Brian Brannigan is the vocalist with Dublin band A Lazarus Soul.
The group's first three albums, ALSRecord (2001), Graveyard of Burnt Out Cars (2007) and Through a Window in the Sunshine Room (2011) featured a revolving cast of musicians from other Irish bands including Ten Speed Racer, Mexican Pets, Future Kings of Spain, Sunbear and Rollerskate Skinny.
The band's following album, Last of the Analogue Age (2014) featured the current line-up of Brian with Joe Chester, Julie Bienvenu (Lines Drawing Circles) and Anton Hegarty.
They went on to release the critically-acclaimed long-player The D They Put Between The R and The L in 2019. ALS are currently working on their next record.
Following a sold-out tour of Ireland in 2022, they return from a 15-month live hiatus for their sole headline show of 2023 in the National Concert Hall on June 10, as part of the Tradition Now festival.
We asked Brian for his choice cultural picks...
FILM
Anything by Paolo Sorrentino: The Great Beauty, Youth, This Must Be The Place. Black Bear and Aftersun are two recent loves. Looking forward to 406 Days, the documentary about the Debenham's workers' strike.
MUSIC
Mad about Radical Romantics by Fever Ray. Lankum's False Lankum and Lisa O'Neil's All Of This Is Chance are stunning, though I feel I'm only scratching the surface with them. Jape's 9K HI Vol 1 is brill. My Pilot's Team Dangerous is a future underground Irish classic. Making my way through His Name Is Alive’s back catalogue. My album of the year so far is Joe Chester's Lucia, a masterpiece that will endure long after us.
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BOOK
I've recently read Regeneration: Public Good or Private Profit? and It's Not Where You Live, Its How You Live by community worker, activist and writer John Bissett. They are both centred around social class inequalities and the failings of public/ private partnership in relation to social housing. Two brilliant books that are hugely important in these times.
THEATRE
The last great play I saw was Conor MacPherson's The Weir, blew me away. Damien Dempsey's Tales from the Holywell was emotional. I've been obsessed with Marina Carr for many years so I'm living for Girl on an Altar in the Abbey, in July.
TV
I'm strung out on Pitbulls and Parolees. Kin was cracking this season, the aul fella is such a dark character. Mr Inbetween is the best series I've seen in yonks.
I'm missing Tommy Tiernan, the interviews are fascinating and it's a great outlet for Irish music. All the bands sound so great on it. Don't forget us next season Tommy.
GIG
Low is the best live band I've seen in recent years, R.I.P Mimi. I look forward to the return of Protomartyr, last year’s Button Factory was a year highlight. Richard Dawson and Lankum's upcoming shows will be very special... Would most love to see MBV, The Notwist or Royal Trux play here (Get well soon Neil Michael Hagerty).
ART
I like Columbian-born artist Carlos Delgado and Ethiopian artist Sisay Teshome. I attended an event recently by artists Kate O'Shea and Michelle Malone, discussing art activism, providing spaces in communities for people to create and collaborate. A very inspiring community-based gathering and I came away rejuvenated. Dublin artist Martin McCann also has a wonderful exhibition in Rathfarnham Castle from May 12th - June 18th, not to be missed.
TECH
I used to spend way too much time looking through the TV listings, the mic on the remote is a gift.
THE NEXT BIG THING
Elaine Howley is well on her way, plus a very new band called Any Odds, My Pilot (should be huge) and The Next New Low (one of the best bands in the country).
A Lazarus Soul play the National Concert Hall on June 10, as part of Tradition Now 2023 - find out more here.
