Album: Various Artists - 'Rough Trade Shops: Counter Culture 07' - (Rough Trade)
Haven't featured a compilation in quite a while, and compilations don't get much better than these 'Counter Culture' selections from one of the world's greatest independent record stores. Two CDs full of the finest unheard underground artists/labels who share the stage with a few better known names like Battles and Dan Le Sac & Scroobius Pip. From Americana to grrrl punk, it's all here, with loving sleevenotes from the shop's staff. Essential!

Gig: The Galway Sessions (nuff venues citywide) Sunday 15 -Sunday 22 June
Look out, the Scots are coming! We could have picked just one (Julie Fowlis, Alan Kelly, Juliet Turner, Arty McGlynn to name but a few) from the multitude of Scottish/Irish traditional gigs in town over the weeklong celebration, but there are too many good uns to highlight just the one. Majority of the sessions are free, so get out there and get into it! Check www.galwaysessions.com for all gig info.

Comedy : Glenn Wool - The Laughter Lounge @ Róisín Dubh Wed 18 June
Stoner humour and a healthy dose of cynicism from the Canadian with the funkiest facial hair going. One of the more refreshing comics on the scene at the moment, Wool's takes on the absurdity of all religions are intelligent and not a little funny to boot. Support from Dermot 'I'm on The Panel me!' Whelan and MC Keith Farnan.

Music: Bon Iver - 'For Emma Forever Ago' (4AD)
Yeah, I know, this is the second album recommended this week… well it's my party and I'll cry if I want to!! Not much to say about this album except that it's a highly personal collection of songs about love, loss, guilt and heartache and is set to be one of THE albums of the year. I even heard Tony 'You're A Winner' Fenton play one of these songs on the radio last week, but don't let that put you off. You need this.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment