Focus

Little Islands of Melody and Silence Little Islands of Melody and Silence Mark Fitzgerald 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 A Sound You Can't Predict Andrea Cleary 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 Traditional Music's Slow-Changing World Toner Quinn ‘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? Celtic Connection or Talented Imitator? James Camien McGuiggan 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 Less Sweet Life Shannon McNamee The duo Lemoncello featuring Laura Quirke and Claire Kinsella have recently released their second EP 'Oil and Water'. Shannon McNamee reviews.
Dukas Beyond Disney Brendan Finan A recently published book by Laura Watson on the French composer Paul Dukas is the first full-length academic study of the artist in English and explores his range of music and his music criticism. Brendan Finan reviews.
Humours of the Sea Humours of the Sea Sadhbh O'Sullivan Singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh's latest album 'Thar Toinn / Seaborne' explores themes of the ocean and our cultural connection to it. Sadhbh O'Sullivan reviews.
Language of Trauma Language of Trauma Andrea Cleary Singer-songwriter Hilary Woods recently released 'Birthmarks', a follow up to the acclaimed 'Colt'. Andrea Cleary reviews.
‘The funding model for public service media … is not working’: Eoin Brady Leaves RTÉ Lyric FM ‘The funding model for public service media … is not working’: Eoin Brady Leaves RTÉ Lyric FM Senior producer and manager of Lyric FM record label leaves station for university role.
Synthesis of Traditions Synthesis of Traditions Miceál Mullen In the fifth review from our new Traditional Music Writer Mentoring Scheme, supported by the Arts Council, Miceál Mullen reviews the debut solo album by composer and pianist Ryan Molloy.

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