• Bare Bones: A Conversation with Landless

    March 6, 2018 - By 

    One of our 18 for ’18 Irish artists, Landless are a rarity in today’s traditional music landscape. Their unaccompanied vocal folk has been described by ourselves – and doubtless many others – as ‘evocative, celestial, ethereal and, above all, extremely resonant’. Having formed in 2013, their debut album, Bleaching Bones – recorded in a variety of sonically rich, luxurious spaces – finally gets its release tomorrow through recently-formed Irish independent imprint, Humble Serpent. Alongside acts like Lankum and Brigid Mae Power, they’re responsible for the establishment of folk music that’s as appropriate today as it was in its stages of infancy; a conduit for the human spirit, and a platform from which greater ideas…

  • Jess Kav – You Sound Like a Black Person

    March 6, 2018 - By 

    I have, over the years had a fair amount of punters look at me suspiciously when I discuss my racial background. There has been numerous occasions that enquiries on my ethnicity arises when someone hears me sing for the first time. It has gone something like this; Punter: (Eyes look around around to deter eavesdroppers) “Has anyone ever told you that *whispers* you sound like a black person when you sing?” Me: Yes! My mother is black. Punter: *Laughs uncomfortably* Me: … Punter: “Oh…really? You’re serious?” Many have looked curiously at me, eyes darting to the sploof of curly hair…

  • Elaine Mai – Electric Dreams

    March 6, 2018 - By 

    The first artist that really inspired me to get into music was Alanis Morissette. She was an honest, powerful, female musician and I wanted to be just like her. Although the music I write today is very different, ‘Jagged little pill’ sparked a love for song-writing in me that I know will last for the rest of my life. My parents separated around the time it was released, and in a new town and a new home, I turned to music. I started writing and playing songs with my guitar and two-deck cassette player, using a cheap microphone to record…

  • Southern Hospitality: A Conversation With Aisling O’Riordan

    March 6, 2018 - By 

    Aisling O’Riordan is a musician, booker, promoter, radio host and is about to add tour manager for Brigid Mae Power to her already exceedingly impressive CV. Amidst all of these roles, Aisling also co-founded the Southern Hospitality Board and the revered annual Quarter Block Party festival which hosts a variety of music, spoken word and theatre throughout Cork city. A vital figure in the Irish music industry, O’Riordan spoke to Zara Hedderman about her beginnings, experiences and the importance of women encouraging each other within the business. Photo by Brid O’Donovan. What was your introduction to the music industry and…

  • Those Who Can, Do (and Teach): A Brief Herstory of Girls Rock School Northern Ireland

    March 6, 2018 - By 

    Established in March 2016, Girls Rock School Northern Ireland offers workshops and mentoring in electric guitar, bass, drums and vocals to women and girls of all ages. Taking inspiration and mentorship from it’s sister school Girls Rock School Edinburgh, it was the very first collective of its kind in the whole of Ireland. Since then, there is now also Girls Rock Dublin; just as Girls Rock camps and schools have been popping up across the world since the very first camp was held in Portland in 2001. GRSNI welcomes participants who self-identify as female, trans and/or gender non-conforming; they are…

  • Iwona Blasi – The Art of Life

    March 7, 2018 - By 

    When I lived in Poland, I never thought I could paint and I never thought I was an artist. I studied Social Science at Warsaw University, I was always doodling but never had the courage to do anything more than draw for myself. I have a big sister who thought me how to do art. She was my main inspiration in my early years as she was always painting, sketching, drawing, preparing her portfolio for art college… but she stopped painting after she wasn’t offered a place. It was a true heartbreak. My parents are very pragmatic, I don’t remember…

  • You Can’t Be What You Can’t See: Films About Real Women

    March 6, 2018 - By 

    When it comes to women in film, lasting progress has been slow. While it is positive that the two highest grossing films internationally in 2017 had female protagonists, more work remains to be done both in front of and behind the camera. Promoting the visibility of women onscreen ultimately means telling stories that recognise the complicated and messy lives that actual women lead. Here, there is still some distance to go. Research by the Center for Women in Television and Film at San Diego State University identified that film audiences in 2017 were twice as likely to see a male…

  • Never Judge a Book by its Cover: A Conversation with Maura McHugh

    March 6, 2018 - By 

    Maura McHugh is a writer based in the West of Ireland, predominantly working in comic books, prose (fiction and non-fiction) and works for the stage and screen. She recently made history by signing on as one of the first official writers of the upcoming all female special of 2000AD, the renowned British comic book series and dwelling of the indomitable Judge Dredd. She talks to Loreana Rushe about her work, female heroes and diversity in the comic book industry. What do you enjoy most about writing comics and how did you get into the industry? I love working with artists. That collaborative process, when…

  • Tracy Bruen – Finding a Voice

    March 6, 2018 - By 

    It’s 1994 and I am 12. From a very early age I learn that it is not a good thing to raise one’s head above the parapet. I ask the right questions when the priest visits the school. I give the right-rote-learned answers. I conform. I wear a uniform. I go to mass. I dress in white to receive the body of Christ. I confess my sins and say three hail Marys and one Glory Be. I watch the abortion videos in home ec class. I strongly debate on the anti choice side of a debate on abortion in school.…

  • Wading in Shallow Waters – Louise Cunnane of Lilac Glass

    March 8, 2018 - By 

    I’m in a small town in County Mayo and I’m pregnant. Now let’s not get too excited. I’m 28. I just left Dublin and I am briefly staying at my parents house before I move to London. I’m a musician and the last few months have been a bit of a whirlwind. There’s managers and labels and producers getting in touch. My EP is out. I have just put a band together and we are getting ready to play our first show. I can’t have a baby. It’s not the right time for me. I refuse to buy a test…