UnaRocks

I Kill Her

2009-02-23T14:13:00.005Z

This is my 4,000th post.

I've decided to quit the aul blog.

I might call bullshit on this decision and not be able to do without it and keep blogging tomorrow, but probably not. I have been thinking about it for a while, and have almost done it on a few occassions over the last while, but I made a decision last night to just do it, especially after working through my feelings about de-blogging my life with Lili and FionnTimes.

There are LOADS of reasons for this decision. It's probably a bit wanky to work them out on this post, but then again in and around 1,000 people come to this blog every day, so I should probably explain to all of y'all who read and comment on UnaRocks parts of my thinking.

I want to feel what it's like not to be a blogger. I've been doing this since 2005.

I'm sort of sick of the obligations and constraints I feel about it, like thinking "oh, I have to blog that, I must do that."

I'm writing a book at the moment and I need time out to concentrate on that.

I think I've grown out of it. It's my 26th birthday next week. I've never been really comfortable with the persona that has grown out of how I blog. It's my own fault, of course, this whole 'UnaRocks' thing. When I was talking to Lili about it last night, she understood, she said that she could see how people misread me and mistake the personality that emerges from this blog as my actual self. I'm not at ease with that, and I never have been. But then again, that's my own fault, because I suppose that's how I've put myself across. I can totally understand how people would think I'm a self-promoting, ligging little dickhead, although I would like to think that I'm not really.

Although the blog has allowed me to get a few gigs or whatever, and has been like a seperate title ("journalist AND blogger") I sometimes wonder *dons Carrie Bradshaw mask* how it may have actually hindered me in ways. This blog is very bitty and instant. I am a better writer, a more serious person, a deeper thinker, and more professional than it suggests. I think that rarely shines through because of whatever format or voice I have created. That kind of concerns me.

So.

I will probably return to the blogging world in some form or another (or maybe even to UnaRocks), but for now, this is over. That might change, but that's where my mind is at at the moment. There are a couple of online projects floating around in my head, so I'll probably do those instead and avoid any sort of personal platform like this again, because I think it has run its course. And then there's The Book, which I have a lot of work to do on. I'm sure you can keep up with all these boring adventures on Twitter!

So yeah, I guess it's a big decision really. Even sort of emotional. I've made some great friends through blogging, and met some awesome people. And I've learnt a lot. I've had some great scraps and good laughs and fun discussions. But I'm looking forward to a little sense of freedom that will hopefully come from this. It's not that my heart isn't in it anymore, it's just that it's a nagging thing in my head that won't go away, and I've always been one for just fucking making decisions and then dealing with the fall out as it comes. Anyway, it's hardly that dramatic!

I just feel like stepping away from it for a while.

I hope I have contributed something to the blogging community, although I'm not quite sure what that is. All I know is that for some reason the number of people who read this grew and grew over a period of time, and that was always so weird to me and I never knew what to do about it apart from keep blogging...

Finally, I just want to thank everyone who stopped by and read a post, or commented, or slagged me off, or bigged me up, or gave me advice, or mailed me about stuff, or linked me, or talked about the blog, or liked it, or hated it. It has been real. The SoundCheck blogs and JacksGraff will continue. Also, I'd like to ask for an easy ride if I decide that I can't live without my addiction and come back to UnaRocks!

You rock,

Una Mullally

A kinda new Dublin

2009-02-23T13:44:00.002Z

My new gaff has sort of changed how I view Dublin, and here's a piece I wrote about that in yesterday's Tribune.

Darklight benefit

2009-02-23T13:40:00.002Z

March 1st sees the Darklight homies take over the Sugar Club for a night of music and movies. Should be a fun night!

Deets:
Darklight: The Benefit
A Night Of Movies & Music in aid of the Darklight Festival 2009
March 1st, 2009 @ 8pm
Sugar Club, Dublin
Tickets EU20
All proceeds donated to Darklight Festival
Free beer on the night (while stocks last) courtesy of Sol

Featuring
Dublin: The Movie... The Live Remix
Plus live music from David Kitt, Somadrone & Sunken Foal
Playing records: Annie T and Una Rocks

Darklight website.

Telling the truth, for a change

2009-02-23T13:25:00.004Z

Jim Carroll shows why he is the best music journalist in the country by reviewing the new U2 album.

I get so fucking sick of seeing the same journos wheeled out to blab on about how great a new U2 release is everytime one is unveiled. I get so sick of the circle jerks that are "listening parties" where the same old faces hang out to hmmmandhawwwww about how great mediocre rock and roll is (for the record, I didn't get invited to Principle Management's listening party for 'No Line On The Horizon' last week or whenever it was.)

I get so sick of journalists who refuse to actually tell the truth about something just because it will be to their own personal detriment. I get sick of journalists who care about guestlist, and blags, and staying on the right side of PR heads and promoters, and not wanting to tell a truth that might hurt or that might be nasty, or that might mean there's no plus one for them in the post, or that might piss people off.

This mentality is INGRAINED in music journalism in Ireland. Just ask people who used to work for Hotpress whose album reviews were intefered with to save face. Just ask people who write reviews for certain publications that they don't fucking believe in! Just ask those people who wank all over an album or a festival or a band just because it is to their own personal benefit to do so.

I hate that shit. But it's easy to take that route, very easy in fact, far more comfortable! And it means you can chill the max backstage at any festival you want, get priority on interviews, get all the right invites, get all the guestlist you want, and exclusives and all the backslapping you want. And it stinks.

Which is why I have nothing but respect when Jim goes and writes something like this. Because he doesn't have to. But when you tell the truth, and when you're honest, you don't have to answer to anyone.

