Cian

Sharing bits and pieces of creative inspiration.

Background: writing/editing for @IrishTimes, @FT, @NME, @BBC, @HUCKmagazine, etc.

[Cian @ciantraynor]

@doesare 'And I Know' is such an incredible jam. The layers of harmony, the melodies, the counter-melodies, the energy behind it. I can't imagine what it feels like to create something so transcendent all by yourself.

[Cian @ciantraynor]

@garyimbibe @PillowQueens It's absolutely superb. Glad I got in on this one 👍

[Jude Rogers 💙 @juderogers]

The Quietus has been such a big part of the lives of so many culture writers in the last 15 years - and I was there at the beginning! John and Luke and the gang have made something so special and they need you to help it continue. You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone...

[Cian @ciantraynor]

@niamhnih @guardian Thanks for writing this. Recently I heard the owner of a London cafe ranting about Irish names (prompted by Cillian Murphy). He said we should change the spelling to make it easier. He'd no issue changing his name (Tom) while working in Spain for a summer, so why should we? 🤯

[Cian @ciantraynor]

@WorldWideWob Grotte di Labante, Italy.

[Cian @ciantraynor]

@theQuietus @LoneLadyHQ I am absolutely loving this album. Thanks for the tip!

[Cian @ciantraynor]

@OBrien_Kat @nytimes @MLB Thanks for sharing your story, Kat. I'm sorry to had to experience that. It was a painful but also inspiring read.

[Amanda Hess @amandahess]

The story is that Sinead O'Connor ripped up a photo of the pope on SNL and killed her career. But she doesn't see it that way. In fact, the opposite feels true. I profiled Sinead: https://t.co/4iSyroSRCY

[Cian @ciantraynor]

@eoin_murraye Great round-up on @theQuietus last week. Feels good to see so much strong music coming out of Ireland at the moment.

[Rough Trade US @RoughTradeUS]

ROUGH TRADE EDIT

@fears___ - 'Oíche'

Accumulated over the course of five years, Fears makes peace with uncertainty on her gorgeous debut.

https://t.co/sqf8qSTrhZ

#RoughTradeEdit

[Cian @ciantraynor]

Love this breakdown of Jon Batiste's 'WE ALL' on @SongExploder. Perfect for that Friday feeling. How can you *not* feel inspired after that?
https://t.co/zOG9ccfLnn

[Cian @ciantraynor]

@song_philosophy The cheeky grin on Garth's face at the 1:30 mark... 👌

[Cian @ciantraynor]

Great writing tip from the sage of The Simpsons, @JJSwartzwelder, one of the most revered comedy writers of all time.

➡️Create an imperfect world overnight, then improve it.

From this New Yorker interview:
https://t.co/RJkXihkHy5

[Cian @ciantraynor]

Today's listening: a Spotify playlist of the best songs released on @numerogroup ("The world's greatest reissue label"), full of stone-cold classics they've helped bring to light over the last two decades. https://t.co/hnbc8f7aF3 #NowPlaying

[Cian @ciantraynor]

@DanielDylanWray @_williamdoyle @theQuietus It's a great one x

[Cian @ciantraynor]

Exactly one year later and Temple Bar is just as empty on the night of St. Patrick's Day...

[Cian @ciantraynor]

Temple Bar, Dublin, St. Patrick's night 2020... just someone dressed as Samuel Beckett standing alone.

[Cian @ciantraynor]

@danoraw Same ❤️

[Cian @ciantraynor]

What's your go-to "focus" music?

I think I may have worn out this extended Dilla cut, which I've had on loop for a month. Pure sunshine – like the audio equivalent of vitamin D. By my count, it's getting about 15k plays a day... so I can't be alone. https://t.co/XTaVzx9fZr

[Cian @ciantraynor]

@hazelsheffield I've actually been listening to this after discovering it via your Spotify! Do you know who compiled it? I followed them out of respect... 👊

[Cian @ciantraynor]

@brianconey Classic. Discrete Music is another go-to of mine. I'll check the others out, thanks!

[Cian @ciantraynor]

@M0REM00REM0RE I've used this, too!