• 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…

  • Exclusive: Fight Like Apes New Album Artwork

    April 15, 2015 - By 

    We’re pleased to exclusively reveal the artwork for their Fight Like Apes‘ forthcoming third self-titled album, created by our very own deputy editor/photo editor, Loreana Rushe. Released on May 15 through Alcopop records, we will have a full review of the album in our May issue and MayKay from the band will also be discussing the recording of the album in her column. Tracklisting 1. I am not a Merryman 2. Crouching Bees 3. Pop Itch 4. The Schillaci Sequence 5. Didya 6. Numbnuts 7. Pretty Keen On Centerfolds 8. The Hunk And The Funplace 9. I Don’t Want To Have…

  • Track Record: Stephen McCauley

    April 2, 2015 - By 

    In the latest installment of Track Record, Derry radio broadcast and bona fide music savant Stephen McCauley selects and talks about some of his all-time favourite records. Stephen presents Soundscapes – featuring a mix of contemporary classical, electronica, ambient and acoustic music – on BBC Radio Ulster every Wednesday night. Photos by Colm Laverty. The Velvet Underground – The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967) I was slow to mention this record because it’s popularity is almost a cliché in itself but it had a profound impact on me when I first heard it and it still does. I was 15 and…

  • Stream: Courageous Endeavors – Prototype

    June 25, 2014 - By 

    Jazz is great. Isn’t jazz great? The genre seems to be enjoying a resurgence, fronted by Toronto trio BADBADNOTGOOD, who recently dropped a rather sublime record as well as collaborations with the likes of Danny Brown and Earl Sweatshirt. The newest release in this new wave of modern jazz comes from a quartet called Courageous Endeavours. Hailing from Minneapolis, their debut album, Prototype, is an enthralling and vital addition to the rejuvenated movement; it’s brilliant, and absolutely worth listening to. In particular, check out ‘Habits Of Entitlement’ and ‘Second Hand.’ You can listen to Prototype below, and watch the music video for…

  • Stream: The Rupture Dogs – Feral

    November 12, 2013 - By 

    Ahead of its launch at Belfast’s Mandela Hall on Saturday, November 16 as part of Belfast Music Week 2013, The Rupture Dogs have released a stream of their debut album, Feral Recored by James Lyttle at Millbank Studios and mixed/mastered by Neal Calderwood at Manor Park Studios, the twelve-track release is also available to purchase via the band’s Bandcamp page. Go here for the event page for the Ferali album launch (a show doubling up as the official launch of The Difference Between by Mojo Fury and featuring several more acts) here. Stream Feral below.

  • Mojo Fury – The Difference Between

    October 23, 2013 - By 

    Having successfully completed a pledge campaign to ensure its release, the ever singular Mojo Fury unveil the sprawling mastery of The Difference Between having reignited the fire in the hearts of their fanbase. Considering the almost necessary participation of the latter, not to mention the band’s own open-handed generosity in return, there is a very real sense of both camps being in it together. That said, with the grandiose silhouette of their groundbreaking 2011 debut album Visiting Hours of a Travelling Circus looming large in the background, the question remains: will the Mike Mormecha-fronted band falter in the wake of huge expectation or…

  • Revisted: Our Krypton Son – Our Krypton Son

    October 5, 2013 - By 

    In the second installment of Revisited – a feature looking back at some of the finest Irish album and EP releases of the last few years – we return to the spectacular self-titled debut album by Derry singer-songwriter Chris McConaghy AKA Our Krypton Son. Released via Smalltown America Records in 2012, the album is an eleven-track masterstroke of supremely wistful songwriting veering between internalised romantic afterthoughts, extroverted folk-rock forays and some of the finest lyricism and compositional work from a songwriter to ever hail from these parts. A self-proclaimed album about “memory, time, love, death, work, jealousy – the usual shit…

  • Album stream: Crayonsmith – Milk Teeth

    September 30, 2013 - By 

    Ahead of its official release on the superb Out On A Limb Records on Friday, October 18, Dublin band Crayonsmith have released a stream of their highly-anticipated third album, Milk Teeth. Recorded between Cork and Dublin at Guerilla Studios over the last couple of years, the album “lyrically and sonically focuses on a number of themes such as loss, fear, acceptance, humility and the importance of the love of family and/or friends in order for us to be happy.” With new dates set to be announced, the band have three upcoming shows to promote the new record: Saturday, October 19:…

  • Album stream: God Is An Astronaut – Origins

    August 29, 2013 - By 

    Co. Wicklow post-rock band God Is An Astronaut are streaming their sixth studio album, Origins, via Bandcamp. Their first album as a five-piece the album “cements their place as one of the world’s most intense, musically – and visually – inventive post rock bands”. It also sees the Torsten Kinsella-fronted band’s return to Rocket Girl Records, who released their debut album back in 2005. Check out the band’s new video for ‘Reverse World’ and stream/buy Origins below.  

  • Blondes – Swisher

    July 19, 2013 - By 

    Blondes are Sam Haar and Zach Steinman, a Brooklyn-based electronic duo that met while studying composition at Oberlin Music College. Blondes have quite a following, and this reviewer’s reason for delving into their back catalogue followed a conversation with a rather prolific Irish electronic producer who claims he “only listens to Blondes” – sold. Prior releases include the seriously awe – inspiring Touched EP and a series of 12” singles, as well as their 2012 self-titled debut. The duo have been classed as “hipster-house”; perhaps a little debasing considering the brilliance behind their discography to date. Swisher is their latest…