• ‘First Things First’ Exhibition @ Irish Georgian Society

    One Strong Arm is a brand new letterpress studio that uses antique wooden and metal type settings to produce beautifully original prints. The new studio, based in Pimlico, Dublin, is the brainchild of Dave Darcy. For the launch of One Strong Arm, Dave teamed up with craftsman Mick Minogue to produce a set of prints that “merge the traditional with the contemporary, through typography and illustration”. The prints pay tribute to the opening lines of some famous works of literature – from the likes of Kafka to Hunter S. Thompson. ‘First Things First’ launched in the Irish Georgian Society last night sponsored…

  • Playlist: Northern Ireland Music Prize 2014

    A year on from Foy Vance walking away with the inaugural album award, this year’s Northern Ireland Music Prize will take place at Belfast’s Mandela Hall on Saturday night. Culminating in Northern Ireland alt-rock legends Therapy? (above) performing their landmark 1994 album Troublegum in full, the ceremony will see twelve of the North’s finest acts – from the quaintest to the downright behemothic – compete for the prize. Go here to buy tickets to the ceremony – also featuring performances by Robyn G Shiels, Sullivan & Gold and More Than Conquerors – and stream our Northern Ireland Music Prize playlist via Spotify…

  • Track Record: Anna McCarthy (Dott)

    GO WEST! For this installment of Track Record we head to Galway to catch up with the delightful Anna McCarthy from garage pop quartet Dott. One things for certain, Anna sure likes her heft and she shares with us her ten favourite records, ranging from sludge metallers Kylesa to the classic riffage of our very own Thin Lizzy. Photos by Sean McCormack. My Bloody Valentine – MBV This was definitely worth the wait. Listening to My Bloody Valentine makes me feel like I’m wrapped in a fuzzy blanket and this came along just in time for when I really wanted a new…

  • AAA: Patrick Kelleher, Bouts, Fang Club & Psychics @ Grand Social, Dublin

    In this installment of AAA (Access All Areas) we go behind the scenes at New Natives Presents at the Grand Social in Dublin. Fresh from his support slot with Future Islands last weekend is Patrick Kelleher, Bouts rounding off their last gig of the year, garage-punk quartet Fang Club and Dublin alt-rock duo Psychics. Our photographer Carlos Daly spent the evening with all the bands during soundcheck and set up and even got a few sneaky pints in with Bouts across the road at Gin Palace! Check out the gallery below for more.

  • Start a Band

    Good day, readers! I’m Chris and The Thin Air have kindly provided me with this platform to talk about the wonderful world of touring and other aspects of life in a band. I began touring about seven years ago, the early days consisted mostly of performing to tiny amounts of people, being broke and sleeping on floors or in vans. Since then there has been no catapult to superstardom, more a gradual yet steady progression in my touring lifestyle and in many ways I feel very fortunate for this, as it has helped me develop a resilience to a lot…

  • Cork Heads: Colm McAuliffe and Máire Dineen (Cork Film Festival)

    In the latest installment of Cork Heads – looking at some of the brightest creative sparks in the Rebel County – photographer Brid O’Donovan shoots and talks to Colm McAuliffe and Máire Dineen of Cork Film Festival, which opens on Friday, November 7 and runs until November 16. Colm is Head of Short Film for the festival. He also writers for the Quietus, Sight & Sound, Film4, Fade to Black and the Skinny. Maire is Head of Live Music and Special Events for the festival. She also works with Body and Soul Event Creations Ltd. How did you both first become…

  • Tim Wheeler: Solo Domain

    Tim Wheeler took a break from his front-man duties for Ash to release his debut solo album, Lost Domain, for reasons very close to the singer’s heart and it’s a masterpiece. Deirdre O’Brien caught up with the Downpatrick native for The Thin Air on a very flying visit he took to Dublin just before the record’s release and his show at Belfast’s Oh Yeah Centre. Since the release of their debut EP Trailer in 1994 – which turned out to be an immediate success for Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton and Rick McMurray – Ash have gone from strength-to=strength worldwide for the…

  • BREED @ The National

    Last night our photographer Sara Marsden popped down to Belfast’s The National to capture one-off street art exhibition, BREED. Showcasing work by Banksy, Faile, Antony Micallef, Paul Insect, Ian Francis, Herakut and more, the exhibition was curated by music video and fashion film director Neil Kerr (below).