Respect.

GlastoBoss

2009-02-23T13:18:00.003Z

Bruce Springsteen is headlining this year's Glastonbury Festival.

Rock.

Bravo to all the Blog Award winners!

2009-02-23T12:41:00.002Z

Still bummed I missed the Blog Awards due to work stuff all weekend, but how and ever, the results are out and the winners are:

Best Popculture Blog
rapture ponies

Best Blog from a Journalist - Sponsored by Mamut
Markham Nolan - expad.ie

Best Food/Drink Blog - Sponsored by Bord Bia
the daily spud

Best Fashion Blog - Sponsored by Spinnakerpro
beaut.ie

Best Arts and Culture Blog - Sponsored by Poetry Ireland
pursued by a bear

Best Political Blog - Sponsored by Digital Revolutionaries
cedar lounge

Best Group Blog - Sponsored by DineToMeet.ie
dublinblog.ie

Best Use of the Irish Language in a Blog - Sponsored by Edgecast Media
igaeilge

Best Technology Blog/Blogger - Sponsored by Bitbuzz
Justin Mason - taint.org

Best Sport and Recreation Blog - Sponsored by Boards.ie
The kop blog

Best News/Current Affairs Blog - Sponsored by IGO People
Suzy Byrne mamanpoulet

Best Specialist Blog - Sponsored by iQ Content
irisheconomy.ie

Best Newcomer - Sponsored by Teamworkpm.net
Trust Tommy

Best Blog of a Business - Sponsored by RedCardinal.ie
The blacknight blog

Best Music Blog - Sponsored by DownloadMusic.ie
nialler9

Best Personal Blog - Sponsored by Microsoft Ireland’s Developer and Platform Group
annie rhiannon.

Best Humour Blog - Sponsored by Beecher Networks
The Swearing Lady

Best Photo Blog - Sponsored by Pix.ie
Ryan Whalley glasseyalley.com

Best Blog Post - Sponsored by KRO IT Solutions
K8 the GR8: “The Secret Fire”

Grand Prix Prize - Best Blog sponsored by McConnells
Suzy Byrne - Mamanpoulet.com

Well done to everyone!

You Gotta Give 'Em Hope

2009-02-23T09:48:00.001Z

Yay! Sean Penn won the Oscar for Milk.

Bitches With Wolves - 'Tip Of My Tongue'

2009-02-20T14:04:00.003Z

Myself and Nialler were talking the other day about the lack of electro pop clubby stuff in Dublin in comparison to London, and it's kind of playing on my mind because I've been listening to 'Tip Of My Tongue' by BWW (you can go listen on their MySpace) a lot today.

Bitches With Wolves buck the trend when it comes to Irish music from 'the scene'. There are very few people out there making club pop organically who aren't part of a bigger machine; a label, or a giant writing team or something. But James and his bitches manage to make hot party music made for clubs. It's fun, dark, glittery, and very danceable. You just know if a big producer got their hands on tunes like 'Tip Of My Tongue', they would be hits.

Part Sam Sparro, part Lady Gaga, unashamedly fashionable, offensive (their should be a counter on stage to measure how many times James says "fucking cunts", "cunts", "motherfucking cunts" and anything that ends in "cunts", really, live), built for dark dancefloors filled with hot people - this bitch has got his shit going on.

Bitches With Wolves played the GCN Icon party in Tripod last night, play Thinktank in Temple Bar tonight (as far as I know) and Catch in Shoreditch on Feb 28th.

UnaRocks articles of the day

2009-02-20T11:18:00.002Z

Dolly Parton won't be in the new Hannah Montana film - AP

The best online video lectures - Slate

Pretty comprehensive airline sick bag collection - Sick Sack

Republican lawmakers in Georgia and the Christian Coalition want queer theory professors fired - Raw Story

Taylor Swift interview - Rolling Stone

US senator compares gays to radical Muslims - ABC

NYU protests get serious - New York Magazine

The mystery of Ireland's worst driver - BBC

Hot, sweaty people at a Justice gig - Village Voice

Jury selection begins in gay porn murder trial - Advocate

Japanese business cards - Danny Choo

MF Doom, now DOOM - Pitchfork

Kings of Leon are being stalked - Spin

Picture of battered Rihanna sparks media ethics debate - Gawker

Confessions of an iPod Touch artist - Wired

this song has been in my head since Wednesday @ Pantibar

2009-02-20T11:12:00.000Z

The Rihanna photo

2009-02-20T10:01:00.003Z

Someone in the LAPD has leaked a police photograph of Rihanna after Chris Brown allegedly beat her up. TMZ has it here.

It's pretty upsetting.

Rock!

2009-02-20T10:00:00.003Z

Thanks to EVERYONE who came down to SoundCheck Battle of the Bloggers last nigh - SO MUCH FUN! Full report will be up on the SoundCheck blog later.

Rock.

SoundCheck tonight!

2009-02-19T16:59:00.003Z

Yo! See y'all down at SoundCheck Battle of the Bloggers tonight. Was on Phantom earlier talking about it with Nialler, big up to Sinead & Front Row for having us on.

Get down there early tonight folks. Kicks off @ 7pm free in until 11pm, fiver after.

Let's wreck it!

(spotted: Zach, AC and Kelly hanging out in Spy just a few short moments ago)

Lily Ellen - 'Womanizer'

2009-02-19T16:31:00.001Z

Nouveau Vadge @ Seomra Spraoi

2009-02-19T12:37:00.007Z

Nouveau Vadge is a night of music, art and all sorts of 'cunst' happening @ Seomra Spraoi on February 28th from 9pm (€12 donation at the door, more if you can afford it, less if you can't.)

They also have the best flyer in the history of the universe for the night, click on it there. Really looking forward to this!

Lily Allen's new tattoo, pretty rad

2009-02-19T12:32:00.001Z

The (Dublin) Hills

2009-02-19T12:29:00.000Z

via Tainer Bang

Welcome To Heartbreak.... WOAH!

2009-02-19T12:18:00.002Z

Saw this vid on Nialler.

Fucking savage:

KANYE WEST "Welcome To Heartbreak" Directed by Nabil from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

It's my favourite song from the album too.

Obama sushi

2009-02-19T12:06:00.003Z

(via Gawker)

Scenes from the Great Recession 2009

2009-02-19T12:02:00.000Z

Bravo, El Chancero.

Zero

2009-02-19T11:46:00.002Z

Listen to the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs tune on their MySpace.

It's a little more industrial than their previous stuff, yet the vocals are more glossy and epic than I was expecting. I like the jerky 80s drum beat and the choppy guitar/synth/sound throughout. Quite German, ja?

Congrats to Allison Goldtrash

2009-02-19T11:22:00.004Z

Last night, after a potato bake in the turret with FionnTimes and Rueben, we went to the final of the quest to find a student drag queen to host Soup Bitchin', Student Low Down on Wednesdays @ Pantibar.

The winner was Allison Goldtrash aka Sean, who we were there to support, which was awesome. I thought it was such a great decision to make. There were plenty of completely traditional drag queens there to choose from and it would have been so easy to go for the obvious option, but Panti chose the more left-field alterno-gay entrant. w00t!

Pushing things forward.

SoundCheck tonight: Let the Battle Commence

2009-02-19T10:42:00.002Z

MAN! Am I looking forward to tonight. It's the Battle of the Bloggers (Facebook event is here, more info on the SoundCheck blog) and it's going to be ROCKING!

Myself, Nialler9, Jim Carroll, Rick O’Shea, Ian Wright (Thrill Pier), NaRocRoc, Sweet Oblivion, Rapture Ponies, Aoife McIndieHour, Bluebirds Are So Natural and Dublin Streets will all be DJing from 7pm until LATE.

The line-up times are on the Facebook event page.

If you're heading down to SoundCheck @ Spy tonight, my words of advice would be to get there early. If you're hungry after work, never fear! Along with our free cupcake buffet, Spy is now serving food until 9pm. AND they'll throw in a bottle of wine for a tenner if you're ordering grub. Pretty rocking.

As usual, along with a wealth of DJing talent, we have great drink promos: two-for-one cocktails until 11pm, €4 vodka and anything (incl. Red Bull) and cheap beers and ciders. It's FREE IN until 11pm, and a fiver after. Le Cirque kicks off upstairs @ 11pm too, so it's two clubs in one!

Tonight's gonna be great, see yiz down there!

Fever Ray - 'When I Grow Up'

2009-02-19T10:22:00.000Z

When I Grow Up from Fever Ray on Vimeo.

Dentist

2009-02-18T12:48:00.000Z

Delorentos call it a day, almost

2009-02-17T12:15:00.003Z

Really shocked by getting this statement just now from their PR:

We've got some sad news.

It's with a very heavy heart that we have to let you know that Ronan has decided to leave the band. He feels it’s best for him to move on and do other things. The three of us will still be making music and will let you know what happens next.

As our songs always came from the four of us playing together we've also decided that it wouldn't feel right to continue "delorentos" without him.

We're all very proud of the songs we've written over the last year, we feel they're some of the best we've ever done, and as a result we're determined not to discard them or let them go.

Next month, the four of us are going to record this album together and plan on making it something we'll all be proud of. It'll be our last collection of songs as delorentos, and we hope you'll like them.

We want to thank everyone that's supported us since we started, we'd never have gotten this far without you. We hope to play a gig or two to say goodbye.

We'll be in touch soon with more details.

Ross, Níal and Kieran and Ro

Congrats to the Blog Award nominees!

2009-02-17T10:20:00.002Z

Well done to all the Blog Award nominees (all the shortlists are here). No noms for me this year, but I'm still gonna try and make the awards, even if I have to fly back first thing Sunday morning for work :(

Anyway, go team blogosphere!

Ben, the alcoholic tortilla wrap

2009-02-16T15:35:00.002Z

By Conor The Shark aka Dudehawk.

Your daily Lindsay & Sam epic argument update

2009-02-16T15:04:00.002Z

The New York Post has details on the latest Valentine's barney.

A guide to Peaches Geldof's tattoos

2009-02-16T14:57:00.002Z

On Gawker.

Before I got a new gaff, I moved back in with my folks

2009-02-16T14:39:00.001Z

And this is what that was like.

Twat

2009-02-16T12:22:00.002Z

I've finally given in to Twitter. You can follow me @ twitter.com/unarocks

No More Mr Nice Gay

2009-02-16T11:26:00.003Z

Panti made a post about attending the LGBT Noise demonstration on Dame Street and was seriously unimpressed by the turn out.

Read her thoughts, and the thoughts of others in the comment section by clicking the link above.

some photees from the weekend

2009-02-16T10:00:00.002Z

Ze Weekend

2009-02-16T09:42:00.003Z

Friday: moved into the new gaff. I love it. It has a turret. Nuff sed. Went to Q&A and Partie Monster too. Lots of fun.

Saturday: More moving stuff and running around the world. The Rocky Horror Picture Show @ the Sugar Club was AWESOME. Bravo to Tainer Bang for being amazing as usual. We danced are feet off in Spy afterwards.

