• Inbound: Pale Rivers

    December 6, 2016 - By 

    Cork’s Pale Rivers burst into life at the start of October with the track ‘August 6th’.  As far as debuts go, this came with an immediate energy and purpose, straight away showcasing the band as a future force to be reckoned with. Built on big synths and rousing guitars it boldly leans toward a sound suited for a larger stage, the ambition oozing from every note. Eoin Hally’s vocals begin with a feeling of reservation but it’s not long before they become an uninhibited, visceral plea of sorts. The raw, honest lyricism allows the track to avoid the possible pitfalls…

  • Inbound: Farah Elle

    December 5, 2016 - By 

    Currently writing and recording her debut album at home, Libya-born Dublin singer-songwriter, pianist and BIMM graduate Farah Elle’s decision to drip-fed her ever-growing fanbase a series of previews over the last few months has certainly worked in her favour. Blending a slick melange of hip-hop and R&B influences – with the odd rumble of ska thrown in for good measure – she has carved out a sound that is defined both by her Arabic-influenced vocals and a knack for creating songs that feel perfectly laidback without sidestepping the emotive urgency that underpins it all. Having marked her arrival with ‘Silk’…

  • Stream: The Thin Air’s Death Culture Blues #1 on Dublin Digital Radio

    December 5, 2016 - By 

    When it launched back in October, we really liked the sound of Dublin Digital Radio’s broadcast manifesto of “providing a quality platform for the various communities striving to create a socially and culturally progressive city in a landscape netted with political stasis and tepid bureaucracy”. Now, a couple of months later, we’re very pleased to present a stream of the first instalment of Death Culture Blues, our brand new, two hour weekly show on DDR, presented by TTA editor Brian Coney and featuring the very best in experimental, ambient and cosmic sounds, including some of our favourite Irish artists at…

  • Made To Measure: Lily Bailie

    December 5, 2016 - By 

    One of many shining lights being champions by our friends at BeKreativ, we chat to Belfast costume designer Lily Bailie about the overlap between music and visuals in her work. Hi Lily. Tell us about your earliest memories in taking an interest in costume design? As a child my mum always hand-made my fancy dress costumes. She used to be a fashion designer so could make me any costume I wanted, from a mermaid to a cat to a princess. I just loved getting creative and making everything by hand. You’re currently based in Edinburgh and Belfast. How do the cities…

  • The Final Cut, And The Ultimate Act of Protest

    December 1, 2016 - By 

    And now, the tide must turn. With the election of Donald Trump to the Oval Office, the cultural climate in America will inevitably change. These are uncertain times, even more so than in previous elections, as the world waits to see what President Trump will actually do. But regardless of the shape of his presidency, it’s almost certain that there will be an artistic response, capturing the fears and anger from that part of the population who no longer understand the world they’ve woken up in. The George W. Bush era was soundtracked by the pop-punk politics of Green Day…

  • Bookmark: Dan Hegarty (2FM)

    November 29, 2016 - By 

    RTÉ 2FM legend and author Dan Hegarty handpicks and  a selection of his favourite books, featuring Charles Bukowski, Scroobius Pip, Jack Kerouac and Richie Taylor & Tony Clayton-Lea. Photos by Peter O’Hanlon. Dan Hegarty’s Buried Treasure and Buried Treasure 2 are available to buy now via Liberties Press.  Irish Rock: Where It’s Come From, Where It’s At, and Where It’s Going – Richie Taylor & Tony Clayton-Lea This book really made me aware of how many amazing artists this little island of Ireland has offered up over the years. Prior to this, I would have known the obvious ones; great acts…

  • Monday Mixtape: Ruadhan O’Meara (Magic Pockets, No Spill Blood)

    November 28, 2016 - By 

    In the latest instalment of Monday Mixtape, Ruadhan O’Meara of Dublin’s Magic Pockets and No Spill Blood handpicks ten “extremely smelly synth/prog moments”, including Hawkwind and Harald Grosskoph. Magic Pockets launch their debut album, Volcano of the Bleeding Skies, at Tivoli Backstage in Dublin on Friday night (December 2). Hawkwind –  The Forge of Vulcan A hidden gem from Quark, Strangeness and Charm”. Basically it’s just Simon House, thumping an Anvil over a busy sequence and organ progression. Totally badass. Bobby Beausoleil – Lucifer Rising Part II From the soundtrack to Kenneth Anger’s film. He was in the Manson family, and…

  • Preview: Little Joe Film Season

    November 22, 2016 - By 

    Cinema programmer at Cork’s Triskel Christchurch, Chris O’Neill previews the forthcoming Little Joe Film Season at the Tobin Street arts venue. Joe Dallesandro was the rebellious male sex symbol, icon of gay subculture, and underground movie star of the late sixties and early seventies. He appeared in a film trilogy which were made by Paul Morrissey and produced by Andy Warhol. Flesh (1968), Trash (1970) and Heat (1972) were groundbreaking not only due to their casual depictions of drugs and hetero/homo/bi-sexuality, but also for their naturalistic performances, dark humour and, most importantly, the casting of Dallesandro. In all three films…

  • Monday Mixtape: White Collar Boy

    November 21, 2016 - By 

    One of our all-time favourite Irish acts, Dublin electronic-garage group White Collar Boy have emerged from hibernation with a new, four-track EP, Priory Hall, which is set for release via This Greedy Pig on Friday. So we thought: what better time to pry into Mark Cummins from the duo’s current favourite tracks? Featuring the likes of Denis Sultra, Stimming, Neil Flynn and more, delve into that and stream a preview of Priory Hall. Priory Hall is launched at Dublin’s Wah Wah Club on Friday, December 2. Denis Sultra – It’s Only Real https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= Tim Sweeney finished off a recent Beats in Space…

  • Guest Mix: Jonny Carberry (Bullitt Hotel)

    November 16, 2016 - By 

    Two years ago, I wrote a piece for The Thin Air on Belfast’s love affair with Chic: urging fans to check out different disco oddballs and the Belfast venues pushing those sounds. Things have changed a bit in the city since then: there are new craft beer bars, artisanal cafes, record labels, breweries, and festivals – all good things, right? And now a new hotel, Bullitt, finding space in places Belfast had forgotten it even had places. You could call Bullitt a ‘vibrant urban playground’ or simply a cool spot for drinks, food, work, design (seriously, it looks great) and…