Month: June 2020

Laura Elizabeth Hughes has released a live performance video for her first single of 2020, ‘Pandemonium’ (Stream on Spotify here). The release has been hugely successful for the Dublin songwriter amassing over 50k streams within its first week of release and included on heavyweight playlists such as Spotify’s ‘New Music Friday UK’ & ‘A Breath of Fresh Eire’, Amazon Music US ‘Acoustic Chill’ and Deezer ‘Chill Out’.

‘Pandemonium’ at its heart is an honest, stripped back to the bone, piano based folk track. Recorded at Dublin’s Camden Recording Studios , the song features Cork producer 1,000 Beasts on piano and takes its storytelling influence from artists such as Laura Marling, The Staves, Damien Rice and Regina Spektor . Although written before the Covid-19 pandemic engulfed the world, the song expresses that feeling we have all become so familiar with; being alone and the longing to see, hold and interact with our loved ones again, but that at the end of the day we’re all going to be ok. 

Global pandemic aside, the past year has been one of growth and creativity for Hughes. Her showcase at Ireland Music Week brought her to the attention of music industry delegates from around the world and led her to be named by IrishTimes.com as one of “10 acts to see before they are famous”.

The Dublin based songwriter followed that up with one of her biggest releases yet, the heart-warming ‘For You (Home)’. Written for the people that help to carry you in life, the song received amazing support at radio across Ireland including RTE Radio 1, 2FM, Today FM and BBC Radio Ulster and was recently announced in the Top 5 highest played independent releases on Northern Irish radio in the first quarter of 2020. In April, Hughes dedicated the release of the video to Pieta House. The song’s visual representation depicted the struggle some find to let people in, even at times when we need them most.

On stage is where Laura feels most at home and truly connects with her audience. A headline show at The Sound House in April was set to be a marquee moment in the singer’s year before live events ground to a halt forcing the date to move to November 13th .

The build up to the release of ‘Pandemonium’ saw Hughes perform an intimate live show across her Instagram account as part of Culture Ireland’s #IrelandPerforms series. 

Pandemonium’ is now available across all streaming outlets. 

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One of Ireland’s fastest-rising hip hop artists, Nealo, has enlisted the help of social media comedic sensation Darren Conway for the video for his current single, ‘Heart Food For Hard Times’. The song has been described as, “a big hug of a song just when you need it most!” 

Nealo’s personal story has drawn a lot of interest since he first broke onto the Irish rap scene in 2018. Formerly a trainee solicitor and the frontman of the hardcore punk band Frustration, he swapped hardcore for hip-hop and gave up his job at a law firm to set up his own dog-walking business. A man who can only be himself, his authenticity and incredible likeability shine through in his lyrics and live performances. Now, with the video for ‘Heart Food For Hard Times’, Nealo draws us even closer into his world with a video that tells the story of a man so distraught by not being able to see his favourite doggie client, Norman, during the Covid-19 quarantine that he turns to drink. Alcohol dependency is an issue that Nealo has tackled in the past, with his 2019 song ‘Just My Luck’. 

Darren Conway features at the beginning of the video counselling Nealo as he cries down the phone. Darren has been making online content since 2014, but in recent months his popularity has ballooned due to fans like singer Lewis Capaldi, political leader Mary-Lou McDonald and Conor McGregor’s MMA coach, John Kavanagh. It’s no surprise that he has over 125,000 followers on TikTok, Instagram and Twitter.

Since ‘Heart Food For Hard Times’ was released on Friday 15th May, it has amassed over 850,000 radio impressions (over 200 plays across 22 stations) and over 10,000 streams on Spotify.  Nealo also entered the Ireland Breakers Chart (radio) at no. 15. The song has been playlisted by RTÉ 2fm and has been named ‘Song of the Week’ by multiple media outlets including Spin Southwest, GoldenPlec and the Limerick Leader. On its release day, ‘Heart Food For Hard Times’ was chosen as Record of the Day in the music industry ‘bible’ newsletter and included in the New Music Friday UK playlist on Spotify. 

Written and released over the course of just one month, the track goes to prove just how dynamic and prolific Nealo is and why he’s one of the fastest-rising artists in Ireland today. 

‘Heart Food For Hard Times’ is a remote collaboration between Nealo, Adam Garrett, and Uly. Vocal production on the song by Adam Shanahan (Adam MyFault) and mixing and mastering by Marcin Ciszczon (Diffusion Lab). 

Columbia Mills will release their new single ‘Isolate (FM Mix)’ this Friday, 12^th June 2020. The brand new single is taken from their second album CCTV released in the midst of the lockdown in April this year. 

