• Stream: Documenta – Word Song (Yucatan Cover)

    January 26, 2017 - By 

    Belfast drone pop outfit Documenta release a split CD through Tim Burgess’ OGenesis Recordings, tying in with a short Independent Venue Week tour alongside the collaborating bands. The EP consists of an original song by each of the three acts, as well as a cover of one of the other band’s songs. The cosmically-inclined trio of Documenta, Welsh dream-pop act Yucatan, and Manchester’s glistening, kaleidoscopic Horsebeach all met while playing Tim Peaks Diner in Manchester over the summer. They eventually decided to collaborate on this Independent Venue Week UK mini-tour, which kicks off at Belfast’s Voodoo tomorrow night – Friday, January 27 – with Documenta headlining, followed by Welsh &…

  • Monday Mixtape: Joe Greene (Documenta)

    July 11, 2016 - By 

    This week’s eclectic Monday Mixtape comes courtesy of Joe Greene, who has been at the helm of some of the most cosmically enveloping music ever to come out of Belfast, courtesy of  psych/drone-pop seven-piece Documenta. They’re to release an extended version of the David Holmes-produced ‘Love As A Ghost’ (artwork above, single below) originally from their excellent 2015 album, Drone Pop #1, through Touch Sensitive Records. Documenta play Mister Tom’s Lounge at Lavery’s, Belfast on July 22 to coincide with the single’s release. Now, over to Joe. “In no particular order here are a few of my favourite things.” Big Star – For You I first heard Big Star when I was a teenager way…

  • Documenta – Drone Pop #1

    October 19, 2015 - By 

    As one of the forerunners in a burgeoning Irish psych-rock scene, Documenta are an intriguing prospect.  They have realistic expectations of their audience and a keen sense of artistic integrity.  Their music doesn’t invite the fanfare of over-excited teens screaming a chorus back at them.  It is music to be absorbed, introspective and thought provoking; it lends itself well to the escapists among us, those who want to drift away momentarily to dream of halcyon days. There’s clarity in their approach – a three-record agenda has been mapped out, this being the second in the trilogy before they move on…

  • Stream: Documenta – Chiaroscuro

    October 7, 2015 - By 

    Having delivered a suitably (inter)stellar performance supporting Girls Names at their album launch in Belfast last week, drone pop septet Documenta are streaming a new track from their forthcoming second album, Drone Pop #1. A drifting, subtle dance of burrowing psych-pop, ‘Chiaroscuro’ is the Joe Greene-fronted outfit’s implicit manifesto distilled to five minutes of Kosmiche-soaked, two chord concrète groove. Drone Pop #1 – recorded by Ben McAuley at Belfast’s Start Together Studios – will be released via Touch Sensitive records on Friday, November 13. Pre-order it here.

  • Girls Names (Album Launch) w/ Documenta @ Empire Music Hall, Belfast

    October 3, 2015 - By 

    Having amassed a veritable smorgasbord of critics singing their praises, it’s no surprise that the launch of Girls Names’ new album Arms Around a Vision tonight has been one of the most highly anticipated gigs of this year so far – a simple run through of the post-punk four-piece’s latest effort can attest to this with ease. It’s arguable too that by drip-feeding us snippets of the album for the past few months, Cathal Cully and company have ran a very lucrative and creative marketing campaign, so much so that by the time that Arms Around a Vision saw the…

  • Reverberation Psych Weekender @ The Grand Social, Dublin

    August 20, 2015 - By 

    With psych music these days now affording its current crop of disciples, a broader platform of sound experimentation to play with, it was in no way surprising to have looked at the diverse line up for last weekend’s Reverberation festival, and licked ones lips with fervent glee. Advertised as Dublin’s inaugural celebration of psych and drone music, The Grand Social played host to all things psychedelic with a dozen bands, various DJ’s and mind playing visuals, as well as cult films, all adding to the vibe of this 13th Floor Elevators’ inspired experience. Cork five piece Elastic Sleep, were tasked…

  • Psych-Rock Revolution: Ireland and Beyond

    April 16, 2015 - By 

    When you consider Ireland’s rich history of iconic rock bands, those of a psych-rock persuasion don’t feature heavily on the list. Bands labelled as psychedelic were emerging in the US and Britain as early as the 1960’s. At the beginning it was defined by experimental songwriting, mind-altering drug culture, and a penchtant for flamboyant silk shirts. Tracing its roots back to the 1960’s you find bands like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Yardbirds, Jimmi Hendrix, The Doors, Soft Machine, Sly and the Family Stone and The Grateful Dead. Although Ireland could not be seen as a psych-rock hub, it has…

  • Distorted Perspectives Festival

    March 25, 2015 - By 

    An altogether stellar celebration of modern experimental psych music, art and film, Distorted Perspectives will return to Letterkenny’s Regional Culture Centre this Spring with a thoroughly impressive line-up. Set to take place across Thursday April 30-Sunday May 3, the festival will boast established acts including Ulrich Schanuss and Moon Duo (above), as well as some of the country’s finest psych, electronic, noise-pop and acoustic acts including Autumns, Clanns, Documenta, Nyt Bloomer and Robyn G Shiels. Check out the poster below for full line-up and where to buy tickets.

  • Watch: Documenta – Idle Hands

    March 9, 2015 - By 

    The video for ‘Idle Hands’, the first track from the new record by space-oriented drone pop outfit Documenta is now online. The rarely seen ensemble, led by singer, guitarist and songwriter Joe Greene, has already announced that there will only ever be three Documenta LPs, with only Drone Pop #2 having been given a full vinyl release so far. Their next album is to be called Drone Pop #1, and features songs – some of which are re-recorded – from the first CD-R the band released. The record should be available in July through new label Touch Sensitive Records. Watch the video for ‘Idle Hands’ below.

  • Track Record: Joe Greene (Documenta)

    November 4, 2014 - By 

    In this latest installment of Track Record we catch up with Joe Greene, singer and guitarist for Belfast based drone pop outfit, Documenta. Ably assisted by fellow Documenta member, Steven Henry, he goes through his record collection discussing ten albums we all should own. Photos by Dee McEvoy Jesus and Mary Chain – Psychocandy Their seminal record. The reason I love it? It sounds like Phil Spector on crystal meth with a broken fuzz pedal. Can – Ege Bamyasi My favourite Can record. It’s a record which has stuck with me. It sounds so odd… but familiar. Spacemen 3 – Playing With…