• Inbound: Touch Excellent

    September 6, 2023 - By 

    The only thing in Ireland faster than the church dropout rate seems to be the growth of its queer and trans punk scene, with Dublin trio Touch Excellent being one of the latest, brightest prospects in the movement. Featuring Amber Excellent on drums, Lenny Hennessy on bass and vocals, and Ló Boyle on guitar, they’re a political band in the purest way that one can be: by simply existing as themselves – and themselves are as full of wit as they are passion. Both engaging and engaged, they’re a direct product of representation. “A big aim is writing songs that…

  • Vault Lines: Hannah Richardson on 1977 by Ash

    September 6, 2023 - By 

    In the latest installment of Vault Lines, Hannah Richardson from fast-rising Derry pop-punk trio Cherym sings the praises of a stone-cold Northern Irish classic, 1977 by Ash Photo by Jane Donnelly I was introduced to Ash as a teenager by a friend. By this point in time I was well into my wee punky teenage-angsty phase, but I’d also started taking an interest in local bands and Irish bands in general. My friend grew up with ‘cool parents’ who listened to a lot of music and they had a bookshelf that occupied a space in their back hall, dedicated entirely…

  • Her Heart and Her Voice: Remembering Sinéad O’Connor

    September 6, 2023 - By 

    Galway-based folk artist Brigid Mae Power fondly remembers Sinéad O’Connor’s incomparable influence and authenticity Illustration by Loreana Rushe  When people ask me in interviews, “Who are your musical influences?” I usually respond with the same people who come to mind. “Aretha Franklin, Duke Ellington, Joni Mitchell, Tim Buckley’ etc. Recently I wondered, why don’t I ever say “Sinéad O’ Connor”?  I have realised that Sinéad has been far more of an influence and inspiration to me than the above artists and for a much longer time. I feel like her music, singing, songwriting and personality is embedded in me so…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – 1st September

    September 1, 2023 - By 

    It’s an insanely abundant Bandcamp Friday here in Ireland. Delve into essential LPs by Natalia Beylis, Maija Sofia and Crying Loser, and new stellar releases by Problem Patterns, The Mary Wallopers, Moot Tapes’ latest and much more Natalia Beylis – Mermaids Mermaids by Natalia Beylis Maija Sofia – True Love True Love by Maija Sofia Crying Loser – Oaf Milk Oaf Milk by Crying Loser Problem Patterns – Lesbo 3000 / Poverty Tourist Lesbo 3000 / Poverty Tourist by Problem Patterns Elaine Howley/Linda Buckley – Moot Tapes: Signs of Life Part 6 Signs of Life: Part 6 by Elaine Howley/Linda…

  • … And Breathe: An Interview with Reeta Cherie

    August 28, 2023 - By 

    The Dublin-based DJ talks to Cíara Byrne about Irish club culture, the power of wellness, and the vitality of community and collaboration in the scene Photo by Kate Lawlor Reeta Cherie has spent the last decade playing in clubs, festivals and bars around Dublin and Ireland, bringing her passion and joy to the dancefloor and sharing it with anyone who turns up looking to embrace the same. From hauling vinyl across muddy festival grounds to embracing a switch to DJing with USBs for the sake of preservation, she embraces the flow of her career with passion and feeling. A qualified…

  • Playing For The Other Team

    August 28, 2023 - By 

    Belfast-based musician Dan O’Rawe aka F.R.U.I.T.Y proudly discusses the importance of inclusivity in the GAA Illustration by Isabella Koban Whether it’s watching it or playing it, sport might not be for everybody but there are few places I can think of where a category of sport can divide people like it does in Northern Ireland. Gaelic sports have been played in Ireland for hundreds of years, with the GAA having been founded in 1884, yet some individuals seem to utilise this sport as a cultural battering ram.In recents times in Belfast, there have been security threats to schools, flags torn…

  • 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…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – 18th August

    August 18, 2023 - By 

    It’s been another stacked week for Irish music. Delve into the very best releases of the last seven days, from HAVVK, Slomatics, Tandem Felix and more Tandem Felix – Message of the Afternoon Slomatics – Voidians Strontium Fields by Slomatics Lucy Gaffney – Make Me Smile Amerik feat. Sasha Samara – The Real Thing HAVVK – Expiry Beauty Pageant – A Bank Holiday Miracle Kojaque – Cabra Drive Jordan Adetunji – Things You Do Lucy Blue – Love Hate Soda Blonde – Midnight Show Boyfrens – Soft & Mindless

  • Inbound: Stratford Rise

    August 16, 2023 - By 

    Photo by David McEneaney You might have noticed in these pages over the past year the refreshing air of a heteroglot of brand new, guitar bands. One such act that’s grabbed – and proceeded to mercilessly pulverise – our attention is Bangor quartet Stratford Rise. They’ve been together since early 2020, but it’s still early days, playing live for over a year, but having only just performed their first date outside Northern Ireland in May.  “Gilla Band and a number of no-wave bands inspired our interest in incorporating noise into our songs,” they tell us. Indeed, their debut single ‘Water…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – 4th August

    August 4, 2023 - By 

    This Bandcamp Friday, delve into the very best Irish releases of the week, from Natalia Beylis, Soda Blonde, Heliopause, iSad2 and more Natalia Beylis – Afloat In Fog And Feathers <a href=”https://touchsensitiverecords.bandcamp.com/album/mermaids”>Mermaids by Natalia Beylis</a> Heliopause – Runaway <a href=”https://heliopause.bandcamp.com/track/runaway-single-version”>Runaway (single version) by Heliopause</a> Soda Blonde – Bad Machine Mark Waldron-Hyden & Peadar Tom Mercier – Bruach na Laoi: Fidil & Drumaí improvisations Vol. I ​​<a href=”https://blindheadrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/bruach-na-laoi-fidil-druma-improvisations-vol-i”>Bruach na Laoi: Fidil & Drumaí improvisations Vol. I by Mark Waldron-Hyden & Peadar Tom Mercier</a> Orla Gartland – Kiss Your Face Forever iSad2 – Money Back