• Monday Mixtape: Connor McCann

    September 18, 2023 - By 

    Following the release of his new single ‘Hard Times,’ the fast-rising Belfast singer-songwriter waxes lyrical about a handful of his favourite songs, from Big Thief and Unknown Mortal Orchestra to John Martyn and beyond Big Thief – Masterpiece The core line of this song made a list of my favourite lyrics of all time, and it might not be the best line in the song. An incredible and heart-breaking song which is no surprise if you follow the work of Adrianne Lenker Hozier – Like Real People Do Playing a few covers in sessions around Belfast, this generally never fails…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – 15th September

    September 15, 2023 - By 

    Another banner week for Irish music sees essential new releases from Search Results, Chubby Cat, John Francis Flynn, NewDad, Negro Impacto and more Search Results – Information Blip Information Blip by Search Results Chubby Cat – Kissin In The Valley-o Brand New Friend – Grandstand Grandstand by brand new friend Negro Impacto – Maybe John Francis Flynn – Mole In The Ground Connor McCann – Hard Times No Oil Paintings – Release Me Garrett Laurie – Novak Glen of the Downs – Octagon EP Octagon EP by Glen Of The Downs Colm Warren – Truth NewDad – Angel Luz –…

  • Video Premiere: Ṣelu – For You

    September 14, 2023 - By 

    Featured as an Inbound artist in the Autumn issue of the magazine – which you can read below – Ṣelu is someone we feel confident is worthy of your attention and destined for great things. His new single ‘For You’ is a minimalist soul ballad dealing with the tribulations of being human, especially in this age of living vicariously through curated social media and the isolation of remote work. It’s a song that essentially asks people to remember life isn’t all about your personal achievement and what you choose to share online – it’s your contribution to those around you…

  • Track Record: Lucy Gaffney

    September 14, 2023 - By 

    From Spacemen 3 and Serge Gainsbourg, to Beck, Air and Astrud Gilberto, Belfast alt-pop artist Lucy Gaffney selects eight records that have left an indelible imprint on her music & life   Photo by David McEneaney Beck – One Foot In The Grave This album brought something new into my life when I first heard it. I played it on repeat until I new every word and guitar riff like second nature. Each song blissfully brings with it a mood of off the cuff nonsense that resonated to the nth degree.  It changed my songwriting and allowed me the ability to…

  • Maija Sofia and Aoife Wolf at McHughs, Belfast

    September 14, 2023 - By 

    Choice Prize-nominated Galway singer-songwriter Maija Sofia makes her long-awaited Belfast debut at McHughs on Saturday, 30th September. Hosted by The Thin Air, the show comes off the back of the release of True Love, Sofia’s critically acclaimed second album, which was released via TULLE Collective on 1st September Four years on from her debut, Bath Time, True Love has been hailed by the likes of the Quietus. In their review, they said: “It’s about real people, alive and dead, and the power of objects, substances, time and place. It is the work of someone with an enviable talent, and it…

  • The Court House in Bangor named as finalist in National Lottery Awards

    September 13, 2023 - By 

    The Court House in Bangor has been shortlisted for the National Lottery Project of the Year Award. The prestigious nod is a very worthy acknowledgement of the non-profit arts venue’s vital home in the County Down seaside city. Announced just a few weeks before its first anniversary, having opened its doors last October following seven years of fundraising, lobbying, planning and refurbishment, the nomination brings into sharp focus the hard work of the venue’s owners and operators, local arts charity Open House, who are also responsible for Open House Festival. Made possible with a major grant of almost £1 million…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – 8th September

    September 8, 2023 - By 

    It’s another big week for Irish music, from the latest installment of island-wide compilation A Litany of Failures, to new releases from Slomatics, Elaine Malone, Dollops, girlfriend. and more Slomatics – Strontium Fields Strontium Fields by Slomatics Elaine Malone – Pyrrhic Pyrrhic by Elaine Malone Dollops – Wire and Wood Wire and Wood by Dollops A Litany of Failures: Volume IV A Litany of Failures: Volume IV by Litany Of Failures girlfriend. – In Silence In Silence by girlfriend. Niall McDowell – Start Again Sprints – Up And Comer Soda Blonde – Dream Big Dream Big by Soda Blonde

  • Video Premiere: Danny Carroll – Cheesemonger

    September 7, 2023 - By 

    We’ve long championed former Shrug Life frontman Danny Carroll as a forerunner in the conversation around Ireland’s greatest current-day lyricists. Continually capturing his milieu in sardonic, vivid detail, age has sharpened his instincts and composition, yet tempered his self-deprecative tendencies – to a point. That point is exactly what Carroll’s latest single, ‘Cheesemonger’, finds itself wrestling with throughout. The track is featured on Volume IV of the Litany of Failures compilation of which Danny Carroll is co-curator. It comes out tomorrow on digital & vinyl, and we’re pleased to give you a first look at the video for ‘Cheesemonger’. It…

  • Back + Stacked: Lavery’s Belfast

    August 28, 2023 - By 

    In the ever-changing landscape of Belfast’s increasingly diverse music scene, few institutions have stood taller than Lavery’s. From its long-time home on Bradbury Place, the bar and venue has played a vital role bringing grassroots solo artists, bands, DJs, producers and a whole host of wonderfully eclectic nights to the heart of Belfast. It’s a well-established, far-reaching and carefully curated commitment that has rarely felt more locked-in. Off the back of first-rate events from the likes of local drum ‘n’ bass heroes Crilli in recent times, Lavery’s is doubling down to underscore its status as one of Belfast’s very best…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – 25th August

    August 25, 2023 - By 

    From every corner of the island, here’s the very best new music of the week from Aoife Nessa Frances, Meljoann, Joel Jarkin, Akrobat, Touch Excellent, Autre Monde and more Aoife Nessa Frances – Fantasy Meljoann – Broke Joel Harkin – Is Iomaí Lá Sa Chill Orainn Is Iomaí Lá Sa Chill Orainn by Joel Harkin Jape – Lashing Through The Minutes Niamh Bury – Who Am I To Tell Him? Akrobat – Are You Listening Middler – Home Port (Preference Remix) Middler – Home Port (Matheson Remix) Touch Excellent – Couch Song Aby Coulibaly – DYWS? Autre Monde – Strictly…