Sunday: Worksies and chilling in the gaff last night.

PS: that photee is the view from our new living room.

something for the weekend

2009-02-13T16:02:00.000Z

a couple of Irish blogs I discovered recently that I really like

2009-02-13T15:13:00.004Z

Literally, a couple.

Philth.ie is Phil's blog and it's awesome. Really nice design too. Thanks to FionnTimes for alerting me to that one.

Then there's I Just Got A Text by the Rack Pack (who are also SoundCheck homies). This blog exists for people who feel guilty about deleting old txts and want to share them instead, like "And she has the face of a Rottweiler. And the vagina. Of a Rottweiler."

Check them out.

I'm feeling quite dramatic today

2009-02-13T14:08:00.001Z

Fight Like Apes wish everyone an Unhappy Valentine's Day

2009-02-13T11:23:00.003Z

Did you stick things up her?

UnaRocks articles of the day

2009-02-13T11:16:00.004Z

Jay-Z is gonna fuck Chris Brown's shit up - Mirror

11 best lesbian Valentine dates - AfterEllen

How the Facebook '25 random things' craze really started - Slate

Boy, 9, won't do time for killing his dad - Houston Chronicle

JNLRs are in - Hotpress

Police want to nail Michael Phelps for hitting a bong - AP

The top 36 American Idol contestants - New York Magazine

Video of the Buffalo plane crash - YouTube

Awesome full-body costume that's a working Game Boy Tetris game! - Boing Boing Gadgets

First gay person to headline the White House correspondents dinner - Gawker

Rich nerd - Wired

Lessons in love from Jennifer Aniston, to Jennifer Aniston - Daily Beast

Sex in Hollyoaks is educational - Guardian

Beth Ditto naked again

2009-02-13T10:46:00.002Z

(via Perez)

Choice Music Prize live line-up announced

2009-02-13T10:35:00.003Z

Fight Like Apes, Mick Flannery, Halfset, Jape, Messiah J & The Expert and RSAG will be playing in Vicar St on Wednesday 4 March. David Holmes doesn't do ~~duvets~~ live sets (or DJ sets most of the time actually, considering he must cancel 90% of his shows when you think about it) and Lisa Hannigan, The Script and Oppenheimer have touring commitments.

Tickets are €24, on sale now.

For some reason, I woke up with this movie in my head today

2009-02-13T10:27:00.001Z

Oxegen: Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah

2009-02-13T09:21:00.002Z

Yeah Yeah Yeahs are set to play Oxegen, woohoo!

They're one of my favourite bands EVER, and I've only seen them once at Electric Picnic, which was one of the highlights of my life maybe (too much?) so I can't wait to see them again. I'd fucking walk over broken glass to see them play.

Also confirmed this morning are Razorlight, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Pete Doherty, Elbow, The Ting Tings, White Lies, Fight Like Apes, Pendulum and Jason Mraz.

SoundCheck tonight!

2009-02-12T17:15:00.003Z

I shall see yiz all down @ Spy on South William St for SoundCheck tonight, it's gonna rock. Myself, Sarah Fox, So Cow, Dublin Duck Dispensary, kDamo and the Rack Pack will be playing the best in indie and beyond. And we gots the usual free cakes and awesome drink specials. Free before 11, fiver after, goes til LATE.

Rawk!

(spotted: Joan Jett and a friend preparing some cake for SoundCheck just a few short moments ago.)

Twestival

2009-02-12T17:13:00.001Z

The first Dublin Twestival is on tonight @ the Sycamore Club. I'll be DJing alongside Rick and Nialler - bit of a warm up for next week's Battle of the Bloggers @ SoundCheck!

If yiz are heading to that, I'll see yiz around 11pm.

Visiting Dublin?

2009-02-12T17:09:00.000Z

Let's talk about abortion

2009-02-12T17:05:00.002Z

"It’s 10 A.M. on a sunny day in Seattle and 25-year-old Anna* is sitting on the end of a gynecological exam table, naked except for her baggy gray T-shirt and the blue paper blanket draped over her lap. Her body is trembling but not from cold—she’s pregnant and she’s scared. Deborah Oyer, M.D., the owner and medical director of Aurora Medical Services, where Anna is about to have an abortion, asks Anna to put her feet in stirrups. “The more you relax, the less pressure and pain you will feel,” she says. Dr. Oyer dilates Anna’s cervix and turns on the vacuum aspiration machine. She inserts a tube through Anna’s cervix, and a gentle whirring sound fills the room. She barely has to raise her voice to explain, “The cramping you feel is totally normal.” Anna lets out a few gasps before Dr. Oyer clicks off the machine, signaling the end of the five-minute procedure..."

Good read in Glamour here.

Rocky Valentine

2009-02-12T16:15:00.003Z

This Valentine's night I will be rocking down to the Rocky Horror Picture show @ the Sugar Club. It's gonna RAWK! Best thing to do on Valentine's night because we all know Valentine's is stoopid, so you should all just do the Time Warp instead.

Starts at 8pm, €15 in, prizes for the best dressed and the rocking Your Bloody Valentine afterparty is on in Spy.

the INQ

2009-02-12T15:47:00.003Z

Big up to 3 Mobile and Thinkhouse for sending me a new INQ phone to replace my old phone which fell down the jacks. The INQ1 is "the world's first fully integrated social networking mobile phone".

I am playing with it now.

In other news, dear De Beers, I appear to have mislaid my diamond shoes, lil' help?

SoundCheck tonight!

