Ise's response to traumatic personal events, and the healing that music brings, underpins her debut album Angel One.

Despite parting ways with their long-serving guitarist Evil Harrisons are going from strength to strength. In fact, they're positively gagging to go back into the studio.

The Charlatans have reclaimed their DIY ethic and released their latest album as a free digital download. It's a far cry from the days of booze, E, and backstage encounters with Madonna.

24-year-old reggae star Natty takes time off from touring Dublin in a horse-drawn carriage to discuss Bob Marley's legacy, and the 'institutionalised racism' inherent in British society.

'80s-influenced indie stars BLACK KIDS have been taking flak from message board snobs before their Bernard Butler-produced debut album has even been released. The crime? Being too popular.

Doctor John may be renowned as a laid-back Big Easy legend, but get him started on the Federal Government's treatment of his beloved New Orleans and he spits nails.

The following article was Bill Graham's epitaph to Philip and first appeared in Hot Press Magazine on January 30 1986.

Muse's live sound engineer Marc Carolan on hair-raising experiences on the Russia-Ukraine border, Mexican earthquakes, Paris Hilton and playing Madison Square Garden and Wembley Stadium.

Ahead of their return to Ireland, Muse reveal they’re about to go through their U2 phase, talk about magic mushrooms and explain why, when it comes to conspiracy, they’re on Jim Corr's side.

Cult actor Crispin Glover talks about his taboo-busting directorial debut What Is It?, playing George McFly in Back To The Future and meeting Andy Warhol at Madonna and Sean Penn’s wedding.

Astronomical record sales, sell-out tours and critical plaudits have not dimmed Coldplay's reputation as the worried men of pop. Bassist Guy Berryman gives us the lowdown.

They’re already describing KÍLA's new concert movie as the Celtic answer to Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense.

Playing the role of The Edge in U2 tribute band Th Joshua Tree is not really a job you can do on the cheap.

The bright lights of Toronto beckoned for Leeside electro-poppers Fred as they kicked off their North American tour with a turn at the prestigious North by Northeast festival.

Jose Gonzalez first made a name for himself with 'Heartbeats', featured on the Bravia ad, but this virtuoso guitarist and singer-songwriter is a serious talent.

They're the hottest thing in hip-hop but Chicago's THE COOL KIDS are far from your stereotypical sultans of bling.

CHRIS STEIN shoots the breeze about meeting Bob Geldof, hanging out at Studio 54 and the racist slum that was late 70s mainstream radio in the US.

Joan as Policewoman, aka Joan Wasser, has had quite a year of it, balancing public success with private grief after the death of her mother.

As one of the most visually intriguing bands you’ll ever see, it seems only natural that Kila would get around to making a concert film.

She's bang in the middle of the hype storm. No wonder Swedish pop elf Lykke Li is looking so exhausted.

The big time looms for Ed Zealous, but they're not fazed by the prospect of playing one of the world's most prestigious rock festivals. In fact, they can't wait to crash the mainstream.

They're hardly typical festival fare, but Interpol know how to leave an impression. Sam Fogarino talks drugs, on the road insanity and being huge in Ireland and Mexico.

It's not just bands that make a scene. Ken Maguire talks about setting up kilkennymusic.com, and the impact it's had on the local rock 'n' roll fraternity.

The hype parade doesn't interest Carlow's finest, 79 Cortinaz. Whether it's cold-calling record stores or hand delivering CDs, they'd rather take a grassroots journey to the top.

Theo, aka Terry Quigley, did time in One Half Monk, but now fronts Theo and the Red Beats. Jackie Hayden uncovers the background to their debut album Get What You Came For.

Trip-hop legend Tricky on how he's falling in love with Europe, why he's dying to work with Kylie and why if you live in a rough part of the UK, it's best to carry a knife.

Folksy newcomers Fleet Foxes are one of the year's most critically-acclaimed bands. Just don't called them hippies.

Kings Of Leon's Nathan Followill shoots the breeze about going on the road with Pearl Jam, mid-tour brawls and his burgeoning Radiohead addiction.

Oxegen-bound White Denim look set to give Jack 'n' Meg a run in the mutant blues stakes.

Noise terrorists Paranoid Visions have had their first hit record after 30 years. Is this mere carelessness or part of a cunning plan to subvert the nation?

They started out as a bunch of punk rock misfits called the Sex Maggots but had their biggest hit with an acoustic ballad on a Meg Ryan movie soundtrack.

Since winning the Vodafone Bright New Sounds competition, tempus has been fugiting for up and comers The Minutes

The Monaghan-Cavan area has been a bit of a desert in quality rock terms in recent years, but the new Monaghan-based Venue Promotions is set on changing all that.

