop direction for the band who were out-and-out hardcore no more than five years ago. Time will tell whether or not it’s a complete revamp for the outfit, but it’ll be interesting to see how…

  • Conor Scott – Watch Me Go

    November 12, 2014 - By 

    Singer-songwriter and oft-spotted Belfast busker Conor Scott releases his debut three-track EP Watch Me Go on November 17. The as-yet-unsigned musician’s EP will be available from iTunes and Amazon. He’s gained a lot of steam following his performance on BBC vocal-based talent show, The Voice – a reality show at least based on some discernible talent – and his songs have taken him on tour across the UK, performing in venues like Liverpool’s Cavern Club. The official launch takes place at Aether & Echo on November 18, and support comes from the impressive selection of local acts in experimental folk artist Joshua Burnside, folk-pop act New Ancestors and…

  • Meb Jon Sol – Southpaw Niños

    October 14, 2014 - By 

    Belfast-based folk singer-songwriter Michael McCullagh AKA Meb Jon Sol has been on something of a far-reaching musical expedition since his Colenso Parade days. A far cry musically from the starry-eyed indie pop of the latter – now defunct – Omagh five-piece, McCullagh’s debut solo album bears the lyrical and thematic imprint of wisdom and experience throughout, each track underpinned by the inner workings of wanderlust or quixotic wondering. Preceded by “yeo!”-generating singles ‘Leave All Your Troubles With Me‘ and ‘Captain of this Ship‘, Southpaw Niños strikes a keen balance between self-reflection and knowingly cavalier abandon, McCullagh’s quasi-mystical, eager tales of the open road and distant…

  • White Male Actors – Ghosts EP

    October 14, 2014 - By 

    Strabane alternative/indie-pop trio White Male Actors release their long-awaited debut EP, Ghosts, through Broken Melody Records on October 20. The band started well when they sent their single ’31 Years’ to the R.E.M. offices in April of 2013 in tribute to their breakup, catching the attention of erstwhile drummer Bill Berry, and now they release their anthemic brand of guitar-led indie-pop to the world, launching it with a Hidden Machine show at Voodoo on October 30. The EP was recorded and mixed in Staffordshire’s Burntwood Studios, as well as in Derry’s Blast Furnace and the one track released so far, ‘Mysteries and…

  • Stream: Droids – Burn Down

    September 22, 2014 - By 

    Derry/Londonderry alt-rock/post-hardcore quartet Droids have whet our riff-loving appetite for the long-awaited follow-up release to their eponymous debut EP with their new track, ‘Burn Down’ – a progression in terms of craft and production –  which is available for stream on their Bandcamp below. The track was recorded in their hometown’s Smalltown America studios by Chris Cassidy, and was mixed & mastered by Neal Calderwood of Manor Park. Come November, the band will play a set of dates to kickstart activity towards their new release, from which ‘Burn Down’ comes, which are as follows: November 1 – Atlantic Bar, Portrush November…

  • Stream: PigsAsPeople – Foundling

    September 16, 2014 - By 

    Belfast-based post-hardcore/noise rock trio PigsAsPeople have made the track ‘Foundling’ – the first to be unveiled from their upcoming mini-album The Plot Against Future Plans – available to buy on their Bandcamp from September 25. This comes ahead of their free-entry Radar mini-album launch at Mandela Hall on Thursday, September 25 – during Freshers Week – at which support comes from The Emerald Armada, Gascan Ruckus, Team RKT and Spittin’ Teeth. Check it out below: Foundling by PigsAsPeople

  • Morrissey to play the renamed 3Arena

    September 5, 2014 - By 

    Following the news of Dublin’s O2 Arena’s – also formerly The Point – renaming to the 3Arena, it has been announced that the British voice of indie music, Morrissey, is to play on December 1 at the aforementioned venue. This date, the only one announced for Ireland, follows the July release of his first solo album in five years, World Peace Is None of Your Business. Support will come from immensely talented singer-songwriter & guitarist Anna Calvi, who has just released her latest Strange Weather EP. Tickets, priced at €59.50, go on sale at 9pm on Friday, September 12 from Ticketmaster. Have a listen…

  • Electric Picnic 2014 @ Stradbally Estate, Co. Laois

    September 2, 2014 - By 

    With a sickeningly diverse lineup of local and international acts, both old and new, spanning more or less every genre under the glistening sun, Electric Picnic 2014 is the hottest ticket of the Irish summer, and upon exploration of the festival site (it would be unjust to ignore Electric Picnic’s attention to detail) there’s the essential Body & Soul zone, functioning as the hippie commune area of the site – the music and arts festival is, after all, the bedrock of the hippie dream – and the Trailer Park, which offers corn dogs, some cover bands and an assortment of…