• Hyperbolex with Ray Wingnut: We Are The Migrants

    May 25, 2016 - By 

    A few months back I had an idea for a radio piece. It was an odd one but I had ample inspiration to follow through on it. The subject was a little tricky to talk about and I didn’t take it on lightly. If anything I concerned myself with how to treat the subject. I knew that I needed to get the tone right and the discussion open-ended. The piece is about Irish music created by a generation of so-called ‘new migrants‘. I guess my personal inspiration was no mystery. I have been a huge admirer of groups like Bisect,…

  • The Black Box: Celebrating 10 Years at the Heart of Belfast Culture

    May 23, 2016 - By 

    Although initially intended as a mere short term project, over the past ten years, the Black Box has established itself as Belfast’s cultural hub, right at the centre of the thriving Cathedral Quarter. No other venue here dedicates itself to such a wide remit of music, comedy, theatre, film, art, literature and spoken word, both international and homegrown. As it celebrates its tenth birthday, it would seem fitting to recollect its most memorable events, but there are really too many to recall – though the staggering list of names who’ve passed through the venue’s doors include the likes of Tim…

  • “You’re Tearing Me Apart Lisa!?!”: How Not To Make A Music Video

    May 23, 2016 - By 

    Citóg Records is a relatively new indie label based out of Galway City. Being involved with Citóg Records is something I hold and respect dearly. Unlike other traditional labels, Citóg Records is a collective of West of Ireland musicians who have come together under an imprint to share their knowledge, experience and ideas with one another. In my opinion, they have become a type of resource that every artist in this country could do with being a part of, regardless of one’s artistic discipline or strength in the industry. It is something I wish I was more a part of…

  • Rave New World (20/05)

    May 20, 2016 - By 

    Aidan Hanratty looks at the week’s best gigs, tracks, mixes and releases. Gigs Shivers with Leon Vynehall (3 hr set) at Electric Garden & Theatre, Galway Friday 20 May Fresh from the release of his album Rojus on Running Back, joyous house guru Leon Vynehall comes to Galway for a lengthy set at Shivers. These guys are getting some seriously good bookings, so we’re glad to see this party taking off. AVA/TNI/BMC Pres Dekmantel Soundsystem at Aether & Echo, Belfast Saturday 21 May AVA is just around the corner, and The Night Institute and Belfast Music Club are coming together to host the Dekmantel…

  • Festival Preview: AVA Festival 2016

    May 17, 2016 - By 

    Having had an unforgettable inaugural outing last year (you can check out our review right here) Belfast electronic festival AVA will return to T13 on Saturday, June 4 with the very solid aim of celebrating and nurturing talent from across the length and breadth of the country. With just over one month left to this year’s festival – which also features much more than just live sets – TTA’s resident electronic savants Aidan Hanratty and Antoin Lindsay have banged heads to produce the following preview, featuring all confirmed artists performing at this year’s festival. Go here to buy tickets to this year’s AVA Festival. Check out…

  • AAA: Two Nights with HamsandwicH

    May 17, 2016 - By 

    HamsandwicH played two back to back nights at the Academy in Dublin at the weekend and our photographer Pedro Giaquinto had full access. Here’s what he had to say about his experience: If I had to gather all the adjectives in existence to describe the two full nights I shared with HamsandwicH at The Academy, they wouldn’t be enough. It was awesome to follow these guys through whole process, from the load-in of their equipment, the stage preparation, sound check, and the moments before they appeared on the stage. Both nights ended with confetti canons and balloons which had myself and the audience enthralled. I believe HamsandwicH…

  • The Mighty Stef: Last Tour

    May 16, 2016 - By 

    After ten incredible years and four critically-acclaimed albums, Dublin rockers The Mighty Stef called it a day last week with a string of fittingly unforgettable Irish shows. AAA photos by Ste Murray at Dublin’s Button Factory and Mickey Rooney at Sandino’s in Derry.        Mickey Rooney Sandino’s, Derry Ste Murray The Button Factory, Dublin

  • Monday Mixtape: Martin Carr (The Boo Radleys/bravecaptain)

    May 16, 2016 - By 

    In the latest installment of Monday Mixtape, Martin Carr of 90’s alt rockers The Boo Radleys and his solo output as bravecaptain selects some of his favourite and most inspirational tracks from James Yorkston to King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard. Being a musician I don’t get time to listen to as much music as I would like but this is a snapshot of what I’ve played recently. I thought I might have grown out of this by now but even if all new music was outlawed this instant there would be still be enough to discover until the end of all days.…

  • Picture This: Your National Visual Arts Guide – Collaboration and Identity

    May 13, 2016 - By 

    A multitude of practices across a wide-range of disciplines are featured in this edition of Picture This – and in some cases this diversity can be found in a single show. A general thematic arc of Collaboration and Identity exists within the four shows highlighted in Dublin, Cork, Belfast and Laois. Collaboration, be they between artists, spaces and mediums, is present in all shows and forms the core of These Days are Persistent and Changeable (Belfast) and You Make Mine/I Make Yours (Cork) both of which feature works by groups rather than individual artists. Steven Maybury’s Anicca (Dublin) is built…

  • Rave New World (13/05)

    May 13, 2016 - By 

    Aidan Hanratty and Antoin Lindsay return with the best electronic gigs, tracks, releases and mixes of the week. Gigs Pyg & Discotekken present Hunee at Pygmalion, Dublin Friday 13 May 2016 Amsterdam-based Hunee played here not so long ago, but his sets are simply joyous so it’s always worth catching him play. As I type this the weather is simply glorious, so I imagine his choice of tunes will match that vibe perfectly. AH Matrixxman at Opium Rooms, Dublin Saturday 14 May 2016 Matrixxman, who’s released records on such labels as Ghostly, Dekmantel and Unknown To The Unknown, recently tweeted the following: 2…