Ahead of their two shows at St. Anne’s Park in the north side of Dublin he calls home, Kodaline frontman Steve Garrigan chats with Hot Press for our cover story about the band’s shaky start, the group’s recent Asian tour, the bright young stars of Irish music and the crises that have the scene buzzing.

Elsewhere in our new issue, homegrown electronic indie-pop duo All Tvvins discuss the challenges of the streaming era, their biggest headline show yet, and working with James Vincent McMorrow on their new album, Just To Exist.

To coincide with the release of her second album Grim Town, we meet with Derry singer Soak, who talks music, Brexit, borders, championing Northern Irish artists, and how a gay music festival – curated by herself and emerging Dublin band Pillow Queens – may well be in the offing…

In the Hot Press Interview this issue, Paul Nolan sits down with Bret Easton Ellis. With his first book of non-fiction, White, Ellis has again found himself at the centre of major controversy thanks to his criticism of millennials and the American left. In a fascinating, in-depth interview, the American Psycho author talks scandal, Trump, Kanye, Donna Tartt, Tarantino and more.

In our frontlines section this issue, Stuart Clark talks to Clare Daly TD. While still fully engaged with domestic issues like racism, financial inequality and Garda reform, Clare Daly has decided to join partner Mick Wallace in standing for European election this May. In a typically forthright interview, she tells Stuart Clark why it’s time to take the fight to Brussels with climate change and the drift towards an EU army top of her agenda.

In our film section this issue, Roe McDermott talks to producer Joe Boyd about finally getting to release Amazing Grace, the incredible concert film of a 1972 performance by Aretha Franklin.

In our book section this issue, Peter McGoran chats to Belfast writer Jan Carson, about her brilliant, timely new magic realism book The Fire Starters.

On top of all that, we have interviews with the likes of the incredible Julia Jacklin and Stuart Clark talks to Glen Hansard and a host of others who pay tribute to the late Whelan’s legend Joe Nicholson. We also have reviews of new releases from Whenyoung, Lisa Hannigan Colm Mac Con Lomaire and many more.

The new Hot Press is in stores May 9 or order it online below:

You can also buy back issues of Hot Press, with Kodaline on the cover, here: https://shop.hotpress.com/collections/kodaline-collection