pop
-
Fangclub: Baring Their Fangs
Mike McGrath-Bryan speaks with Fangclub’s Steven King about the band’s upcoming Cork shows. It was a busy 2016 for Dublin rock revivalists Fangclub – their Bullet Head E.P. released through Universal Music Ireland after signing a rare domestic deal with the major-label office in May, the Coma Happy E.P. following shortly in September of last…
-
Tiz McNamara: “I Haven’t Looked Back”
Ahead of dual Cork dates in Coughlan’s and Levis’ of Ballydehob, singer-songwriter Tiz McNamara speaks with Mike McGrath-Bryan about his adventures in music, sharing studios with legends, and doing things his way. A well-travelled troubadour hailing from Cork, the journey of singer-songwriter Tiz McNamara began in Togher, taking him through garages, venues, and several bands…
-
Claudia Schwab: A World of Sound
Mike McGrath-Bryan speaks with violinist/vocalist Claudia Schwab ahead of Clonakilty and UCC dates this month. Austrian-born, Indian-influenced and Sligo-resident, violinist/vocalist Claudia Schwab draws from a wide range of reference points in her music, a folky, world-travelled whirl of sounds and cultures. Second album Attic Morning, releasing this month, brings Schwab’s sonic concoctions on the road,…
-
Sillk: Time Immaterial
With their new extended-player releasing on the 27th, and a gig in the Village Hall to accompany, Mike McGrath-Bryan speaks to Chris Schmidt-Martin, cellist of folk trio Sillk. Irreverent, noirish pop nestles warmly alongside familiar folk slowburners in the body of work we’ve seen thus far from Cork three-piece Sillk, comprised of singer/guitarist Orla Travers,…
-
Wyvern Lingo: “We Can’t Get Enough of It”
Wyvern Lingo’s whirlwind 2016 winds down with an Irish tour, stopping at Cyprus Avenue on the 27th. Mike McGrath-Bryan speaks with vocalist and pianist Karen Cowley. They’re one of the group of names in independent Irish music threatening to bother the mainstream in a major fashion, but having built up a solid fanbase across the…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
Mike McGrath-Bryan 