Author Archives: Nick Kelly


Royal Yellow – Still: Until

Living would be easy if your colours were like my dreams.

This video of Dublin electronica artist Mark O’Brien (formerly of math-rock band Enemies) creating his debut EP Still: Until offers a captivating glimpse of the creative and collaborative process.

Looking back on the year in Irish music in 2021 would be incomplete without Ronan Fox‘s artfully shot film.

Nick says: And it was all Royal Yellow.

Royal Yellow

Novak Djokovic

This morning.

Via Forbes:

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic has been drawn in the lineup for the Australian Open, which begins on Monday, despite uncertainty over whether he will be allowed to remain in the country as the Australian government weighs canceling his visa after disputing his medical exemption to the country’s strict Covid-19 vaccine requirements.

According to the lineup, Djokovic—the men’s tennis world number one, top seed for the contest and returning champion—is set to open against fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic.

Djokovic’s participation in the tournament is not guaranteed, however, and Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke is still considering revoking the player’s visa.

Hawke is expected to announce a decision on Friday, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, which would likely force organizers to reshuffle the draw before the tournament begins on Monday.

Novak Djokovic Drawn In Australian Open Despite Looming Deportation Decision (Forbes)

Meanwhile…

Last night.

Tottenham Vs Chelsea.

Getty

No Monster Club – Save The Circus

Roll up, roll up…

Life-affirming indie trio No Monster Club return with a sprightly blast of pure pop to counter the all-pervasive doom and gloom.

We needed that. Thanks guys.

The band are Sir Bobby Jukebox, Tim Falcon Prime and Mark Chester with guest appearances here by Kelly O’Donohue, Cherise Thorne and Peter Voronov.

The video was shot in The Grand Social by Gary Sheridan.

Look out for the album Deadbeat Effervescent next month on Emotional Response Records/Popical Island with a limited edition vinyl pressing featuring an exclusive signed press photo.

As it says on their bandcamp page:

“A BAND! REAL DRUMS! STEEL PAN! TRUMPETS!”

How could you resist?

Nick says: Acrobatic for the people.

No Monster Club

1998.

It wasn’t all Boyzone, you know.

Oi!?

This afternoon.

Germany could shut down Telegram if the messenger service popular with far-right groups and people opposed to pandemic-related restrictions continues to violate German law, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said in remarks published on Wednesday.

“We cannot rule this out,” she told Die Zeit weekly. “A shutdown would be grave and clearly a last resort. All other options must be exhausted first.” She added that Germany was discussing with its partners in the European Union how to regulate Telegram.

Germany doesn’t rule out closing Telegram, says interior minister (Gulf News)

Getty

Last night.

Prime Time on RTÉ One.

Zero Covid enthusiast Antony Staines (top), professor of Health Systems at Dublin City University, suggests relaxing close contact rules remains “risky” for scary, if unspecified, reasons.

Close contact rule change due to vaccine success – Martin (RTE)

Meanwhile…

Anyone?

Niamh Regan – Two Seagulls

Big birds flying across the sky.

Our look back at some of the undiscovered gems of 2021 brings us to Galway songsmith Niamh Regan (top) whose quiet, intimate Two Seagulls came with this beautifully shot video by Aisling O’Regan Sargent as part of the First Cut! Youth Film Festival.

A special mention goes to the actresses Caoimhe Coburn Gray and Ella Lilly Hyland.

Niamh’s album Hemet is out on Black Gate Records.

Nick says: Wings of desire.

Niamh O’Regan