• Sea Pinks @ Roisin Dubh, Galway

    March 15, 2016 - By 

    I sometimes wonder how often, if ever, bands think about how the sound they craft in a studio translates to a live stage. Some groups are simply ‘studio bands’ – they sound better when they can endlessly and obsessively tinker with the sonic possibilities of technology. Others see the live setting as a different set of circumstances altogether, something with the living potential for a more sensory collective experience, something that can become a genuine reason to senselessly roar at your friends in a smoking area. While this is all pretty vague stuff to be beginning with, I promise it…

  • Track Record: Sorcha Brennan (Sleep Thieves)

    March 15, 2016 - By 

    As featured in one of our print issues of The Thin Air magazine, we spent some time with Sorcha Brennan from Sleep Thieves in her lovely home in Dublin to discuss her favourite records, from Why? to Jape. Photos by Aaron Corr. Jape – Ocean of Frequency What can I say about Richie Egan’s musical output? I’ve loved every album. I think Richie is a master of the perfect turn of phrase paired with the most singable melody. I’ll never get bored of Scorpio. Austra – Feel It Break I found Austra because Niall Byrne posted a video of their…

  • Don’s Plum: behind the banned Leonardo DiCaprio film.

    March 16, 2016 - By 

    ‘It breaks my heart to inform you that on January 27, 2016, Leonardo DiCaprio once again blocked only American and Canadian audiences from being able to enjoy Don’s Plum.’ So begins filmmaker Dale Wheatley’s latest chapter in the ongoing saga of his aforementioned movie. Shot and edited from 1995 to 1996, Don’s Plum is a low-budget indie film featuring a cast of yet-to-be stars including Tobey Maguire, Kevin Connolly, Amber Benson, and, of course, Leonardo DiCaprio who play a lewd crew of 20-somethings spending a night in their favourite hangout, Don’s Plum. Rolling with an improvised script, the movie is…

  • Monday Mixtape: MMOTHS

    March 14, 2016 - By 

    In the latest installment of Monday Mixtape, Dublin producer Jack Colleran AKA MMOTHS gives us a cursory tour of his current favourite YouTube bookmarks, including Solar Bears, Steve Reich & William Basinski. Colleran launches his debut LP, Luneworks, at District 8 on Saturday night. Benoît Pioulard – Upon The Break Arch Sting Freestyle The Dead Texan – The Struggle Smt. Kesarbai Kerkar: Raag-Malkauns Solar Bears – Man Plus Steve Reich – Piano Phase (solo) William Basinski – Melancholia #9 आप stundents पसंद है

  • Rave New World (11/03)

    March 11, 2016 - By 

    Antoin Lindsay and Aidan Hanratty return for their latest look at the very best electronic gigs, tracks and mixes of the week. Gigs Shivers with Pender Street Steppers at Electric Garden & Theatre, Galway Friday 11 March Shivers is a new party happening in Galway, and they’ve got a treat for their first gig. You might know Pender Street Steppers from their releases for Peoples Potential Unlimited or Mood Hut, or maybe the mixtape they dropped for the latter label a few years back. They’re real party DJs, so it’s sure to be a brilliantly fun night. Best wishes and good luck…

  • The Fifth Beatle: Sir George Martin (1926-2016)

    March 9, 2016 - By 

    Like them or loathe them, The Beatles are the bedrock of popular culture. No other band has exerted the kind of influence and hold over music, and as avatars of cultural change in the decade where everything changed, they led the charge. But would any of it have happened if it wasn’t for Sir George Martin? Unlikely. The Fab Four had the talent, the ideas, and the drive, but it was George Martin who honed them into the force they became. Think of him as like a sculptor, with Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, and Starr as the raw material from which…

  • Track Record: Shane Murphy (Land Lovers/No Monster Club/Switzerland)

    March 10, 2016 - By 

    In this installment of Track Record we hang out with Shane Murphy to chat about his record collection, while he’s not too busy playing in three of Popical Island’s finest bands: Land Lovers, No Monster Club and Switzerland. Photos by Aidan Kelly Murphy. Elvis Costello – This Year’s Model I discovered Elvis Costello pretty late in life, and when I say discovered, I mean after Land Lovers were compared to him, Padraig of the band quickly gave me some homework to do. At his best with The Attractions, this was the first pairing of the two. It’s a frantic and…

  • Cracked Actor: Needing David Bowie

    March 10, 2016 - By 

    Today marks the 2 month anniversary of David Bowie’s passing. Steven Rainey discusses his impact, as featured in Not Gospel in our current issue of The Thin Air magazine. Illustration by John Harrild. In 1993, David Bowie appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, performing his take on ‘Nite Flights’ by The Walker Brothers. Bowie is doffing his cap to one of his all-time inspirations, but he looks uncertain. He’s technically promoting Black Tie, White Noise, the first album to be released under the name ‘David Bowie’ in six years, but there’s more at stake; Bowie is testing the water…

  • Maybeshewill: Not For Want Of Trying

    March 9, 2016 - By 

    In a revealing conversation touching upon the necessity of hard graft, the DIY ethic that underlines their craft, the importance of community and their final ever tour, Eoin Murray chats to English post-rock five-piece Maybeshewill. Photo: Heather Gutherie Firstly, how are you doing? What are the feelings hovering around in the Maybeshewill bus right now as you’re in the midst of this final tour? Good, thank you. Things are good here. We’re a little way in to the tour and it’s been a pretty emotional trip so far, but we’re all super positive and looking forward to the future. From what I’ve noticed,…

  • Playlist: 15 Irish Acts at SXSW 2016

    March 9, 2016 - By 

    As positively hectic as any festival on the face of the globe, SXSW has long been established as a veritable cornucopia of film, music and interactive media from far and very wide. And with festivals of much smaller scale: where the excess of choice becomes something of a burden, planning ahead and knocking up a makeshift “must-see” guide is next to obligatory to ensure FOMO doesn’t become an all-consuming spectre during your festival stay. Just as important is getting some essential listening in before heading off in said sensory abyss. So if you’re SXSW-bound this year and want to check out some…