• Nine Inch Nails and more announced for Belsonic

    May 28, 2013 - By 

    Playing Northern Ireland for the first time since forming a quarter of a century ago, U.S. industrial rock legends Nine Inch Nails are amongst several new acts announced to play this year’s Belsonic festival in Belfast’s Custom House Square. Set to take place on Wednesday August 21, North Coast post-rock quartet And So I Watch You From Afar have been confirmed as support for the iconic band, fronted by Trent Reznor (above). Several new support acts have also been announced for this year’s festival. Manchester band James will up the nostalgia factor by supporting Suede on August 24; The Courteeners,…

  • The Alice Kona Band split, release final EP

    May 27, 2013 - By 

    Belfast garage-pop quartet The Alice Kona Band have cushioned the blow of announcing they are no more by releasing their final EP online, the aptly-titled Alice Is Dead. Having released a couple of stellar singles over the last while – both of which feature on the release – the parting EP was recorded at Belfast’s Start Together in the summer of last year by Ben McAuley. On a brief statement made online, the band said, “We’ll be announcing a new project in the very near future. Huge thanks and much love to everyone that’s supported us over the last 4…

  • Stream: Malibu Shark Attack – Internal Organs

    May 27, 2013 - By 

    Taking from their forthcoming debut album, transatlantic indie-rap group Malibu Shark Attack are streaming their track ‘Internal Organs’ via Soundcloud. Made up of Rocky O’Reilly (Belfast’s Start Together Studio/Oppenheimer) and Atlanta, Georgia’s Tribe One with varying guests thrown in for good measure, it is the group’s first online release. ‘Internal Organs’ was released in physical form with ‘Monsters Under Your Bed’ last month. Stream Internal Organs’ – featuring the fine trumpeting skills of Linley Hamilton – below.

  • Stream: HAERTS – All The Days

    May 25, 2013 - By 

    Comprised of members from Germany, England and the United States, Brooklyn-based band HAERTS have released their superb new single, ‘All The Days’. After the success of their debut single ‘Wings’ – released to much hype and hubbub last year – the five-piece have returned with a similarly seductive follow-up, propelled by triumphant rhythms, washes of hazy synth and Nini Fabi’s enchanting vocals. With toes, fingers and everything else crossed for regular material over the next while, stream ‘All The Days’ via Soundcloud below.

  • Download: Ryan Hemsworth ‘Still Awake’ EP

    May 24, 2013 - By 

    Canadian DJ Ryan Hemsworth seems to have been all over the blogosphere recently, with a string of high-profile remixes for the likes of Frank Ocean, Grimes and Lana Del Rey painting a picture of a producer who focuses on ethereal, starry-eyed electronica. Whilst only a handful of original tracks have been made available to date, Hemsworth took the rather left-field step yesterday of making his new EP free to download on his website. No viral campaigns or mysterious download codes here – just a rather lovely EP from a gifted young producer. Download Still Awake over on Hemsworth’s site. [soundcloud…

  • Stream new Smith Westerns track

    May 22, 2013 - By 

    Chicago indie rock three-piece Smith Westerns are streaming a suitably starry-eyed slab of Bowie-esque guitar pop titled ‘3am Spiritual’. Equally bearing certain melodic hallmarks of Britpop, the track is taken from the band’s forthcoming third studio album, Soft Will, set for release in Europe via on June 24. According to a post made on their Facebook page, Smith Westerns are set to announce European dates soon. Stream the track via Soundcloud below.

  • Stendhal line-up announced

    May 20, 2013 - By 

    The line-up has been announced for this year’s Stendhal Festival of Art. Celebrating its third birthday on August 16 and 17 this year, The Bonnevilles, Little Bear and Pocket Billiards are amongst the first acts to be confirmed for the annual Limavady festival. As well as music taking place over four stages, it will also play host to a varied family programme of events for children, artwork, sculpture, a craft market, digital art installations, a fun fair and more. The first acts to be unveiled are: Paddy Casey, Mick Wilson (10CC), More Power to your Elbow, Little Bear, Trucker Diablo,…

  • Robyn G Shiels releases new EP

    May 20, 2013 - By 

    Belfast-based, Kilrea-born singer-songwriter Robyn G Shiels has released his new EP, Under The Night Of Stars. Recorded and produced by Ben McAuley at Start Together Studio, Belfast, the album features a full band including McAuley on “guitars, drums, etc.” and original Therapy? drummer Fyfe Ewing on track number three of five, ‘If Now Is An Echo’. Cover artwork for the EP was created by artist Hanita Dadswell and photographer Ronan O’Donell: Shiels will officially release the EP at Belfast’s Barge this Friday, May 24. Purchase the EP (and stream ‘If Now is an Echo’ via Bandcamp) below.

  • The Answer unveil new LP, tour dates

    May 20, 2013 - By 

    Downpatrick rockers The Answer have announced that they will release their fourth studio album, New Horizon, on September 30 via Napalm Records. The band’s first full-length release since 2011’s Revival, the late Storm Thorgerson worked with the band on the album’s artwork. The Answer will play Belfast’s Limelight 2 on Friday, October 11 and Dublin’s Whelan’s on Saturday, October 12. The band will also embark on a UK-wide tour to mark the release of the album: October Thursday 17: Manchester Academy 3 Friday 18: Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall Saturday 19: Leeds Cockpit Sunday 20: Sheffield Corporation Tuesday 22: Glasgow The Garage…

  • Stream: Hurdles – Kaleidoscope

    May 20, 2013 - By 

    Comprised of members from both Bedford and Dungannon (a first, surely?) Belfast-based indie rock quartet Hurdles have released their third single, ‘Kaleidoscope’. Available as a free download from Bandcamp, the track was recorded at Belfast’s Start Together Studio by Ben McAuley. The band released the singles ‘Paper Soldiers’ and ‘Pictures’ late last year. Stream and/or download the track below!