• Watch: VerseChorusVerse – The New Paranoia

    November 11, 2016 - By 

    North Coast singer-songwriter Tony Wright AKA VerseChorusVerse is very much an artist that embodies the idea “when it rains it pours.” Aside from the release his as-of-yet untitled third solo album, he has announced that he will also publish his first book and unveil what he calls a “socio-economic/musical pilgrimage/documentary filmed in Spain next year. Ahead of that highly-anticipated flurry of activity, Wright has unveiled a pre-emptive statement in the form of ‘The New Paranoia’, a new, full-band track featuring bass from Herb Magee and drums from Andy Coles, who recorded and mixed the track. Ex-ASIWYFA axeman Wright said, “In light of…

  • Video Premiere: THUMPER – Dan The Man

    November 11, 2016 - By 

    More than most at their level, Dublin noise-pop quintet THUMPER have a knack for concocting some serious contagion with their melodies. Half-sounding like a b-side from Blur’s Modern Life Is Rubbish the band’s new single ‘Dan The Man’ is certainly no exception to that rule. Accompanied by an aptly tripped-out video by Alan McCarthy, the band have returned with ‘Dan The Man’, the second single to be taken from their Little L Records-released EP, Magnum Opuss. Have an exclusive first watch of the video below.

  • Premiere: Robyn G Shiels – If I Were Thy Demon

    November 7, 2016 - By 

    The first track to be taken from a new – as yet untitled – EP set for release this March, ‘If I Were Thy Demon’ has been something of a live staple from Kilrea singer-songwriter Robyn G Shiels for a few years now. Released in association with the ever informed Solid Choice Industries, the single – a doom folk lullaby very worthy of a repeated listen – is deathly dirge-like in its brooding Americana lilt and ill-fated sway. Set for release both digitally and in limited physical format this Wednesday (November 9) at Belfast’s Empire Music Hall, have an exclusive first listen to the track…

  • Premiere: Gnarkats – Running From You

    November 7, 2016 - By 

    Having been popping up on bills left, right and centre in North of the country over the last while, Belfast-based quartet Gnarkats are set to unveil a new EP, Waves Collide, on December 2. Produced and mixed by Mojo Fury’s Michael Mormecha at Millbank Studios in Lisburn a couple of months back, the four-track release – not least lead single ‘Running From You’ –  captures a band that continue to flesh out their own brand of earworming, fuzzed-out alt-rock. Ahead of their appearance at Spectrum Festival at Belfast’s Elmwood Hall this Saturday (November 12), have an exclusive first listen to ‘Running From…

  • Stream: OneKnown – VΛV

    November 3, 2016 - By 

    Having been busy releasing straight-up house and techno material under his own name, Belfast producer and DJ Chris Hanna has released ‘VΛV’, a stellar, decidedly more downtempo new track under his alias OneKnown, a music-making moniker adapted from his once cryptic Unknown/UNKNWN titles. Speaking of the new song – hands down one of the producers strongest tracks to date – Hanna said, “I hadn’t made one of these sorta tracks in just over 2 years and out of nowhere just got a total itch to make more of it, felt slightly strange! As usual, made in bed on my laptop haha. Recorded…

  • Atlantic Sessions

    November 2, 2016 - By 

    Showcasing over 50 artists in over 30 venues across four days, the eighth annual Atlantic Sessions will take over Portstewart, Portrush and Portballintrae from November 17-20. With intimate venues and music trails at the heart of the festival, admission to all events and performances are completely free. This year’s festival is programmed by Snow Water Its director, Carolyn Mathers said “Northern Ireland is extraordinary in the richness of its talent and our artists are receiving international awards and acclaim. Atlantic Sessions will celebrate our incredible music scene, musical heritage, artistic excellence, hospitality, and with the backdrop of stunning coastal scenery and magnificent views. This…

  • First Acts Announced for Other Voices 2016

    November 3, 2016 - By 

    Set to return to Dingle from December 2-4, the first wave of acts set to play this year’s Other Voices have been revealed. With more than seventy acts set to perform across the three days and nights, Lisa Hannigan announced that Rejjie Snow, Pixie Geldof, Margaret Glaspy, Girl Band and Kojey Radical will perform exclusive eir Other Voices performance in Berlin. Speaking of the Other Voices announcement, Jon Florsheim, Chief Commercial Officer at eir, said: “There’s a really fantastic line up for the 2016 eir Other Voices Festival – definitely something to suit all musical tastes and with many more musical treats…

  • HamsandwicH @ Live at St. Luke’s, Cork

    November 2, 2016 - By 

    Well, that was the best mass I’ve ever been to. St. Luke’s, a former Protestant church just on the northside of Cork City, is quickly becoming one of the premiere live venues in the city. Having entertained with the likes of Lisa Hannigan, Villagers, and Lynched in recent times, the church is building a reputation as a unique host of essential Irish artists. Combine that with the fact that it is the Jazz Weekend, in Cork and you have the potential for quite a raucous evening indeed. Offering support for HamsandwicH tonight is acoustic singer songwriter Sarah Buckley. A local,…

  • King Kong Company Launch Remix Challenge

    November 1, 2016 - By 

    Hands down one of the country’s most singular acts, King Kong Company have launched their first annual remix challenge. According to the band: “Over the last few months a few people have asked if we’d be making any of our tracks available for remixing. The answer to this question is a resounding yes. Rather than just sending a few folks some stems, we thought we’d make things a little more interesting and have some fun while we’re at it. We’ve decided to give the best mix we hear €1,000. Fuck it, we’d rather give it to you than the taxman. Here’s…

  • Video Premiere: The Shaker Hymn – Baltic Heart

    November 1, 2016 - By 

    With the dark and cold evenings started to creep in at rapid pace, Cork five-piece The Shaker Hymn have returned with a suitably titled new single, ‘Baltic Heart’. Taken from their album, Do You Think You’re Clever? the track is a wonderfully produced slice of swooning subtly symphonic throwback pop and – not least in the addition of strings throughout – real testament to the band’s knack for sculpting a song where harmony is at the heart of their craft. The Shaker Hymn play the following dates in December. December 2: McGings, Westport December 3: Tir Na Nog, Cavan December 11: Kino, Cork (w/ Rozi Plain) Have an…