Focus
The Songs We Don't Talk About
If we are going to tackle racism, we need to improve our conversations about culture, writes Toner Quinn.
Circling Inwards
Andrew Hamilton's new album, 'Joy', on the Ergodos label, is a collection of solo works for violin and voice – performed by the composer himself. Brendan Finan reviews.
Bringing Out the Stillness
Violinist Darragh Morgan and pianist John Tilbury have recently released a recording of the demanding work 'For John Cage' by Morton Feldman on Diatribe records. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
‘Ireland Performs’ Series Backed Musicians into an Uncomfortable Corner
The government's 'Ireland Performs' series, which was partly funded by Facebook, put already under pressure artists in an unacceptable position. We have got to think hard about the way we support music into the future, writes Toner Quinn.
Seeds That Flower
Mark Waldron-Hyden, electronic artist and founder of Sunshine Cults Records, has just released his latest album 'Future Life Continuity', a collection of work featuring synths, loops and more. Don O'Mahony reviews.
Little Islands of Melody and Silence
Composer and guitarist Benjamin Dwyer's new album on Diatribe records, 'what is the word' – featuring Dwyer, Barry Guy, Maya Homburger and actor Conor Lovett – is the result of a renewed engagement with all of Samuel Beckett's output. Mark Fitzgerald reviews.
A Sound You Can't Predict
Last week, Denise Chaila gave a compelling performance at the National Gallery as part of the Other Voices Courage series. Andrea Cleary writes about a significant moment for Irish hip hop.
Traditional Music's Slow-Changing World
‘Slí na mBeaglaoich’, featuring the musical travels around Ireland of father and son Breanndán and Cormac Ó Beaglaoich, is currently showing on TG4. Toner Quinn reviews.
Celtic Connection or Talented Imitator?
Axel Klein, who has written a number of works on Irish classical music, has recently published a voluminous biography of the almost totally unknown Irish-American, Paris-resident composer Swan Hennessy. Is his music worth reviving? James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
Less Sweet Life
The duo Lemoncello featuring Laura Quirke and Claire Kinsella have recently released their second EP 'Oil and Water'. Shannon McNamee reviews.