• Watch: Comrade Hat – From Lost To The River (feat. Inishowen Gospel Choir)

    March 2, 2022 - By 

    Ahead of his first Belfast show in over 3 years for Brilliant Corners Jazz Festival this Friday, 4th March at the Black Box Green Room – and another on the 11th – staple of the Northern jazz scene Neil Burns, aka Comrade Hat is back with his definitive artistic statement to date in ‘From Lost To The River’, the first single taken from his forthcoming album, Old Gods, Vol. 2, the follow up to last year’s Vol. 1. Without straying from the oneiric yearning that’s been threaded through his work so far, the single truly levels up his practice. Starting out with a locked, deep-pocket…

  • Premiere: Comrade Hat – Deep Sleep

    March 29, 2021 - By 

    Shapeshifting Derry-based musical polymath Neil Burns, aka Comrade Hat has just announced details of his new album, Old Gods, Vol. 1, which is set for release on April 13. Its final single is ‘Deep Sleep’, which we’re happy to share ahead of its popping on Bandcamp. Part experimentalism, part finely honed pop songcraft, it draws upon the familiar sounds of confessional, lonesome Americana, mystique, and glistening, low-key-yet-expansive 80s-recalling spectral echoes – possibly stemming from a Canadian stint. Equally, its sense of glacial, otherly pastoralism is not unlike that of experimental, avant-pop singers like David Sylvian, Talk Talk and Mary Margaret O’Hara, with his trademark self-deprecation…

  • Cherym Sign To Alcopop! Records & Release New Single

    February 11, 2021 - By 

    In the second exciting Irish international record deal announcement in as many days, we’re delighted to see Derry pop-punk trio Cherym have officially signed with UK label Alcopop! Records – home to all manner of the finest indie-pop, including the likes of Dream Nails, Bo Ningen and DZ Deathrays. This accompanies today’s brand new pre-Valentines single ‘Kisses On My Cards’, arguably their most accomplished, earworming single to date, from a young band who’ve worked hard and consistently made it look effortless over the last few years. Listen below: Kisses on My Cards by CHERYM

  • the arts column: December 2020

    December 17, 2020 - By 

    With 2020 drawing to close (thankfully) we round-up arts-related events on both sides of Christmas in the last edition of the arts column. If you have got an event, talk, exhibition, etc. taking place in the New Year please do get in touch via aidan[at]thethinair[dot]net. And as always: Stay safe, support the arts and look after yourself x Online Exhibition | Pallas Projects + Studios This year marks the 10th iteration of Pallas Project + Studios annual Periodical Review, which while on first glance looks like a traditional group exhibition is instead a cross-section of trends, topics, movements and discussions taking…

  • Premiere: Comrade Hat – Whatever You Do

    November 19, 2020 - By 

    Off-kilter pop genius Neil Burns, AKA Comrade Hat has shared the latest single from his forthcoming album, Old Gods, Vol. 1. ‘Whatever You Do’ sees the lounge lizard in more reflective form, taking a slight left from his arch persona; It’s jazz-flecked, instilled with a morsel of vulnerability. Messr Hat told us more about the song: “It’s a ballad from BC (before Covid) about the struggles of physical distances in relationships, but it took on a whole new resonance this year. Aptly, it’s a remote collaboration with two of the finest heads around – rising stars of jazz and everything in the vicinity, Jack Kelly (double…

  • the arts column: September 3rd

    September 3, 2020 - By 

    In this week’s edition of the arts column we’ve details of a number of new exhibitions opening in Northern Ireland, a double-launch in Dublin, information on an open call for 2021 and links to online artists talks. If you’ve an event, talk, exhibition, etc., please do get in touch via aidan[at]thethinair[dot]net. And as always – Stay Safe, and Support the Arts x Exhibition | ArtisAnn Gallery, Belfast A new exhibition featuring the works of recent graduates has opened in Belfast’s ArtisAnn Gallery. All three, Saffron Monks-Smith, Lauren O’Hara and Irene Sweeney, graduated from Ulster University in June and all work with oils –…

  • the arts column: July 15th

    July 15, 2020 - By 

    July has seen a number of arts organisations across the island of Ireland reopen, with more scheduled to reopen in the coming weeks. As the arts community begins to embark on this new kind of normal, a normal that sees bookings, limited access and reduced space, our support is more vital than ever. That said safety is still of paramount importance, so for this first edition of the arts column since lockdown restriction have begun to ease we have highlighted events that promote social distance in offline events and those with online aspects to ensure that people can engage with art on a…

  • Premiere: Comrade Hat – Summer of Glove

    July 14, 2020 - By 

    Derry’s resident lounge-lizard/experimental pop savant Neil Burns, AKA Comrade Hat returns today with a slinking, sun-kissed, seven minute porta-epic. A marriage of craft and intuition, journeying through louche tropicalia, psych and jazz-pop, it’s taken from his forthcoming two-volume compilation, Old Gods.  Written during an isolation-necessitated creative spree as progress on his studio album went on pause, ‘Summer of Glove’ sees an emergence of a more guitar-led, full band sound as opposed to Comrade Hat’s factory setting as bedroom producer. Burns spoke to us on the development of his forthcoming two albums, named for their spontaneous birth in fairly mysterious circumstances: “Maybe I was channeling the cautious optimism of…

  • Celtronic 2020: Together-Apart

    June 30, 2020 - By 

    For the last 20 years, Celtronic has been a vital part of the island’s world-beating festival scene. Uniting some of the very best names in electronic music worldwide with all Ireland has to offer, its annual, forward-pushing presence in Derry has been an unwavering joy to behold. As with so many other festivals, big and small, organisers have had to think outside the box to make this year’s outing a reality. Cue Celtronic 2020: Together-Apart. Taking place online from Tuesday June 20th to Sunday July 5th, this year’s festival will feature over 100 hours of exclusive performances from more than 60…

  • Premiere: Gas Hands – I’m Not In Love (With You)

    March 5, 2020 - By 

    Been missing that singular blend of melodic punk rock and post-hardcore that NI – not least the North-West – has mastered for over two decades? Derry-based trio Gas Hands are here to sort you out with their latest single, ‘I’m Not In Love (With You)’. Formed by frontman & guitarist Dylan Bradley & drummer Michael Brown, formerly of Lost Avenue, they’re joined by Mosmo Strange/Calling All Horses guitarist Nolan Donnelly on bass. Recorded & mixed at Smalltown America Studios by Caolan Austin, the trio’s economical, tightly knit release strikes a midpoint between signature North-West punk and the vitality of a young band hitting their stride. Gas Hands kick off their…