• Video Premiere: girlfriend. – Trust

    August 4, 2023 - By 

    Back in the mists of time (2016) we introduced the first iteration of North Dublin alternative band girlfriend, tipping them for Big Things in the future. Judging by the cost of living yadda yadda help, it’s now the future and it seems that, for all our high praise back then, we might have actually, inadvertently lowballed the band in question. In their final Super Saiyan form as a five-piece, girlfriend. are taking their rightful place as one of Ireland’s most vital bands. “Vital how?” you ask? We hear you, and we see your concerns, but there’s a fair chance you slept on ‘Trust’. Released in March, off the…

  • Lankum Nominated for Mercury Prize

    July 27, 2023 - By 

    In surely one of the most warranted determinations in the history of annual album prizes, Lankum have been nominated for this year’s Mercury Prize. Alongside the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Jockstrap, Shygirl and Young Fathers, the Dublin quartet will vie for the prestigious annual album award for their fourth studio album, False Lankum. Released via Rough Trade back in March, the album doubly underscored the band’s forward-pushing, genre-trouncing experimental folk. The winner of this year’s Mercury Prize will be announced at London’s Hammersmith Apollo on 7th September. Check out the full shortlist below. Revisit Andrew Lambert’s verdict on False Lankum here and check…

  • Féile Na Gréine Announce 2023 Line-up

    July 24, 2023 - By 

    The line-up for this year’s Féile Na Gréine has been announced. Doubling up as the Limerick DIY festival’s biggest programme to date, this year’s outing takes over various venues across 18th-20th August 2023. As ever from one of the island’s most tuned-in – and infinitely sound – creative collective and promoters, it’s another wonderfully eclectic, thoroughly stacked line-up of gigs, site-specific performances no workshops across three days and nights. Among this year’s many highlights are a whole host of TTA favourite including Robocobra Quartet (pictured), FONDA, Eimear Reidy and Natalia Beylis, Jane Deasy, Katie Kim, Naive Ted, Search Results and…

  • Video Premiere: Drew Makes Noise – Flame

    July 11, 2023 - By 

    As one-quarter of sadly-missed Northern Irish band Ed Zealous, Andrew Wilson played a sizeable role in soundtracking what’s long been held as the country’s indie heyday. But why look back? In Wilson’s case, it seems lightning most certainly strikes twice. Fast-forward to 2023 and the Belfast-based artist is digging deep to further his prismatic alt-pop craft as Drew Makes Noise. Where recent singles like ‘This Matter’ and ‘Hey’ were lysergic and widescreen in equal measure, new single ‘Flame’ is a feat of masterful restraint. One of several peaks from his stellar debut solo album Let The Whole Tape Run, it’s…

  • Belfast Musicians Set for UNESCO City of Music Initiative

    July 6, 2023 - By 

    Two fast-rising Belfast singer-songwriters have been selected for a new UNESCO City of Music Initiative. Off the back of Belfast being awarded prestigious status in late 2021, Niall McDowell and Ciara O’Neill will travel to fellow UNESCO City of Music London, in Ontario, Canada, to perform as part of the Home County Music and Art Festival. Arranged through the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, which brings cities together to share skills and develop networks between musicians, the trip will also see McDowell and O’Neill taking part in co-writing sessions with other artists and get the chance to work with world-class producers…

  • Video Premiere: Krisdeberg – HHH

    July 6, 2023 - By 

    After a long period locked away in the recording studio, Dublin-based electronic quartet Krisdeberg (not to be confused with the Irish prince of power ballads, Chris de Burgh) return with their new single HHH ahead of releasing their self-recorded and self-produced work that draws from a well of diverse influences such as new wave, noise rock, acid house and indie electro. We’re delighted to bring you an exclusive first look at HHH, which visualises the communication breakdown between people through a Beckett-esque theatre setting of humour, isolation and horror.  The video features members of the band and an omnious bottle of wine, while uniquely exploring how disparate two perceptions…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – 23rd June

    June 23, 2023 - By 

    It’s been another stellar week for Irish music. Here’s the very best tracks and releases from Gemma Hayes, Midnight Wayne, Saint Sister, Tandem Felix, Sister Fenix, Search Results, Proper Mirco NV, Mik Pyro & May Kay, Autre Monde and more. Gemma Hayes – High and Low Midnight Wayne – Get What You Got Saint Sister – Where I Shound End Remixes Tandem Felix – There’s a New Sheriff in Town Search Results – Flower Rock Rain Proper Micro NV – Never Go On Sister Fenix – Gentle Life EP Autre Monde – Sensitive Assignment, Parts 1-4 Sensitive Assignment, Parts 1-4…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – 16th June

    June 16, 2023 - By 

    It’s Friday again so that means another very excellent week of new releases from the likes of Aoife Wolf, Slouch, Maija Sofia, Pat Lagoon, Finnian, Paddy Hanna and more Aoife Wolf – A Ringing in the Ear Slouch – I Got This Job Because I’m Too Stupid To Steal I GOT THIS JOB BECAUSE I'M TOO STUPID TO STEAL by SLOUCH Paddy Hanna – Nightmares Maija Sofia – Four Winters Thom Southern – Let Someone Else In Caoilian Sherlock – The Wheels Come Off Teenage Jesus Album by Caoilian Sherlock Pat Lagoon – Carousel Connor McCann – Lady Rest Jake…

  • Christy Dignam Has Died

    June 13, 2023 - By 

    Christy Dignam has died following a prolonged battle with illness. He was 63. According to the family of the legendary frontman of trailblazing Irish band Aslan, Dignam passed away at home this afternoon (13th June.) On Facebook, Dignam’s daughter Kiera posted a statement, stating that the much-loved Dublin singer and musician died  “peacefully” after a “courageously long-fought battle, surrounded by his family”. The statement read: “On behalf of my family, it is with a broken heart that we convey the news of my father’s passing, Christy Dignam. Dad peacefully left us where he wanted to, at home today 4pm Tuesday,…

  • Maija Sofia Announces Second Album and Irish Dates, Releases ‘Four Winters’

    June 13, 2023 - By 

    It feels like a small lifetime ago Galway artist Maija Sofia released her Choice Prize-nominated debut album Bath Time. As Dominic Edge precisely put it in his TTA review at the time: “It’s incredible that such diligence and exquisite craft arrive on a debut, and it’s a fact you have to constantly remind yourself throughout Bath Time. Timeless, poignant and evocative, this is an incredible breakthrough moment.” Fast-forward to mid-2023 and Maija has, blessedly, lifted the veil on its long-awaited follow-up. Set for release via TULLE Collective on 1st September, the ten-track True Love features, beyond Maija herself, some familiar names, including Chris Barry and Solamh…