Jim Carrollon music
New alternative as Ulster mag marches south
Already a well-established title in Northern Ireland, AU magazine will be appearing on newstands all over Ireland from October.
While its appearance down south is proof that the notion of an all-Ireland economy doesn't just apply to airlines and big businesses, it's also an indicator of the magazine's rude health and ambitious streak.
Launched as Alternative Ulster in 2003, the magazine's mix of Irish and international indie and alternative music, punchy design and spirited writing has won it many fans and readers in the north.
According to publisher Jonny Tiernan, a move south was always on the cards. "We always had it in mind, but we knew that the Ulster name in the title was a barrier and made the title seem very regional," he says.
"After the rebranding to AU and redesign, it felt like a natural progression for us to cover what was happening across Ireland."
Tiernan believes AU will attract a different audience to music mags currently on the shelves. "We're not as tabloidy as NME or as middle-of-the-road as Hot Press. We're early adopters of talent, especially Irish acts, and get on to bands quickly. We really see a gap in the market for a title which is cutting-edge, young and hip."
He's also keen to stress differences between AU and that other fellow monthly leftfield title, Foggy Notions.
"We're not afraid of being populist and using big names to sell magazines and get readers exposed to new talent. I don't think Foggy Notions would ever put Kate Nash on the cover, but if someone buys our magazine because of that, they might also read about Chromeo or Clone Quartet.
"We've always done that, putting Snow Patrol or The Strokes or whoever on the cover to sell the magazine with Northern Irish bands covered in depth inside."
It's roughly a year since the NME launched its short-lived Irish edition and Tiernan doesn't intend to make the same mistakes. "We're going to start by dipping our toes in the water with 1,000 to 2,000 copies in Dublin.
"We're in this for the long haul and will increase our presence gradually. We have been around for four years already and have no intentions of just being a flash in the pan."
The first all-Ireland edition of AU magazine goes on sale on October 3rd. More information at www.myspace.com/altulster.
Ping-ponging Davey on the ball
With music industry despatches dominated of late by tales of woe, more and more acts are finding that a little bit of imagination goes a long way when it comes to grabbing attention.
It also helps that the act has a decent record to flog too - which is where Cathy Davey may be on to a winner with her second album Tales from Silversleeve.
The follow-up to Davey's 2004's debut Something Ilk was produced by Sneaker Pimp Liam Howe and will be released on October 12th.
Davey's big idea is a nationwide residency tour which will see her ping-ponging between five different venues in October.
You'll catch the singer playing at Belfast's Auntie Annie's (on October 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th), Dublin's Whelan's (8th, 15th, 23rd, 29th), Galway's Roisin Dubh (9th, 16th, 30th), Limerick's Dolan's Warehouse (10th, 17th, 24th) and Cork's Cyprus Avenue (11th, 18th, 25th, 31st).
Strictly celebration
Along with Shine in Belfast and Freakscene in Cork, Strictly Handbag is one of the veterans on the Irish club scene.
The Monday night hang-out in the capital city for 1980s revivalists and people who don't have to get up on Tuesday morning marks its 13th birthday with two bashes over the October Bank Holiday weekend.
Kevin Rowland returns for more disco-jockeying on Sunday 28th at Whelan's, while Will Sergeant from Echo & The Bunnymen spins psychedelia, northern soul and rock'n'roll at the Handbag party at Rí-Rá the following night.
