• Interview: Jacco Gardner

    October 13, 2015 - By 

    Having played Dublin’s Workman’s Club last month, baroque pop prince and Dutch producer/multi-instrumentalist Jacco Gardner chats to Brian Coney about his new album, Hypnophobia, the imprint of cinema on his music and the luxury of recording completely on his own terms. Hi Jacco. You released the wonderful Hypnophobia (the “excessive fear of deep sleep” I’ve just learned) back in May. Before touching on the recording and songwriting, what’s the significance being the title of the release? When I saw the word for the first time I immediately felt some connection. For me it’s a way of describing the unknown territory…

  • Inbound: The Cujo Family

    October 13, 2015 - By 

    The story of The Cujo Family is a familiar one. Since their conception eight years ago they’ve amassed a serious, almost fervent fan base through their poetic song writing and knees-up live shows. Yet despite wide acclaim, full widespread attention remains elusive. Then life does its thing, and nips at your time with work, children, the day to day. And though music may remain the centre of your world, it’s one that has to be shaped around the very real needs of being a normal human. Yet that doesn’t mean you should give up, because here they come again. With…

  • Lingo Festival Interview: Saul Williams

    October 7, 2015 - By 

    Saul Williams as an artistic figure is a force of unshakeable power. His ability over the course of his career to tackle social, personal and political issues with verve and master craftsmanship has been insurmountable and defiant of any possible pigeonholing. From poetry to music, from acting to journalism, William’s medium defying career has turned him into an artistic totem in the sphere of social commentary. I spoke to him about his recently published poetic commentary on the state of America, US(a.) – a work that began when he returned to the States having lived in Paris for several years…

  • Interview: Wyvern Lingo

    October 2, 2015 - By 

    Having just released their stellar new single, ‘Subside’, Wyvern Lingo are really riding the crest of a wave at the minute. Touching on their formation, their creative process, touring with Hozier and their plans for the future, the Wicklow threesome chat to Robert Higgins. Hi guys. First off, how did the three of you originally meet? We met just before the start of secondary school. We all grew up quite close to each other in Bray. #brayisclass Who were some of your earliest influences? Were there any Irish acts that inspired you? It was a mixture of classic rock bands…

  • Video Premiere/Q+A: Edward F Butler feat. Katharine Philippa – Futures Full

    September 24, 2015 - By 

    Doubling up as an exclusive first look at the former’s video for the release, Brian Coney chats to Edward F Butler and Katharine Philippa about their inspired collaboration on superb new single ‘Futures Full’ and more. Hi guys. First off, when were proverbial seeds for this collaboration sown? Edward: When I first heard Katharine’s voice I knew that there was something special, and then the more we started to hang out, we just were kindred spirits, both hyper creative. We met at S.A.R.C, the breeding ground for Belfast’s experimental pop types, but didn’t start working together until the start of this year. Katharine:…

  • Q+A: Spires That in the Sunset Rise

    September 11, 2015 - By 

    Psych-folk exponents Spires that in the Sunset Rise have been on the road and in various configurations for the better part of fifteen years. Next week, they’ll be hitting Ireland for only their second excursion here in that time, touring new record ‘Beasts in the Garden’. TTA caught up with one half of the duo, Taralie Peterson, and talked albums, labels and touring… You came together musically over ten years ago, after growing up together in Decatur, IL. Can you tell us about growing up together and how that played into your becoming musicians? Growing up in D-town greatly influenced…

  • Interview: Beach House

    August 25, 2015 - By 

    Ahead of their highly-anticipated return to Belfast and Dublin in late October, Beach House will release their stellar fifth full-length album, Depression Cherry, via Bella Union on Friday, August 28. Touching on the past, present and future of the band, Brian Coney talks energy, myth and release with the band’s frontwoman Victoria Legrand. Hi Victoria. You’ve recently released a statement about Depression Cherry that includes, “Here, we continue to let ourselves evolve while fully ignoring the commercial context in which we exist.” I really like that. Is not being misunderstood that important to you? It’s not about being misunderstood or anything like that. In order for…

  • Inbound: Peter McVeigh

    August 20, 2015 - By 

    In the latest installment of Inbound, we chat to Belfast-based singer-songwriter Peter McVeigh, touching on the recording and release of his new album, PM, collaborating with an array of musicians on the release and the current state of the Irish music industry. Hi Peter. First thing’s first: for those not acquainted with your backstory, how did you first get into writing and making music? I’ve always played music of some sort. I played flute at primary school, got kicked out of it for not doing my homework in high school and decided to teach myself piano, guitar and sing. Then…

  • Interview: Foals

    August 19, 2015 - By 

    Foals have this aura of being an incredibly intense act. There’s an image portrayed of this bunch of manic but brooding individuals from Oxford who have gone from creating live dance punk to trash a house party to, to crafting some of the most lucid and crushingly expansive indie-rock of the past decade. Speaking to Foals’ drummer Jack Bevan on the phone about their upcoming release What Went Down then, it felt both refreshing and jarring to be met with a relaxed yet chirpy voice on the other side. On the subject of change, writing, dynamic and everything that was…

  • Interview: The Wood Burning Savages

    July 20, 2015 - By 

    

 On the day of the release of their stellar new single, ‘Premier League’ (stream below), we chat to Paul Connolly from Derry quartet The Wood Burning Savages about recent stirrings, future plottings and the recording and release of their latest and greatest track to date. Hi Paul. You’re just back from Swell Festival. How was that and the last few months for you generally? Hello The Thin Air! Swell Festival was incredibly good fun, it’s like a happier version of The Prisoner or Lord Of The Flies. It’s only in its second year but it’s got an amazing vibe and the…