2009-02-12T13:34:00.002Z

Yo,

we've got a packed SoundCheck @ Spy, South William St from 7pm tonight with guest Djs including:

So Cow
Dublin Duck Dispensary
kDamo
The Rack Pack

and SoundCheck residents UnaRocks and Sarah Fox.

As usual it kicks off from 7pm until 2.30am, free in before 11pm, fiver after.

Loads of drink deals including 2-for-1 cocktails, and of course our free cupcake buffet.

Joaquin Phoenix is actually quite funny, even if the joke is getting old

2009-02-12T13:23:00.004Z

Here's his drugged out 'set up' on Letterman:

Casey Affleck is filming a documentary on Phoenix charting his change from 'acting' to 'music'. It's all a big larf, apparently.

He is joking... right?

Mmmm I'm goin down down baby yo street in a Range Rover

2009-02-12T11:54:00.002Z

I heard 'Country Grammar' in a club for the first time in AGES in Switzerland the other day:

I LOVE this song, and Country Grammar is probably one of my favourite hip-hop albums ever. It marked a new era of fun in rap music, and brought the south to the attention of the mainstream. For me it will always remain a party record. I discovered Nelly nearly ten years ago when I was a teenager on holidays in Florida, and the song 'Country Grammar' was just everywhere. I remember coming home and pre-ordering the album and being so excited when I got it. After that, every party and every free gaff in school featured Nelly, namely 'Country Grammar', 'Ride Wit Me', and of course the amazing 'E.I.'

I kind of feel giddy rediscovering these brilliant pop songs now. And I still remember all the lyrics! I think I'm a hip-hop cheezeball at heart...

Kayne isn't gay, just sensitive, says 50

2009-02-12T10:46:00.002Z

"I actually don't believe Kanye West is gay. He might be sensitive. Trying — try-sexual. But I know he's not gay." So says 50 Cent in an interview with MTV here. 50 Cent previously called someone who everyone presumed to be Kanye a "faggot" on this track 'Play This On The Radio'.

50 Cent was perplexed by the pictures from Kanye at Paris Fashion Week, saying "It was him and four or five other people. They had on some spandex, cheetah, leopard. That wasn't gay; that was interesting. Where I come from, you only see [those clothes on] gay people. Once he says gay people are his inspiration, it's understandable. I don't have anything against gay people, I just say what I think I'm seeing."

And on Kanye's haircut, "I wouldn't wear that thing on the back of my head, the shag joint," 50 said. "It's different. It's something you would see maybe in the Village."

unlikely couple of the year alert

2009-02-12T10:33:00.001Z

Mandy Moore and Ryan Adams are engaged.

I know, right?

(via Perez)

go to Fade Street on Friday 13th

2009-02-11T17:50:00.004Z

and you will see a collaborative piece of street art by Maser, Will St Leger, Sums, Xpir, Morgan, Canvaz and Gaetan Billault.

Here's the Facebook event.

What not to do on a snowboarding holiday

2009-02-11T17:21:00.003Z

This is the moment Lucy aka Google zipped herself into a snowboard bag, cracked her skull and knocked herself unconscious, giving herself serious bruising and concussion. I think it was at about 4am and after maybe one or two glasses of Baileys. Let the record show that I was actually staying in the other chalet at the time and was not partial to this tomfoolery.

I kind of love Joe's slightly apathetic "oh shit" at the end:

Trampoline Fox

2009-02-11T14:38:00.000Z

UnaRocks articles of the day

2009-02-11T13:56:00.002Z

10 models to watch out for during NY fashion week - New York Magazine

Little Boots interview - Fader

Sketches from the 'Milk' costume designer - Advocate

Man calls 911 over Burger King order - Miami Herald

The worst Valentines movies - Slate

Plastic surgery confidential - Vanity Fair

Beyonce, at last - New Yorker

Taking Resident Evil seriously - Atlantic

Thom Yorke is writing the new Terminator soundtrack? - Pitchfork

Four theories on the Chris Brown / Rihanna bust-up - Gawker

New wrinkly dog breed makes debut - Wired

The problem with the Czech Republic's castration punishment for male sex offenders - Time

Are M.I.A.'s politics misguided? - New York Times

More violence against transgender women in Honduras - Feministe

'This Just Out' with Tegan and Sara

2009-02-11T13:29:00.005Z

Click here to see the Valentine's special with Liz Feldman, Tegan, and Sara.

Go to the 9.50 mark for some music news, then go to 12.53 for the Tegan and Sara interview.

aside: "Maybe I'm drinking opposite juice" is a good line, I might steal that.

Housewife

2009-02-11T12:05:00.002Z

I usually just watch Jay Brannan's stuff on his YouTube channel (shirtless, in his bathroom in NYC) but I hadn't seen this video for 'Housewife' until FionnTimes posted it. It's such a sweet, sweet song, one of my favourites of Brannan's. If you haven't checked out his tunes yet, go for it. He has the most beautiful voice, and lyrically he's awesome too. Plus, it's just so refreshing to hear love songs being sung from a gay male perspective.

Official site
MySpace
Facebook
Twitter
Blog

Plop

2009-02-11T11:51:00.002Z

Attention friends: I dropped my phone down the toilet in the Front Lounge (by mistake) last night, so if you are trying to ring me, that is why you are not getting through.

Despite several attempts to resuscitate it, it appears to have permanently passed away, aside from occasional fits of randomly turning itself on and squeaking and then freezing, vibrating and dying again.

Buy me a new phone now pls. kthxbai.

