• A Tribute to John Mills (Panda Kopanda)

    June 12, 2014 - By 

    On Friday, May 30 I received a phonecall to tell me that, after suffering with leukaemia since the turn of the year, my closest friend was now considered beyond medical help and would be dead within a couple of hours. This big, mountainous human being was drawing his last breaths and I could only sit and wait for the next phonecall to confirm such a grim inevitable. It turned out he had quite a few breaths left in him and he would keep us waiting until the following day. But in the end, that end came – much too soon…

  • Choice Cuts: The Best Tracks of May

    June 10, 2014 - By 

    In the latest installment of Choice Cuts – a feature looking at the very best tracks released in the month previous – Belfast-based writer and voracious sound enthusiast Aaron Hamilton takes us a on an eight-track, cross-genre journey, culminating in his top three tracks of the month. Ben Khan – Youth [Blessed Vice] London producer Ben Khan’s recent EP 1992 sees him furthering his warm funk-pop sounds into even catchier and addictive territory with ‘Youth’. Thick synth pads and squealing guitars moan underneath a stomping beat that will definitely see an abundance of replays in summer 2014.   Little Big League…

  • Forty Years of Phantom of the Paradise

    June 11, 2014 - By 

    We open on a blood red, pixilated screen, so tightly rotoscoped that Ken Morse must have had to have a lie down afterwards. As the camera twists away we hear the urgent and distinctly imitable voice of Twilight Zone’s Rod Serling telling the tale of Swan (“he has no other name”), sonic savant and pop pioneer, the man who “brought the blues to Britain and Liverpool to America.” As the camera uncorks, a right handed thread, to a chorus of whining synthesizers, we find that Swan is looking to inaugurate his own Xanadu: “The Paradise – the ultimate rock palace”.…

  • Dig Early: Six Months of Psych (Part I of II)

    June 6, 2014 - By 

    Having seen a real upsurge over the last while, 2013 was a particularly stellar year for psych rock (and all its many manifestations) the world over. With mind-expandingly exceptional albums from the likes of Hookworms, Goat, Destruction Unit and Unknown Mortal Orchestra sating the psych thirst of the more cosmically-inclined amongst us, it might yet pale in comparison to the sheer abundance of first-rate psychedelia that’s been released (and is set to be released) in 2014. Here’s my picks of the year so far. Blank Realm – Even The Score [from Grassed Inn] Two years on from the psych-tinged art-rock of their debut album, Go Easy, Brisbane sibling trio Blank Realm made…

  • Meb Jon Sol: Four More Fish

    June 6, 2014 - By 

    When the battle lines had been drawn a ripple of laughter broke out among the the groups of lads gathered on the playing fields at Lover’s Retreat. It echoed around the high trees that loomed over the banks of the Camowen river at the edge of the pitch. The teams were unintentionally split straight through the middle of Northern Ireland’s religious divide. It was reflective of the past and the present of a perpetually confusing country: together but still separated. ‘Hold on, we’re one down and yous have an extra.’ a voice from our team remarked. ‘Simon, you go with…

  • Music Matters: Living Through Sound

    June 4, 2014 - By 

    In my humble opinion, one of life’s greatest pleasures is when you see an utterly fantastic film for the first time – and the soundtrack fits. Not only does it fit; it enhances the viewing experience by adding an aural dimension to the atmosphere, an extra quality that engages your attention above and beyond the cinematography. Conversely, I find it intensely frustrating when my mind chooses to dub over the score or soundtrack with something else…and it fits better. This could come down to some latent talent that would be best employed in film production, or it could boil down…

  • The First Time: Robyn G Shiels

    May 29, 2014 - By 

    Whether you’re completely new to or just need a little reminding, The First Time is a regular feature by Belfast-based photographer Joe Laverty, in which he meets up with an individual – usually a musician – involved in Irish music, takes a spectacular portrait photo and proceeds to enquire about their musical “firsts” – first album, first gig, first band shirt, etc. Up this time is Kilrea-derived songwriter extraordinaire Robyn G Shiels, a tale-telling master who will launch his long-awaited second studio album, The Blood of the Innocents, at Belfast’s Black Box on Saturday night (May 31). The shoot took place…

  • Frame by Frame #10: Ciaran Lavery – Left For America

    May 29, 2014 - By 

    In the grand tenth installment of Frame by Frame, Belfast-based photographer and filmmaker Colm Laverty chats to singer-songwriter Ciaran Lavery and filmographer Richard O’ Connor about the superb video for the former’s ‘Left For America’. Featuring actor Ro Graham as a spontaneously-liberated everyman, the video has charmed thousands since its release two weeks ago, wonderfully emphasising Lavery’s towering songwriting talents. Hi guys. First off, tell us a little bit about each of your roles on this music video. Ciaran Lavery: I provided the track ‘Left For America’, Richie provided the magic. Richard : I was the guy behind the camera shooting…

  • Playlist: Ten Must-See Acts at Forbidden Fruit 2014

    May 27, 2014 - By 

    With the final acts being announced at the start of the month, the stage-times and running order for this year’s Forbidden Fruit festival have just been announced. Featuring the likes of The Flaming Lips, Flying Lotus and Public Enemy, this year’s festival will also include sets from Irish acts including Girls Names and And So I Watch You From Afar. Set to take place on the grounds of Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin on the June bank holiday weekend of Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1. Check out the final poster and stage-times for the festival, as well as our…

  • Meb Jon Sol: Pay No Heed To Tripod

    May 25, 2014 - By 

    The gig was in a small cafe outside of a town called Clifden, situated on the outskirts of everything, separated from the rest of Ireland (and seemingly the rest of the world) by the wild, unrelenting Connemara landscape. On the door was a rain-sodden poster that played fast and loose with the truth: ‘The much acclaimed Meb Jon Sol’- well at least they were expecting me. I walked up the stairs and into the Cafe. Folks were gathered eating, drinking and enjoying the panoramic view of the bay. It was mid afternoon but the sky was darkening with creeping rain…