• Stream: Ciaran Lavery – Can I Begin Again

    January 27, 2020 - By 

    Over the last few years, Ciaran Lavery has proven himself to be, in both song and approach, much more than your cut-and-dry, run-of-the-mill singer-songwriter. The globetrotting Northern Irish artist’s gestation as a songwriting voice, from the days of his old band, Captain Kennedy, via albums such as Sweet Decay and Let Bad In, right up until the present moment has been nothing short of remarkable. All along the way, his clear reluctance to kowtow to expectation has informed easily one of the most colourful and consistently rewarding trajectories of any Irish solo artist in recent years. Lavery’s new single ‘Can…

  • Premiere: Robbie Stickland – Lizard

    January 16, 2020 - By 

    We’re pleased to present a first listen to the debut single from Dublin musician Robbie Stickland. Tackling issues of body dysmorphia and self-care head-on, ‘Lizard’ is a compelling opening gambit from the artist, who is something of a cult figure in Dublin’s indie scene. Having already supported the likes of Fontaines D.C and Paddy Hanna under his previous moniker Spongebob Eyelashes, the song is the first to be taken from Stickland’s forthcoming debut LP, Warm Jeans in the Morning. Speaking about the self-produced track, Stickland said, “I wrote it to explore the relationship I have had with myself over the…

  • The Thin Air Podcast: TPM

    January 8, 2020 - By 

    In episode two, we’re delighted to feature the Dundalk rap duo “making unemployment sexy again” – TPM. Since 2015, brothers Charles and Andrew Hendy been making funny, insightful, very Irish hip hop together, influenced by anxiety, depression and life on the dole. Last year they released the explicitly excellent single, ‘FUCK RTE’, and Danny Carroll visited the brothers in their Louth abode to learn more about the song. The episode also features some insights from their producer David Noonan (Just Mustard/Larry) credited here as DJ Chronic Lower Back Pain, with Charles and Andrew talking about how the song evolved, what it means to…

  • The Thin Air Podcast: Junior Brother

    January 1, 2020 - By 

    The premiere episode of The Thin Air Podcast Season 2 features Kerry’s finest singer-songwriter Junior Brother.  With his debut album Pull The Right Rope recently named The Thin Air 2019 album of the year, Ronan Kealy speaks to Danny Carroll about the song’s origin and recording process.  We also hear from the song’s producer Chris Barry (Ailfionn Studios), as well as cellist Claire Kinsella (Lemoncello). Ahead of episodes from TPM, Girl Band, Careerist, Just Mustard and SOAK, stream episode 1 of Season 2 below. Music Featured: 1. The Back Of Her (2018) 2. Hungover At Mass (2017) 3. You Make A Fine Picture…

  • The Thin Air’s Top 75 Irish Releases of 2019

    December 24, 2019 - By 

    Spanning albums, EPs, compilations, reissues, live albums and mixtapes, from every corner of the island, here’s the 75 best Irish releases of 2019. Onwards. #75-41 75. Talos – Iridiscent Iridescent by Talos 74. Danny Madigan – Teletron Teletron by Danny Madigan 73. Lonesome George – Stumble Day 72. Leo Miyagee – Ffdlc 71. Jonny Dillon – Songs For A One​-​String Guitar Songs For A One-String Guitar by Jonny Dillon 70. Anna Mieke – Idle Mind Idle Mind by Anna Mieke 69. Cailín – In My Soul Potboiler No. 3: Cailín – In My Soul by Cailín 68. Jafaris – Stride…

  • The Thin Air’s Top 100 Tracks of 2019 (#25-1)

    December 19, 2019 - By 

    Whittling what has been a frankly exceptional year in Irish music down to a square 100 tracks was never going to be easy. It never is, after all. We say it every year and yet it genuinely bears repeating: the last 12 months have been something else. In fact, don’t be surprised if we roll out a Top 200 next year. Of course, end-of-year lists like these might well seem inherently arbitrary on the surface (it is, after all, not a competition) but scrolling through – seeing the sheer variety and scope and intent and vision of acts from all across the…

  • The Thin Air’s Top 100 Tracks of 2019 (#50-26)

    December 18, 2019 - By 

    In the second of a four-part series, we continue our island-spanning, genre-leaping countdown of the best Irish tracks released in 2019, from the spectral chamber pop of Rachael Lavelle to the masterful indie sway of Tandem Felix. Catch up on #100-76 and #75-51. 50. Rachael Lavelle – Perpetual Party 49. Zeropunkt – Bitch Nails Bitch Nails (free download) by ZEROPUNKT 48. Like Chandeliers – Scars 47. Rachael Boyd – Blind Spot 46. Kitt Philippa – Fahrenheit 45. Cherym – Abigail Abigail by CHERYM 44. Jordan Adetunji – Questions 43. Tau – Craw 42. James Joys – Fugitive Wound Fugitive Wound…

  • Video Premiere: Aul Boy – Because

    December 18, 2019 - By 

    Slack Ramelton indie rock outfit Aul Boy are back with another intricately crafted lounge-pop gem in new single ‘Because’. We’re delighted to unveil its very much on-brand video, which captures the dressing-gown-clad Aul Boy himself roaming in glorious Super 8. Channelling the interminable wilderness period of the twenty-something in the ‘forgotten county’, it gladly shuts its eyes in the face of reality, escaping into a sea of wonderful Grandaddy-recalling synth arpeggios, melancholy & chord mastery. ‘Because’ is the first single to be taken from their forthcoming Making Strange EP, recorded at Attica Studios [SOAK/Villagers]. Download it on a name-your-price basis here.

  • The Thin Air’s Top 100 Tracks of 2019 (#75-51)

    December 17, 2019 - By 

    In the second of a four-part series, we continue our island-spanning, genre-leaping countdown of the best Irish tracks released in 2019, from Belfast alt-pop trailblazer Rebekah Fitch to a truly stellar track courtesy of Ordnance Survey. Miss out on 100-76? Go here to catch up. 75. Rebekah Fitch – Poison 74. New Pagans – Charlie Has the Face of a Saint 73. Casavettes – Imposter Syndrome Imposter Syndrome by Casavettes 72. Not I – Please, No Kindness, Please 71. Sorbet – Born Purple (feat. mickeykiiatein) Born Purple by SORBET 70. Autre Monde – On The Record 69. His Father’s Voice – In…

  • Premiere: Not I – At The Beach

    December 20, 2019 - By 

    Dublin indie rock noisenik duo Not I are back with ‘At The Beach’, the second single taken from their forthcoming debut album – reportedly due next year. Produced by Christopher Barry at Ailfionn Studio and artwork from Linden Pomeroy, it conjures the no-peak malaise of The Microphones and Pavement at their most jittery. A singularly voiced lyricist, Thomas O’Reilly’s vaguely-pitched Lee Ranaldo-esque sing-talk has never been more convincing. Listen below: