He once played a gig in a Belfast loo. Now Foy Vance is hanging out with David Holmes and has seen his music make the Grey’s Anatomy soundtrack

Raised in the Bible belt, Kings Of Leon have fallen in love with the devil’s music. In an exclusive interview, they explain why rock ‘n roll is just like preaching and reveal what’s in store on their next album.

Their music might be chilled-out psychedelia, but, in person, The Coral are capable of Gallagher-level rowdiness. Not that they harbour dreams of being the next Oasis. The Liverpool outfit are happy being a cult act...

Irony-deficient Nordic rockers Turbonegro are one of the world’s most credible hardcore acts, with a fanlist that includes Queens Of The Stone Age and Therapy?

Shitdisco's Joe Reeves has kind words for Sting, Paris Hilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Ahead of Electric Picnic, seminal band Sonic Youth chat to Hot Press.

Switches talk about standing out from the indie-pop crowd, and their recent adventures at the poker table in Ireland.

After a five-year hiatus, Jarvis Cocker has bounced back with a cracking solo record.

If you have a sweet tooth for pop, then look no further than The Radio. Behind the melodies, though, is a story of struggle and redemption.

Indie-shy boys to their boots, seasiders Mumm-Ra have turned heads with their stylish and plaintive alt-pop.

Since taking a break from his day-job as Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr has surprised and charmed with his plaintive indie-pop. Not that he likes to really compare the two experiences.

How Wallis Bird has managed to mantain full artistic control, and have a ball while doing so.

Not even a rotten summer can take the shine off The Jane Bradfords' chirpy electro-pop.

One of Ireland’s outstanding violin players, Steve Wickham is a long-time member of The Waterboys and respected composer in his own right. Born in Dublin, he’s a country boy at heart.

Owing their name to a chance encounter with a German bum, Red Kid explain how Euro-busking made them the force they are today.

It sounds like an existential talking point. What would happen if folk mavericks Kíla and sunshine boys The Thrills remixed each other’s work?

Techno duo Echospace have earned a devoted cult following – and caused quite a commotion on eBay – thanks to their imaginative reinvention of old-school production techniques.

In the late 90s, Travis made touchy-feely earnestness fashionable. Now they’re back to reclaim their sob-rock throne.

With tunes and a lead singer to die-for, New Young Pony Club aren't in need of any bandwagon to jump on.

How do four clean cut, church-going kids turn into one of the hottest rock ’n’ roll acts on the planet? Kings Of Leon explain all.

They can’t decide whether they want to be dance band, a rock group or a hip-hop outfit. One thing’s for sure: you’ve never head anything quite like Super Extra Bonus Party before

Gloomy emo kids My Chemical Romance provoke love and loathing in equal measure. Some people even like to chuck things at them on stage.

They love James Joyce, Iron Maiden and putting their tongues in rude places. Bonde Do Role give Stuart Clark the full Brazilian.

Old-school songwriting gets a thrilling new lease of life courtesy of The Beat Poets.

Behind Of Montreal‘s jaunty electro-pop and Beach Boys melodies lies a world of darkness. And no, they’re not from Canada.

She’s a mouthy young Londoner who knows how to strum a guitar and isn’t afraid to diss ex-boyfriends in song. Just don’t call Kate Nash the new Lily Allen.

Interpol have rejected the road of excess for the palace of wisdom, despite having shared a studio with Axl Rose.

Every now and then a record emerges that announces the arrival of a major new talent. So it is with Anjani and her remarkable collaboration with Leonard Cohen, Blue Alert.

Steve Earle is known for his passionate political views. But never mind standing firm in the face of conservative America. The hardest thing he ever did was follow Christy Moore onstage.

Folk doyen Richard Thompson remains a singular presence in the roots music scene after four decades. Here he talks about “exile” on the US West Coast and his recent return to his electric rock roots.

Aimee Mann is one of the most interesting and distinctive songwriters of the past 20 years. Just don’t ask her what she thinks of the Mercury shortlist!

Having previously traded as shoe-gaze darlings The Catchers, Northern indie-poppers The Sleeping Years are back with a new record – and a rather handsome sleeve

Stuart Clark gets in among the giant plastic inflatables as The Answer add The Who to their growing list of celebrity rocker fans.

Whether feeding dubious cups of coffee to celebrity chefs or coercing Joe Strummer to dress up as an Indian on Top Of The Pops, Alex James is a man who knows how to squeeze every ounce of enjoyment out of life.

With performances by Delorentos, Fight Like Apes and Ham Sandwich, the Guinness Indie-Pendence Festival promises to showcase the best of Irish rock.

Now venerated members of the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame, REM are back stronger than ever before.

Bedsit rockers Catoan are making a little go a long way.

Making her solo debut, Andrea Corr has set about re-casting herself as a vampish singer with a taste for dark beats and sultry wordplay. In a forthright interview, she talks about her unexpected re-invention.

Whether hooking up with a former Sugababe or taking on the all mighty iTunes, bleepy twosome Groove Armada are continuing to do things their own way.

Fresh from his Glasto appearance with Lily Allen, Terry Hall talks about his friendship with Damon Albarn and the enduring influence of his band, The Specials.

In the ‘80s Wendy James turned heads as Transvision Vamp’s sultry frontwoman. Now she’s back and this time she’s nobody’s baby doll.

Citing “irresolvable conflict”, grunge legend Chris Cornell has packed in his day job with Audioslave to pursue a solo career. Here, he explains why he’s decided to go it alone.

Drugs nearly ripped Keane apart. Now, the world’s favourite piano band are back. And they’re even thinking about their next record.

Scary on record, even scarier in the flesh, Slayer are the heavy metal bad boys who haven’t turned soft with age.

Stuart Clark gets in among the giant plastic inflatables as The Answer add The Who to their growing list of celebrity rocker fans.

From Sister Sledge to The Spikes, plus non musical attractions such as massage, fortune-telling and art exhibitions, Castle Palooza promises a festival in the conventional sense of the word.

In which Editors, like Bloc Party before them, abandon urban ennui for the country life, recording that not-very-difficult second album in Grouse Lodge with Garret ‘Jacknife’ Lee.

The annual Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival has put Longford on the world music map. Jackie Hayden talks to the festival’s originator Chris Keenan about how it grew from initially being laughed at to becoming one of the most important folk festivals in the international calendar.

Love them or despise them, there’s no denying that blogger faves Enter Shikari are the hottest thing in teen rock. Just don’t call them emo!

Scottish duo Slam walk a line between electro-funk and Detroit techno. And, on their latest project, they get all gooey.

One of the finest white soul voices Britain ever produced, Rod Stewart reminisces about the sozzled Faces days, discusses Bob Dylan, his penchant for blondes, and recalls the thyroid cancer that almost robbed him of his voice seven years ago. [oops this was mis prompted as oxegen video interviews in our e-zine - they're here ]

He played Woodstock and was part of The Beatles’ inner circle. Three decades on, Joe Cocker is still going as strong as ever.

From playing tiny club gigs to serenading Wembley, songstress Tara Blaise has travelled a great distance in a short time. And the journey is only just beginning.

Her beautiful lo-fi cover of a David Bowie song has made student Paula Flynn a sensation. Here she talks about her unlikely route to overnight stardom.

Nevermind the silly name, Portadown’s ...And So I Watch You From Afar are an act worth keeping tabs on.

Razorlight have catapulted to superstar status with their No. 1 single 'America'. As they prepare to wow Oxegen this weekend, we talk to mainman Johnny Borrell about cricket, saving the planet and dating Kirsten Dunst.

It’s been a long time coming, but Scottish noiseniks Biffy Clyro have at last translated critical acclaim into commercial success.

Mo Kelly’s hectic schedule of DJ-ing and painting keeps her pretty busy, but not too busy to answer the door when Jackie Hayden comes calling.

The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet consists of four virtuoso players acclaimed across the world for their unique blend of classical and flamenco styles. As they prepare for their Irish debut, Jackie Hayden asks key member Bill Kanengiser how it all works.

The View talk about their reputation as party animals, celebrity friends and festival fever ahead of their Oxegen appearance.

Everyone knows Maxïmo Park’s Paul Smith is a fan of woolly hats and long, complicated novels. But did you realise Limerick is one of his favourite cities? Or that, as a teenager, he used to copy out all of Morrissey’s lyrics?

Ahead of his Dublin gig, Motown legend Smokey Robinson tells Hot Press what it was like running one of the greatest music labels in the history of pop music.

Snow Patrol‘s Gary Lightbody waxes eloquent about burnout, creativity, exotic fowl, and why David Healy should be made First Citizen Of The Republic And Overlord Of The Universe.

Shane MacGowan interviews Sinead O’Connor for hotpress, with Olaf Tyaransen acting as referee. On the day, Victoria Clark also sat in. What followed turned into a wide-ranging and often hilarious exchange of almost Beckettian dimensions.

One year old this month, Party Weirdo share a birthday with HotPress. Here they talk about their love of '90s ‘riot grrrl’ rock.

Perennial chart favourites of the early to mid ‘80s, Madness remain adored by their fans. Flying trumpeter Chas Smash explains why he wouldn’t change a thing.

30th Anniversary Retrospective: To mark Hot Press’ anniversary issue, David Gray embarks on a ramble down memory lane.

He’s been a producer for Costello, a son-in-law to Cash, and written a bevy of classics in his own right. Meet Nick Lowe....

On the eve of the release of Tour De Flock, BellX1’s live album and DVD from Dublin’s Point Theatre, Paul Noonan, Brian Crosby and Dominic Phillips answer the weird and wonderful questions of hotpress readers, from the swimming habits of monkeys to ripping the gusset of your pants on stage.

30th Anniversary Retrospective: In a special interview, The Edge reminisces about the early days of Hotpress, explains Bill Graham’s role in U2’s development, and comes clean about what the band have been up to recently in Morocco.

The recent release of the compilation album So Real: Songs From Jeff Buckley was a potent reminder of the extraordinary impact Jeff Buckley made during his short life. In an exclusive interview, on the 10th anniversary of his death, his mother Mary Guibert reflects on the singer’s legacy.

30th Anniversary Retrospective: Rough Trade supremo Geoff Travis recalls three decades of turbulence, mind-blowing music and smashed-up car windows.

Are they genuine punks or just an amped-up, radio-friendly version of the real thing? Good Charlotte‘s twin frontmen Benji and Joel wouldn’t like to say for certain.

The founding father of funk, George Clinton’s influence still informs virtually every hip-hop act on the planet.

The full lowdown on the acts playing the festival, which runs June 20 - July 11 2007.

The full list of dates and booking information.

Playing Live at the Marquee on Thursday 28 June: Having caused something of a sensation on the back of their smash hit single ‘Everytime We Touch’, the German-based Cascada are now bringing their infectious brand of dance-pop to Cork.

Live at the Marquee on Friday June 29: They were the gaudiest of the ‘80s pop sensations. 20 years on, Duran Duran leader Simon Le Bon explains why the good time boys are a band for the long haul.

A spiritualist in a material world, Damien Dempsey is back with To Hell Or Barbados, his fourth and arguably his finest album.

They’re allegedly Dublin’s angriest band. In person, though, Fight Like Apes turn out to be rather sweet.

He started out wanting to be a rock star. Now electro producer Matthew Dear is a hero of the techno world.

Having amicably but firmly put the Cranberries behind her, Dolores O’Riordan found refuge in motherhood, but is now raring to get back on the road with her first solo album.

Cold War Kids reference the Bible but shy away from the Christian rock tag. And they don’t take kindly to being called classic rockers, either.

Belfast scenster Geoff Topley has quit throwing mid-gig wobblers and is back with a new sound and a new name, Cruz.

Director might eschew on-tour bacchanalia, but they’re not above faking their own birthdays.

Pale frontman Matthew Devereux’s Kilmainham pad betrays an '80s fetish, but he once served an Irish stew to Johnny Cash in Bad Bob's, so we’ll forgive him.

They’ve played with Bloc Party and Muse and shared a studio with Fionn Regan. Now, London garage rockers The Noisettes are set to make a splash of their own.

As The White Stripes prepare to unleash another work of scuzz-bucket genius, frontman Jack White talks about his Catholic upbringing and explains why, as a teenager in blue collar Detroit, he fell hopelessly in love with the blues.

From electro curios to feted songwriters, it’s been a long strange trip for Hot Chip. And they’re just warming up.

He may have called time on New Order, but Peter Hook’s still up for a chat about all things Manchester, including Ian Curtis.

Akron singer-songwriter Tim Easton has just settled in Alaska, a place where people “go mad or die”. Thankfully, he’s still alive and sane enough to tell the tale.

Jinx Lennon is a true original, a rock'n'roll outsider whose music throbs to the pulse of rural Ireland. Here he talks about attending cocktail parties with David Norris and explains why Dundalk just might be the strangest town in Ireland.

Fields may be equal parts Icelandic and UK indie, but make no mistake, they like to play loud.

They’ve spent the past four years pottering around the garden. Now, electro kingpins Groove Armada are back with a new album that features cameos from ex-Sugababe Mutya Buena among others.

Their name is veiled in mystery but Kidic’ s anthemic won’t be a closely guarded secret for much longer words Shilpa Ganatra

Work on Belfast’s first state of the art music hub, Oh Yeah Music Centre is gathering steam.

Employing naked female man-slashers in their videos, hanging out with Lee Renaldo, Alex Kapranos and Rosanna Arquette – there's never a dull moment with The Cribs.

Managing to convince Shaz Oye that he’s not another Fianna Fail canvasser calling round to insult her, Jackie Hayden is allowed in to see where the singer-songwriter works, rests and plays.

Three bands, 10 venues, 12 dates, four DJ comperes and two high-profile corporate sponsors, including the official national pop station. Jackie Hayden talks to the bands scheduled to play this year’s RTÉ 2fm 2moro 2our, coming to a town near you.

Modern techno is rubbish, says German electro-pop outsider, Apparat. Fortunately, he plans on rectifying the situation.