Mike Scott of the Waterboys strides politely but purposefully into the interview room. The Waterboys have just played a joyful concert as part of the Italian leg of their Fisherman’s Blues anniversary tour. Strangely, given that I’ve spent about 25 years listening to his music, and have just finished his superb autobiography, I’ve no idea […]
Against Me’s Transgender Dysphoria Blues is a bold (and brave) artistic statement, and from the infectious opening drum shuffle and guitars of the title track it’s quickly clear that it has the musical muscle to back up the gender politics. It’s quite extraordinary, combining what has become a jaded musical genre (US punk-pop) with a […]
Padraig McGrath, based in the autonomous republic of Crimea, in Ukraine, sends a report about the continuing protest movement in Ukraine. Artur Protsiv says that he misses the Ukranian mafia. He points down toward the street in the Black Sea port and resort-town of Yevpatoriya, and explains why. “Our mayor was a Mafioso,” he says, […]
On Pale Green Ghosts John Grant now knows exactly what that voice is and how to use it. Grant doesn’t have to decide between smooth (albeit sinister) folk and dystopian synth. He can damn well use both and has.
When Elske Rahill enters the coffee shop two things occur to me as I struggle with the batteries in my dictaphone: First, she is laden with baby-related paraphernalia (baby included) and also that I have not started any of my own Christmas shopping. I stare at the festive bags horrified until it becomes apparent that […]
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter divides opinion at the Monkeys, but she gets full marks for using her position and profile to contribute a meaningful, simple and eloquent stance on gender equality in the just published Shriver Report. The report, called A Woman’s Nation Pushes Back from the Brink, published in partnership with the Center for American Progress, […]
As part of a series of interviews on the theme of the European Union, we talked (via email) to Paul Murphy, Socialist Party MEP for Dublin. Murphy has served in the European Parliament since 2011. He sits on the International Trade Committee, and has been fiercely critical of what he describes as the big business […]
Alter Bridge, the band that sprang out of the ashes of Creed, have quietly but insistently placed themselves to the forefront of American rock over the course of the last ten years and four albums, culminating in this year’s release Fortress which garnered rave reviews and sold over 300,000 copies in its first week alone […]
It was an iconic moment, when on the 16th of November Nina De Chiffre grasped a young policeman’s head and planted a kiss on his riot helmet during a No Tav protest in the Italian Susa Valley. The protests against the high-speed rail line have been ongoing for years now, and have seen both protesters […]
