The Echo
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John Blek: Cutting the Light
Ahead of his upcoming solo show at Coughlan’s on the 25th, Mike McGrath-Bryan speaks with John Blek about his new record. Glanmire singer-songwriter John O’Connor, better known as John Blek, has been touring and performing for years, with a knack for whip-smart indie-pop accompanied by friends and collaborators referred to as the Rats, a play…
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Megacone: Hitting Cork With Absolute Magnitude
Ahead of their trip to UrbanJungle on November 12th, Mike McGrath-Bryan speaks with Megacone guitarist Conor Callan about their formation, new extended-player and the support they’ve received so far. With a sunny disposition as prevalent in their output as their consummate musicianship and eclectic musical frame of reference, it’s little wonder that Dubliners Megacone have…
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Loudon Wainwright III: “There’s Work to Be Done”
Folk legend and actor Loudon Wainwright finishes the Jazz for the Opera House on Hallowe’en night. Mike McGrath-Bryan speaks with him on family, acting, and getting bottled at Páirc Ui Chaoimh. A musician, an actor, the great-great-grandson of a politician, and both progeny & progenitor of an immensely musical family, Loudon Wainwright III has done…
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Marc O’Reilly: No Morality Play
Ahead of a gig in Cyprus Avenue on October 22nd to launch third full-length Mortality Morality, Mike McGrath-Bryan speaks with singer-songwriter Marc O’Reilly. Corkman Marc O’Reilly has been a busy man this past week, getting ready to head off on a comprehensive run of dates around the UK and Europe, and tonight, O’Reilly finally manages…
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Michael Kiwanuka: Love and Hate
Mike McGrath-Bryan takes a look at the rise of soul’s newest superstar, Michael Kiwanuka, ahead of another sold-out show in Cyprus Avenue on the 13th. Londoner Michael Kiwanuka’s star has been slowly on the ascendant in recent years, with soul-oriented debut album ‘Home Again’ leading to critical acclaim and major touring, in addition to the…
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Windings: Honesty is the Best Policy
Before Windings launch new album ‘Be Honest and Fear Not’ on the 15th at Coughlan’s, Mike McGrath-Bryan talks with singer/guitarist Steve Ryan. Limerick five-piece Windings are the sort of band that subtly confound any easy labelling, moving fluidly between pop, alternative and folk oeuvres as the band’s music does. Nowhere is this more evident than…
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Hope is Noise: Driven By Demons
Hope is Noise have been a constant in Cork alternative for the better part of the past two decades. Espousing a raw post-hardcore invested with a sense of melody drawn from wider influences, the band could be forgiven for settling into a groove. Instead, the band have chosen to confront middle age with fourth album…
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Andrew Maxwell: Au Contraire
Ahead of taking his new show to the Opera House on the 13th of October, Mike McGrath-Bryan speaks with comedian Andrew Maxwell on his beginnings, the psychology of comedy, The Panel and the stories behind the cult show’s guests… Andrew Maxwell’s new show tours this autumn, a brand-new show entitled Yo Contraire. The Dublin comedian…
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Mechner: Surfacing at the Kino
Mechner, a.k.a Jack Ahern, is emerging as a conceptual musician and visual director with debut single Surfacing. Mike McGrath-Bryan speaks with him ahead of his upcoming Kino gig. Jack Ahern, formerly of Cork pop-punk kids Mishap, is slowly coming around as a solo artist. Launching his solo debut single and video on the 29th at…
Mike McGrath-Bryan 