• SCANRA: coolgirl and Clara Tracey – In Conversation

    October 16, 2023 - By 

    In less than three weeks, the inaugural SCANRA: Samhain at the Cellar takes over the Workman’s Club cellar on Saturday, 4th November. Presented in collaboration with Workmná, who are dedicated to showcasing female and non-binary artists, it’s set to be a wonderfully immersive night of music, myth and storytelling celebrating the Irish origins of Samhain through the voices and mediums of modern creators. Among the several must-see acts on the bill are two of the island’s most singular artists, Lizzie Fitzpatrick aka coolgirl and Clara Tracey. In the spirit of all things Samhain, the pair sat down to delve deep…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – 13th October

    October 13, 2023 - By 

    Including not one, not two but several Irish albums of the year, delve into the very best Irish music of the week, from the Mary Wallopers and CMAT to George Houston, Jordan Adetunji and beyond The Mary Wallopers – Irish Rock n Roll CMAT – Crazymad, For Me George Houston – Vehicular Suicide Vernon Jane – Chestpains And Sidepieces Chestpains And Sidepieces by Vernon Jane Jordan Adetunji – Rock’n’Rave The Fae – bloodrush Zaska – Live In Dublin Stray Planets – Down a Hole up a Hill

  • Inbound: HART

    October 4, 2023 - By 

    From Sheffield to Bangor in Northern Ireland, UK producer HART is blending dusty boom-bap and sweaty-basement garage to enthralling effect. The artist’s debut LP, Moon Jazz, focused on the romance between jazz and hip-hop, lending influence from the trip-hop sounds of Bonobo and Massive Attack. But as the seasons change and winter lets go of its cold embrace she finds herself meandering towards the memories and influence from the underground parties of the Steel City. “I started producing when I was in Australia,” she says, “but I’ve been really into music since I moved to Sheffield. It’s got a big…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – 29th September

    September 29, 2023 - By 

    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

    September 28, 2023 - By 

    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

    September 22, 2023 - By 

    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

    September 18, 2023 - By 

    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

    September 14, 2023 - By 

    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

    September 13, 2023 - By 

    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

    September 8, 2023 - By 

    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