• The Art of Slowing Down: An Interview with FRMR

    November 16, 2021 - By 

    Last month, Northern Irish folk songwriter and poet Andrew Farmer aka FRMR unveiled one of the year’s finest LPs from these shores, Amelanchier. As well as offering a short piece on the making of the album, Farmer talks to us about songwriting, self-belief and the art of slowing down. Making The Record ‘Amelanchier’ by FRMR Amelanchier was recently launched into the world. But before we touch on the album, can you tell us a little bit about how you got to where you are as a songwriter today? In 2009 I took a year out to take part in a creative programme based…

  • Inside Out

    August 8, 2014 - By 

    Taking place at Belfast’s Arthur Square from August 9 to August 30, Inside Out will see some of the country’s finest musical talent – everyone from Malojian (above) to Sons of Caliber – play a series of free, unplugged gigs. Culminating in a showcase event at City Hall, the gigs will last 45 minutes and take place every Saturday (1pm and 3pm) and Thursday (at 5.30pm) throughout the month of August. Here’s the full line-up and schedule: Malojian: August 9 Silhouette: August 9 Master and Dog: August 14 Zarah Fleming: August 16 The Hardchangers: August 16 Wookalily: August 21 Silences: August 23 Linley Hamilton: August 23 Emerald Armada: August 28…

  • Sons of Caliber – Albatross

    June 19, 2014 - By 

    Having been exclusively previewed here at the Thin Air last month, Northern Irish folk singer-songwriter Andrew Farmer and friends AKA Sons of Caliber will release their spellbinding debut album, Albatross, on Sunday, June 22. Taking place as part of this year’s Open House Festival, Farmer & Co. will release the nine-track album at Belfast’s Black Box, supported by Lonesome George. You can buy tickets for the launch right here. Stream Sons of Caliber’s last EP, Tundra, below. The Tundra by Sons Of Caliber

  • Exclusive Preview: Sons of Caliber – Albatross

    May 30, 2014 - By 

    Ahead of its official release on June 13, we’re very pleased to present an exclusive, one-day stream of Albatross, the debut album by Northern Irish folk singer-songwriter Andrew Farmer and friends AKA Sons of Caliber. Two years on from the Andrew Farmer-fronted band’s critically acclaimed 2012 release The Tundra, the nine-track album is a subtly mesmerising collection of songs, traversing  the laws and hidden depths of nature, love and survival. Albatross will be launched as part of this year’s Open House Festival at Belfast’s Black Box on June 22. Go here to buy tickets and stream Albatross via our Bandcamp page below. (You…

  • Open House Festival 2014

    May 13, 2014 - By 

    We’re big fans of Open House Festival and how they do things here at the Thin Air. With an extraordinarily tasteful penchant for the very best in folk, roots and Americana, the team have brought us some unforgettable shows ranging from the likes of Bob Log III, Deer Tick, John Grant to Lower Dens, Cold Specs and Old Crowd Medicine Show. As well as one-off shows and happenings scattered across the years, Open House really flaunts its wares with its annual festival events. This summer they will present two festivals, a Belfast festival and a Bangor Festival. The former, taking place from June 18…

  • Eleven Must-See Shows in Belfast This Christmas

    December 3, 2013 - By 

    Whilst we haven’t exactly been neglected of great shows of every conceivable kind all throughout 2013, there’s something about the Christmas period that somehow brings together some of the most downright irresistible line-ups of homegrown (and occasional international) musical talent. This year is no different, both across Belfast and much further afield. That said, keeping our eyes (and ears) firmly fixed upon the aforementioned hub of seismic musical happening, we present to you our eleven “must-see” shows in Belfast this festive period.  Radar: Feet for Wings – Speakeasy, Thursday, December 19 Radar at Belfast’s QUBSU Speakeasy has delivered for some…