• Watch: Villagers – Occupy Your Mind

    “In the advent of the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, please find attached a song written for you, your mother, your father and your gay brothers and sisters in Russia.” So reads a Facebook post by Dublin band Villagers, words that accompany the video to their Muse-esque new single, ‘Occupy Your Mind.’ Directed by Alden Volney, the video features the band’s main man Conor O’Brien sat on a theatre stage as luminous, scattered lights beamed onto his face, a faceless captor of sorts overseeing proceedings in the distance. Debuted on Zane Lowe’s BBC Radio 1 show last night, the single follows on from…

  • Album Stream: Alana Henderson – Windfall

    Having had an extraordinary breakthrough year in 2013, Belfast-based singer-songwriter Alana Henderson has released a new album, Windfall. Ahead of entering the studio again soon to record some material of her own, the eight-track album is, in Henderson’s own words, “a side-project, separate from my own contemporary writing, in which I recorded an album of re-worked, contemporary arrangements of traditional songs from the North of Ireland.” Featuring the likes of Shauna Tohill AKA Silhouette and Mike Mormecha from Mojo Fury amongst a cast of musicians, the album is available as a limited edition cardboard release with enclosed sleeve-notes. Stream and/or download…

  • Mojo Fury announce tenth anniversary show

    A whole decade and two thoroughly exceptional full-length albums in, Lisburn alt-rock band Mojo Fury have announced plans for a special 10th anniversary show at Belfast’s Limelight 2 on Thursday, March 6. The Mike Mormecha-fronted band – who headlined our launch party at Voodoo, Belfast last year –  will be supported on the night by fast-rising folk band The Emerald Armada and alt-rock trio Two Glass Eyes. Tickets for the show go on sale tomorrow morning (Friday, February 7) at 9am. Check out our 5/5 review of Mojo Fury’s second album, The Difference Between, here and watch the video for the…

  • Watch: Feet For Wings – Cathedral St.

    For one reason or another, the sea seems to occupy a special place in the hearts of many acts trying to visually capture the essence of their sound or  lyrical content. Take, for example, ‘Holy‘ by Scottish band Frightened Rabbit or ‘Can’t Make You Come Back‘ by Derry’s Our Krypton Son – just two songs that are not only complimented by their accompanying, nautically-inclined videos, but wonderfully transformed by the simple poetic majesty of the ocean. Adding themselves to such esteemable company is Belfast-based alt-acoustic four-piece Feet For Wings, a band whose short film-like video for their new single, ‘Cathedral St’,…

  • Stream: Hozier – From Eden

    Back in December last year, Fast-rising Co. Wicklow artist Andrew Hozier-Byrne AKA Hozier reached number 20 in our Top 100 Irish Tracks of 2013 with his spellbinding single, ‘Take Me To The Church’. His latest single effort, ‘From Eden’, has us equally impressed, suggesting great things for the songwriter on his forthcoming second EP. Featuring delay-soaked guitar chords, swaggering bass patterns on the verse and Hozier’s increasingly inimitable soulful twang, the single was Zane Lowe’s Hottest Record In The World on BBC Radio 1 last night. Set to feature on his upcoming Rubyworks-released second EP – also titled From Eden…

  • Premiere: Wild Cub – Thunder Clatter (UNKNWN Remix)

    2014 is shaping up to be an extremely promising year for Belfast-based electronic duo Unknwn AKA producer Chris Hanna and vocalist Gemma Dunleavy. With the likes of South by Southwest and a forthcoming EP in the pipeline, we’re happy to premiere the twosome’s wonderfully understated remix of ‘Thunder Clatter’ by Wild Cub. “We were really chuffed when Wild Cub asked us to do the remix as I’d actually heard the original on a TV ad before and thought it was so catchy,” said Hanna. “We wanted to put our own sort of spin on it, and maybe try and take…

  • No Tomorrow launch announced

    We’re very happy to announce the launch of our brand new monthly gig/club night at Voodoo, Belfast, No Tomorrow, on Saturday, March 1. Taking place on the first Saturday of every month, the launch will feature fast-rising Dublin noise-rock band Girl Band (above) as headliners, supported by hugely promising Belfast/Dublin garage quartet Cruising and a DJ set from Ricki O’Rawe from the one and only Not Squares. On the night there will be ridiculously good drink promotions, visuals for your sensual perusal and the first fifty people through the door will receive a special No Tomorrow goodie bag. Check out Stu…

  • Watch: GANGS – 2 15

    Ahead of their performance at Other Voices’ Derry Music Trail this weekend, Dublin indie/rock n’ roll quartet GANGS have released the video to their new single, ‘2 15’. Featuring the perpetually dapper four-piece gallivanting around Dingle, Kerry, the video was shot during the band’s recent appearance on Other Voices on RTE. The band’s appearance on the programme’s Derry Music Trail takes place (alongside John Deery & the Heads) takes place at The Gweedore from 11pm on Friday, February 8. GANGS will launch ‘2 15’ upstairs in Whelan’s, Dublin on Friday, February 21. Watch the video for the single below.

  • Watch: The Rupture Dogs – Before The Flood

    Having launched it at Belfast’s Stiff Kitten on Friday night, Belfast-based alt-rock band The Rupture Dogs have released the video to their new single, ‘Before The Flood’. Film, directed and edited by Ryan Douglas, the video features the four-piece performing the track with typical intent, culminating in a suitably seismic final fifteen seconds not entirely unlike the band’s live show. ‘Before The Flood’ is taken from the band’s twelve-track debut album, Feral. Stream that here. Watch the video for ‘Before The Flood’ below.

  • Watch: Two Glass Eyes – Mend

    Northern Irish alt-rock trio Two Glass Eyes have unveiled the DIY video to their new single, ‘Mend’. Shot and edited by the band’s drummer Mark Easton (of TinyBird Media), the video was shot on zero budget, the band aiming for a “feel-good tour/studio video”. Two Glass Eyes are currently booking their European tour for later in the year. They also officially launch ‘Mend’ at Belfast’s Voodoo on Thursday, February 6, with Past Victories, Dog Will Hunt and Abandcalledboy. Go here for the show’s event page. Watch the video for ‘Mend’ below.