• Michael Mormecha Launches ‘See Sea’ Kickstarter

    January 4, 2021 - By 

    Whether in the guise of multi-instrumentalist producer or mastermind behind acclaimed Northern Irish band Mojo Fury, Michael Mormecha has long been considered something of a singular creative force. It’s something that was also on full display on his debut solo album, LOFi LiFE, released back in 2016. Five years on, Mormecha is back with a Kickstarter campaign to make its highly-anticipated follow-up, See Sea, a full-blown reality. With a £3000 goal set, he is well on his way. Check it out and help him reach his target here. Mormecha is posting regular Kickstarter videos and updates via his Facebook. Follow here and watch…

  • Download: The Tan Jackets – Here Are The Tan Jackets

    December 23, 2020 - By 

    There we were, hanging up the proverbial keyboard for 2020 and Irish supergroup par excellence The Tan Jackets swing by with other ideas. And blessed we are they did. Spanning traditional blues, punk, garage and straight up rock and roll, Here Are The Tan Jackets masterfully distils what makes the Cork band one of the country’s most-loved live acts. Recorded in Rebel County between 2017 and 2020, proceeds from the album – which features versions of songs from The Sonics, Velvet Underground, Suicide’s Alan Vega and more – goes to supporting the incredible work of Cork Penny Dinners this Christmas. Founded…

  • Stream: Bad Operator & Artois – 130 University Street EP

    December 22, 2020 - By 

    If you’re in any way au fait with Irish drum & bass, you’ll most likely be familiar with Crilli. A Belfast clubbing institution, specialising in DnB, jungle and footwork, its residents and rotating cast of guests have been responsible for some downright legendary nights in venues including Black Box, Voodoo and the Menagerie. The address of the latter space – which sadly recently closed its doors after yet another rebirth – gives its name to the debut release by Crilli residents Bad Operator aka David Campbell and Artois, otherwise known as Seamus Barnett. Across four tracks, 130 University Street offers…

  • Watch: Tuath & Lunch Machine – Mountains and Grooves

    December 21, 2020 - By 

    If, when civilization returns to some vague semblance of normality, you ever find yourself in the supreme liminal realm that is Letterkenny, you could do much worse than seeking out two of the town’s finest bands, Tuath and Lunch Machine. Led by Rob Mulhern and Jude Barriscale respectively, they embody what makes their particular neck of the woods a bit of a scene unto itself. Today, we’re pleased to share the visuals for Tuath and Lunch Machine’s new collaboration, ‘Mountains and Grooves’. Spaced-out and sorcerous in all the right places, it’s a shapeshifting gem that – among other things – gives due consideration to the lesser-heard…

  • Compilation Premiere: The Space Between – First

    December 16, 2020 - By 

    Something you might have noticed from our end-of-year lists is that one of the biggest trends of 2020’s imposed isolation has been the willingness of Irish artists to to come together remotely. Be it for a cause or for the sake of maintaining some sense of artistic worth, or simply born out of malaise – it’s that which comes out of the undergrowth that generally leads to the most fascinating results, and indeed, this year has landed us with a wealth of phenomenal compilations and collaborations across the island, giving a pre-built sense of community when things get back to normality. Today, we’re pleased to give you a first…

  • Video Premiere: Songs of Green Pheasant – Lucy Says

    December 8, 2020 - By 

    Over the years Galway imprint Rusted Rail have specialised in putting out a mottled array of homespun sounds. Their latest release is a textbook case in point.  Eight years on from his debut release on the label, Soft Wounds, When The Weather Clears by Duncan Sumpner aka Songs of Green Pheasant is another batch of wonderfully nocturnal paeans that double as a perfect soundtrack to taking cosy refuge from the growing winter cold. Evoking And Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out-era Yo La Tengo, ‘Lucy Says’ is but one highlight here. Have a first look at the video for it below.

  • EP Premiere: Mark Loughrey – On Through The Veil Anew

    December 10, 2020 - By 

    On Through The Veil Anew is the new five-track EP from experimental folk artist Mark Loughrey, born near the border town of Strabane, and currently based in Berlin. His first major release since the 2017 release of debut album, Treppenwitz, it’s both sonically and thematically a marked progression towards more ambitious arrangements and experimental storytelling. Drawing from the kind of subtly subversive contemporary Northern Folk tradition carried out by the likes of Arborist & Joshua Burnside, it’s steeped in roots, but subtly subversive of genre convention. Its expansive, yet intricate, organically arranged compositions at varying points call to mind the earthly etherealism of Sufjan Stevens, Andrew Bird…

  • Album Stream: Tandem Felix – Tapley Sings​.​.​. The Hits! And Other Favourites

    December 7, 2020 - By 

    If you’re familiar with the lifestyle choices of Dublin songsmith extraordinaire David Tapley aka Tandem Felix, you’ll probably know that he’s partial to the occasional flagon or two of coffee. And it checks out. Off the back of his stellar latest single ‘The Assassination‘, he’s somehow managed to put together a thirty-track covers album to mark his 30th birthday today. Highlights abound. From opener, a take on Tammy Wynette’s ‘Stand By Your Man’ and Madonna’s ‘Ray of Light’, to Sparklehorse, Celine Dion, Broadcast, ABBA and beyond, it’s a genre-spanning triumph, doubly confirming Tapley to be maestro like few others. “Today, on…

  • Watch: Problem Patterns – Christmas Number One

    December 11, 2020 - By 

    Whether you’re thrilled or dreading the prospect of a quiet Christmas this year, Belfast’s finest feminist punks have a single we’re delighted to let you hear. Its doo wop-via-Breeders harmonies guaranteed to have you grinning from ear to ear, ‘Christmas Number One’ is a refreshingly positive take on coping with expectations of seasonal cheer. Now, don’t let our lazy rhyming couplets put you off – Problem Patterns’ latest single is as earworming as they’ve ever been. Normally, we’re not ones to copy & paste a press release, but as ever, they put it better than we could have: “Known for their feminist punk ethos, Problem have tackled such topics as…

  • Other Voices Announce Christmas Gig at Guinness Storehouse

    November 30, 2020 - By 

    Other Voices have announced details of a star-studded Christmas gig at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin. Home From the Guinness Storehouse will take place on Wednesday, December 16th and will feature appearances by Denise Chaila, Conor O’Brien of Villagers, MuRli, God Knows, Mango x Mathman, The Mary Wallopers, Sorcha Richardson, Crash Ensemble, Sean Potts and Doireann Glackin. It will be presented by Loah and will also feature a spoken word by Joseph O’Connor. “It is an honour to present an incredibly special evening of Other Voices at the Guinness Storehouse,” Loah said. “It’s been a difficult year for live performance,…