Focus
Navigating Life and Art
In his second article for the Galway City and County Music Writer Mentoring Scheme, Massimo Cattaneo reviews a performance by harper Úna Monaghan with singer Pauline Scanlon at the Galway Jazz Festival.
A New Irish Musical Language is Developing
We have entered a new era in Irish music, writes Toner Quinn, in which a language based on traditional music and song is producing extraordinary work across genres, but is it getting the attention it deserves?
Impossible Craft
In her latest article for the Galway City and County Music Writer Mentoring Scheme, Tara Broderick reviews Norwegian hardanger fiddle-player Nils Økland and band at the Galway Jazz Festival.
Tracing the Influences
Dave Munnelly's album of newly composed music, 'Aonair', has a certain interiority, writes Adrian Scahill, and avoids explicit references to Irish dance forms.
The Brutality of Bureaucracy
Irish National Opera presented the world premiere of Evangelia Rigaki’s installation opera 'This Hostel Life' last week, a work based on Melatu Uche Okorie's book of short stories on life in direct provision in Ireland. Mark Fitzgerald reviews.
The Internet Sings
Composer Jennifer Walshe recently released her latest album 'ALL THE MANY PEOPLS', an exploration of our digital lives. Anna Murray reviews.
‘We know traditional music represents so much more than just the melody that you hear’: Úna Monaghan at Tradition Now and Galway Jazz Festival
Harper, composer and recipient of the inaugural Liam O’Flynn award, Úna Monaghan will perform solo in Dublin and Galway next week. She spoke to the Journal of Music about her current work for harp and electronics.
Art Makes Such Things Possible
The third outing of the biennial festival Sounds from a Safe Harbour took place in Cork earlier this month, featuring Feist, Slow Moving Clouds, Lisa Hannigan, Crash Ensemble, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and Thomas Bartlett, Sam Amidon, and more. Don O'Mahony reviews.
Planxties for a New Quartet
The traditional music quartet of Laoise Kelly, Tara Breen, Josephine Marsh and Nell Ní Chróinín is currently on tour in the autumn series from Music Network. Ian Bascombe reviews in Ennis.
Lyric FM Needs a New Vision, Not More Cuts
Lyric FM is under threat because of RTÉ's financial difficulties, but a better future for the station is possible, writes Toner Quinn.