Sad/uplifting

2009-02-11T10:20:00.002Z

Deathtoll from Australian bushfires continues to rise - RTE

I'll Kill Her

2009-02-10T17:12:00.001Z

FionnTimes played this Soko tune @ SoundCheck last week:

Dirty Dozen: Vol 98

2009-02-10T15:55:00.003Z

1. Partners N Crime feat. 5th Ward Weebie - 'So Attracted'

2. Arctic Monkeys - 'Ravey Ravey Ravey Club'

3. Bon Iver - 'Blood Bank'

4. Hercules and Love Affair - 'Raise Me Up'

5. TV On The Radio - 'Crying' (Telepathe remix)

half a dozen. Munk - 'Down In LA' (Shazam remix)

7. Fight Like Apes - 'Snore Bore Whore' (Spherical mix) (via Keep Hope Inside)

8. Click here for 2 Soko mp3s - 'I Kill Her' and 'I Will Never Love You More'

9. White Lies - 'Unfinished Business'

10. Bat For Lashes - 'A Forest'

11. Beni - 'My Love Sees You' (Classixx remix)

dozen. Grizzly Bear - 'Knife'

Delorentos as Gaeilge

2009-02-10T15:50:00.000Z

Sure why not.

new SoundCheck chart

2009-02-10T15:44:00.000Z

Now up on the aul blog McGinty.

Cold Snaps

2009-02-10T11:41:00.005Z

Blink-182 reform, and I for one am happy

2009-02-09T18:23:00.003Z

So I guess it's probably really unfashionable to like Blink-182, but I've never been one for guilty pleasures, just pleasures. The trio are recording a new album, and I don't care what anyone says, or how uncool they are, Blink-182 are a fun band. Tell me 'I Miss You', 'The Rock Show', and 'First Date' aren't great pop songs? No. Right, I'll get my Asha boutique coat.

Oh, I nearly forgot to say that one of Sarah's old bands (The Fangs maybe?) toured with Blink-182 once (Warped tour?) where they were known for being able to jump really, really, REALLY high. Which impressed me.

Celebrity Album Reviews #2: Britney Spears reviews Bell X1's 'Blue Lights On The Runway'

2009-02-09T16:52:00.003Z

Awesome. This album is so friendly. Just keep doin' it.

Celebrity Album Review #1.

Dance Mother is better than Merriweather Post Pavillion

2009-02-09T15:59:00.000Z

There.

I've said it.

UnaRocks articles of the day

2009-02-09T14:28:00.002Z

Obama swearing on a new techno tune - NME

How the fock are you meant to live on half a mil? - New York Times

Not all bankers are worthless scum - Slate

Grammy coverage - Rolling Stone

How Tweet it is: the Boys of Twitter - New York Magazine

Which drugged-out actors fucked a sheep? - Crazy Days and Nights

Annie Leibovitz photographs Obama's team - Vanity Fair

'Model' golfer doesn't like to look at 'dyke' golfers - After Ellen

Tie Me Up With Photees

2009-02-09T12:15:00.004Z

FionnTimes has some some great shots from the Fight Like Apes video shoot of 'Tie Me Up With Jackets'. Fionn co-produced the vid, and Eoghan directed, produced and shot it.

If you haven't see the amazing video yet:

Fight Like Apes - Tie Me up in Jackets from Eoghan Kidney on Vimeo.

Blog Awards Longlists: nom, nom and nom

2009-02-09T11:53:00.003Z

This blog made three of the Irish Blog Awards longlists; Best Popculture Blog, Best Blog from a Journalist, and Best Music Blog. The longlists happened while I was away, so I didn't get to email and choose which category I wanted to be judged for selection in next round, as you're only allowed be long or shortlisted in one. They will randomly select one now. I don't know what one would be best - Best Popculture Blog I suppose. Hopefully that one is picked!

99 (cookie) Problems

2009-02-09T10:52:00.001Z

Domestic Disturbia

2009-02-09T10:43:00.001Z

Chris Brown arrested for allegedly assaulting Rihanna - Fox News

the only watchable part of the Late Late Show last Friday

2009-02-09T10:31:00.000Z

Fringe It

2009-02-09T10:16:00.003Z

The 15th Dublin Fringe Festival is now inviting submissions for its annually anticipated, culture jamming line-up of contemporary arts this September.

This year, the Fest wants to present works which "confront, embrace and defy this period of remarkable change and challenges. From celebrating the fresh re-emergence of DIY culture, reclaiming more of our city's empty spaces, experimenting with theatre and performance and delving into experiential arts on a grand and minute scale, to encountering home grown and international arts on the street and in even more unexpected places, the Fringe's 2009 programme will not shy away from exploration of where we are and how we got here; as a city, nation and international community or makers, doers, seers and thinkers. To do this, we need you, artists and thinkers, to make it happen. We want to hear your ideas whether you work in theatre, music, dance, visual art, street-art, film, multi-media or beyond."

The deadline for applications is Friday 3 April at 6pm. Go to the website or the blog for more.

Snow well

2009-02-07T07:46:00.000Z

About to check out of our chalet in switzerland and hit the road. I had so much fun. Didnt do as much boarding as i should have, but learnt the basics and got some rocking toboganing in too. We had a lot of fun at karaoke the other night, and last night we ate all of the fondue in the world and then hit the club. I heard i missed a good SoundCheck on thurs, Ladyhawke popped in too. Next thurs is gonna be rocking, make sure youre there.

Snow!

2009-02-03T14:59:00.000Z

I hear its snowing mucho in ireland. Here in switzerland, theres plenty of that too. After two lessons, i got chucked in the deep water a bit too much. Went up the mountain to a blue slope and just couldnt do it. Glided for a bit, but couldnt turn and ended up falling so much that i lay at the side of the piste and cried. Then the instructer Rudy had to give in and let me walk down the rest of the way. Then i ate goulash. Also had minor panic moments on the gondola and chair lift. But at least ive learnt the basics! We also invented a cocktail called a Snow Job, which is coke, whiskey and snow. Yum.

what's the difference between snowmen and snowwomen? Snowballs.

