• Playlist: 10 Must-See Acts at Hard Working Class Heroes 2015

    September 30, 2015 - By 

    On the eve of the return of the country’s leading celebration of homegrown, independent music, Hard Working Class Heroes, we have compiled a list of 10 comprehensively unmissable acts to catch across Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Go here for the full schedule. Everything Shook Argento Nights EP by Everything Shook Arborist Twisted Arrow ft. Kim Deal by arborist Inni-K The King has Two Horse’s Ears by Inni-K The Altered Hours Silences Participant Bit Slow by Participant Elastic Sleep Slip by Elastic Sleep I Have a Tribe SlowPlaceLikeHome Best Boy Grip Sharks by BestBoyGrip

  • Preview: Feminist Film Festival

    September 30, 2015 - By 

    That there is such a thing as a Feminist Film Festival in Dublin, and that that festival is celebrating its second year will be both a surprise and an annoyance to some people. Probably the same people who ask why BBC Radio 4 still has a daily programme called Woman’s Hour. But to those people I say, consider this: currently there are 22 female presidents, prime ministers, and other heads of state in the world. That compares to 174 male world leaders. Odd that, considering that men only make up 50.4% of the planet’s population. Odder still is the fact…

  • Culture of Controversy: James Cussen

    October 2, 2015 - By 

    James Cussen is a historian studying toward a PhD in UCC, who is an acerbic controversial and political presence on Twitter. Seanán Kerr travelled to Cork to speak to him in the wake of recent victories for rights in Ireland and defeats for democracy in Greece and to ask how these times fit into the grand historical story and how pop culture mediates our understanding of it. When in 2013, teenage cancer victim Dónal Walsh was given the national airwaves to express his thoughts on suicide (life is precious, don’t kill yourself), few challenged him on the matter, many of Ireland’s…

  • Visual Arts Outlook (29/9)

    September 29, 2015 - By 

    The Turner Prize opens this week at Tramway in Glasgow. I know this isn’t actually in Ireland, and this is an Irish Arts Roundup, but as I endeavour to keep you all updated with the important stuff that’s going on, I thought I’d include it this week. Afterall Glasgow isn’t that far away and I hear flights are cheap at the moment! This is a particularly good one to check out as it’s in the beautiful Tramway and features this year’s shortlisted artists Assemble (get my vote), Bonnie Camplin, Janice Kerbel and Nicole Wermers. If you get the chance to…

  • Rave New World (25/9)

    September 25, 2015 - By 

    Antoin Lindsay and Aidan Hanratty take a look at some of the best electronic mixes, gigs, tracks and releases of the week. GIGS Sonic Arts Waterford – Sonic Dreams Festival at Soma Contemporary Gallery Fri, Sep 25 – Sat, Sep 26  I’m always wary of ignoring what’s going on outside the capital, so it gives me great pleasure to share this. The Sonic Dreams Festival takes place this weekend in Waterford’s Soma Contemporary Gallery. It’s got a range of artists across its two days (today and tomorrow), ranging from avant-garde sound-based sculptures, tech-sounds with ambient flourishes and bass pop, going by some…

  • Track Record: Nialler9

    September 30, 2015 - By 

    Niall Byrne AKA Nialler9 selects and talks about some of his all-time favourite records, including The Redneck Manifesto, J Dilla, Ships and Kraftwerk. Photos by Mark Earley. The Redneck Manifesto – First Three Album package I found this at the Dublin Flea Market one Sunday in Newmarket Square which is just around the corner from my house. The Rednecks were among the first independent Irish bands I got into so it was nice to get this. Fun fact, Lisa Hannigan called me a bollocks because I bought it before she did. Beastie Boys – Ill Communication I first discovered the Beastie…

  • Video Premiere/Q+A: Edward F Butler feat. Katharine Philippa – Futures Full

    September 24, 2015 - By 

    Doubling up as an exclusive first look at the former’s video for the release, Brian Coney chats to Edward F Butler and Katharine Philippa about their inspired collaboration on superb new single ‘Futures Full’ and more. Hi guys. First off, when were proverbial seeds for this collaboration sown? Edward: When I first heard Katharine’s voice I knew that there was something special, and then the more we started to hang out, we just were kindred spirits, both hyper creative. We met at S.A.R.C, the breeding ground for Belfast’s experimental pop types, but didn’t start working together until the start of this year. Katharine:…

  • Hyperbolex with Ray Wingnut: Giveamanakick and Naive Ted

    September 23, 2015 - By 

    ‘Hello, we’re called Giveamanakick and we’re from Limerick.’ Steve Ryan’s hushed tones from under a peak hat, no eye contact, only to his comrade with the sticks. It has a vibe of menace. It feels to me like he wants to grab everyone, punch them in the gut and then fuck them out the window of the pub. This was serious. This band had such brutal force. When they played brains were shredded, lungs were sore and adrenal glands jacked. When Ryan donned a fighter-pilot mask, all of a sudden it was like Hannibal Lector and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre…

  • Smalltown America All-Dayer: American Clay

    September 22, 2015 - By 

    Having already featured the likes of Scottish headliners Carnivores, Derry punk outfit Lost Avenue and hotly-tipped duo Rosseau, the latest in our series of videos looking back at Smalltown America Records’ Sixth All-Dayer features  quartet American Clay and their track ‘Gutted’. Quintessential indie-rock stylings, this. We approve. Check out Paul Martin Brown’s video below and buy the STA All Dayer #6 live album here.

  • The Countless Other Gangs of Four

    September 22, 2015 - By 

    Having recounted some exquisite tales for us in his previous alias of Meb Jon Sol last year – and with the release of his new single, ‘Pilgrim’, on Friday – Omagh songsmith Michael McCullagh AKA Son of the Hound returns for a new string of columns for The Thin Air. Photo by Tom Nicholl. The train shook the window as it passed. The fixings of the steel bunks shuddered and cream paint flaked from the wall, falling quietly as the noise of the train faded into the Dublin hum. ‘That’s why the room was so cheap’ I said. I heaved my guitar case on…