Ahead of his highly-anticipated return to DeBarra’s in Clonakilty on 19th May, Vermont folk master Sam Amidon discusses the ways in which lineage and collaboration interact with constantly pushing forward. Go here to buy tickets to Sam Amdson at DeBarra’s Hi Sam.
It has been a typically busy period for you. One happening I would’ve loved to have experienced was the 10th-anniversary show for your LP Lily-O, Was it, as I assume, really fulfilling evening, revisiting the record in that way? It was a beautiful night! It was actually the first time the four of us who made the album (Bill Frise ..read more

Mitski live at the 3Arena in Dublin with support from Richard Dawson. Photos by Ian Davies ..read more

Irish songwriter Oisin Leech has just released his debut solo album entitled ‘Cold Sea’. It was produced by Brooklyn artist Steve Gunn in Donegal. It features luminaries Dónal Lunny, M Ward and Tony Garnier. The album has garnered global critical acclaim with Le Monde in France calling it “nine tracks of absolute beauty.” Uncut have called it a “stunning album of clear blue reflection” while Other Voices and MOJO have dubbed it one of the albums of 2024 so far. It’s out now on Tremone Records and Outside Music. Oisin plays his first solo headline Belfast gig at The Deer’s Head today, Tuesday M ..read more

It’s Bandcamp Friday and we’re spoiled with an absolutely stacked week for Irish music. Delve into new Natalia Beylis, So Cow, Oh Boland, Blue Whale, Alpha Chrome Yayo, Autumns, Ciaran Lavery, Lucy Gaffney and more. Photo by Aislinn McGinn Natalia Beylis – The Roots of the Mountain Ash Embrace the Stone Blue Whale – Orunge So Cow – Affected Services Affected Services EP by So Cow Oh Boland – A Power of Wides Alpha Chrome Yayo – Constant Night Constant Night by Alpha Chrome Yayo Ciaran Lavery – The World Will Put Its Arms Around You Lucy Gaffney – Pitfalls Autumns – Inside The Bins Loner Deluxe ..read more

It’s just over four weeks until Ireland’s finest festival, Open Ear, returns to Sherkin Island in West Cork From May 31 to June 2, the festival, now in its sixth edition, will be another world-beating celebration of experimental and electronic sounds, from these shores and beyond. As well as unmissable sets by the likes of Hilary Woods, GNOD R&D, da Googie, Lesko, Brian Not Brian and Caskré, this year’s outing doubles as a trove of specially commissioned collaborations between two artists that have not previously worked together. Right up there with the most essential of these is long-time ..read more

Kinsale psych contenders The Love Buzz with support from Pebbledash at Coughlans in Cork. Photos by Erin Plaice ..read more

Sprints live at Mike The Pies in Listowel, Co. Kerry with support from Adore. Photos by Ian Davies ..read more

Delve into the very best Irish tracks and albums of the week, featuring the likes of the Personal Vanity Project, Eamon Ivri, pôt-pot, David Kitt, and a special release from Elaine Mai, May Kay and Faye O’Rourke along with the Young People from Aida Refugee Camp in Palestine The Personal Vanity Project – Track 94 David Kitt feat Mick + Annie Tierney – Say No More Elaine Mai, May Kay, Faye O’Rourke, + Young People from Aida Refugee Camp, Palestine – We Are We Are by Elaine Mai pôt-pot – GOING INSANE GOING INSANE by pôt-pot Eoin Dolan – The Most Important Thing Is Peace Within Yourself The Most ..read more

Over the last few years, Philip Wallace has underscored his status as one of the island’s most idiosyncratic musical minds. From playing harmonica and percussion in Cashier No. 9, to his amp-blown mastery as one-half of Waldorf & Cannon, the Derry artist has always marched to the beat of his very own, genre-spanning drum. It’s a singular journey that continues with ‘Spit It Out,’ the multi-instrumentalist’s – and now one-man-band’s – first offering under his new Hypnic Jerk moniker. And what a blitzing return it is. Concisely summed up as “a song about getting things off your chest and not ..read more

From Fugazi and Marvin Gaye, to Circle and Weidorje, Ellie Myler from ØXN and Percolator explores the records that have left a lasting impression on her life. Photos by Thom McDermott Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On I remember the first time I heard the title track on vinyl, through decent speakers, with intention. Feeling like I was in the room when the chatter of the Detroit Lions came in, that was the whole point I think. The choice Marvin Gaye made to produce it himself cracked it wide open and let the listener in. The lofty strings didn’t scare you off, it’s protest, observation and affecti ..read more