Month: November 2020

The Nation Mourns is the musical brain child of Irish songwriter Neil O’Shea. Growing up with a wide range of blues and rock influence, it was the haunting timbre of artists such as Tom Waits, Nick Drake, and Jackson C Frank that drew him to songwriting. This has lead him to lyrics of landscapes and leaving for home; while subtle, melancholic melodies draw you ever further into the music

New single ‘Ogre’ is the result of a stream of consciousness, derived from a tipsy saunter home one winter night in the quite suburban streets of Cork City in 2018. It speaks of the self depreciating nature of modern society and our strive for human connection in the technological abyss we can sometimes find ourselves in. The lead guitar evokes the spirit of folk rockers Lord Huron, while the finger style guitar and low vocal melody remind the listener of the Travis picking folk troubadours of the 1960s.

Photo: Katie Browne

Peco’s latest release is not so much a step out of his comfort zone as a leap into a whole new world. 

Peco is an Irish artist who’s music is a blend of folk, indie-rock and pop. His songs combine strong melodies with insightful and imaginative lyrics. 

Peco has something to say but likes to do so with a hook or two!

Hailing from from Kildare, before going solo he was the singer-songwriter behind folk-rock act Valentine Black. 

The band enjoyed critical acclaim for their album ‘Desire Lines’ and the three singles lifted from it. They toured around Ireland, the UK, America and Canada.

 ‘Wait’, first appeared on Peco’s album of 2019 ‘The Middle Ages’ as a Wilco-esque folk rocker.

He handed over to DJ and producer Ansonix to do with as he willed and the result is a stomping anthem with all the dark moodiness of its predecessor but with a complete electro pop overhaul.

The accompanying video also breaks new ground for Peco as it’s completely animated. Inspired by Ansonix love of gaming, regular videographer Nathan Dunne built a dark comic-book style 3D world with Avatars for Peco and Ansonix.

Music newcomer Anna Carmody releases her debut single ‘Million Pieces’ on 27 November.

Anna Carmody is a singer-songwriter born in Galway and raised in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Anna is a new songwriter having just written her first song in December 2019, she wrote an array of songs during her time in the first lockdown and recorded a full album in this short space of time to be released next year. The tracks are mastered by Alex Gordan, Abbey Road, London. Alex has worked with artists such as Dermot Kennedy, Novelist, Crass, Florence + The Machine, Slowthai, Yussef Dayes, Cocteau Twins, Raye, Sinead Harnett and Sigrid. Anna has had a great response to her music in such a short time with over 4,000 engaged fans on her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AnnaCarmodyMusic/

Anna is influenced by artists such as Amy Winehouse, Norah Jones, Dolores O’Riordan and her favourite band Villagers. Anna crafts her music with traces of indie-folk combining a stripped-back intimate blend with emotionally explosive elements to the delivery of her music. Anna’s music has been described as beautifully haunting, touching the hearts of many with lyrics inspired by heartbreak, love, death, loss, friendship, adventure and other strong life subjects. Anna draws inspiration from the people and life moments that struck a chord with her the most.

Anna talks about her first release ‘Million Pieces’:

“‘Million Pieces’ is a breakup ballad that tells the story of a 2 year relationship that started in the honeymoon phase as they all do! This was a relationship I thought would be forever but it sadly fell apart “into a million pieces”. The song is me reminiscing about the good times in the relationship at the start like “Dancing on streets, feeling the love that I wasn’t used to” There was almost a battle to keep the relationship going but every time we tried it was making things worse. I often wonder where he is now and hope that he is really happy. The song captures the love story and breakup combined. The clock theme that runs throughout the song symbolises the time we had together and it running out. Maybe if I had known it was going to end, I would have given him a bigger hug! I’m over it now but it is still like losing a best friend. Breakups are like grief but you don’t get the same sympathy.”

Website: https://annacarmodymusic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnaCarmodyMusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annacarmodyofficial/?hl=en
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/anna-carmody-69461527

November 20^th sees Irish singer-songwriter Joseph Kiernan deliver his latest offering and third single, ‘Vertigo / Little Astronaut’.

Building on his sonic style, one that draws upon a melting-pot of pop, indie, folk and electronic genres, ‘Vertigo / Little Astronaut’ is a timely reminder of why Joseph remains one to watch. The track is initially built around a stripped back piano-led melody, providing the perfect backdrop for Joseph’s delicate and poignant vocals. As the song progresses, it moves towards a more experimental sound, infusing vibrant electronic passages with acoustic elements.

