Combining fine tunes and a fantastic cause is always a winning formula so no grey matter needs to be burned in deciding whether you should attend the There Is A Light album launch show in Whelan’s, Dublin on May 29. The night will feature sets from Hidden Highways, Ambience Affair, Owensie, Dylan Tighe and Biggles Flys Again.

The brainchild of Bluestack Records and First Fortnight, Ireland’s mental health arts festival, the collection features 20 Irish and international acts, including Choice Music Prize nominees O Emperor, Si Schroeder, Windings and Crayonsmith.
The assemblage is currently available from bluestackrecords.com. Proceeds from sales will go to First Fortnight as part of the Green Ribbon Campaign. Green Ribbon is a social movement to encourage a national conversation about mental health. For more information on the work it supports visit firstfortnight.ie and seechange.ie. A very worthwhile cause!
In related news Conor Deasy of Biggles Flys Again has started assembling his new album. He's taken the trouble to do a little teaser promo video for the outing which you can view at youtu.be/ctpY0djJGpg
The visual treat comes courtesy of Musicians With Cameras who whisked Conor off to the Iveagh Gardens in Dublin for the shoot. They've previously worked with Lisa Hannigan, Villagers and Squarehead to name but a few…
Some EP news next. Electro meisters Tiny Magnetic Pets have released Stalingrad in advance of their forthcoming second album, Future Perfect.
The combo, which features Paula Gilmer and Sean Quinn with new rhythm section Eugene Somers and Seamus Quinn, have drawn comparisons with Stereolab, Kraftwek, Air and artists of that ilk.
Debut long-player Return Of The Tiny Magnetic Pets received widespread acclaim and the tracks on Stalingrad bode very well indeed for the next outing!
Lots going on in Cork these days. Expect new material soon from Young Wonder; meanwhile The Hard Ground have an EP winging its way to us soon. Funk fans will want to get along to local act Lowlek in Cyprus Avenue on June 21. The collective combine Sly Stone stylings with punk and soul for their own unique sound which is proving very popular indeed. Stay tuned for more news…
Dundalk’s Spirit Store has been packing 'em in recently. People are still talking about New Order/Joy Division ex-bassist Peter Hook’s extraordinary show there in March. As well as attracting international names the venue is the place to be to catch the latest local talent. A date for your diary, if you’re an alt folk fan, is June 7 when excellent six-piece The Seasons take to the stage with their lush vocal harmonies and magical melodies, which bring to mind the sturdy folk of CSN and Fleet Foxes…
Derry’s finest, Wonder Villains, pop in on June 29 in support of their debut album Rocky, which hits the streets precisely a week earlier. See what they have to say about it in this issue’s Hit The North!