Lead singer Fiachra Treacy speaks about the narrative for Isolate (FM Mix):

“The song explores the moment you see someone stare into space and realise that there is a deep hurt within their mind. It’s about pulling them back from the brink and helping them realise that life will always have more to offer, no matter how difficult the situation is. The song is about helping each other out and making sure nobody feels isolated within their problems. It’s important that they know that the feelings they have are not unique to them and we are all the same”.

LIVE:
The Button Factory, Dublin – 18^th September 2020
Tickets here

Following the release of his debut album ‘Stride’ in 2019, followed by a collaboration with Joy Crookes, ‘Glue ‘sees Jafaris return to the fore, seeking clarity and guidance following the end of a long-term relationship.

Powered by a four-beat bouncing motif throughout, the track represents, as Jafaris himself puts it, the connection between lovers that never truly dies even after the end of a relationship, “This song represents the connection her and I have always shared and to some degree still share now” Jafaris recognises. “She was basically my best friend, sister, mum, girlfriend all in one and we were inseparable throughout our relationship. Till it ended.”

The song began life in a typical studio session in Diffusion Lab, but hearing the opening chords struck a nerve for Jafaris and triggered him to let his emotions run free. “This one came naturally,” Jafaris admits, “but the chords really made me spill my heart out for some reason.”

The track has a similar energy and vivacity to some of Jafaris’s previous releases, including ‘Found My Feet’ and ‘Time’, but it differs greatly in the themes and subject it explores. “The structure is a bit more playful than most of my previous releases,” Jafaris admits, “but still understandable for the average listener I feel.”

‘Glue’ marks the start of the next phase of Jafaris’s already varied career. It’s a moment to look back and be thankful for all that has come before and remember those who have helped you along the way. With new music in the pipeline and his sights firmly set to the future, Jafaris is readying himself to take the next step into a whole new world.

‘Swallow’ is the second single out from Sun Collective’s forthcoming EP, ‘MOVE ||REMOVE’. Produced and mixed by Ross Turner (Lisa Hannigan, Villagers), recorded by Ber Quinn (John Grant, Divine Comedy), with accompanying film and visuals by Myles O’Reilly and Donal Dineen (This Ain’t no Disco).

“Swallow”

• cause or allow to pass down the throat.
• put up with or meekly accept.
• resist expressing (a feeling) or uttering (words).
• take in and cause to disappear.
• a migratory swift-flying songbird.

‘Swallow’ explores the remnants of past and inherited personal traumas. Playing on the double meanings of “Swallow”, the homonym see’s songwriter, Caimin Gilmore, exploring a myriad of complex personal traumas and emotional issues, in an attempt at self-healing.

Myles O’Reilly (Arbutus Yarns) on Sun Collective and ‘Swallow’:

“It’s rarely the case that out-of-nowhere I get an email from an artist I’ve never heard, asking me to collaborate on a video, and I press play on their tune, and my mind gets absolutely blown to pieces. That was my first reaction to Sun Collective when we became digitally acquainted in 2015. Since then I have been lucky to collaborate on numerous visual projects with Caimin Gilmore and Co. They touch on a sound that leads the way. A sound that touches on nothing else. Trailblazing into the future with effortless ingenuity, integrity and unfaltering musicianship.

This video for ‘Swallow’ features a series of non-narrative animations by the patient hand of Donal Dineen (a frequent collaborator and co-creator of This Ain’t No Disco). We used regular household objects and kitchen implements on an overhead projector, to make a visual that tries not to distract from the music but still draws you in, and remains constantly engaging. A magpie’s dream.”

‘MOVE || REMOVE’ EP

‘MOVE || REMOVE’ EP, is due for release on August 10^th (Caimin’s 32^nd Birthday). It will feature four new Sun Collective tracks and three recording outtakes that will segue way between tracks. Each track features one contributing musician and specifically commissioned visuals/videos. The EP deals with a number of personal issues and themes (a first for the songwriter) – Identity, Trauma, Memory, and Healing. It’s first single, ‘Roots’ has over a 120k streams and is playlisted on Spotify’s popular Stress Buster playlist.

Sun Collective’s densely orchestrated chamber-folk draws on pop, folk and contemporary classical music. The five piece include Caimin Gilmore (Lisa Hannigan), Patrick O’Laoghaire (I Have a Tribe), Kevin Corcoran (Villagers), Dominic Mullan (Mary Coughlan) and Oisín Peelo Walsh (Hudson Taylor).

In 2019, Sun Collective toured Australia, with the support of Culture Ireland and Woodford Folk Festival. They subsequently performed alongside I Have a Tribe on an intimate Homebeat tour throughout Ireland. In 2018, they performed and collaborated at the P-E-O-P-L-E Festival, alongside Stargaze, Lisa Hannigan, Big Red Machine, Adam Cohen, Greg Saunier (Deerhoof) and Zach Condon (Beirut).

