Focus

To Raise a Music Community To Raise a Music Community Shannon McNamee The It Takes a Village festival took place in East Cork on 10–12 May, featuring Irish acts such as Thumper, David Kitt, Le Boom, Jinx Lennon, Kojaque and Anna Mieke. Shannon McNamee reviews the small, intimate festival now in its second year.
The Winter We Don't Expect The Winter We Don't Expect Brendan Finan We’re trained to think of musical winters in a certain way, writes Brendan Finan, but Ergodos' latest release, featuring the Ficino Ensemble and a new work by Garrett Sholdice, brings the unexpected.
‘There’s an infrastructure that hasn’t been built overnight’: An interview with Benedict Schlepper-Connolly and Garrett Sholdice of Ergodos ‘There’s an infrastructure that hasn’t been built overnight’: An interview with Benedict Schlepper-Connolly and Garrett Sholdice of Ergodos Toner Quinn The Irish label Ergodos, run by Benedict Schlepper-Connolly and Garrett Sholdice, has just released its 30th recording, an album by the Ficino Ensemble featuring works by Brahms, Ravel and Sholdice. The two label founders spoke to the Journal of Music about growing Ergodos over the past 13 years, the role of a label in the modern musical ecosystem, and the arts infrastructure that is frustrating its development.
The Irish for Alternative The Irish for Alternative Shannon McNamee An Taobh Tuathail presented by Cian Ó Cíobháin has been broadcasting since 1999, championing alternative voices late into the night on the Irish-language station RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. Shannon McNamee reviews a 20th anniversary concert in Galway (3 May) featuring Mount Alaska and Ships.
A Harp at Home A Harp at Home Tim Diovanni RTÉ Lyric FM celebrated its twentieth year with a gala concert on 1 May featuring the premiere of the very first concerto for Irish harp, written by Ryan Molloy. Tim Diovanni reviews.
Berating Bystanders Berating Bystanders Jake Tiernan Derry band Touts' rapid-fire sociopolitical commentary resonates with a despondent generation, writes Jake Tiernan, in the second review from our new Music Writer Mentoring Scheme, supported by Galway City and Galway County Arts Offices.
A Future for Irish Music A Future for Irish Music Toner Quinn How can we ensure that we have the infrastructure to support all Irish music into the future? Why have we not achieved this already? In an essay written to mark the twentieth anniversary of the music and arts station RTÉ Lyric FM, Toner Quinn, Editor of the Journal of Music, asks the question: what is holding us back?
Skating Around New Audiences Skating Around New Audiences Adrian Smith Crash Ensemble continue to reach out to new listeners, most recently in a concert dedicated to music related to skateboarding. Adrian Smith reviews the film and music event which featured new work by Sam Perkin and Jennifer Walshe.
Playing for an Inside-Out World Playing for an Inside-Out World James Fleming In the first review from our new Music Writer Mentoring Scheme, supported by Galway City and Galway County Arts Offices, James Fleming reviews a performance by Sarah Nicolls of her new political work 'Twelve Years'. Presented by Galway Jazz Festival at the Mick Lally Theatre on 29 March, the composition by the British pianist and composer is a direct call for action at a time of crisis.
Adventures in the New Music Fringe Adventures in the New Music Fringe Adrian Smith The Music Current contemporary music festival – which took place last week in Dublin – has a radicalism in curation that can give listeners a real feeling of discovery. Adrian Smith reviews the four days and asks: can it grow its 'fringe' status in the Irish new music scene?

Pages