iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I’ve loved and been so inspired by Sam Sodomsky writing on music for years so it was an absolute privilege to chat to him about his brilliant musical project The Bird Calls, his new LP Take Leave & learn what writers influence him. zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

zarahedderman.substack.com

The Bad Arts 055: 6 Writers That Influenced The Bird Calls’ Take Leave

New York-based songwriter and music journalist Sam Sodomsky on his amazing new LP, Take Leave, his prolific process, Bruce Springsteen & the writers that inspire him.

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Will be on Arena on RTÉ Radio 1 talking about Lawrence and his wonderful musical output with Felt, Denim & beyond. Tune in from 7pm

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Always a pleasure to hear from Dan Fox and Dara Kiely (two immense legends) about what goes into a Gilla Band album, so it was a buzz to have them share insights and inspirations about their latest LP, Pugnello, on today’s newsletter. zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

zarahedderman.substack.com

The Bad Arts 054: 4 Things That Inspired Gilla Band’s Pugnello

Dara Kiely and Daniel Fox share insights and inspirations on Gilla Band’s excellent new LP, Pugnello.

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

It’s that time again to get your diary out and fill it up with some gig listings, my friends! ✍️🗓️🎶 Read & Subscribe (plz): zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Joined Laura Byrne on The Explainer to dissect the Ed Sheeran Loop Tour debacle, why Macklemore was kicked off the line-up, the fallout & more. www.thejournal.ie/podcasts/66f...

thejournal.ie

Why are artists walking away from Ed Sheeran’s tour?

Read, share and shape the news on TheJournal.ie - Breaking Irish and International News

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

A pleasure to speak with the incredible L’Rain for The Bad Arts. Got so much from listening to her talk about her always illuminating and immersive work, finding inspiration outside of music and meeting Moo Deng. Read: zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-arts…

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

And we have the latest Any Gigs? send out featuring a list of upcoming gigs that, to me, look like great craic and shouldn’t be missed. If your calendar is looking a little scarce with things to do, places to be and bands to see, then subscribe ⬇️ zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Homemade sushi and Mommie Dearest. The perfect Saturday night in doesn’t exis-

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Latest Any Gigs? run down has landed. If you want in, sign up 🫡: zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Surprise Tuesday send out on The Bad Arts. Delighted to have chatted with John Francis Flynn & Paatho Cummins about Paahto & The Bull & get an insightful track x track breakdown from them of their brilliant debut LP, The 123. Read (& plz subscribe!): zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

zarahedderman.substack.com

The Bad Arts 051: Paahto & The Bull - The 123 Track x Track

A chat with the dynamic Dublin-based guitar-duo & a track-by-track guide to their excellent debut LP, The 123.

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Reposted by Zara Hedderman

Darren Hayman @darrenhayman.bandcamp.com · 21/08/2026

‘Amazing Things’ is a year old tomorrow If you missed it, here’s @zarahedderman.bsky.social’s wonderful review for @thequietus.com thequietus.com/quietus-revi... @wiaiwya.bsky.social

thequietus.com

Darren Hayman and his Electric Guitars – Amazing Things | The Quietus

The former Hefner singer delivers a beautiful work of mourning, backed by massed electric guitars

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Latest The Bad Arts: Any Gigs? dispatch has landed in inboxes. If you don’t want to miss out on important dates for your calendar, subscribe! zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

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Reposted by Zara Hedderman

Imbibe Coffee Roasters @imbibecoffee.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Today I shall mostly be drinking this and listening to Neko Case.

250 gram bag of El Salvador Los Naranjos coffee. The bag is cream and sitting in a wooden slatted table with foliage in background

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Delighted to share this chat with Nora Stanley about her terrific debut LP Glass (out today) & the different things that shaped its creation. 🩵 TBA50: zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

zarahedderman.substack.com

The Bad Arts 050: 6 Things That Inspired Nora Stanley's Glass

A chat with the Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist on the different inspirations that shaped Stanley's tremendous debut LP.

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Reposted by Zara Hedderman

Tony Fitz @tonyfitz.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

HUGE thanks to @zarahedderman.bsky.social for my new bio on the site. She made the process totally painless, is a joy to work with, and did a fantastic job. Need a bio or press release? Make her your first port of call, you'll be so glad you did.

A screenshot of the landing page of tonyfitz.com, the website of Irish mastering engineer and musician, Tony Fitz.

A screenshot of the mastering page of tonyfitz.com, the website of Irish mastering engineer and musician, Tony Fitz.

A screenshot of the about page of tonyfitz.com, the website of Irish mastering engineer and musician, Tony Fitz, featuring a biography written by @zarahedderman.bsky.social

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Latest edition of Any Gigs? has been sent out! If you’re looking for some hidden gems to catch over the next two weeks, subscribe to The Bad Arts! Any Gigs?: zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

✨ Started a new fortnightly gig guide over on The Bad Arts ✨ Featuring gigs I’d actually go to & artists in keeping with the features I do over on my newsletter, subscribe to stay in the know of what to add to your cultural calendar! Read & Subscribe: zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

For @thequietus.com, I wrote about Xiu Xiu’s Eraserhead, which, yes, was made very much with David Lynch’s 1977 debut feature in mind. In true keeping with his work, this album has its disturbing moments and its bizarrely hopeful glimmers in there too. thequietus.com/quietus-revi...

thequietus.com

Xiu Xiu – Eraserhead Xiu Xiu | The Quietus

San Jose duo take on the surreal industrial atmosphere of David Lynch's early masterpiece

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Super delighted to share the chat I had with the incredible composer & songwriter Wendy Eisenberg for The Bad Arts. I had such a great time listening to them speak openly about their wonderful new self-titled album,solving musical problems & Sparks. 👀: zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

zarahedderman.substack.com

The Bad Arts 047: Wendy Eisenberg

Wendy Eisenberg on teaching, striving to solve musical problems in their work, the magic of Sparks & what they've been enjoying recently.

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Played around with recording a podcast-type post for The Bad Arts on my favourite albums of the year. Have a listen & let me know what albums you’ve loved & are looking forward to throughout the rest of 2026! 🎧: zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

zarahedderman.substack.com

The Bad Arts 046: Favourite Albums of 2026...so far!

Listen now | An experiment in podcasting on the albums released throughout the first 6 months of the year.

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Really, really enjoyed spending time with the new Beth Orton album, The Ground Above. Reviewed it for Bandcamp Daily 📝 daily.bandcamp.com/album-of-the...

daily.bandcamp.com

Beth Orton, “The Ground Above”

This lush and unimposing collection further emphasize Orton’s skill as leader, lyricist, and performer.

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Buzzed to share my chat with Cameron Picton all about his endlessly impressive new project, My New Band Believe over on my latest newsletter. I’ve listened to this LP an unhealthy amount because it’s simply so good, so this was a real treat ✨ zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

zarahedderman.substack.com

The Bad Arts 045: My New Band Believe

Cameron Picton on making music post-black midi, being inspired by Otis Redding & what he's been enjoying recently.

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

New newsletter on YHWH Nailgun & their 11 minute long LP, Magazine. I really enjoyed this album & if you press play at the precise moment you start reading this you’ll probably finish both at the same time! Read: zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

zarahedderman.substack.com

The Bad Arts 044: Who Are YHWH Nailgun: The Band Who Released an 11 Minute-Long LP?

Warning: It may take you longer to read this than listen to YHWH Nailgun's Magazine.

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Back with a new send out on my newsletter with Chuck Squires going through some of the country classics that inspired them as they made their sublime debut LP, The Late Great Chuck Squires (out now!) 🤠 zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

zarahedderman.substack.com

The Bad Arts 043: Chuck Squires' Share Their Favourite Country Classics

The Dublin-based country supergroup on the country songs that inspired their sublime debut LP, The Late Great Chuck Squires.

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

A pleasure to have Hamer Place share stories & insights on the ten excellent songs from his LP Specials over on my newsletter today. 🥪🍗🥓🍝🥔 Read: zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

zarahedderman.substack.com

The Bad Arts 041: Hamer Place - Specials Track x Track

Songwriter Ross Hamer, aka Hamer Place, breaks down his incredible debut album Specials, track by track.

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Getting my ducks in a row for the coming weeks/months with work. I’m available for album/artist bios, copywriting & more. Please get in touch: heddermanzara@gmail.com

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Happy release day to Pádraig Cooney & Bedtime Now as their incredible debut LP Wet Work rocks the nation. Delighted to have Cooney on my latest newsletter, we talked about Wet Work & he shared insights on his favourite debut LP which you can read about ⬇️ zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

zarahedderman.substack.com

The Bad Arts 040: Pádraig Cooney & Bedtime Now's Favourite Debut Album

Legendary Dublin songwriter Pádraig Cooney on his excellent debut Wet Work with new outfit Bedtime Now & his favourite debut LP of all time.

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Bringing back the 5 Things That Inspired… series on The Bad Arts w/ @oracogan.bsky.social. Ora’s new album, Hard Hearted Woman, released via @sacredbones.bsky.social is an absolute masterpiece so I was intrigued to see what inspired this special LP. zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

zarahedderman.substack.com

The Bad Arts 039: 5 Things That Inspired Ora Cogan's Hard Hearted Woman

The Tarot and Irish Traditional Folk Music: Ora Cogan on the influences that shaped her excellent new LP.

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Cheeky Monday evening newsletter featuring a better-late-than-never February Round-Up of different bits & bobs I enjoyed last month. zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

zarahedderman.substack.com

The Bad Arts 037: February Round-Up

Albums, a Fela Kuti docu-podcast & finally watching a cinematic classic celebrating its 30th anniversary.

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

A pleasure to spend time chatting with the deadly Seamus Fogarty for my latest newsletter. Enjoyed hearing him discuss his songwriting process on his incredible new album Ships & more. zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

zarahedderman.substack.com

The Bad Arts 036: Seamus Fogarty

An interview with the songwriter about his excellent new LP Ships, sharing his innermost thoughts in his songs & more.

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Delighted to have a chat with the incredible (and extremely sound!) E The Artist on my latest newsletter. We talked about his unreal debut LP Six, and the role each of his collaborators have played in his music & growing artistic confidence 💥 zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

zarahedderman.substack.com

The Bad Arts 035: E The Artist

An interview with one of the most electrifying artists in Dublin's underground scene on the making of his debut LP, the seven seals & more.

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Will be on RTÉ Radio One’s Arena this evening talking about Bad Bunny’s half-time Super Bowl show! Tune in from 7pm 📻

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Spoke to Puma Blue for @northern-trans.bsky.social all about their brilliant forthcoming album, Croak Dream, out next Friday. Always a pleasure to speak w/ Jacob Allen about his songwriting process & everything that goes into the development of his music. northerntransmissions.com/jacob-allen-...

northerntransmissions.com

Jacob Allen On How Croak Dream Expanded Puma Blue’s Sonic Potential - Northern Transmissions

Puma Blue interview with Northern Transmissions by Zara Hedderman for Northern Transmissions. The artist talked about his new LP Croak Dream

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Landing in your inbox to bless the beginning of the bank holiday weekend, it’s my January Round-Up of various things I enjoyed this month over on my Substack. Read it, check some of the things out & enjoy! ✨ zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

zarahedderman.substack.com

The Bad Arts 033: January Round-Up

Some January albums I've been glued to, a LoTR rewatch & completing more than one book in a month.

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Bringing back the “Introducing…” series on The Bad Arts, where I share an Irish act I’m excited by & think you should check out, with the wonderful Jean Pack. If you’re into the sounds of the ‘60s, Jean Pack’s debut EP Allora will brighten up your day ☀️ zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

zarahedderman.substack.com

The Bad Arts 032: Introducing...Jean Pack

Meet Jean Pack, the Cork-based artist bringing back the sparkle of the 1960s with her irresitable chamber-pop sound.

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

RIP Bob Weir. Shredder of guitars, voice of an angel & wearer of denim hot pants.

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Seán Moncrieff @seanmoncrieff.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

On the show today: A Cork cable car; 20-somethings staying indoors; The largest collection of socks; @patcarty.bsky.social on bond themes; Showbiz news; Wine; @zarahedderman.bsky.social reviews 'Hamnet' & 'Giant'..

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

First newsletter of 2026 sent out & it’s me gushing about how much I love Dry Cleaning & their excellent third album, Secret Love 👁️ With hints of XTC, Suicide & Peter Gabriel, this might be my favourite album from them. zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

zarahedderman.substack.com

The Bad Arts 031:

Maybe it’s just me, but when you really like an artist or band, there’s a nervousness that can overshadow your desire to listen to their new album for the first time.

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Sent out my last newsletter of 2025 🎉 A look back on 22 of my favourite albums from the year with plenty of honourable mentions. Thanks to everyone who has subscribed, read & been nice about The Bad Arts. Looking forward to many more posts in 2026. zarahedderman.substack.com/p/the-bad-ar...

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

Talking about Brian Eno’s Discreet Music, a benchmark in ambient music, which turned the ripe age of 50 this month on RTÉ’s Arena. Say a prayer that I get the method of recording explained correctly 😅 Tune in from 7pm 📻

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

Will be on @RTEArena later this evening to talk about some albums from this year that you might have missed! Guesses welcome but you’ll have to tune in from 7pm to find out my selections 😎

media.tenor.com

bart simpson is wearing headphones and pointing at something

ALT: bart simpson is wearing headphones and pointing at something

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Zara Hedderman @zarahedderman.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Enjoyed chatting the lovely lads of Whitney over on @aquariumdrunkard.com all about their brilliant new album Small Talk, returning to the genesis of the band while writing these songs and watching Poor Things on mute while recording. aquariumdrunkard.com/2025/11/10/c...

aquariumdrunkard.com

Catching Up With Whitney - Aquarium Drunkard

It feels strange to have a new Whitney record to become acquainted with against a winter backdrop. Small Talk finds the Chicago duo returning to their breezier sensibilities. Guitarist Max Kakacek and...

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