They released their critically acclaimed self-titled debut album in 2017.

‘Swallow’ by Sun Collective is out now on all platforms.

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Website :: https://www.suncollective.ie
Instagram :: https://www.instagram.com/suncollectiveband/
Facebook :: https://www.facebook.com/suncollectiveensemble/
Twitter :: https://twitter.com/suncollective_

Galway artist Niamh Regan has long been lauded as one of Ireland’s most promising folk talents, and she’s about to prove just that with the release of her debut album ‘Hemet’ coming 10th August 2020.

The Irish Times described Regan’s teenage demos as, “bursting with potential”, and at seventeen this precocious folk singer won a Paul Brady scholarship to study flute and guitar in the University of Limerick. Here, she formed the trad/bluegrass band Juhn Echo, and once again drew plaudits from The Irish Times who highlighted her, “stunning vocals”.

After completing a degree in music, Niamh released her debut solo EP ‘Tried To’ in 2017 and follow-up single ‘What To Do’ in 2018 earning gushing praise from the likes of Hot Press (“beautifully crafted… captivating”) and Nialler9 (“a timbre that is commanding and wise”). Extensive airplay from RTE Radio 1 and Folk Radio UK soon followed along with high profile slots at Electric Picnic, Body & Soul and Knockanstockan.

But who is Niamh Regan now? Comparisons with contemporary artists such as Laura Marling, Lisa Hannigan, This Is the Kit and Sarah Jarosz have popped up regularly in the UK and Irish press, while discerning critics detect the influence of Nick Drake, Bert Jansch, Richard Thompson, Tom Waits, Paul Brady, and Karen Dalton. One thing is for sure: with the release of debut album, ‘Hemet’, Niamh Regan is about to carve out her own niche in the world of contemporary folk music and fulfil the potential she showed as a teenager.

‘Hemet’ is an album full of musical accomplishment, emotional maturity, and subtle craft. It is the long-awaited arrival of a truly immense talent.

Our first taste of the record is out now. Speaking about the release of her song ‘Save The Day’, Niamh says:

“Musically this single is a little different from my previous songs. It’s heavily influenced by the indie folk/rock genre. I decided, along with my producer Alex Borwick, that we wanted a full band/‘indie chug’ to lead the motion of the song to convey, hopefully, a sense of relentlessness, steadiness.

It has very little dynamic and musically speaking it’s nothing special but that’s what the song is all about. Not feeling special. Realizing maybe you can’t turn things around so easily and the realisation that’s pulling through for others ends up being the most important thing despite how defeated we may feel inside. This is about growing up.”

‘Save The Day’ is out Wednesday 10th June 2020. Stream/Buy: https://niamhregan2.bandcamp.com/track/save-the-day

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The Plainest Truth release ‘How To Play The Game’ on Wednesday 10th June on Bluestack Records. 

‘How To Play The Game’ is the second 2020 release from Waterfordians Aisling Browne and Joe Harney (Deaf Joe), and continues their soulful take on a classic folk sound. Joe takes the lead on this one, which showcases the duo’s considerable lyrical wit. 

It is a song about the insecurities that can plague a relationship, and, well, a cheater is always going to cheat. The song is cut through with genuine emotion, leaving the listener guessing as to whether he’s being sincere or otherwise.

The duo’s debut release, the Double A singles of ‘Waiting For You’ and ‘The Drift’, received a welcome warm reception that took Joe and Aisling by surprise. They received recommendation from RTÉ Radio 1, play-listing from Éirewave and PlayIrish, spins from national DJs such as Cian Ó Ciobháin (RTÉ Radio na Gaeltachta) and Ed Smith (Today FM), and good regional radio support. They also received an invitation to play an RTÉ Arena session, something they are hopeful of completing after the lockdown lifts.

Like so many others, the adventures Joe and Aisling had planned for getting their music out into the wider world have indeed been impacted by lockdown, but they are grateful nonetheless to be able to continue to release and record new music. Their single accompanying message to go with the release of this song is a simple one – they offer their profound love and gratitude to all key workers everywhere, striving to keep the country going and make things safe for a gradual reopening. 

‘How To Play The Game’ is out June 10th on all good digital platforms. 

Links to ‘The Plainest Truth’:
Bandcamp: https://theplainesttruth.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2UrKNLn
Apple Music: https://apple.co/2Ah9ove
Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/18076070

Official Website: theplainesttruth.com
Facebook: facebook.com/theplainesttruth/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplainesttruth/
Youtube: https://bit.ly/2AWlQQZ

James Cramer has been getting a lot of attention lately. 

