• Irish Tracks of the Week – 29th September

    From every corner of the island, here’s the very best new music of the week, from Jape, Negro Impacto and Super Extra Bonus Party, to Ex-Isles, Lucy Gaffney and beyond   Photo by Sean McMahon   Jape – Endless Thread Endless Thread by Jape Negro Impacto – Maybe Super Extra Bonus Party – Feather Helmet Repertoire Late Nite 99 by Super Extra Bonus Party Lucy Gaffney – Boy Go Loud Motive – What It Feel Like Ex-Isles – Domestic Sacraments Domestic Sacraments by Ex-Isles Strange Boy – For A Man To Be Content Anderson Nightmare – Great Moon Landing –…

  • Dreaming In Another Language: An Interview with Arborist

    Riding a wave following the release of his stellar third album, Mark McCambridge chats with Cathal McBride about subtlety, sold-out shows and winning over BBC 6 Music Photos by Jane Donnelly When Arborist managed to entice US indie rock royalty Kim Deal, of Pixies and Breeders fame, to sing backing vocals on debut single ‘Twisted Arrow’ back in 2014, one could easily have assumed this was an early peak that would be impossible to top. In actual fact, the project of Belfast-based Ballymena man Mark McCambridge has only gone from strength to strength ever since, scooping NI Music Prize nominations…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – 22nd September

    It’s another absolutely stacked week for Irish week, with top-tier new releases from Rachael Lavelle, ØXN, Hilary Woods, David Holmes, I Dreamed I Dream and more Photo by Kate Lawlor Rachael Lavelle – Big Dreams ØXN – Cruel Mother Hilary Woods – Where the Bough Has Broken David Holmes – Necessary Genius feat. Raven Violet Cathal Francis – Go On I Dreamed I Dream – Apparition Dark Tropics – Carnival Sorcha Richardson – Map of Manhattan Conchúr White – I Did Good Today McKowski – Notes From the Boneyard Vol1 Notes From The Boneyard Vol 1 by McKowski Celaviedmai –…

  • Monday Mixtape: Connor McCann

    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…

  • Track Record: Lucy Gaffney

    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…

  • Inbound: Garrett Laurie

    It’s rarer than hen’s teeth but sometimes a voice can warrant legitimate “stop you in your tracks” status. Garrett Laurie’s is one such example. Having grown up singing in church folk groups, the Belfast-based artist’s folk-pop craft – and exquisite vocal delivery – is proving every bit as gossamer as it is quietly beatific. While last year’s Can I Play Too Or Is It Just For Boys? EP proved a sublime introduction, recent single ‘All About Me’ underscored the promise of an artist wielding soul-stirring finesse. Co-penned with Ciaran Lavery and Stephen O’Hagan at Soft Gut Song Camp, it conjures…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – 8th September

    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

  • Inbound: Touch Excellent

    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

    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

    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…