• The Rare Magic of Soft Gut Song Camp

    Since 2021, Soft Gut Song Camp has emerged as a wonderfully unique initiative to unlock the collaborative potential of artists, songwriters, and producers on the island of Ireland. Held at Julie McLarnon’s world-beating analogue recording studio, Analogue Catalogue, in rural Rathfriland, Co. Down, it has sealed its status as a sanctuary for genre-spanning songwriters from every corner of the island. Brian Coney reflects on time spent at its most recent edition in late June, highlighting the singular sense of creative solidarity that he witnessed at the camp. All photos by Graham Maree Back in the mists of time—2021—a spark ignited…

  • Ciaran Lavery on the Inaugural Soft Gut Song Camp

    Across 14-16th April, Co. Down analog recording studio Analog Catalog will host the inaugural Soft Gut Song Camp. Founded by acclaimed NI artist Ciaran Lavery, alongside music industry professionals Nikki MacRae and Jo Wright, it was created to encourage and cultivate a community of creative collaboration and support within the NI music industry by delivering an immersive, multi-day song camp for regional artists. As an opportunity for music creators from all backgrounds to work alongside new creative partners, and to forge new relationships, the camp – which was successfully trialed last October – is set to cater for something sorely missed with the…