With the release of his single ‘Simple Man’ in March receiving praise from the likes of Hot Press Magazine (“powerful”), RTÉ.ie (“a big, bold, soulful pop song”), and the inclusion of his song ‘The Road to Kinawley’ in the hit TV series Normal People, the Dublin singer-songwriter is stepping out of the shadows of his band, Tupelo, and well and truly into his own spotlight. 

On Friday June 19th, Bohemia Records will release James Cramer’s new single, ‘My Darkest Hour’. As with ‘Simple Man’, this new song was also recorded in Norway with producer Eirik Molnes Husabø. 

James is an incredibly diverse songwriter. ‘My Darkest Hour’ is a more contemplative song than his previous release, but retains all of the soulfulness that James Cramer is fast becoming known for. 

About ‘My Darkest Hour’, James says: “The song is really about that painful point when a relationship has ended but you’re still struggling because you love the person – it just isn’t working for whatever reason. I wrote it after a friend of mine confided in me that he was really struggling to get over an ex. The next day I overheard two women having a conversation about a similar situation – it’s such a universal dilemma.” 

A true multi-instrumentalist, James plays  every instrument on his songs as he writes them. James’ prowess on multiple instruments is perhaps even more impressive considering he is almost entirely self-taught. In his own words he “never took to teachers” and “just found his way around the instruments.” 

As well as playing with the alt-folk band Tupelo, who have played sold out tours in Denmark and Holland, played festivals and shows in Ireland, UK, France, Belgium, Norway, Russia and the USA, James Cramer has been co-writing with some of Ireland’s chart toppers for many years, including Hermitage Green, Luan Parle and Eleanor McEvoy. 

His song, ‘The Road to Kinawley’ now has 100,000 streams on Spotify and James’ last single, ‘Simple Man’ gained over 85,000 impressions on Irish radio. 

‘My Darkest Hour’ by James Cramer is out on Friday, 19th July 2020 on Bohemia Records
https://www.jamescramer.eu/ 

Irish hip hop has well and truly arrived and one act at the forefront of the surge is Tebi Rex, a duo consisting of Max Zanga and Matt O and whose back-catalogue includes their critically-acclaimed debut album from last year. More recently, you may have heard their music if you were one of the millions who binge-watched the hit BBC show Normal People. Their tracks have skyrocketed on Spotify as a result of appearing on the show’s OST, and now Tebi Rex return with a new single from their forthcoming mixtape.

The delicately pronounced ‘I Got My Whole’, out 12th June, blends alternative hip-hop and pop in a way that sets Tebi Rex apart from the crowd, showing once again the duo’s knack for a killer hook and their relentless desire to always move their sound forward. The self-declared “best live Irish hip-hop act” made a lot of noise last year in the run up to their debut album release. They marked their UK debut at the Great Escape and took to the stage later in the year at Ireland Music Week – where previous line-up acts have included Fontaines DC and Kojaque.

Tebi Rex had entered 2020 in a justifiably buoyant mood and a scheduled slot at this year’s SXSW was stirring quite a buzz, before COVID-19 had other plans unfortunately. Never ones to lay down, Tebi Rex have taken the opportunity to spend time on new material, the fruits of which will feature on their mixtape this summer. The juggernaut hip hop duo show no sign of slowing down and this latest release looks sure to even further propel Tebi Rex to their destined heights.

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‘Overrated’ is Lydia Ford’s latest single release, out Friday 12th June, and sees the Irish alt-pop artist detail a troubled, alcohol-fuelled relationship with lyrics that are bitingly honest but ultimately triumphant. A strong contender for your summer playlist, ‘Overrated’ is a pop track with attitude: “You spill all your secrets on the weekends, taste of liquor, sinking quicker to the deep end. It’s not my job to be your therapist or your experiment.”

Sleek production and anthemic choruses are nothing new for Lydia Ford and this track builds further on her reputation for infectious pop gems. Having spent time in Brooklyn, New York to immerse herself in the musical culture of the city, Lydia has honed her craft in favour of a more glossy, synth sound that sees slick electronic production incorporated with dreamy, laid-back guitar; all the while keeping her deeply personal lyrics at the forefront of her music.

Online support so far has come from major outlets like Billboard and leading Spotify playlists such as New Music Friday, Fresh Finds: Pop, and A Breath of Fresh Éire. Lydia’s music has seen regular airplay in the UK and Ireland, including with BBC Introducing; and she has performed at prominent events such as Other Voices and Ireland Music Week. 2020 is proving to be an even bigger year for the pop artist as she was featured on both Ticketmaster and Hot Press ‘Hot for 2020’ lists.

You can catch Lydia Ford live in her (rescheduled) headline show in Whelan’s, Dublin on 2 October, in association with MCD. Tickets on sale now from Ticketmaster.ie

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