The Sigla Blog

I’m hightailing it out of Dublin for a few days and won’t be back until 2008.
Thanks so much to everyone who reads, lurks and comments. Wishing you all health and good times for 2008.

20. Hannu . Worms in My Piano (Osaka)
Hannu Karjalainen, when he’s not making gorgeous instrumental scores, is also a filmmaker and like Sigur Ros, there’s a real sense of place and landscape in his electronic soundtracks. A small release, with a big payoff.
Highlight: ‘Junassa’
Irish Times Review
Hannu on myspace
19. David […]

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“Anywhere spacious and peaceful is ideal for making music. If it has good light all the better, which is why my time in the resident studio at the Model Niland Gallery in Sligo this year was such a pleasure. I’m finished up there now but while I was there my productivity increased ten-fold. It’s a […]

As it’s taken me an age to get around to my best albums of 2007 list (still not finished) and I’ve got a few book recommendations to post too, I won’t get time to do a best film round-up. However, let me hyperlink you in the direction of the very capable John Maguire, who has […]

There seems to be no end to Hollywood’s lazy recycling. The slew of pointless film remakes on the horizon continues. Next up: Pretty Woman. It’s bad enough that it was cringy and patronising first time around, but now Jessica Simpson wants the Julia Roberts role.
I’m with Medbh who asks: “Do we really need to […]

Continuing the run of well-known book judge appointments, Michael Portillo is to head the 2008 Booker Prize panel. The other judges will include literary journalist and Deputy Editor of Granta Alex Clark, James Heneage, founder of Ottakar’s bookshops and broadcaster Hardeep Singh Kohli. Also on the panel is Louise Doughty, the novelist behind The Telegraph’s […]

In January, when you’re broke, off the booze and slumped in a post-Chrimbo funk, you’ll be thanking the IFI. From January 5th - 27th, they’re showing a Coen Brothers Retrospective, no doubt thanks to the glowing praise (not to mention four Golden Globe nominations) No Country for Old Men has picked up in the US.
There […]

Most people have probably heard about a couple of Thom Yorke Eraser remixes knocking around. Turns out there’s more: starting tomorrow for three days at Boomkat, remixes of various tracks will be available, including offerings from Fourtet, Burial, The Field, Modeselektor, Surgeon and Christian Vogel. Apparently they’re free and the remix I’m most looking forward […]

Speaking of short stories, the Independent’s run of books by women continues and today’s choice is definitely one to pick up. Antarctica by Claire Keegan has been recommended to me by various people and I’ve really liked other short stories I’ve read by her.
It’s yours for €4.99 with a copy of today’s Irish Independent.

Even though some people aren’t happy with the BBC’s Christmas TV schedule, there is a definite gem in there. Once again, the Beeb will screen more of their MR James adaptations. James, if you’ve never read him, was one of the best ghost story writers in the English language.
The Christmas Ghost Story season is sadly […]

*Praise be, That Petrol Emotion are jumping on the reunion bandwagon, which is absolutely fine by me. Via Jim.
*The video for Bjork’s new single ‘Declare Independence’ airs exclusively on Channel 4 at midnight tonight.
*Sick of those pesky end of year lists already? Sod off 2007, hello 2008 and two albums to watch out for […]

Adam is on a mission: for Tom Waits to be the Christmas number 1 in Ireland. All you have to do is buy the song - the festively titled ‘Christmas card from a hooker in Minneapolis’ - online any time from today until next Thursday. More info at the dedicated blog and the Facebook group. […]