Hotly tipped foursome The Flaws dish the dirt on Glastonbury, the Cub Scouts and cover bands in Carrickmacross.

Backstage in Portugal, nu-metal boundary-breakers Linkin Park chat about Barack Obama, the Iraq war and their debt to - yes, really - Jean-Paul Sartre

Albert Hammond Jr isn't just a pretty face. As well as his solo career and dayjob with The Strokes, he's also co-written a screenplay adaptation of Charles Bukowski's Pulp

In a world exclusive interview, Morrissey sets the record straight on sex, religion, politics, David Bowie and his Irish heritage, and casts a Trinny & Susannah-esque eye over Brian Cowen

Debbi Peterson of '80s pop act The Bangles talks about supporting Queen at Slane, surviving an embarrassing moment on the David Letterman show and drumming with Spinal Tap

Anti-folk graduate and New Jersey native Nicole Atkins' debut album Neptune City is a beguiling mix of Roy Orbison, Loretta Lynn and Jenny Lewis's bangs. Just don't mention The Boss.

Cat Malojian may be one of the most promising acts to have emerged from the north in recent times, but why are they obsessed with food? It is, they say, a metaphor for loneliness. Wow.

Internationalist jet-setting dance-pop playboy Sam Sparro has been propelled to ubiquity by the single 'Black And Gold', but he's not above offering HP a bite of his cheese toastie. Ahem.

Paul Harrington won the Eurovision in 1994 with "Rock 'N' Roll Kids", a song which is reprised on his new album A Collection.

Damien Dempsey's adoration for traditional Irish balladry has inspired the Bard of Donaghmede to record his most powerful album yet.

They're rocky in a drum 'n' bass sort of a way, and will be right at home in November when they play Ireland. Lauren Murphy meets Pendulum's Gareth McGrillen

Australian singer SIA's song `Breathe Me', was destined to become a great lost classic, until the folks at Six Feet Under gave it a new lease of life. Next stop, duets with Beck.

He is widely regarded one of Ireland's finest singers. Now, by way of confirmation, Brian Kennedy has released a superb album, entitled Interpretations.

Limerick's Vesta Varro have announced an Irish tour following a successful year in the wake of winning the top spot at Toronto's Indie Week 2007.

Patrick Freyne talks to Dave Scanlon from Halves about how to make beautiful music, draft a manifesto and indulge in a bit of arts and crafts.

Niall Stokes shares a barstool with Tom Waits

(A conversation with himself)

Hurricanes, Mexico and computers are on the agenda, but definitely not Kate Moss as Alison Mosshart waxes lyrical to Ed Power about The Kills' new album

On the eve of the release of their latest album, Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill shoot the breeze about on-the-road partying and incorporating non-folk influences into their songbook

Delighted to have been dropped by Warners, The Futureheads haven't stood still for a moment.

Lauren Murphy talks to Murphy's Live winners Gorbachov about their triumph in perhaps the most prestigious battle of the bands event around.

Hercules and Love Affair mainman Andrew Butler talks about being signed to mega-label DFA and his formative experiences DJing in a leather bar.

The 24-year-old son of Crowded House's Neil, singer-songwriter Liam Finn adopts a sanguine approach to carrying on the family business.

Ex-Picturehouse front man Dave Browne talks about differentiating his USB, pushing the envelope, and disambiguating his product with a blue-sky opportunity.

Young guns Kowalski are declaring war on generic guitar music, armed with horn sections, percussionists and a vocal choir.

Fresh from meeting Ringo, Zutons frontman Dave McCabe pitches up in Dublin, wondering if `Valerie' brought about some bad juju for Amy Winehouse.

Crystal Castles, Kinski and Faust are among the acts lured to Cork by boundary-breaking club promoters

On their latest LP Cork electro-rock champs Fred channel rustic vibes and hook up with Razorlight's wingman. The resulting album is their finest hour yet.

Whether cribbing lines from prize-winning poets, or exploring the humdrum realities of small-town life, Three Tales always come up trumps.

Republic Of Loose are one of the most exciting bands to emerge from Ireland during the last decade with one of the most charismatic lead singers ever to bestride a stage in the country.

Pete Cummins, has just released his first album as a solo performer, from which the single ‘Flowers In Baghdad’ was picked up by Neil Young’s website chart

Mick O’Gorman believes a producer’s job is to subtly enhance what the musicians are playing, rather than to invent sounds through studio trickery.

Arguably the most talked about Dublin band of the moment, Ham Sandwich, with their imminent UK tour , look well poised to take it to the next level.

