It may seem like a curse, but surely it’s more of a blessing that we’re not being collectively subjected to the same ten Christmas songs blasting from club and pub PAs on loop this year. In fact, if you ask us, the continuing shiteshow that is 2020 is yet more reason to take musical roads less travelled. For our part, we’re pleased to present our Alternative Christmas Playlist, featuring Yo La Tengo, Big Star and Mazzy Star to The Fall, Galaxie 500 and Deerhoof.
Ah, 2020 eh? Unless you were living off the grid in a self-made banana bread house whilst rocking yourself gently to various iterations of ‘Happy Birthday’ as you washed your hands, then you will know that despite collectively living through the pandemic there were plenty of Irish songs to get excited about. 100 to be precise. We’ve listened to them on repeat since we couldn’t attend gigs, raves, or house parties so we’re certain we’ve selected the finest this little locked down island has to offer. It’s safe to say this year epitomised the true meaning of community in this…
In years to come, when someone asks me what The Thin Air was and represented, I’ll likely direct them to features like the one you have just opened. Much like other publications of our ilk – Nialler9, The Last Mixed Tape, Goldenplec and others – we spend 52 weeks of the year relentlessly championing what truly makes Irish music special and, very occasionally, genuinely world-beating. We all do it in different ways, and to slightly different audiences, but the impetus and desire to shine a light on what we have is one and the very same. Although they’re almost never…
Ah, 2020 eh? Unless you were living off the grid in a self-made banana bread house whilst rocking yourself gently to various iterations of ‘Happy Birthday’ as you washed your hands, then you will know that despite collectively living through the pandemic there were plenty of Irish songs to get excited about. 100 to be precise. We’ve listened to them on repeat since we couldn’t attend gigs, raves, or house parties so we’re certain we’ve selected the finest this little locked down island has to offer. It’s safe to say this year epitomised the true meaning of community in this country…
We can almost count on one hands the acts who’ve truly pushed against boundaries and thrived in the most challenging year for creatives in modern history. One such person is Constance Keane, who – aside from recently reuniting feminist punk act M(h)aol – has started her own record label (TULLE), made some of the most interactive underground radio shows in Ireland, performed several live sets, released single ‘two_’ with top-notch remixes, and today she rounds her year out with the release of ‘tonnta’. The song and video have already started to gain global traction, with plays on KCRW and NTS, and had a bespoke Dublin-wide scavenger hunt for a PR campaign, complete…
We’re a whisper away from Christmas, and Ireland’s creative community is showing no signs of slowing as we gather our End-Of-Year Lists™. This week sees a selection of new singles, seasonal covers, remixes and live sessions from the likes of Bicurious, Kneecap, Mark Loughrey, Citrus Fresh, Kojaque, Aislinn Logan, Joel Harkin, Conchúr White, SON, 1000 Beasts and Pollena. Kneecap – MAM Citrus Fresh – Dustpan Kojaque – Coming Up Aislinn Logan – Never Stay Low Joel Harkin – Christmas Conchúr White – Lungs Bicurious – B-Sides and Bangers (Live Session) Mark Loughrey – The Snake With A Tale For A Mouth On Through the…
It’s the first Friday of the month, which can only mean one thing: it’s Bandcamp Friday. If you’re going to pick up some great new Irish music, best make it today. Here’s our round-up of the best of this week, including Loah x Bantum, Flowers at Night, Saint Sister x Lisa Hannigan, Bleeding Heart Pigeons, Swimmers Jackson, Problem Patterns among others. Loah & Bantum – NGLA /////// [seacht line] – Hawk On The Cliff hawk on the cliff EP by /////// Bleeding Heart Pigeons – Real Connection (Arvo Party Remix) Real Connection Remixes by Bleeding Heart Pigeons Saint Sister x Lisa…
You know how, traditionally, the music industry starts to grind to a halt around this time of year? Irish music is having none of it in 2020. Here’s the very best tracks of the week. Tandem Felix – The Assassination The Assassination by Tandem Felix Ra Gerra – Terrified LAOISE – Movies Ten Past Seven – County Council (Live) NewDad – I Don’t Recognise You Messyng x Post Punk Podge – Still At The Music Proper Micro NV – You Knew Longer Than Me Any Joy – Sun EP Sun by Any Joy Eoin Dolan – Superior Fiction The Love…
The popularity of the sea, particularly in recent years, has become somewhat of an astonishing phenomenon. Images shared by friends and acquaintances online of their sea swimming adventures are perpetual, even in cold winter climates. There’s no denying that the activity is both restorative and reinvigorating. For many, it has been a consistent companion in finding a release with anxiety and other personal struggles. A huge aspect to the appeal of the sea is its vastness and unpredictability, your eye can only distinguish so much in the distance and so your imagination is allowed to roam. This is an integral…
Sean Being has shared a new single, ‘Angel’, with accompanying visuals premiering today (25th November). It marks the Dublin’ artist’s first new music since 2019’s ‘The Brikc’ tape on the reliably excellent wherethetimegoes label. ‘Angel’ pushes his experimental pop style further, with cloudy, euphoric synths, emotive vocal hooks and a crisp, lo-fi electronic rhythm coming together to produce an autumnal anthem, made for late-night walks. The video for the track, directed by Anna Heisterkamp, is appropriately tender, and makes for a beautifully atmospheric accompaniment. The track is set to appear on a new EP from Sean Being, which is set to…