TO most rock fans, the idea that Kraftwerk are more influential than the Beatles is more controversial than John Lennon’s claim that the Beatles were bigger than Jesus. But it’s an idea that’s losing its […]
Category: Interviews
The artist in residence: Jeff Mills interview
When techno first rewired the late 80s counterculture, few could’ve predicted the gradual shift from studios and basement clubs in Detroit, to art galleries and classical concert halls. Techno was more ‘other’ than Kraftwerk’s prophetic […]
‘You should hear it on big fuckin speakers’: Le Galaxie on new album Le Club
OF ALL the albums released this year, Le Galaxie’s new LP Le Club is the one you can judge by its cover. The sleeve is a shock of pink and sky blue, with flying cars, palm […]
This time it’s personal: Interview with Villagers’ Conor O’Brien
In an interview last year, Johnny Marr gave me an insight into a working manifesto that’s stuck with him for 30 years, saying: “Believe it or not, there’s a real trick to making it sound so […]
Just for the record: Paul Oakenfold on 25 years of Perfecto
WITH any given pop culture movement there’s always a ‘back in the day’ — a nebulous chain of events that ignite a scene and help forge the myth. Then we get the year-zero pinpoint events […]
Hit the ground Running: Vann Music interview
POP music is full of brilliant eureka moment stories — but we’re not sure how many classics are composed in the bathroom. But Aaron Smyth of Dublin new wave electronic act Vann Music had a Radox […]
Taking up space: Public Service Broadcasting interview
In an era of nanosecond attention spans and click & dump music listening habits, it takes some brass neck to bring out a concept album. But living up to their name, English duo Public Service Broadcasting are out […]
House nation: Interview with Joey Negro
In this climate of reissues and retromania it’s easy to turn your nose up at major labels wringing pennies out of dormant rock acts with best-ofs or anniversary releases full of leftovers. Retrospectives in dance music generally […]
The Mothership lands: Octave One interview
ONE of my biggest thumbs up of 2014 was my first ever trek to Roermond in the Netherlands for the dance festival Solar Weekend — with Detroit techno legends Octave One a chugging, soulful highlight […]
Hitting the bullseye: Interview with Matador
GAVIN Lynch may have spent the last few months banging out techno at festivals worldwide and taking the controls as a resident at ENTER. in Ibiza, but the Dubliner is crashing back into domestic life […]
Ain’t misbehavin’: Interview with Annie Mac
THINGS move quickly in the world of Annie McManus. Within a week of this interview for her latest Annie Mac Presents compilation and club gigs in Belfast and Dublin, she’d sold out the Twisted Pepper and […]
Call me Ishmael: Interview with Palaceer Lazaro of Shabazz Palaces
THE last time Shabazz Palaces played Ireland they had to come on in the sunshine to 50-odd rollover Sunday heads in a free-for-all conga to Paul Simon’s You Can Call Me Al during the stage […]
On a Dream ticket: Interview with the Juan MacLean
THIS may be jumping the gun a bit, but when everyone’s making end of 2014 lists, we reckon The Juan MacLean’s A Place Called Space should be up there as one of the tracks of […]
Preacher Man: Green Velvet interview
Green Velvet has one manic infectious laugh, a slapstick high-pitched thigh-slapper. He’s cracking up at my croaky attempts to chant lines from his classic track Preacher Man, helping out with the track’s evangelical punchlines, mortified for me. […]
My house is in order: Interview with Hercules and Love Affair
YOU don’t always need a reason to dance, but it helps, says Andy Butler of Hercules and Love Affair. “There’s always been two sides to proper underground subcultures,” he says. “It’s never just about getting together for […]
Moo Kid 