• Inbound: Affleck (Exclusive EP stream)

    July 29, 2013 - By 

    Seventy-five percent of sadly-departed experimental pop foursome Eatenbybears, Affleck are a Belfast-based three-piece that have covered quite a bit of ground in the four months since the former outfit’s untimely dissolution back in March. Comprised of Aidan Kelly, Clark Phillips and James Pollock, the electronic pop outfit – dusting themselves down and arguably finding their sound – have been occupied writing and recording their all-too-brief self-titled debut EP, a sublime five-track slab of phantasmal harmonies, shuffling somnambulist rhythms and subtly cascading, wonderfully woven electronic noise. As it so happens, for this week’s special installment of Inbound, we have an exclusive stream…

  • Mustang Margaritas: Alex Trimble and Jamie William

    July 26, 2013 - By 

    Last summer Two Door Cinema Club frontman Alex Trimble and his best friend Belfast photographer Jamie William embarked on road trip down the West coast of America in a classic car, taking in everything from the scorching Nevada desert and seedy sights of Las Vegas. Armed with a pair of Contax G2 cameras and literary notions like On The Road for company and Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas for company, the duo set about capturing their journey, the result of which is Mustang Margaritas, a collection of postcards hand-picked to tell the story of one special trip in a Mustang across…

  • In conversation with… The Vincent(s)

    July 25, 2013 - By 

    In the first installment of  In Conversation With..., photographer Brid O’Donovan captures Margus and Shane from Cork “death pop” five-piece The Vincent(s) visually and in conversation about the band and their music. This is where we would say “awesomesauce” if we sucked – which we do so … awesomesauce. _____ [On discovering music as a kid] Margus: “I had a friend around the corner. We moved into this estate when we were young and you’d see someone wearing a band t-shirt and you would be obsessed. You call round to their house when you’re not invited. Then I found his…

  • Interview: Speed of Snakes

    July 11, 2013 - By 

    You may know them as Rupert Morris (lead screamer, lyricist and guitarist in science-dance-metal troupe BATS) and Vinny McCreith (red-hooded bassist in Adebisi Shank and electronic solo artist as The Vinny Club) but together they are Speed Of Snakes. The Dublin-based duo recently premiered the first track from the sci-fi themed electro-rock project, as well as setting out the suitably silly backstory for the whole project: On the first day, 88 trillion years ago, the great snake Metatraxium created the Universe, the Earth and all the life upon it. Each species birthed from a succession of fantastic and horrifying eggs.…

  • Inbound: Bellos

    July 11, 2013 - By 

    In the third installment of the Inbound, we chat to Luke Bowen, frontman with Belfast-based alternative three-piece Bellos to discuss the band’s early beginnings, influences and the band’s plans for the next few months. ___ You formed last year. How did the band come about? Where you all friends beforehand and what motivated you to get the band together? “Aidan and I had just moved into our first house together. There was a deal in the off license for a bottle of Buckfast and six cans of beer for a tenner, so we obliged, got messed up and started listening to…

  • Malibu Shark Attack

    June 27, 2013 - By 

    Tucked into a corner of Weaver’s Court Business Park are Studios 2 and 3 of Start Together. Control room, recording booths, a treasure trove of sound equipment – this is Rocky O’Reilly’s manor, the place where the one-time Oppenheimer man, and production maestro, has helped deliver a dizzying array of music. Sitting in his favourite seat, the one beside the mixing console, Rocky has invited me here to tell me about his latest endeavour, Malibu Shark Attack. There is reason to be intrigued. First off, it’s the first band he’s been a part of since Oppenheimer called it quits in…

  • Inbound: Joshua Burnside

    June 18, 2013 - By 

    Hands down one of the most-forward thinking folk artists from these shores in recent times, Joshua Burnside is set to release his latest EP, If You’re Goin’ That Way, off the back of a wave of momentum created by his latest single ‘Black Dog Sin’. Having received 6Music Airplay from the likes of Lauren Laverne and Gideon Coe, Burnside’s wistful, altogether playful brand of experimental folk not only defies regional comparison, it is indicative of a particular musical spirit that has every potential to thrive much further afield. We catch up with the Comber-based singer-songwriter to get his thoughts on lyrical…

  • AAA: Gacys Threads

    June 12, 2013 - By 

    Having captured their recent show with Toronto quartet Cancer Bats, Belfast-based photographer Tony Irvine posed a few questions to Stephen Currie from our very own hardcore metallers Gacys Threads to get the lowdown on their recent three-day stint with the Bats and various other matters of riff-related interest. ___ What has been your biggest challenge as a band on your 3 days with Cancer Bats and have you been able to overcome that challenge? Biggest challenge… uhm, none really. This tour has been so much fun, and everybody including sound engineers, promoters, band members have been awesome. Zero complaints, man.…

  • Lost In Necropolis: Overoth

    June 10, 2013 - By 

    In the second installment of his Lost In Necropolis column, Conchobhar Ó Dochartaigh interviews Belfast death metal band Overoth. Eight years into their tenure, he gets their thoughts on everything from the musical technicality, lyrical themes and the current state of Northern Irish metal. ___ Tell us about the writing for the upcoming album. Recently, songs have been slightly more mid paced, giving a more brooding feel to the songs. Is this a conscious effort to bring more atmosphere to the sound, or has it simply been a natural process? Daniel: It’s been a natural process. The older stuff was…

  • Tied To Machines

    June 10, 2013 - By 

    Having been taking some well-earned time off to refuel the machine, Banbridge hardcore quartet Tied To Machines are on the brink of returning in fine fashion. Talking riffs, album number #1 and the so-called music scene, we catch up with Edward Henry (frontman) and Jordan (guitarist) from the band to get the lowdown on the ground they’ve covered, the album they’re making and where they want to go. __ Hey guys. You’ve been keeping your collective head down for the last few months – what’s currently afoot in the Tied To Machines camp? Edward: “Well, at the minute, we’re waiting…