• Stream: Kojaque – Sunday Roast Mixtape

    April 4, 2016 - By 

    This Sunday saw the release of Dublin hip-hop producer and MC Kojaque’s Sunday Roast Mixtape, a collection of seven tracks that add to the aspiring artist’s already striking repertoire. Kojaque – real name Kevin Smith – garnered a considerable intrigue in May of last year with the tense beauty that was ‘Midnight Flower’ along with its equally stark video which showed Smith lip-syncing with the track, head submerged underwater for its entirety. ‘Midnight Flower’ was a dark, uneasy introduction that maintained a delicate poignancy despite itself. Sunday Roast continues down much the same path, giving further cause to perhaps see Kojaque…

  • Video Premiere: Come on Live Long – For The Birds

    March 22, 2016 - By 

    Last week, Dublin based group Come on Live Long returned with their first track in several months; the lush, smooth, R’n’B infused ‘For The Birds’. The song makes good use of the band’s known strong suits, from Louise Gaffney’s hypnotic vocals, Daithi O’Connor’s subtle yet ear pricking guitar licks, to their overall penchant for tremendous dynamic shifts which lead to a feeling of both ease and empowerment when listening. ‘For The Birds’ is taken from Come on Live Long’s second LP Move As One which is due to be released this Summer. Speaking of the writing process for the new album, Gaffney…

  • Stream: Meltybrains? – Donegal

    February 6, 2015 - By 

    Few Irish bands command seemingly effortless originality as convincingly as Meltybrains? The lead single from their debut vinyl release ‘Donegal/IV’, ‘Donegal’ is a spirited, expansive ode to escapism, reverb-laced lingering vocal lines and shuffling rhythms marrying in a mighty mesh of fist-clenched, impassioned abandon. ‘Donegal/IV’ is released on February 16. Pre-order it from Rough Trade right here.

  • Stream: Cloud Castle Lake – Glacier

    February 6, 2015 - By 

    Firmly commanding our attention with their debut EP, Dandelion, last year, Dublin trio Cloud Castle Lake have returned with ‘Glacier’, a tracking evoking Radiohead, Sigur Rós, Cinematic Orchestra and Do Make Say Think. A wonderfully-layered effort, beautifully disentangling over five-and-a-half minutes, the track sees Daniel McAuley’s high falsetto vocals take centre-stage yet again – and how. Recorded and mixed by Solar Bears’ Rian Trench, the track will be released via Happy Valley Records on March 16. With shows also taking place in England, the band will play Galway’s Roisin Dubh on March 26, Dublin’s Workman’s Club on March 27 and Limerick’s Kasbah…

  • Premiere: Darling – It’s Just One Look

    January 28, 2015 - By 

    Ahead of its release on Friday, we’re pleased to present an exclusive first look at the video for ‘It’s Just One Look’ by Dublin duo Gary Harding and James McGuire AKA Darling. Directed by Michael Kelly, the video is a wonderfully retro affair, capturing the band and their rousing alt-pop to a tee. In fact, their exuberance is perfectly tangible. The song is the follow-up to the band’s equally impressive 2014 singles ‘Echoes’ and ‘Sail Away’ and will feature on their new EP, also set for release on Friday. Pre-order it here. Darling launch the EP at Dublin’s Sugar Club on Saturday night.…

  • Val Normal – Fly The White Flag of War

    January 25, 2015 - By 

    The importance of editing should never be underestimated. It takes a lot for a person in any creative medium to step outside themselves and be able to recognize that, while you may be intensely proud of what you’ve made, some of it needs to be cut off to save the rest; a kind of apoptosis. Never forget that, while a cheeky wee guitar solo can be essential, after a point it’s just diminishing returns. It’s nigh on impossible to count the number of genuinely interesting prog rock songs that have been lost to unwieldy length and arrogance on the part…

  • Stream: The North Sea – Drinking Alone

    January 25, 2015 - By 

    A song “about escape and times of thought and reflection”, Dublin five-piece The North Sea have released arguably their strongest single effort to day, ‘Drinking Alone’. The second single to be taken from their forthcoming debut album the song is a sublimed-composed slice of alt-pop “exploring themes of alienation and separation between a couple, realising there love has waned or changed”. The band have also announced a five-date Irish tour, taking place across February and March: February 22: Crane Lane, Cork February 25: Cobblestone Joes, Limerick March 5: Voodoo, Belfast March 6: Whelans, Dublin March 19: Roisin Dubh, Galway ‘Drinking Alone’ will be released on…

  • 15 For ’15: Goldie Fawn

    January 23, 2015 - By 

    Over the last three weeks we have been revealing a handpicked selection of Irish acts we’re certain are set to do incredible things in 2015 and beyond. Today, we conclude that feature – 15 For ’15 – with a rejuvenated Belfast-based songstress: Katie Richardson AKA Goldie Fawn. Words by Brian Coney. Photo by Joe Laverty. Having well and truly cut her teeth as the leading lady of kaleidoscopic, tale-telling troupe Katie and the Carnival, Belfast-based singer-songwriter Katie Richardson has recently very convincingly metamorphosed and re-established herself as Goldie Fawn. Retaining the swooning, enchanting quality that made her previous incarnation so potent,…

  • 15 For ’15: Edward F Butler

    January 21, 2015 - By 

    Thirteen varyingly exceptional acts down, the penultimate Irish artist in our 15 For ’15 feature is Edward F Butler. Currently based in Belfast, Butler is a wonderfully forward-thinking musician who we reckon is set for very special things over the coming months. Words by Aaron Drain. Photo by Alan Maguire. Multi-talented music man Edward F Butler has had a fairly tremendous run of things so far. Not only has he had a foothold in the cinematic arts, having directed videos for Oh Volcano, as well as the video for his own debut single, 2014’s ‘Running From Fears’, ehas seen his music reach…

  • 15 For ’15: Dear Desert

    January 20, 2015 - By 

    With two acts left to go, Dublin trio Dear Desert are next up in our 15 For ’15 feature, looking at fifteen Irish acts we’ve extremely high hopes for in 2015 and beyond. Make sure to check out the January/February issue of our magazine to read the whole feature in full-blown technicolour physicality. Words by David Turpin. Photo by Loreana Rushe. Dear Desert’s debut single ‘Give It Up’, released last June, intrigued with an alluring combination of suave melody and lo-fi production. The Dublin-based three-piece – made up of Richie Fenton, James O’Donnell and Brendan Miller – followed the track…