2009-01-30T23:10:00.004Z

Bya! I'm off snowboarding in Switzerland for a week tomorrow. Thank you to Jenny on 2fm for playing me Fight Like Apes this evening in exchange for a snowball.

Tainer Bang just tried to convince me there (and nearly did) that she hadn't booked my flights, and didn't I book them, oh no etc., but I am actually off, and everything is cool. There are 15 of us going, so it should be pretty wild!

Try not to break anything while I'm gone.

A sad day for Irish music journalism

2009-01-30T13:58:00.005Z

The Event Guide is to cease printing and become a solely online entity. It's a total bummer. The Event Guide was essential reading for listings and interviews, and although it never shouted about it, frequently got A-lister music and film interviews, and was an all round top read.

The man behind the publication, Kieran Owens is one of the soundest guys in the biz. I worked for the Event Guide for nearly two years (I think. Dodgy memory!) when I was in college and when I first started writing in the Tribune. Kieran was sound enough to give me a break when I was barely earning beer for my music writing.

The Event Guide was a brilliant place to cut your teeth. I can't begin to imagine the amount of interviews I did over that time. Loads, I guess. Sometimes you'd be doing five a day, a few phoners with various bands and musicians, running to the Central Hotel to get more local ones, writing copy on the fly.

Now, I realise how my time at the Event Guide served me so well. I was only thinking the other week how it was such a great crash course. Because you were producing so much copy, you had to mix it up, find a strong voice and a different style for each one. Kieran always offered me constructive criticism, telling me to pull up my socks when I was getting lazy and threw a few nice words my way when I produced something good.

Loads of music journos have started out there, or wrote for the Event Guide along the way, and for that reason, along with the service and entertainment it provided, it will be sorely missed in paper.

Lily Allen being adorable

2009-01-30T12:29:00.000Z

LOVE HER.

(Via Pope BenaRick)

GPO - Ballet Shoes

2009-01-30T12:15:00.000Z

Ballet Shoes - Grand Pocket Orchestra from Luke Franklin on Vimeo.

Via El 9-o

No, it's not a Damien Hirst

2009-01-30T10:59:00.002Z

Body found encased in a block of ice in Detroit.

(Love Charlie LeDuff's Max Payne-esque narrative.)

SoundCheck tonight!

2009-01-29T17:28:00.001Z

Whip out your pay check, folks, the weekend is here! SoundCheck will be kickin' tonight, with the best indie in town, the most eclectic mix of DJs and defo hefo the most fun you can have in Dublin on a Thursday evening - good value too!

In order of appearance, the DJs this evening are;
UnaRocks (that's me)
Carla Ryan
Grand Pocket Orchestra
FionnTimes + Wolfie
Sarah Fox

RAWK!

We got some bangin' booze deals - two for one cocktails before 11pm, €4 vodka & Red Bull after 11pm and €4 vodka and dash, along with beers and ciders. Yumsies. Also, if you're feeling peckish, skip dinner and head in early to gulp down some of our free cakes and other tasty treats on the ever popular SoundCheck CupCakeBuffet.

That's hot.

So, it's SPY on South William St, 7pm - 2.30am, free in before 11pm, fiver after. Le Cirque will be rocking it from 11pm upstairs too, their theme this week is SMILES! Smile, Januaury is nearly over.

Let's rock this shit!

(spotted: the very groovy Brian Cowen on his way to SoundCheck just a few short moments ago.)

Statement from ALTO RE: Eircom High Court ruling

2009-01-29T17:24:00.000Z

Just got a mail from the heads in ALTO regarding the Eircom and 'big 4' case (article linked in articles of the day below)

"The alternative telco sector is not party to the recently announced agreement between Eircom and four major record labels. This is according to ALTO, the body that represents Ireland’s alternative telecommunications companies.

It was announced yesterday that Eircom will work with EMI, Sony, Warner and Universal in a bid to reduce illegal downloads. Under a system known as “three strikes and you’re out” Eircom customers found to be pirating music online will receive two warnings, and, if they persist, broadband service will be discontinued. The agreement is unprecedented worldwide.

In reaction, Ronan Lupton, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators (ALTO), said: “As yesterday’s agreement between Eircom and the record companies was a direct action against Eircom it is not enforceable on Ireland’s other broadband providers. While we obviously do not condone illegal downloading or any illegality on or over the Internet, we firmly disapprove of any draconian measures that would compromise the privacy, speed or services offered to broadband users. We do not need measures to further impede the development of next generation broadband in Ireland.”

For over a decade, the international music industry has been reeling from the surge in illegal file-sharing and digital downloads on the web. While the situation has exacerbated in recent years with the increased availability of broadband, opinion varies on solutions.

ALTO’s members include BT Ireland, Magnet Networks, NTL, Chorus, Smart Telecom, Budget Telecom, Cable & Wireless, Colt Telecom, Complete Networks, Digiweb, ESB Telecoms, Verizon and 3 Play Plus."

UnaRocks articles of the day

2009-01-29T15:12:00.002Z

What do you mean you've never wanted to freebase caffeine? - Jezebel

Karaoke rage - Slate

Eircom will disconnect downloaders - Irish Times

Taliban destroy 183 schools in 6 months - CNN

Colombia: gay couples must have same rights as straight couples - Advocate

The real Wrestlers - Vanity Fair

John Martyn dies - Guardian

Pete Doherty in 24 hours - State

All the Single Commanders in Chief

2009-01-29T14:00:00.001Z

Even Obama learnt a move from Beyonce's awesome video.

