Free Heliopause EP out now

Plus, new website and dates in Belfast, London and Sussex

Belfast/Brighton three-piece Heliopause have released a three-track EP for free via their Bandcamp page. The release, Let The Silence Go, consists of three tracks taken from their as-yet-unreleased (and utterly gorgeous) debut album, which was recorded in Spring/Summer 2009. Click here to grab it.

Meanwhile, the band have launched a brand-new website and confirmed three dates for the near future. First, they play Two Step at Belfast’s Limelight venue on February 18, with support from Before Machines (who also feature Heliopause guitarist Chris McCorry) and The Continuous Battle of Order. England-based fans can also catch them at The Windmill, Brixton on March 18 and Vintner’s Parrot, Worthing on March 19. Click through for a brand new song and video produced by the band’s frontman Richard Davis.

Belfast4Haiti: the total

Over £40k raised so far!

Following Sunday's gigs at the Limelight complex and Stiff Kitten, and the 5k Fun Run in the morning, the Belfast4Haiti crew have more than doubled their initial fundraising target of £20k, with the total currently standing at £40,588.79. Extraordinary. Click here to watch the total rise and to donate yourself. And if you couldn't make it to Belfast on Sunday, here ...

Marina and the Diamonds for Belfast and Dublin

Two dates in May

Next Big Thing contender Marina and the Diamonds has announced two Irish dates as part of an extensive May tour in support of her debut album The Family Jewels, which is out on February 22. The Welsh songstress (real name Marina Diamandis) plays Belfast's Speakeasy on May 26 and Tripod in Dublin on May 27. Tickets for these and all the UK dates in May are on sale now. A full list is posted below.

Porcelain Minotaurs - Locust Halo EP

Having established themselves as a veritable hub of free underground music, Belfast’s own hard working heroes Acroplane have taken their first foray into the realm of commercial releases with the striking, psychosis-laden epiphany that is Locust Halo. Porcelain Minotaurs is the new musical outlet from Jason Kohnen of The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble and on this the project’s debut EP, he manages ...