• 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 –…

  • Slomatics

    September 19, 2023 - By 

    Off the back of their trouncing new LP Strontium Fields, the Belfast prog-doom titans sit down with Pádraic Grant to talk sci-fi, analogue synths and two decades of sonic expansion Photos by Sean McMahon ​​Twenty years into their existence, Slomatics have entered a new phase. Over six albums, countless splits and EPs, their fuzzed-out sound has grown in complexity and scope. Emerging from the chaos of the pandemic, latest release Strontium Fields, sees the trio – guitarists David Majury, Chris Couzens and vocalist/drummer Marty Harvey – push beyond the doom-stoner-fuzz continuum to blossom into an experimental rock unit as likely…

  • Every Little Helps: 2 Royal Avenue

    September 19, 2023 - By 

    Human connection is at the heart of revamped Belfast community and cultural venue 2 Royal Avenue Words by Brian Coney Photos by David McEneaney It may still be referred to as some variation on “the big Tesco” by many locals, but 2 Royal Avenue has seen quite the evolution since doors back in 1869. With its deep, Romanesque arches and breathtaking gothic dome, it’s safe to say the former bank building (and, yes, Tesco Metro) has all the outward form to match its esteemed address. But since 2021, the listed building has undergone a remarkable transformation. Having reopened at the…

  • 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…

  • Kindred Soul: An Interview with Negro Impacto

    September 18, 2023 - By 

    Off the back of their new single ‘Maybe,’ Ciara Byrne chats to Dundalk neo-soul duo Negro Impacto about encapsulating the vitality and fun of the scene, representing diversity in genre and celebrating the cultural soul of Irish music Photos by Sean McMahon Emerging from the effervescent Dundalk music scene, Negro Impacto have been making a name for themselves across the island of Ireland since forming as a band in 2021. Composed of vocalist and songwriter Chi Chi and multi-instrumentalist Laurence Kapinga, aka StrangeLove, Negro Impacto first met as part of the skate scene in Dundalk, living within 2km of each…

  • Video Premiere: Ṣelu – For You

    September 14, 2023 - By 

    Featured as an Inbound artist in the Autumn issue of the magazine – which you can read below – Ṣelu is someone we feel confident is worthy of your attention and destined for great things. His new single ‘For You’ is a minimalist soul ballad dealing with the tribulations of being human, especially in this age of living vicariously through curated social media and the isolation of remote work. It’s a song that essentially asks people to remember life isn’t all about your personal achievement and what you choose to share online – it’s your contribution to those around you…

  • 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…