Blog: State Magazine

Those familiar with Sun Kil Moon and/or the Album Leaf could be forgiven for approaching the first official collaboration between Mark Kozelek and Jimmy LaValle , with a certain amount of knowing expectation. The coupling of Kozelek’s world-weary musings and LaValle’s moody electronica seems such a natural fit on paper it’s a wonder it hasn’t happened before. Kozelek is a notoriously prickly figure, his misery so heightened it occasionally reaches parody. LaValle is less obviously troubled, though throwing both together seems unlikely to elicit life-affirming anthems. And yet, Perils from the Sea [...]

It's three years since Junip's last full-length record. When the trio released Fields back in 2010, the limelight was still very much on frontman José González. At that time, he was still riding on the crest of a wave with his solo LPs, Veneer and In Our Nature , which courted both critical and commercial success, and Junip was seen by many as something of pastime for the Swedish troubadour. But with only a handful of singles trickling out for public consumption since then, his latest collaboration with Elias Araya and Tobias Winterkorn now looks [...]

Oftentimes, the flowery prose that comprises a band’s bio invites eye-rolling. The adjectives and declarations are a necessary evil, but the accuracy of such vivid descriptions is debatable. So, when you read that Three Trapped Tigers “conjure the contained intensity of their namesake”, you may scoff, but two things must be noted. First off, all the pretty words in the world would have a hard time capturing the beautiful noise created by the London trio, though that sentence is pretty on the money. Second, they don’t really care what label you might affix to them. [...]

Director: Pedro Almodóvar Cast: Javier Cámara, Carlos Areces, Raúl Arévalo Running Time: 90 minutes Certificate: PG Release Date: May 3rd In Pedro Almodóvar’s latest film—his twentieth—a passenger plane leaves Toledo for Mexico. Shortly after take-off a terrifying truth emerges. There’s a problem with the plane’s landing gear. It can’t land. Instead it circles above Toledo while the crew awaits further instructions. Due to various plot contrivances there are no free landing strips. The flight crew struggles to maintain an air of professionalism while the cabin crew strives to keep the [...]

It's a miserable, grey evening in Dublin, but a gig at the Sugar Club is always somewhat of a transporting experience. While the light drizzle is altogether souring, there's just something about the darkness and plush comfort of the Leeson St venue that easily shuts out such menial annoyances. With the right performer, it can become cocoon-like and suitably intense. Chelsea Wolfe , the ethereal Sacremento singer-songwriter with a lingering gothic sensibility, is such a performer, but until she comes on stage, Simon Bird will provide some blustering background listening. The Dublin-based producer is a [...]

If you thought that the festival season started with Camden Crawl or Forbidden Fruit then we’ve got news for you. There’s a new player in town in the shape of Phase One Electronic Music & Arts Festival in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim. In the spirit of adventure and trying out all things new State goes along to see what’s stirring on the banks of the Shannon. Set in a former 19th century courthouse, a stone’s throw from the river, the festival launch takes place at the Dock Arts Centre. Upstairs, in a large gallery space, [...]

Despite their collective youth. Absolute Zero , the debut album from Dublin quintet Little Green Cars , is steeped in nostalgia and heartache. Second single, 'Harper Lee', opens the album and immediately sets out to bombard the listener with group harmonies and well-structured lyrics; it also sets a standard and dynamic between vocalists Stevie and Faye for the remainder. 'My Love Took Me Down To The River (To Silence Me)' opens with a rhythmic, gospel-infused chant and, with such strong female vocals, comparisons to Florence Welch are inevitable; listen for yourself, forget the comparisons and just enjoy the heights [...]

Director: Kieron J Walsh Starring: Nichola Burley, Charlene McKenna, Martin McCann Certificate: 15A Running time: 82 mins Release date: April 26 There is little left to chance in Kieron J Walsh's JUMP , an intersecting-storylines drama based on the stage play of the same name by Lisa McGee. It's New Year's Eve in Derry and twenty-something Greta (Nichola Burley) has decided to pass up an invitation to a fancy dress party, instead opting to try and take her own life by jumping off a bridge. She is [...]

I’ve been writing about music for twenty years this month and I don’t remember a time that new Irish music was more independent, energised or interesting than it is now. (Though the mid-90s lo-fi boom, as immortalised in Daragh McCarthy’s The Stars Are Underground , was really something). Part of the reason for the current flourishing is the decade-long decline of what used to be the standard music business model. Bands once made a dozen copies of a demo, sent them off, and waited, fingers crossed, for a label to register interest. In the Bandcamp era, that seems quaint; [...]

