Photographer Matthew Smith’s Exist To Resist documents the history of activism and having it in the years before and after the infamous Criminal Justice Act of 1994. This was a cunning piece of legislation designed to wipe out rave culture in the UK. The project smashed through its initial ask on Kickstarter by doubling its target. This isn’t another huckster making dollar off memory- it’s a sharp reminder of what … Read More
A Less Grizzled, More Sincere Tom Waits.
Despite his youthful appearance and relatively underground status Hamilton Leithauser has been treading the boards of the alternative music scene for a long time now. Benny Profane caught him in action last night and felt the mad urge to scribble this review and send in a photo he took with a potato. With his former cohorts The Walkmen he was the driving song-writing force behind a band that put … Read More
The Golden Boys of Irish Noise-rock.
Above: A shot by photographer Steve Gullick, taken from the band’s website. Last Friday the suicide and self-harm awareness charity Pieta House held a fundraising gig in Dublin’s Vicar St featuring a host of Irish acts. The line-up included Limerick-based hip-hop collective Rusangano Family, followed by four-piece folk innovators Lynched, with the near-peerless Girl Band headlining the event. Benny Profane sent us in this review. Now as my presence at … Read More
Racist.
Some killer anti-racist ragga dancehall from Sweetie Irie. Year unknown, definitely pre-1995 with a nod to junglists in the lyrics and a total lost classic. Give it a listen, he doesn’t miss a mark and delivers a stern warning about smashing discrimination. Enjoy.
Notes On Rave In Dublin.
Some of us rabblers have been squirreled away putting the final gloss on this 100 minute feature length documentary about Dublin’s original rave generation. What’s it about? Well, I guess it maps the mood and movement of those who caught a buzz for dance music and watched particular cultural explosion happen in the city across the 1990s and into the early 2000s. A measure of rose tinted nostalgia served with … Read More
Rise of the Mutants.
Mutate is a techno collective which was started in October 2013 with the aim of bringing over niche international guests and fresh faces to Dublin’s clubs. Jasper Mathews got in touch with Mutate bossman Jay Carroll to discuss the sounds of Mutate, how to stay afloat in today’s competitive scene and the resurgence of club culture with the Celtic Tiger 2.0 rolling in. Tell me a bit about the … Read More
The Baubles Family Punxmas.
There’s too much to do. Auntie Mary is doing me head in. All the shopping is inciting anxiety. There’s no tree up and the decorations are still in the attic. There’s too many christmas songs. Christ, there’s just too much christmas… The bahumbuggery always gives way in the end though. Generally thanks to good company, some time to put the feet up, or delicious pints. You succumb to … Read More
To Hell Or To Hip Hop.
Sligo Hip Hop feens, This Side Up, release their debut album on November 14th. TSU started as an all vinyl night in McGarrigles, Sligo, in 2008 which rapidly led to nationwide performances and some quality, original tracks. Jasper Mathews dropped them a line to discuss tunes, mental health and getting rowdy. How did creating the album go for you? We made a big decision to step away from what we … Read More
The Real Sounds of Dublin.
Dublin’s RLSD Records are no strangers to the scene having conducted courses in production and DJing on the regular for the past few years. This week however saw the release of their first bit of wax. Jasper Matthews caught up with one half of the label, Doug Cooney, for a chat about the release and how it and RLSD came to be. Fair dues on the release, tis sounding tasty, … Read More
Going Dutch With Esther Duijn.
Tresor resident and Another Earth label boss, Esther Duijn, makes her first Irish appearance this Saturday for Basement Project, in Factory, Galway. Jasper Mathews caught up with her for a wee chat in anticipation of the gig. Hi Esther, are you looking forward to your Irish debut? Hi Jasper, I am super stoked to come to Ireland, it was on my wishlist for a while now. Also one of my … Read More