Picture This have broken all sorts of records since they first landed on the scene late in 2015, but surely their crowning achievement was becoming the first band in history to sell out five nights at the 3Arena.

Ahead of their mammoth run of performances in Dublin, Hot Press’ Deputy Editor Stuart Clark learns about the stories behind the songs on their fantastic new album, MDRN LV, as well as hearing about their most meaningful live experiences, their admiration for the likes of Oasis, Johnny Cash and The Stone Roses (whose drummer Mani has a deep, personal connection with Athy), Ryan Hennessy’s libido (read and find out…) and what went down when the band was asked to conduct an exclusive interview with The 1975 at the start of this year.

Elsewhere in the new issue, Lucy O’Toole sits down with Talos frontman and electronic indie-rock trailblazer Eoin French to discuss his new record, his love for his hometown of Cork, and ditching the nine-to-five. Peter McGoran chats to synth-pop stars Years & Years in the midst of their two sold-out shows at Olympia Theatre, and Stuart Clark meets Thumper, the young Dublin’s who’ve been causing a ruckus in the capital with their incredible, original sound.

In the Hot Press interview this fortnight, we have an exclusive, searingly honest interview with former Something Happens singer, and one of Ireland’s most beloved radio broadcasters, Tom Dunne. Tom looked the picture of health last September on stage at Feile Classical. But weeks later, he was told there was a 70% chance of him dying from a heart condition. Undergoing emergency surgery, he suffered kidney failure and spent six days unconscious in ICU. Now on the road to recovery, he talks to Stuart Clark about family, faith, mortality, morphine, and much, much more…

In our frontlines section this month, Peter McGoran sits down with Malawian refugee, activist, chef, and candidate for this May’s Irish council elections, Ellie Kisyombe. Having spent nearly a decade in direct provision, Ellie is leading the charge in campaigning to end this shameful Irish policy. We talk to her about her plans to change Ireland for the better. On top of that, Stephen Keegan talks to ‘Mr. Busyman’, aka Rilwan Kadiri, a hip-hop artist who has been in direct provision for 15 years but who has still managed to play Electric Picnic, as well as hosting his own talent show and mentoring a young people’s centre.

In our film section this fortnight, Roe McDermott talks to Kiki Layne, who stars in Barry Jenkin’s powerful new drama If Beale Street Could Talk. We also take a look at why this may well turn out to be the film of the year…

In our book section, Peter McGoran talks to Geraldine Quigley, author of the powerful new novel Music, Love, Drugs, War which is set in Derry during the Hunger Strikes.

On top of all that, we’ll have all the news, reviews and previews you’d expect, including interviews with Katie McGloin, Empire Circus, Microdisney and Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, and reviews of new albums from Picture This, The Gloaming, and Talos.

The new Hot Press, with Picture This on the cover, is out on February 7. Buy it in stores or online below:

/**/