• Joshua Burnside Scoops Northern Ireland Music Prize 2017

    November 13, 2017 - By 

    With last year’s prize won by Quiet Arch-signed songsmith Ciaran Lavery, Belfast-based experimental folk singer-songwriter Joshua Burnside has been awarded this year’s Northern Ireland Music Prize. The news was announced as part of this year’s event at Belfast’s Mandela on Saturday night. Burnside – whose debut album Ephrata took the prize – saw off competition from a strong cast of competitors in the shortlist, including Our Krypton Son, Gross Net, Malojian and more. Speaking at the event, which also saw Vivian Campbell awarded the Oh Yeah Legend Award, Charlotte Dryden, CEO of Oh Yeah said,  “It’s brilliant that a debut…

  • Joshua Burnside w/ Ports & Little Rivers @ Studio2, Liverpool

    October 6, 2017 - By 

    Liverpool’s Studio2 is an odd sort of a place. It’s on the backstreet of a backstreet, far away from Concert Square, the main strip and the horror of the bottled Beatles, 80s bars and fake paddywhackery of Matthew St. For the non-scousers among you, don’t Google Concert Square – it’s not what you think it is. In fact, if you ever get to Liverpool avoid the place like the bloody plague. And yet here we are, among the carparks, mechanics and those kinds of places that can just afford the rent around here. This little oasis in the middle of…

  • Monday Mixtape: Joshua Burnside

    September 4, 2017 - By 

    Having come good on years of promise with his long-awaited debut album, Ephrata, back in May, Comber experimental folk musician Joshua Burnside reveals a selection of his all-time favourite tracks, including Luke Kelly, The Microphones, Sam Amidon, The Books. The Microphones – I Want The Wind To Blow I love the production on this track – the way the guitars are panned, the heavy compression, the distant drums, and how Phil Elverum holds some words for so long that they become sort of suspended in time. The Books – Free Translator This is a great track by The Books and it’s interesting…

  • Album Premiere: Joshua Burnside – Ephrata

    May 5, 2017 - By 

    Ever since the release of his masterfully lo-fi 2012 EP The Winding Straits (and the string of memorable local shows that accompanied that release) Joshua Burnside‘s inimitable brand of alt-folk has commanded our attention like few others. Having really made a dent a year later with the release of his stellar five-track EP If You’re Goin’ That Way, the Belfast songsmith has evolved from wistful folk contender to a fully-fledged artist whose sound incorporates electronica and first-rate experimentalism in fine fashion. The full-length culmination of that evolution, his brand new debut album Ephrata is a real triumph of the spirit. Testament to refusing to be bound…

  • Joshua Burnside – Ephrata

    February 2, 2017 - By 

    Experimental singer-songwriter Joshua Burnside has announced the release of his debut album after a few years of silence. Ephrata is due to come out on May 5 through Quiet Arch Records – home also of Ciaran Lavery, Ryan Vail & Tucan – and was written allegedly during a creative spurt in Colombia. His only prior EP, If You’re Goin’ That Way was released in 2013. Despite Burnside playing most instruments on the album, it features a variety of recognisable local collaborators and producers throughout. Stream first single, ‘Tunnels Pt. 2’: Joshua Burnside launches Ephrata at the Duke of York on Sunday, April 30, with support from Alana…

  • Spectrum Festival 2015

    July 6, 2015 - By 

    Spectrum Festival kicked off in Mandela Hall over the weekend with live performances from R51, Hot Cops, Echo Raptors, Joshua Burnside, New Ancestors, Loris, In An Instant and The Emerald Armada. Photos by Sara Marsden.

  • Conor Scott – Watch Me Go

    November 12, 2014 - By 

    Singer-songwriter and oft-spotted Belfast busker Conor Scott releases his debut three-track EP Watch Me Go on November 17. The as-yet-unsigned musician’s EP will be available from iTunes and Amazon. He’s gained a lot of steam following his performance on BBC vocal-based talent show, The Voice – a reality show at least based on some discernible talent – and his songs have taken him on tour across the UK, performing in venues like Liverpool’s Cavern Club. The official launch takes place at Aether & Echo on November 18, and support comes from the impressive selection of local acts in experimental folk artist Joshua Burnside, folk-pop act New Ancestors and…