• Stream: Elaine Mai – The Colour of the Night

    April 25, 2017 - By 

    Elaine Mai will release her new EP The Colour of the Night on 19 May. Following ‘Enniscrone’ from October 2016 and a recent remix of Liza Flumes ‘Sheets’, the Dublin based producer and vocalist has now revealed the title track of the forthcoming release. Much in the same vein as ‘Enniscrone’, which also features on the EP, ‘The Colour of the Night’ is an atmospheric electronic number with a solid backbone carrying it to its peak. Mai’s ability to capture sincere emotion in simple, warm melodies is on full display here with the words of loss and of nostalgia being carried by chiming synths…

  • Stream: Participant – Next Year

    April 25, 2017 - By 

    Taken from his Sampler EP, Dublin’s Stephen Tiernan AKA Participant has unveiled ‘Next Year’. The EP, which was released exclusively on cassette in March, features five singles on Side A and a collection of samples and field recordings on Side B. A delicate slice of atmospheric folk, Tiernan’s acoustic guitar and tempered vocals are gradually joined by additional textures, keys and faint strings, giving the track a neo-classical edge with hints of Ólafur Arnalds creeping through. With candid lyrics confronting themes of complacency, self-worth and commitment, Tiernan said of the track: “‘Next Year’ is a song that for me deals with the idea of…

  • Video Premiere: Video Blue – Hold Muzik

    April 21, 2017 - By 

    London based, Dundalk native Jim O’Donoghue Martin AKA Video Blue has unveiled the video for ‘Hold Muzik’, taken from his album Love Scenes. Following from ‘Dusk Moves’ in March of this year, ‘Hold Muzik’ is yet another slice of snappy, indie-pop with minimalist guitars, subtle keys and vocal work that will remind you of those times you actually really liked the way Bono sang. Video Blue’s knack for earworm hooks and infectious melody shines through on this track as it does across Love Scenes and The Graduate inspired visual accompaniment directed by Freddie Leyden is an equally charming addition. Speaking of the…

  • Primer: Clea van der Grijn

    April 25, 2017 - By 

    Cléa van der Grijn – Reconstructing Memory (Image Courtesy of Heike Thiele) Ahead of the opening of Clea van der Grijn’s Reconstructing Memory in Limerick City Gallery of Arts on April 27th, Rebecca Kennedy speaks with artist on voyeurism, love letters, self-censorship and the intersection between life as an artist and motherhood. Who is your favorite artist and what facet of their practice do you find fascinating? Sophie Calle. I think she’s a very interesting person. It’s like her life is recorded in snippets of film. I think I live vicariously through her work. I love that she spies so un-intrusively…

  • Stream: Rory Nellis – Crossed Out

    April 17, 2017 - By 

    The fourth single from his forthcoming second studio album, There Are Enough Songs In The World, ‘Crossed Out’ by Belfast’s Rory Nellis is – much like the three efforts that have preceded it – a masterstroke of subtle harmonic power and lyrical finesse. Betraying the songsmith’s acutely perceptive take on the everyday and the much bigger picture, there’s something impossibly timely about its earworming refrain: “Getting sentimental over things that never really happened. Sitting here and waiting for someone to hit the panic button.” Recorded and mixed by Phil D’Alton (with mastering courtesy of Stephen Quinn), the single features d’Alton…

  • Watch: Swords – Sitting On Walls (Live)

    April 7, 2017 - By 

    Dublin based trio Swords have revealed a video for a live performance of ‘Sitting on Walls’. Taken from their second album, Tidal Waves, which came out last year, ‘Sitting on Walls’ is a touching ballad for fans of Sharon Van Etten and Broken Twin. Diane Anglim’s brittle yet resolute vocal carries the track while a piano, bass and drum combo that wouldn’t seem entirely out of place on earlier Mogwai album gives it a rewarding backbone. The video was produced and directed by Amelia Caulfield and Gearoid Connaughton with live sound being mixed by Micheal Sheil. Tidal Waves is out now and can be purchased here.

  • Picture This: The Night @ The Model

    March 29, 2017 - By 

    Alexandra Hopf – The Night Image courtesy of Heike Thiele What: The Night Where: The Model, Sligo When: 24th February – 16th April Words: Rebecca Kennedy It would be unwise to assume that the physical size of an exhibition space would act as a limitation to the quality of work it beholds. Seen as the majority of assumptions spring forth from our subconscious, it is oddly fitting to hold such presumptions when visiting Alexandra Hopf’s exhibition, The Night in The Model, Sligo. With motifs ranging from psychoanalysis, surrealism, modernism and the construction of art history & mythology, this capsule exhibition escapes it confines and embodies…

  • Album Premiere: Our Krypton Son – Fleas & Diamonds

    March 10, 2017 - By 

    Four years ago Derry songsmith Chris McConaghy AKA Our Krypton Son released one of the all-time great Irish debut solo albums. A self-titled release, it traversed an extraordinary palette of heart-wrung balladry and fervent, at times quite remarkable pop majesty. Today McConaghy returns with its highly-anticipated follow-up, Fleas & Diamonds. A wonderfully refined release – in both senses of the word – it betrays the hallmarks of an artist whose knack for weaving exquisite, emotionally potent songwriting with crushingly resonant lyrics is unparalleled on this island at present. Conceived over two days, from a tent pitched in an abandoned building on…

  • Playlist: Choice Music Prize 2017

    March 7, 2017 - By 

    On Thursday evening, the 12th annual award will once again celebrate and acknowledge the best in Irish recorded music, with one winning act walking away with €10,000 on the night. Set to be chosen by a panel of twelve Irish music media professionals and industry experts, the following ten releases will vie for the prize: All Tvvins – IIVV (Warner Music) Bantum – Move (Self Released) Wallis Bird – Home (Mount Silver/Caroline International) The Divine Comedy – Foreverland (Divine Comedy Records) Lisa Hannigan – At Swim (Hoop Recordings) Katie Kim – Salt (Art For Blind Records) James Vincent McMorrow –…