• TTNG – Disappointment Island

    July 26, 2016 - By 

    Despite the vast number of changes in line-up since their formation just over twelve years ago, TTNG have been a steady trio for the past five years. This comes across in what is over all, a solid and consistent third album from the math-rock Brits. Even the title, Disappointment Island could suggest a bout of confidence for them, as had they failed to produce a somewhat decent listen the title itself would provide an ideal base for thoughtless, crummy criticism. Instead, they have succeeded in compiling a reliable set of ten tracks that hold true to the sound that TTNG (or This Town Needs Guns as they…

  • Guide To Galway #4: Galway International Arts Festival 2016

    July 13, 2016 - By 

    The Galway International Arts Festival is here again and we’re all really happy about that – it’s the most wonderful time of the year! Yes, it’s the cultural equivalent of the Olympics or the World Cup, a time when the city’s social, economic and design problems are papered over for the visiting tourists. Lovely, lovely tourists with their lovely handsome faces. No, to be honest, it really is great. Galway is buzzing and never looks or feels better than for these two beautiful weeks in July. Shop Street is 110% the best street in the country right now – today…

  • Album Premiere: Ainriail – My Heart is a Knot of Blood

    July 12, 2016 - By 

    Imagine Killing Joke and Meshuggah had a baby together and dumped it in a bog. Then imagine that this baby grew into a sludge behemoth. That is the sound of Ainriail. The group has built a strong live reputation lurking about the squats and DIY spaces of Ireland and developing a sound marked by bone-rattling bass and bellowing vocals. And their debut album, My Heart is a Knot of Blood, doesn’t so much play out your speakers as much bursts out and oozes all over your furniture covering it in dark oils stains. While taking queues from the sludge and…

  • Who You Gonna Call? The Outraged, Most Likely

    July 10, 2016 - By 

    In Robert Wise’s 1971 movie adaptation of Michael Crichton’s novel The Andromeda Strain, one of the four protagonists is a woman. And in the movie, there’s nothing significant or outrageous about this. She is, simply, biologically, a woman. But more importantly, she’s a character. She does stuff, she has feelings, ideas. And when a younger male cast member handles the film’s sole action sequence, it’s not because it’s a job that only a man could do, it’s because he’s younger and more physically fit. In the current era of re-boots, The Andromeda Strain is crying out for a remake, with the 1971-stylings of the film…

  • Variant Sea – Fable

    July 8, 2016 - By 

    Having formed less than a year ago, Dublin based neo-classical project Variant Sea have been quick to lure listeners into the realm of their delicate, cinematic compositions. Their debut EP Seasons of the Mist was an impressive introduction with plenty of Ludovico Einaudi inspired piano motifs and guitar backdrops a lá This Will Destroy You‘s Tunnel Blanket. Now, only nine months after their debut, the duo comprised of pianist Luke Duffy and guitarist Shell Dooley have returned with Fable, an EP that shows us musicians engaging in gradual growth. While the format of the music has remained the same, the impact of influences and the individual confidence presented…

  • EP Stream: Dandy’s Loft – Introspector

    June 30, 2016 - By 

    Forming roughly three years ago, Lurgan/Belfast group Dandy’s Loft have spent their formative years finding their sea legs and patiently writing and scrapping and re-writing music before finding a sound that they felt warranted release. This patience has proved to be massively beneficial to the four-piece as it has led to the release of a debut EP of four very accomplished tracks, the stylistic foundation of which lies on the likes Interpol and Radiohead as much as it does on that early 00’s glooming folk-rock sound. Introspector‘s four tracks veer from the throbbing bass, plucked strings and vocal harmonies of ‘Begging Your Pardon’…

  • Interlude 2016

    June 28, 2016 - By 

    A woman loudly and tirelessly lists the bands she may or may not have heard of. Maybe that’s why it feels like we’ve been queuing here for the best part of an hour. After all it couldn’t really be true, could it? But it is. A fact so far excusable because this isn’t any night, nor just any art gallery. This is the return of Dublin’s latest, hippest city festival; Interlude, held in the on paper awesomeness of the Royal Hibernian Academy, a linchpin location for the dynamic art of the city and country. So it’s fine. What’s an hour…

  • Watch: Trick Mist – Crumbs Abound

    June 22, 2016 - By 

    Irish native, Manchester based Gavin Murray AKA Trick Mist  returns this month with a new split 7″ release, his first since his debut EP Jars in Rows landed last October. ‘Crumbs Abound’ follows on from the dark, metallic electronic backdrops of Jars, introducing a desert folk guitar motif to the mix, giving further depth to Murray’s gravelly baritone. The other side of the release features a track from fellow Irish musician Video Blue.  To coincide with the track, the video for ‘Crumbs Abound is a stark, abstract piece by director Graham Patterson. Trick Mist and Video Blue will play Whelan’s this Saturday the 25th of June with support from Participant. Further…

  • Win a Workman’s Club Wellington Weekender Festival Pack

    June 21, 2016 - By 

    Featuring everything from Cian Nugent, The Greenshoe Craft Market and The Altered Hours to Black Bank Folk, Toby Kaar and Too Fools, this year’s Workman’s Club Wellington Weekender from June 24-26 is most definitely one for the calendars. To be in with a chance of winning the following festival pack for what’s set to be a great three days and nights in the Dublin venue, simply Like our Facebook page here and send a blank e-mail to info@thethinair.net with the subject “Workman’s”. A Wowburger meal for 2 on Friday 24th 4 x Wellington Weekender Cocktails on Saturday 25th A meal for 2 in…