• Track Record: Patrick Kelleher

    November 24, 2014 - By 

    We spend an evening with Patrick Kelleher for a cup of tea to warm our cold dead hands while he rummages through his record collection and tells us why the selections he made means so much to him. Photos by Brid O’Donovan. Mulatu Astatke featuring Fekade Amde Maskal – Ethio Jazz This album was introduced to me by a friend who heard it first on the soundtrack to Broken Flowers. It’s just got this lovely catchiness, as you can tell. The same friend who introduced it to me played it quite a lot at his house. Recently for my thirtieth birthday…

  • Track Record: We Cut Corners

    November 19, 2014 - By 

    In the latest installment of Track Record, our photographer Abraham Tarrush shoots We Cut Corners at home, as they flick through their record collection, selecting some of their all-time favourite albums. Majical Cloudz – Impersonator The reductive but potent combination of synth bass and baritone make for a heady minimalist mix of weighty songs that hang around long after the needle has left the groove.   Ryan Adams – 29 Released the same year as Cold Roses and ‘Jacksonville City Nights, 29 is potentially Adams‘ most introspective and sombre album to date… and he’s had a few. Atmospherically nocturnal, at times almost bleak, it’s home…

  • Track Record: Gugai

    November 20, 2014 - By 

    Booker, promoter, DJ and all-round good guy Gugai – formally known as Eoghan MacNamara (or ‘Google’ if you’re drunk enough) is somewhat of a legend around Galway and if you’ve ever graced the Roisin Dubh venue you’ll know of his overwhelming love and support of the music scene here first hand. We’ve asked him to kindly flip through his entire record collection and select some of his favourite releases, with special guest appearances from Pope John Paul II and his dotey son Osgur. Photos by Sean McCormack. Pope John Paul II – In Ireland I think It’s really hard to choose your favourite record…

  • Track Record: Anna McCarthy (Dott)

    November 14, 2014 - By 

    GO WEST! For this installment of Track Record we head to Galway to catch up with the delightful Anna McCarthy from garage pop quartet Dott. One things for certain, Anna sure likes her heft and she shares with us her ten favourite records, ranging from sludge metallers Kylesa to the classic riffage of our very own Thin Lizzy. Photos by Sean McCormack. My Bloody Valentine – MBV This was definitely worth the wait. Listening to My Bloody Valentine makes me feel like I’m wrapped in a fuzzy blanket and this came along just in time for when I really wanted a new…

  • Track Record: Chris Leckey (PigsAsPeople)

    October 24, 2013 - By 

    Ahead of their Idles & Us EP launch tonight (Thursday, October 24) at Belfast’s Radar, Belfast-based photographer and all-round gent Liam Kielt caughtup with bassist and vocalist from Belfast-based hardcore/noise three-piece PigsAsPeople to get the lowdown on some of his favourite ever records, everyone from post-rock pioneers Slint to two records from his much beloved Fugazi. Fugazi – Repeater I first heard this when I was about 14. At that point I was really into things like Billy Talent and Alkaline Trio, who I still love. I came across ‘Waiting Room’ and decided to check them out. I went on Wikipedia,…

  • Track Record: Crayonsmith

    October 23, 2013 - By 

    For the latest installment of Track Record, the Crayonsmith lads arrived at my house armed with their favourite records, brownies and plenty of stories of why these albums mean so much to them. All three of them agreed that Public Strain by Women is one of the best albums ever. We chatted about the others over tea and here’s what they had to say: Women – Public Strain Ciaran Smith: “This record has everything and is a good example of where our three tastes meet. Amazing lo-fi recording job by Chad Van Gallen and loads of killer hooks. ‘Venice Lockjaw’ has…

  • Track Record: Tree (Kasper Rosa)

    August 13, 2013 - By 

    In the first installment of Track Record, Belfast musician, photographer and filmmaker Colm Laverty captures James Bruce AKA Tree, drummer with Belfast-based prog quartet Kasper Rosa choosing a section of his favourite and most treasured records from his collection – everyone one from Barbara Streisand to obscure big beat duos hailing from Birmingham. Nice. ___ Rush – A Farewell To Kings A proper Rush record of over the top pro rock greatness. Tough to pick a Rush record out the discog but I decided on this one simply for the triumphant cry of “XANADU”. Barbara Streisand – Classical   This holds…

  • Dave Magee: How Music Became Disposable

    May 4, 2013 - By 

    I miss music. What’s that you say? There’s loads of it? No there isn’t. That’s not music. That’s advertising. That’s what that is. Maybe I’m getting old (check that – I am getting old) but I remember a time when I was so passionate about bands I loved so dearly that I would argue the bit out to hammer home my point. I had a conversation with a friend recently about how nostalgia taints our view of music, books, films etc. About how the things we still love from our youth are only still loved by us because they remind…