To be honest right from the get go, it has to be said that I’m hardly in Rudimental’s core demographic. The quartet of Piers Agget, Kesi Dryden, Amir Amor and DJ Locksmith cut their teeth on the London drum and bass scene and a glance at the tracklisting of their debut album (something featuring so and so) suggests that Home might well be just another succession of faceless dance tracks helmed by a succession of faceless vocalists and not necessarily the first point of call for my listening choice. The truth is actually a [...]

After spending most of the last decade pogoing in and out of punk-funk/disco-punk circles, !!! (Chk Chk Chk) may have taken the edge off with their fifth album. The California crew's raucous early records took the 'Walk This Way' video template — conjuring up images of jackboots kicking through CBGB's and gatecrashing into Studio 54 on the other side of the wall. Their 2010 album Strange Weather, Isn't It? papered over some ragged edges, but Thr!!!er flattens most of their remaining punk ties with a glitterball swinging from the end of a crane. [...]

Death Grips | Whelan's, Dublin (8pm, 29th April ) | SOLD OUT Rap/punk/pneumatic drill ambient. Michael Rother | Village, Dublin (8pm, 29th April ) | €22 Fewer loud noises next door from the NEU! kingpin and motorik pioneer. Passenger | Vicar St, Dublin (8:30pm, 29th April and 8pm, 1st May )/Róisín Dubh, Galway (7pm, 2nd May )/Pavilion, Cork (7pm, 3rd May ) | €12 Well, he's definitely not [...]

Director: Shane Black Cast: Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Ben Kingsley, Ty Simpkins Running Time: 130 minutes Release Date: April 25th Certificate: 12A 3D: Worth it From the moment Richard Pryor stepped foot the set of Superman III , the entire institution of comic book threequels has been cursed. Spider-Man 3 , Batman Forever , X3, The Dark Knight Rises ; by no means all terrible films, but all representing a sizeable dip in quality for what had been well regarded [...]

My Bloody Valentine , Wu-Tang Clan and the Knife have been added to the Electric Picnic line-up that was announced earlier today. All three acts had been strongly rumoured to perform at the Stradbally festival but were held from the initial line-up and confirmed at the EP launch party happening in Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin this evening. A poster boasting the full line-up has also been released and can be seen below. Tickets for the event, taking place from 30th August to 1st September, start at €85 and are available this [...]

Mary J Blige's money troubles It appears that the queen of hip hop soul, Mary J Blige really is just like the rest of us – she’s broke! According to news sources Stateside, despite selling 50 million records, Blige can’t pay her rent and has been slapped with an eviction notice. It doesn’t look likely that she’ll go home any time soon as she also owes the tax man a reported $900,000 and is said to have defaulted on a loan of $500,000. The ‘No More Drama’ singer is also involved in a lawsuit with Signature [...]

The line-up for Electric Picnic 2013 has been announced, with Björk and Arctic Monkeys among the headliners. Also making their way down to Stradbally, Co. Laois between 30th August and 1st September are Fatboy Slim , Franz Ferdinand , David Byrne & St Vincent , Johnny Marr and Warpaint , with many more included and to be announced in the run up to the festival, this year celebrating its tenth birthday. The full line-up can be seen below. Tickets for Electric Picnic 2013 go [...]

The Sunday Times Outdoor Film Festival returns to Meeting House Square this Thursday (April 25th), and will be screening a modern classic once a week until May 30th. Take a second to think about it, and the idea that people en masse would want to enjoy a film outdoors, at night, in Ireland, in May, doesn’t make sense. As ridiculous as the concept seems, the event has proven a hit, so just hold-off putting that parka back in the wardrobe as The Meeting House Square has another load of classics for you to feast upon. Getting [...]

Meteor Camden Crawl is offering five people the opportunity to become official photographers at this year's festival, taking place next weekend (4th and 5th May). The lucky winners of this competition will each get: Two weekend passes for Meteor Camden Crawl Dublin (winner and a +1). Media access at all venues Two passes to the After show party on the Sunday (winner and a +1). €20 travel expenses Photos to be hosted on all affiliated sites and social media The five chosen photographers will [...]

Galway has always had a home for the new and emerging when it comes to music, with nights like Strange Brew in the Róisín Dubh and Citog in the Cellar thriving on promoting new local and national talent. Always concerned with embracing every facet of the arts, Galway Arts Centre pitched in last weekend with a three day stint of gigs and workshops. The talent was out in force on the final night with an eclectic range of music over two rooms. Operating a BYOB policy, there was a substantial crowd filling out the downstairs of the GAC [...]

As highlighted in Daniel Robinson's feature back in January, Derry's role as the UK City of Culture has only been good for music fans of all flavours. From pop to classical, State readers will find much to whet their appetites. Here's our guide to what's coming up: City of Derry Jazz & Big Band Festival: 2 – 6 May Some of the biggest stars and newest names on the jazz scene. Radio 12s Big Weekend, Ebrington Square & The Venue: 24 - 26 May [...]