• 15 For ’15: Speed of Snakes

    January 9, 2015 - By 

    Set to feature in physical form in our forthcoming January magazine, we continue 15 for ’15, a feature looking at fifteen Irish acts we’re absolutely convinced are going places in 2015. Over the first two weeks of January, we’ll be previewing each of those acts, accompanied by words from our writers and an original photograph by our wonderful team of photographers. Next up: Dublin duo Speed of Snakes. Photo by Alessio Michelini. 2014 saw the end of a band called Adebisi Shank, but this year the vibrations of the two remaining hatchlings of the snakes whose trails are the cosmos will reverberate along your consciousness like never before.…

  • New Old Testaments: Genesis and Job on screen

    January 12, 2015 - By 

    December 26 saw the opening of Ridley Scott’s $140-million Moses epic Exodus: Gods and Kings.  As cumbersome as its video game-friendly title, the film is occasionally spectacular but mostly stodgy, not to mention camp in the way that only a very, very serious endeavour can be.  Closer in spirit to Scott’s own Gladiator (2000) and Kingdom of Heaven (2005) than to Cecil B. De Mille’s two treatments of the same material (1923 and 1956), Exodus capped an unusually busy year for the Old Testament on screen. While the first and likely most profitable Biblical film of 2014 was a New…

  • 15 For ’15: Axis Of

    January 7, 2015 - By 

    Set to feature in physical form in our forthcoming January magazine, we continue 15 for ’15, a feature looking at fifteen Irish acts we’re absolutely convinced are going places in 2015. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll going to be previewing each of those acts, accompanied by words from our writers and an original photograph by our wonderful team of photographers. Next up: Belfast-based three-piece Axis Of. Photo by Tom McGeehan. 2015 looks all set for take-off for the North Antrim act dubbed by Rocksound “the most exciting band to come out of Northern Ireland, possibly ever”. Axis Of launch into the New Year…

  • 15 For ’15: Boyfights

    January 8, 2015 - By 

    Set to feature in physical form in our forthcoming January magazine, we continue 15 for ’15, a feature looking at fifteen Irish acts we’re absolutely convinced are going places in 2015. Over the first two weeks of January, we’ll be previewing each of those acts, accompanied by words from our writers and an original photograph by our wonderful team of photographers. Next up: Galway quartet Boyfights. Photo by Sean McCormack. A year and a half of live performance under their belt, Galwegian quartet Boyfights look poised to expand their loyal western fanbase. Two summers ago, the band gained traction in various battles of bands across Galway City…

  • 15 For ’15: Sissy

    January 6, 2015 - By 

    Set to feature in physical form in our forthcoming January magazine, we continue 15 for ’15, a feature looking at fifteen Irish acts we’re absolutely convinced are going places in 2015. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll going to be previewing each of those acts, accompanied by words from our writers and an original photograph by our wonderful team of photographers. Next up is  Dublin lo-fi three-piece Sissy. Photo by Carlos Daly. Boy meets girls. Protest punk meets loud lo-fi garage. A three-piece band is born. Traversing the jagged topography of social commentary, sexual politics and gender inequality, streaked through with black humour and sonic…

  • 15 For ’15: Oh Boland

    January 5, 2015 - By 

    Set to feature in physical form in our forthcoming January magazine, we continue 15 for ’15, a feature looking at fifteen Irish acts we’re absolutely convinced are going places in 2015. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll going to be previewing each of those acts, accompanied by words from our writers and an original photograph by our wonderful team of photographers. Next up is Galway garage-pop trio Oh Boland. Photo by Sean McCormack. What with ‘garage rock/pop’ being one of the three/four musical styles currently en vogue, Tuam’s Oh Boland are likely to leap on most of these ‘to watch’ lists as a matter…

  • 15 For ’15: Elastic Sleep

    January 2, 2015 - By 

    Set to feature in physical form in our forthcoming January magazine, we continue 15 for ’15, a feature looking at fifteen Irish acts we’re absolutely convinced are going places in 2015. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll going to be previewing each of those acts, accompanied by words from our writers and an original photograph by our wonderful team of photographers. Next up is Cork dream-pop band Elastic Sleep. Photo by Brid O’Donovan. There is much to be said for patience. After well-loved Cork pop combo Terror Pop abruptly bid adieu in mid-2012, the band’s core membership took their time about regrouping. Quietly and…

  • 15 For ’15: Alana Henderson

    January 1, 2015 - By 

    Set to feature in physical form in our forthcoming January magazine, we’re pleased to present 15 for ’15, a handpicked selection of Irish acts we’re absolutely convinced are going places in 2015. Over the next couple of weeks, we’re going to be previewing each of those acts, accompanied by words from our writers and an original photograph by our wonderful team of photographers. First up is Belfast-based songstress Alana Henderson. Photo by Joe Laverty. End of year lists are a funny thing. Every year the music industry churns these things out and every year the same names appear top of the…

  • The Thin Air Top 100 Irish Tracks of 2014 (74-01)

    January 1, 2015 - By 

    In the second (admittedly rather hefty) part of a two part feature, we count down our Top 100 Irish Tracks of 2014, from #74 to #01. Delve in. Go here to check out the first part of the countdown. 74. BeeMickSee – We Took A Dive Featuring his best friend and collaborator Paul Danver, ‘We Took A Dive’ by Belfast-based rapper Brendan Seamus AKA BeeMickSee tells the “tale of my harrowing relocation to Belfast in the mid 90s” and features on the The Belfast Yank. We Took a Dive by Bee Mick See 73. Droids – Burn Down Another rampant, riff-fuelled throwdown…

  • Rave New World (19/12)

    December 19, 2014 - By 

    In the grand second weekly installment of Rave New World, Antoin Lindsay and Aidan Hanratty delve into very best new electronic tracks and mixes of the week, as well as unmissable upcoming nights and releases over the festive period. Gigs The Respected Beggars Present: Dego with Kaidi @ The Menagerie, Belfast – Friday December 19 Get down to The Menagerie tonight for The Respected Beggars’ Christmas party where they’re having Dego and Kaidi provide vibes all night. Dego is probably best known as being one half of the legendary 4Hero and hasn’t played in Belfast since 1991, so this should be a special one.…