Focus

Laura Sheeran Intimate Space Anna Murray Laura Sheeran's densely textured songs are never planned and most are written and recorded in just one day. Anna Murray talks to the musician about her intuitive writing process, and the making of her latest, most aggressive album.
Tunes In The Church Series Paul O'Connor After being recognised for its enterprising qualities in the NUI Galway Student Enterprise Awards recently, the Tunes in the Church series is back this summer with a focus on music, musicians and audiences. Cormac Ó Beaglaoich talks about its success to date.
Call Me Traditional? Stephen Graham Stephen Graham listens to a range of new pop singles from artists such as Justin Bieber and Carly Rae Jepsen, and considers whether it makes sense to think of there being a traditional form of pop music.
Unswerving Endeavour Garrett Sholdice Garrett Sholdice attends a La Monte Young performance at Berlin's MaerzMusik, and reflects on past experiences with Young's magical sustained tones.
Ghosts of Belfast Robert McMillen Martin Dowling's and Úna Monaghan's performance of Owenvarragh, a Belfast Circus on The Star Factory, used Cage's Roaratorio template and Ciaran Carson's poetry to recreate the soundscape of Belfast. Robert McMillen describes the experience.
Gerry Diver's Speech Project Jack Talty Listeners may be finding more and more signs of a renaissance in innovation in Irish traditional music these days, writes Jack Talty.
For All Ages Peter Rosser Since its invention in the eighteenth century, the string quartet has proved one of the most resilient forms, continuously reinvented and repurposed for changing times. Having just completed a new string quartet of his own, composer Peter Rosser reflects on the medium's consistent allure.
Musicircus Credo in JC Liam Cagney A performance of John Cage's Musicircus in London delights Liam Cagney, but he is less convinced by the deification of the composer.
Lights, Cameras, Action! Stephen Graham As Kate Ellis takes on the role of Co-Artistic Director of Crash Ensemble, Stephen Graham talks to her about her many exciting musical projects, from her residency at Cork Opera House, to her monthly 'music salon', Kaleidoscope Night.
Lau Rock Paul O'Connor The Scottish-based trio Lau did a short Irish tour recently and are due back in June for more dates. Hearing them live for the first time at the Riverbank arts centre in Newbridge, Paul O'Connor assesses their music.