• Playlist: 20 Acts To Catch at Electric Picnic 2017

    July 24, 2017 - By 

    For all its kaleidoscopic, genre-spanning variety, there’s no denying choosing which acts to catch (and those artists to regrettably miss) at Electric Picnic can be a bit of a headache. Sure, Clashfinder is a big help (seriously, we’d be lost without it) but let us help you out if you’re EP-bound this weekend: from Interpol, Chaka Khan and Parquet Courts to Run The Jewels (above), Soulwax and Car Seat Headrest, here’s 20 acts to catch at this year’s Electric Picnic, returning to Stradbally Estate across September 1-3

  • Festival Mixtape: Arcadian Field 2017

    July 20, 2017 - By 

    In just its second year, nestled at the foot of Dundalk’s Cooley Mountains, grassroots festival Arcadian Field is one of the truly independently-minded festivals in Ireland this summer, and takes place over the weekend of August 5th & 6th. The lineup features some of our favourite acts from across every corner of the island, encompassing a huge breadth of genres; performing are the likes of electronica alternative act Nouveaunoise, hip-hop act Naive Ted, Donegal experimentalists Tuath, Galway garage rockers Oh Boland, the anthemic alternative songstress Naoise Roo, Dundalk native & multi-instrumentalist, the rootsy Elephant, Dublin fuzzniks Thumper, Belfast jam band Electric Octopus, and many more across the board. The site,…

  • Keeping It Old School: An Interview with Paul Kane of Over The Hill Collective

    July 18, 2017 - By 

    Having grown in leaps and bounds over the last seven years, Over The Hill is a music collective based at Belfast’s Oh Yeah Music Centre aimed at mature musicians but open to everyone. Brian Coney chats to founder Paul Kane about its foundations and development, as well as why it’s a crucial link in bridging music, community and the older generation. Hi, Paul. First thing’s first: how did the Over The Hill collective first come about? It started about seven years ago. When I first walked in the doors here at Oh Yeah Music Centre I had just changed careers and…

  • “They’re Us… That’s All” The Unlife of George A. Romero

    July 17, 2017 - By 

    In 1967, music and art threatened to take over the world. The Beatles were proclaiming that “All you need is Love”, Jefferson Airplane were chasing the white rabbit down the hole into a magical wonderland, and Pink Floyd were taking us into the outer realms on an ‘Interstellar Overdrive’. Meanwhile, up on the big screen, Warren Beattie and Faye Dunaway were smouldering as outlaw couple Bonnie and Clyde, while Dustin Hoffman pursued an unconventional love in The Graduate. It was a good time to be young, white, and American. But for all the hopefulness that emanated from pop culture, real…

  • Interview: Looking Forward with Tim Wheeler of Ash

    July 17, 2017 - By 

    In between the victory lap of a 1997 anniversary tour and a new studio record set for release next year, Ash are spending the summer playing clubs and festivals across the UK. Jonny Currie spoke to frontman Tim Wheeler ahead of the band’s highly-anticipated headlining slot at Stendhal Festival in Limavady next month. If money was no object, what would be your dream festival line-up alongside Ash? Oh, that’s a good one. I’d say probably… Mudhoney, Weezer and Brian Wilson. You and the band are playing Limavady in August, but outside of touring with Ash are you back in Northern…

  • Track Record: Danny Carroll (Shrug Life)

    July 11, 2017 - By 

    Gentleman, indie-pop trouveur, broadcaster, podcaster, creative conspirator and Ireland’s answer to peak-era Morrissey (sans the casual racism and declining stature) Danny Carroll of Dublin’s Shrug Life waxes passionate about his favourite records, including Mission of Burma, No Spill Blood, The Specials, So Cow & Squarehead and more. Photos by Tara Thomas. Thin Lizzy – Thin Lizzy A few years ago I made a documentary on Thin Lizzy’s founding guitarist Eric Bell. It remains among the better things I’ve done with my life. He’s an absolute hero and in my biased opinion, is deeply underrated. This is the band’s self-titled debut album…

  • Irish Tour: Future Islands and Sacred Paws

    July 10, 2017 - By 

    Future Islands with support from Sacred Paws live in Dublin, Galway and Cork. Words by Kelly Doherty and Paula Murphy, photos by Sean McCormack and Alan Maguire. Cork Opera House It’s been a long time since Future Islands first played to an Irish crowd of 14 people and it wouldn’t be a far jump to say that in the intervening years they’ve become somewhat indie darlings on this island and the sold out Cork crowd is more than happy to spend Independence Day with their favourite American exports. Before they take the stage, we’re treated to a blinder of a…

  • Q+A: Intended Context with Wastefellow

    July 6, 2017 - By 

    Ahead of his slot at RHA’s Hennessy Lost Friday in Dublin tomorrow (Friday) night, we catch up with one of our favourite Irish producers at the minute, Wastefellow, to discuss his alter-ego, keeping busy, what tomorrow night holds in store and more. Go here for more info & ticket link You’ve had a busy Summer thus far, with slots at Forbidden Fruit, and elsewhere. Any highlights? It’s been excellent so far! Forbidden Fruit was the first show after a break of a few months, and it was a great way to get back to it. It was an early slot,…

  • Q+A: This Is The Kit

    July 4, 2017 - By 

    Ahead of her show at Baker’s Bar tomorrow night (Wednesday, July 5) as part of this year’s Clonmel Junction, Bristol and Paris-based artist Kate Stables AKA This Is The Kit talks to The Thin Air about her highly-anticipated fourth studio album, signing to Rough Trade, collaborating with Aaron Dessner and more. Tickets to the show are €24 and doors are at 9pm. Hi, Kate. I’m really looking forward to hearing Moonshine Freeze. From the material I’ve heard thus far, it sounds very promising. Where did you record the album and who all played a big role in it coming together? We recorded…

  • TTA’s Irish Releases of 2017 So Far

    July 4, 2017 - By 

    As we move into the second half of 2017, it’s safe to say we’ve been treated to some stellar releases from Irish artists since January. Compiled and written by a selection of our writers – Stevie Lennox, Kelly Doherty, Mitchell Goudie, Cathal McBride, Eoin Murray, Aaron Drain and Caolan Coleman – here’s the albums and EPs that have stood out most. Percolator – Sestra Hypnotic, motorik, at times myoclonic, Sestra is the debut record we both hoped and expected from the seasoned pros. Like their clear influence of Stereolab, Percolator occupy the spaces between subgenres, from dream-pop & shoegaze to…