When he first arrived in the Northwest to attend college last year, Josh Clarke had no aspirations of becoming a radio DJ. Pretty soon, though, he had caught the bug in a serious way.

Murphy's Live '07 winners Ilya K celebrate the release of their debut album by playing a highly sought after slot at this year's Glastonbury Festival.

Belfast boys General Fiasco may be one of the standout acts on the Oh Yeah showcase CD, but when HP catches up with the band, they're feeling a little, um, overexposed.

After a hiatus and reshuffle, Tindersticks have returned to former glories with their album The Hungry Saw. Singer Stuart Staples talks about the band's rejuvenation.

Beloved of both nu ravers and Timbaland who neglected to ask permission before sampling one of their songs, Crystal Castles might just be the biggest band to come out of leftfield this year.

Producer and musician Daniel Lanois talks about turning his latest album into a film, cutting out the middleman to distribute his own music, and why he's fascinated by Michael Jackson's feet.

Panic At The Disco frontman Brendon Urie talks about channelling The Beatles, recording at Abbey Road and the influence on their music of Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk.

Limerick thrashmeisters Giveamanakick's third album Welcome To The Cusp is the product of ten days of cabin fever in Donegal. No wonder it sounds wet 'n' wild.

They've been known to hand-craft their own instruments and, just for the hell of it, once toured Korea. Little wonder that boy/girl partnership Mirakil Whip are fast earning a reputation as one of the country's most eclectic new bands.

Will Leahy is a busy man. He works full-time as a solicitor. In his spare time, meanwhile, he moves to RTE’s Limerick studios to broadcast his daily programme to the nation.

On top of scoring a Top 5 hit with Elbow's latest album, singer Guy Garvey recently absconded to Nashville to record with Richard Hawley and Frank Black.

Gavin Friday talks about Disney songs, Shakespeare sonnets, Ferrara films, liking art and reading books.

Animal Collective regale us with tales of Conan O'Brien, tour-bus illnesses and explain why the life of the footloose musician isn't always a romp through the daisies.

Having gained the metal community's seal of approval - not to mention that of Bon Jovi, the sky's the limit for hard rockers.

Patrick Freyne meets synth-rock extroverts Holy Fuck who explain why DIY is the future of music and hold forth on their love for 'stubborn prick' Neil Young.

The latest buzz-propelled exports from Sweden, Shout Out Louds talk about their weird rock 'n' roll lifestyle

As a key member of Public Enemy production team The Bomb Squad, Hank Shocklee helped lay the groundwork for modern hip-hop.

The Roisin Dubh has become one of Ireland's most prestigious music venues, hosting artists such as Violent Femmes, Josh Ritter and Republic Of Loose. Booker Gugai gives us the lowdown on the live scene way out west.

Take one Super Furry Animal, one lap-top wizard and one disgraced motor industry executive and you get synth revivalists Neon Neon and the year's best concept album.

Slash and Duff speak to Stuart Clark and Dave Fanning about the making of Appetite For Destruction, Axl and the Guns N' Roses legacy.

Velvet Revolver axe-man Slash, one of the most influential guitarists of all time, joins bandmate Duff McKagan in reflecting on Guns N' Roses' hellraising heyday.

He's long been one of the North's most singular songwriting talents. Now ANDY WHITE is returning to Belfast to perform a show that sees him bringing together some of his earliest and most current compositions.

The Script are one of the hottest new rock groups on the scene, acclaimed by Pharrel Williams and beloved of Terry Wogan.

THE CANDLELIGHT SESSIONS at Phil Grimes' pub are the first rung on the ladder for many aspiring musicians. Proprietor Tom Ryan and chief rabble-rouser Johnny Kiely explain why this live gem is an important part of the Irish music scene.

As a young band, their biggest ambition was to play their home-town rock club. Now DEAF ANIMAL ORCHESTRA look set for far bigger things.

The Kooks' first album was a million-selling sensation. As they unleash the long-awaited sequel, frontman Luke Pritchard talks about the death of his father, his feud with television presenter Simon Amstell and much more...

They suffered a backlash following their late '90s hit 'Popular', but Nada Surf have rebounded in style. Singer Matthew Caws talks about the thin line between success and failure.

For his third record Mark Geary swapped New York for Kerry and set out to channel his love for Arcade Fire and Radiohead.

English indie rockers The Long Blondes are back, with a new electro sound and an unabashed love for Ronnie Corbett.

They've ditched the tweed and taken their music in a darker direction. The Young Knives talk about Gilbert and George, the Mercurys and Thom Yorke's seaside hideaway.