• No Foolin’ Around: An Interview with Dillon O’Brien

    December 2, 2024 - By 

    It’s under a week until Foo Laa Fest at the Ulster Sports Club – probably the strongest top-to-bottom Irish lineup Belfast has seen this year, and one that rounds up the second year of Dillon O’Brien’s music promotion, Fooligan.  Taking place on Thursday 5th December, TTA cover stars M(h)aol, Silverbacks and 2024 NI Music Prize winners Problem Patterns top of the bill, with some of the most exciting rising stars round there too. For those who don’t know Fooligan, can you tell us a bit about what you’ve been up to over the last while, and what drives you as…

  • A Litany of Failures: Volume IV is Announced

    August 9, 2023 - By 

    Irish compilation series A Litany of Failures, which features independent acts from all corners of the island, has just announced the pre-order and tracklisting for its fourth volume.  Set for release on double vinyl and digitally on September 8th, it’s available via Bandcamp. The compilation features 22 brand new, exclusive tracks from some of our favourite acts on the island, as well as some exciting new prospects. The double vinyl set once again features artwork by Pipe & Pallet, and the first 30 pre-orders feature a bespoke print from Belfast-based artist Phantom Powered Pixels.  The Litany of Failures series aims to document the grassroots music community…

  • Redefining Themselves for Themselves: An Interview With M(h)aol

    May 2, 2023 - By 

    Off the back of the release of their debut LP Attachment Styles, fast-rising feminist punk five-piece M(h)aol talk fierce storytelling, breaking taboo, and representing their truth to the world Words by Leigh Arthur Photos by Jane Donnelly “I didn’t imagine eight years ago when I shaved your head this is where we’d be, but there’s nowhere that I’d rather be.” Constance Keane (also known as Fears for her solo work) is emotive as are the other members of M(h)aol as they make affectionate dedications to each other onstage in a basement in Dalston. The strike of midnight marks the release…

  • Irish Tour: M(h)aol

    April 17, 2023 - By 

    M(h)aol live at The Loft in Galway with support from Puck and at Cyprus Avenue in Cork with support from I Dreamed I Dream. Photos by Ciaran O Maolain and John Sheehy Roisin Dubh in Galway by Ciaran O Maolain Cyprus Avenue in Cork By John Sheehy

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – 13th January

    January 13, 2023 - By 

    The first new track drop of 2023 already has already provided a few gems, with fresh cuts from exciting new records from M(h)aol, Meltybrains, modernlove and many more. Mhaol – Therapy Meltybrains? – Ease That Mind Curtisy x Cillian – 7PM Five to Two w/ JarJarJr – Song 50,000 modernlove. – Ruin Your Night Somebody’s Child – I Need Ya Abe Soare – Oasis

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – April 15th

    April 15, 2022 - By 

    Check out the tracks of the week – many from brand new LPs from the likes of Electric Octopus, M(h)aol, Just Mustard, Trick Mist, Seacht Líne, Melts and more. Just Mustard – Mirrors M(h)aol – Desperation Trick Mist – The Junction Electric Octopus – St. Patrick’s Cough St. Patrick’s Cough by Electric Octopus Rooms In Time – Unstramantles Unstramantles by Rooms in Time Various Artists – Faoi Thalamh Records x ACLAÍ Palestine Faoi Thalamh x ACLAÍ Palestine – Various Artists Compilation by Faoi Thalamh Records Onion Boys – Strung Out On Chicken Seacht Líne – Unfenced Country Unfenced Country by…

  • M(h)aol – Gender Studies

    January 18, 2022 - By 

    M(h)aol’s intersectional feminist punk fury first entered public consciousness in 2016 with the release of their debut single ‘Clementine’. The song, inspired by Clementine Churchill’s anonymous 1913 letter to the Times in response to anti-suffrage campaigner Almost Wright, saw vocalist Roisin Nic Ghearailt’s flit seamlessly from a heavily affected robotic drone to a passionate wail, pitted against a guest vocal from Gilla Band’s Dara Kiely and murky, industrial guitar scratches. The band were rightly tipped for big things at this early stage. Then, there was nothing. Five years passed between ‘Clementine’ and its 2021 follow-up, ‘Laundries’, a reflection on one…