• Watch: His New Atlas – Pillars

    September 7, 2014 - By 

    The follow-up to the recently-released ‘His Young’, Armagh singer-songwriter Eoghan O’Hagan AKA His New Atlas has released his sitting new single, ‘Pillars’. Fast becoming his custom, O’Hagan’s latest heart-rending tale is accompanied by simple but stunningly shot video, created by Belfast-based videographer and photographer Colm Laverty. Brooding and evocative, calling upon the depths of distant childhood and lost innocence, the video culminates in a particularly wistful tone. ‘Pillars’ is taken from O’Hagan’s debut full-length EP, Torn Out Lungs, which you can stream/purchase here. Watch the video below.  

  • Stream: Matua Trap – Cleave

    September 3, 2014 - By 

    Comprised of members from Belfast bands Kasper Rosa and Affleck, new-fangled alt-prog trio Matua Trap have been penning and practice their first batch of songs for the last year. Their first effort from what they promise to be very busy project, ‘Cleave’ is a suitably tangential, idiosyncratic affair, hinting at some fine things in the making. Matua Trap make their live debut at Belfast’s Voodoo on Wednesday, September 17. Stream – or buy for at least £1 – ‘Cleave’ via Bandcamp below. Cleave by Matua Trap

  • Watch: Girl Band – De Bom Bom

    September 3, 2014 - By 

    Dublin noise rock quartet Girl Band have been very active as of late. As well as having the slightly daunting honour of supporting both Metz and Slint on recent tours, they also been on the road on the their own right, as well as delivering nothing short of an unforgettable performance on the Friday night of Electric Picnic. The latest milestone on their altogether upward journey is the release of ‘De Bom Bom’, a single that perfectly embodies the manic fury and almost touchable neurotic majesty of their current material. The accompanying video, created by Second Frame Films, mirrors the aforementioned…

  • Stream: Slow Skies – Ice Field

    September 3, 2014 - By 

    Having been featured in our Instatour feature earlier this year, Dublin dream pop duo Slow Skies have dropped ‘Ice Field’, the first track to be taken from their forthcoming EP, Keepsake. The duo – comprised of singer-songwriter Karen Sheridan and producer Conal Herron – are joined by Richie Egan and Glen Keating from Jape on the track, delicately propelled by sparse instrumentation and Sheridan’s meditative vocals. Slow Skies are set to play The Sugar Club, Dublin on Wednesday, October 8. Stream ‘Ice Field’ via Soundcloud below.

  • Exclusive: Meb Jon Sol – Leave All Your Troubles With Me

    September 3, 2014 - By 

    Having reared his head at the start of the year with his debut single, ‘Captain of This Ship’, Belfast-based singer-songwriter Michael McCullagh AKA Meb Jon Sol has released the touching trad-folk of ‘Leave All Your Troubles With Me’ – and we have a first look at the video. Filmed and edited by Colm Laverty, the video, giving the effect of an old 8mm film, features McCullagh performing the track in the Titanic quarter of Belfast, spliced with footage of various people across the world. ‘Leave All Your Troubles With Me’ is available to buy via Bandcamp for £1 or the option to donate…

  • Watch: Silences – Sister Snow

    September 2, 2014 - By 

    Fresh from their debut performance at Electric Picnic, Silences return to our laptop screens with their fantasy-esque video for their new track ‘Sister Snow’ from their forthcoming EP. Sublimely shot by Dublin’s Alec Moore, the video echoes the woodland innocence of Where The Wild Things Are and aptly suits the song, which we previewed in our most recent podcast. Formed in 2012 and fronted by Conchúr White, the band have found themselves in the company of Bell X1, Lisa O’Neill and Foy Vance amongst others on RTE’s Other Voices and have played many festivals including Stendhal Festival and Vantastival. Watch the video…

  • Stream: Prince – U Know

    September 2, 2014 - By 

    Prince has released a third track from his forthcoming solo album Art Official Age. ‘U Know’ follows a similar formula to the last two singles from the new album, with diverse instrumentation including some pretty synth chords, an R&B rhythm section and Prince’s trademark sensual vocal delivery. The new album is released on the same day as Plectrum Electrum, released by Prince’s band 3rd Eye Girl. Listen to ‘U Know’ via Vibe, and hear both Art Official Age and Plectrum Electrum from August 29th via Warner Bros.  

  • Culture Night Belfast 2014 programme launched

    August 28, 2014 - By 

    With the heady success of last year still lingering fondly in the memory, the programme for this year’s Culture Night Belfast has been launched. Set to transform Belfast city centre into bustling and kaleidoscopic cultural celebration of arts, music, craft, theatre, spoken word, poetry, dance and much more, this year’s showcase will take place on Friday, September 19. Next week we will present our Must-See events at this year’s Culture Night but at a first look, Rhinos (pictured), Cruising and Go Wolf at the Oh Yeah Centre, Culture Night Radio IMPRINT at Sort Design and live theatre shorts at the Sunflower Public…

  • Reuben announce 10th Anniversary Edition of Racecar Is Racecar Backwards

    August 27, 2014 - By 

    Post-hardcore trio Reuben are set to release a tenth anniversary edition of their debut album Racecar Is Racecar Backwards on November 3 as a double cd and limited edition white vinyl, which includes a download for the bonus disc, which has the following tracklist: 01. No One Wins the War (Live at the BBC)02. Horrorshow (Live at XFM)03. Stuck In My Throat (Racecar demo)04. Oh the Shame (Live at Echo FM)05. Fall of the Bastille (Live at XFM)06. Freddy Kreugar (Stakeout demo)07. Tonight My Wife Is Your Wife (Single version)08. Eating Only Apples (Live at the BBC)09. Our Song (Racecar demo)10. Let’s…

  • Northern Ireland Music Prize 2014 – Therapy? to perform Troublegum

    August 27, 2014 - By 

    Following last year’s successful Northern Irish Music Prize ceremony, it has been announced that the second annual event will take place in the Mandela Hall in the Queen’s University Students’ Union on November 15. The ceremony awards a prize to the best Northern Irish album of the last year as voted for by a number of local media and industry professionals. Last year, Foy Vance won the album of the year prize with his excellent Joy Of Nothing, a strong album among many worthy contenders. Alt. metal trio Therapy? play their million-selling, Mercury Prize-shortlisted 1994 classic Troublegum LP in its entirety at the awards show on…