Meet the world's first lesbian head of government

2009-01-29T12:16:00.003Z

Holla at ya gurl Johanna Sigurdardottir

"The President of Iceland has asked Social Democratic party leader Ingibjorg Gisladottir to try to form an interim administration. It is reported that Social Affairs Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir will be named as interim Prime Minister.

If chosen Ms Sigurdardottir, 66, will become the first openly gay or lesbian person to become a head of government. She has been an MP since 1978 and was recently voted the most popular politician in Iceland."

Panti and Penny walk home

2009-01-29T11:44:00.000Z

Via Panti, of course.

It was Madonna all along!

2009-01-29T10:32:00.002Z

According to Lynn, who knows everything about affairs of the heart due to her owning Dream Phone, Angelina Jolie's ex-lover Jenny Shimizu is saying that the 'infamous popstar' Angie had an affair with after giving birth to Shiloh was Madonna.

I'm kind of disappointed. Why Madonna? Like, I know she's MADONNA and everything, but Angie could have any woman in the world! Hmm.

That was back in 2006, so can we assume that songs Madge has written since then were influenced by Angie. Hmm, 'Give It To Me'? Or, 'She's Not Me': "She is licking her lips / And she's batting her eyes / She's not me / She's got legs up to there / And such beautiful hair / She's not me / Oh, devoted for life / Make a beautiful wife / She's not me / If you spend some more timeI guarantee you will find / She's not me."

They do both like orphans...

I Kissed Brian Cowen, and I Liked It

2009-01-28T15:25:00.000Z

Fight Like Apes - 'Tie Me Up With Jackets'

2009-01-28T14:52:00.002Z

Fight Like Apes - Tie Me up in Jackets from Eoghan Kidney on Vimeo.

Another Meteor Award oopsies

2009-01-28T14:31:00.005Z

Just picked up the press releases from the launch there, and nominated for Best International Live Performance? It's The Killers @ Oxegen!

Remember that gig? That was fucking deadly, it was awes... oh yeah, the Killers didn't play Oxegen last year.

Oopsies.

*update*
I actually think there might be ANOTHER mistake in the Meteor Awards nominations.

The Coronas are nominated for Best Irish Live Performance @ the Button Factory, but the only record I can find of them playing there recently were two sold out shows they did in December 2007. Their two big shows in 2008 were @ the Ambassador in March and the Olympia in December.

Am I wrong? If so, I stand corrected - if anyone was at a Coronas gig in the Button Factory in 08, please let us know!

*another update*
"Best Live Performance" - To qualify the nominee must have performed a live concert in Ireland between 1st November 2007 and the 31st December 2008 - The Coronas gigs @ the Button Factory qualify as a result. Best of luck, lads!

Kings of Leon to headline Oxegen

2009-01-28T12:25:00.001Z

Via MCD:

"Fans have chosen Kings of Leon as the first act to be confirmed for OXEGEN 09. The phenomenally popular US rockers will headline for the second consecutive year when OXEGEN returns to Punchestown Racecourse, Naas, Co Kildare from 10th-12th July 2009 (subject to licence).

Kings of Leon confirmed their status as the most popular live act in the world by once again topping the poll of fans on OXEGEN.ie. The band were thrilled by the reception their performance received last year and lead singer, Caleb Followill, speaking from the stage, hailed the famous OXEGEN atmosphere: ‘It is a dream to play gigs like this. We consider ourselves a small band but you have made us feel so big'..."

(photee by Lili)

more Sarah Haskins: Target Women

2009-01-28T11:38:00.001Z

Is the Today Show trying to kill Ann Curry?

Super Bowl promo:

The Damned United

2009-01-28T10:28:00.001Z

Looking forward to this:

Via El Chancero

SoundCheck tomorrow

2009-01-28T09:59:00.004Z

We've got the savage Grand Pocket Orchestra and Carla Ryan on board tomorrow to play their favourite indie tunes, alongside SoundCheck residents.

Check out the blog for February listings, including the ALMIGHTY Battle of the Bloggers night set to take place during Blog Awards Week and featuring DJ sets from; Nialler9, Rick O’Shea, Jim Carroll, Ian Wright, me, NaRocRoc, Sweet Oblivion, Rapture Ponies, Aoife McIndieHour, Bluebirds Are So Natural and more. I know, MENTAL! Dublin has never seen a night like this, the best music bloggers in the country coming together to rawk the place! Should be a crazy one.

So hit SoundCheck tomorrow night from 7pm. We've got our usual awesome 2-for-1 cocktails and free cakes and other tasty treats. It's free in before 11pm and a fiver after, when we will be joined as usual by Le Cirque who will be partying away upstairs, so you might need one of our special €4 vodka & Reb Bulls to keep you going.

There are loads of awesome special guest DJs coming up too, Heathers, Crayonsmith, You're Only Massive, So Cow and the like, SoundCheck be RAWKIN' Winter!

Oxegen festival to go from three days to four?

2009-01-27T21:20:00.003Z

I know, I know, I know, it's FAR too early to talk about music festivals (actually, have you all got your Glasto tickets yet?), but a jump over to the Oxegen 2009 website which is being discussed on the Electric Picnic forum sees this time table taking form:

Thursday 9th July: 6PM - 12AM

Friday 10th July: 12PM - 12AM

Saturday 11th July: 12PM - 12AM

Sunday 12th July: 12PM - 6PM