iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 4h

5 favourite British films…as of right now: The Hit (Frears) Withnail & I (Robinson) A Room for Romeo Brass (Meadows) The Third Man (Reed) Brazil (Gilliam)

171

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 4h

#NowPlaying To The Black Sea | Portrayal Totally new to me, thanks to @richierouse.bsky.social. Indiebeat named them the ‘Best kept secret in the indie/alt world’ in 2013. Hear Victories at Sea, Editors & even Interpol at times. Atmospheric, brooding & very good. Well worth checking out.

250

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

#NowPlaying Valtari | Sigur Ros So much of this album is breathtakingly beautiful & not sure Jonsi’s falsetto has ever sounded better. Interesting that Georg Holm remarked “it's the only Sigur Rós record I have listened to for pleasure in my own house after we've finished it.”. Stunning.

2100

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

#last4albums #MusicSky Monday edition. - Victories at Sea | Everbody’s Lost - Bon Iver | Sable, Fable - Stereolab | Sound-Dust - Sigur Ros | Valtari

080

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Always the most welcome news. The creators of Daylight Storms & Near Miss (2 of my favourite shoegaze albums of all time) are working on new material. Excellent😊

020

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

#NowPlaying Everybody's Lost & All I Want Is to Leave | Victories at Sea 6 years old-ish & still one of my favourite albums of the decade. Songs like Late & Exit are absolutely flawless, but this is an all killer-no filler album. Would love to have some new material by a really promising band.

280

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

#NowPlaying Lesser Matters | The Radio Dept Reading about a timely reissue of the excellent Pet Grief put me in the notion for their debut. Recorded for the most part in an apartment, it is a superb album that belies its lo-if, low budget origins. Top drawer👌

2150

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

#last4albums #MusicSky Sunday synths edition. - Beach House | 7 - Nation of Language | Intro, Presence - Pet Shop Boys | Actually - WH Lung | Every Inch of Earth Pulsates

1160

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

#last4albums #MusicSky Saturday evening shoegaze edition. - Hotline TNT | Cartwheel - Blankenberge | Everything - Air Formation | Daylight Storms - Ride | Nowhere

1160

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

#last4albums #MusicSky Autumn soundtrack, edition 2. - Fossil Collective - Wren Hinds - Grandaddy - The Proctors

090

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

#NowWatching I’m always frazzled at work, but the main indicator of being frazzled-plus is insomnia. So popped downstairs & stumbled across an angry hippo movie. It was as diabolical as I hoped for. A 1 star out of 5 joy. Helped knock work stress out no end. Ingmar Bergman would be horrified.

160

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

#last4albums #MusicSky Autumn soundtrack, edition 1. - Fossil Collective - Sufjan Stevens - The Antlers - Iron & Wine

1161

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

My top 10 Scottish bands: Off the top of my head. Camera Obscura Belle & Sebastian There Will Be Fireworks Teenage Fanclub Wojtek the Bear Mogwai The Twilight Sad Sunstinger Frightened Rabbit The Blue Nile

3120

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

#NowPlaying Sink Into The Ether | Stumbleine Deleted Scene | Stumbleine One of those really busy, stressful weeks in work that had enough drama to fill a month. A level of…decompression was required. This pair of beautiful downtempo, ambient, chillstep etc albums always help at such times 👌

070

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

#NowPlaying Tell Where I Lie | Fossil Collective Finally got me mitts on this @paulwonvinyl.bsky.social 😊 Full of lush, multi-part vocal harmonies and lovely intricate arrangements. A little cracker of an album for fans of the likes of Midlake, Lord Huron & early Bon Iver.

290

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

#last4albums #MusicSky Saturday edition. - The Boxer Rebellion - Kiasmos - Beach Fossils - Is Bliss

180

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

#NowPlaying Changing Light | The Ironsides Thanks to @philk282.bsky.social for this one. Really enjoying it…hard to classify but going for orchestral psych-soul for now. Reminiscent of movies from the 60s & 70s & scores by Morricone. @top10nathan.bsky.social … probably 1 for you.

261

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

#NowListening The Creek Drank the Cradle | Iron & Wine Sam Beam’s early run of albums is quite something. Later albums become more expansive & experimental, but the lo-fi bedroom folk of his debut takes some beating. Perfect for the post dinner clean-up. Picks: Bird Stealing Bread; Muddy Hynmal

090

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

#NowListening #DesertIslandDiscs Summerteeth | Wilco The finest album by 1 of the great American bands has long been an all-timer for me. It’s a real kitchen sink affair: ELT is anthemtic; Via Chicago beautiful; She’s A Jar (really) dark & Loneliness is the greatest song they have ever recorded 👌

1101

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

#NowPlaying The Secret to Good Living | Hiding Places Been really enjoying the debut by Hiding Places for the last few days. Fans of Wednesday/MJ Lenderman should find lots to enjoy. They share a lot of the same DNA. Also brings to mind Yo La Tengo in their collage approach to indie-rock.

161

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

#last4albums #MusicSky Monday edition. - Wojtek the Bear - American Football - Chapterhouse - Bill Ryder-Jones

1180

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

#NowPlaying #MusicSky Heartworm | Whipping Boy I’ve loved this bleak, powerful masterpiece for a few years now, so finally getting it on vinyl was delightful. Even more delightful is finally cracking it on, and up, and it sounds as stunning as hoped for. Desert island album? Oh for sure👌 🔥🔥🔥

2140

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

#last4albums #MusicSky Weekend edition. - The Sundays | Reading, Writing & Arithmetic - New Candys | Bleeding Magenta - Molly | Picturesque - Beach House | 7

190

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

3180

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

#LiveMusic #MusicSky Sigur Ros | Waterfront Hall There no words to describe the gig tonight. Lost count of the times I had goosebumps or something in my eye. Hoppípolla got the standing ovation but for me it was the renditions of Sé lest, Untitled 4 & Starálfur that will live long in the memory.

4301

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

#LiveMusic #MusicSky Sigur Ros loading… In my favourite concert venue, waiting on one of my favourite bands of all time, with the world-famous Ulster Orchestra & a pint of Guinness. Bring it on😊🙌👍

3220

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

#NowPlaying #MusicSky Dollhouse | Slow Fiction Such a superb debut. The band don’t put wrong from start to finish…well worth a gander. The closer ‘Turning Down Flowers’ is possibly my song of the year. Picks: Mouthpiece; Bottle Episode; Turning Down Flowers. Thanks @richierouse.bsky.social🙌

370

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Tonight’s viewing is about my favourite duo. Ranking incoming: 1. Miller’s Crossing 2. True Grit 3. Lebowski 4. No Country 5. Fargo 6. Barton 7. TMWWT 8. Blood Simple 9. Serious Man 10. Brother 11. Llewyn 12. Arizona 13. Caesar 14. Hudsucker 15. B. Scruggs 16. Burn 17. Ladykillers 18. Cruelty

bbc.co.uk

The Coen Brothers Story

Actors and collaborators look back at the Coen brothers' remarkable career and explore the humour, craft and singular vision that have made their films modern classics.

130

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Introduce yourself with five artists you’ve seen at least twice: Teenage Fanclub Belle & Sebastian Josh Ritter Bear’s Den Bruce Springsteen

1110

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

#NowPlaying #MusicSky Cherlokolate | Jane Weaver Lovely, and very welcome, release of her 2nd full length. Good to see these early recordings out in the wild. Perfect for post-dinner cleanup👌

020

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

#LiveMusic #MusicSky Allah-Las (Belfast) 1st time seeing the fellas…really good night. Had to force myself to go as it is a school night, but glad I did. Excellent set, very tight band & top hosts. Closed out with superb renditions of ‘Could Be You’ & then ‘Catamaran’, good mix of old/new.

150

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

#last4albums #MusicSky Irish edition. 4 stellar albums no doubt. One of which I’m officially declaring, with all the executive decision making powers I can muster, the single greatest Irish album of all time. - Just Mustard - Van Morrison - Boa Morte - Whipping Boy

1130

Reposted by Ricky McAllister

Paul W. @paulwonvinyl.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

I’ve been presenting my show on @vibe25radio.bsky.social for a couple of months and I thought that it was about time for me to put a face to the voice of the presenter of The Story & The Song 😊 I’m always open to requests every Wednesday, especially for your newest musical discoveries 🎧🎵 #MusicSky

3122

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

#NowPlaying #MusicSky Zoned Out | Hurry A really personal album about struggling with anxiety, fatherhood & big decisions. Sounds familiar😊 Wasn’t sure they could top Fake Ideas, but ZO is equally as good. Classic Hurry on display: Just Fine, Moving After You are right up with their finest songs.

150

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

#last4albums #MusicSky ‘Sunday bliss’ edition. The calm before the (Man Utd) storm later😬. - Wojtek the Bear | NME - How I Became A Wave | S/T - Constant Follower | Smile You Send - Sufjan Stevens | Seven Swans

070

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

#NowPlaying #MusicSky S/T | How I Became A Wave After the glorious noise of Belfast’s shoegaze festival yesterday (headliners: Deary), this is the perfect Sunday morning palette cleanser. It’s a beautiful thing and easily one of my favourite Irish albums of recent times. Sublime.

080

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

#MusicSky Watching Episode 3:9 of Silo tonight. The last person I expected to see make an appearance was the one and only Peter Gabriel. Right up there with the most surprising celebrity cameos since John Prescott appeared on Gavin & Stacey.

050

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

#last4albums #MusicSky Been one of those days at work…called for music to get lost in. Oh, and a couple of gins. And some nuts.

1240

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

#25albumstogettoknowme Saw someone do this, and thought why not. Don’t waste my lunch breaks😉

070

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

#NowPlaying #MusicSky Atta | Sigur Ros Just over a week until I see these fellas play with the Ulster Orchestra in the beautiful Waterfront Concert Hall. Don’t remember looking forward to a gig as much in my lifetime. No hyperbole here…have goosebumps listening to this & thinking about it.

2160

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Exciting news today. One of my favourite bands of the past 10 years has another album on the way. Such a superb discography, with barely a misstep across the 5 previous albums. New single ‘Terrible Tears’ is typically strong.

normanrecords.com

Desperate Journalist - Gilding the Lily

Buy GILDING THE LILY by DESPERATE JOURNALIST. LP £23.99, CD £11.99. Order online today and get FREE UK delivery on orders over £75.

280

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

#NowPlaying #MusicSky Angels With Dirty Faces | Tricky Still waiting on his latest to land at HQ, so spinning this again. 1 of his more divisive albums, it’s a pretty abrasive, claustrophobic listen. It was criticised at the time for being chaotic, but I’ve always liked the frequent gear changes.

070

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

#last4albums #MusicSky Properly back to work after 7 weeks off, and the intention was drown out the sound of that by giving these albums of outstanding noise a spin. It hasn’t worked. The music was glorious. The thought of work less so😊 - Air Formation - Pale Saints - Blankenberge - Ride

1180

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Name a band using only emojis. 🧬

040

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Show us the last four albums you listened to: #last4albums #MusicSky - Shaking Hand - Sunstack Jones - The Hanging Stars - Grandaddy

1110

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Another great reissue in the form of ‘Comfort of Strangers’ by Beth Orton. A top 3 Beth album to my ears, with Rectify & Conceived particular standouts. It’s great to know this excellent album is making its appearance on wax again.

normanrecords.com

Beth Orton - Comfort Of Strangers

Buy COMFORT OF STRANGERS by BETH ORTON. LP £22.49, CD £12.49. Order online today and get FREE UK delivery on orders over £75.

180

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Another big release in the last quarter…Fontaines DC joining Arab Strap, Bloc Party, Beck, Echo & The Bunnymen, Susanne Sundfor, Fenne Lily, Teenage Fanclub, DIIV, Editors & Sennen. Plus a fair few more no doubt. Hard to keep up…😬🙈

normanrecords.com

Fontaines D.C. - Dopamine Chamber

Buy DOPAMINE CHAMBER by FONTAINES D.C.. LP £22.49, LP £26.49, CD £10.99, Tape £12.49. Order online today and get FREE UK delivery on orders over £75.

380

Ricky McAllister @rickymca.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Favourite film for each year of the 1980s: 1980 Raging Bull 1981 Blow Out 1982 Blade Runner 1983 Fanny & Alexander 1984 The Hit 1985 Ran 1986 The Sacrifice 1987 Babette’s Feast 1988 Cinema Paradiso 1989 Do The Right Thing

070