“I was making music to self-soothe. My closest friend was very ill and I was struggling with the inevitability of his passing,” explains Joseph. “I was hibernating from the world out of necessity, and channelled all my sorrow and hopes into the record. The music really helped me to find meaning in all the uncertainty. I found listening back to the demos at the time very comforting. My hope is that others will experience the same.”

The track’s accompanying music video, also out November 20^th, aims to portray these emotions – featuring stunning aerial shots of the ocean, moving into a montage of nature-based cinematography; with fleeting and distant appearances from Joseph himself. The video was co-directed with his close friend S. Harikrishnan, and edited by their mutual friend Epti Pattnaik.

Beginning his musical career early this year with the release of his debut single ‘The Bees Do Not Sleep’ and sophomore track ‘Strip The Vines’, Joseph is fast developing his unique style, sound and songwriting talent. He draws upon life experiences to create music that is personal, contemplative and introspective, and his debut EP is expected to be released next year.

‘Vertigo / Little Astronaut’ is set for release on November 20^th.

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The Academic announce details of a global live-streamed show from Mullingar’s ‘Jealous Wall’ on 1^St December 2020. Tickets go on sale today, Friday 13^th November HERE.

The Jealous Wall provides quite the setting for this performance that has so far found the band unable to take their most recent EP, ‘Acting My Age’, on the road to play live to their fans. 

Lead singer with the band, Craig Fitzgerald explains, “It’s been a really tough year for everybody and like so many others around the country our industry just shut down. All we have known for the past couple of years is getting in a van or a bus or  on a plane to play a show somewhere and to have that massive void now it really does start to hit home how much we love playing music. We know that nothing can really compare to being in the throes of a gig and feeling the intensity of a room full of people going for it but we really wanted to get back on a stage together and do something for our fans. When we talked about the idea of performing a live show with no audience and in the context of streaming we knew we would have to make it something special and unique. We have always wanted to do something on a big scale at home and while there are no audiences right now, we thought that this would be the next best thing.

The Jealous Wall is such a spectacular backdrop, and we are so excited for people to see it in a different light.  Just to get back on a big stage together and to feel normality and it also gives our fans a glimpse into where we are from. Also, in putting on this show, it gives us an opportunity to get a lot of people back to work including our crew who have been hit harder than most this year. As part of the Live Performance scheme announced by the government recently, we were fortunate to have received some funding the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports & Media and Sport which has been a big help in making it happen.”

The Academic are also pleased to share a cover of ‘Lonely This Christmas’, a high octane reimagination of a holiday favourite.

The early gift to their fans caps a bittersweet year for the Mullinger four-piece who had their global touring commitments cut drastically short in accordance with the pandemic and lockdown.

As a thank you for their continued support, the band offer fans this sub four-minute yuletide blast and look ahead cautiously to 2021 in the hope that they can finally get back out on the road and embark on the next chapter of a riveting story. 

The Academic opened 2020 at 100mph with the release of the A’cting My Age’ EP; a sharp, buoyant and melody-heavy collection of guitar-shaped indie rock songs that suggested a confident young band right on the dusk of stardom. Already hometown heroes who count Rolling Stones as their fans, The Academic might have been forced to hit pause on their progress for the rest of the year, but when the fog eventually lifts, this band’s apparent success is almost inevitable.

Having ended a year-long transitional hiatus from releasing music with the release of ‘Ask You Twice’ in September 2020, alternative Irish songwriter ORIAN follows up with ‘Grateful’, a thoughtful and poignant track about letting those close to you in.

Co-written with Craig Walker (Power of Dreams/Archive), understated harmonics and crisp, pop guitar melodies follow ORIAN’s soulful voice closely, adding an emotional weight to his words. The track was produced by ANDOR, giving it an epic and swelling ambience.

Though penned prior to our current global context, ‘Grateful’s sentiment rings true for ORIAN now more than ever. About learning to lean on those around you when you need it most, his lyrics are reflective, humble, and grounded – an incidentally perfect fit for the times. A stripped-back version of the track was recorded during Lockdown live in Berlin.

“‘Grateful’, reflects the vulnerability that I feel, and how important having the right people around you can be at these times. In short, it’s a reminder to be there for one another, and to be grateful for the people we surround ourselves with.” Orian.

Following the success of their previous single ‘Every Time I Make You Hate Me’, Rofi James returns with their latest track ‘Sorry’. Written through the lens of a character discussing the best and worst sides of their personality, ‘Sorry’ tackles the themes of anxiety, uncertainty, internal battles and mental health, feelings familiar across the world during one of the most difficult years in recent history. 

The song was written by Ronan Flaherty, Jamie Murray and Joseph Flaherty, and was mixed and produced by Dave Skelton. It was then mastered by Fergal Davis (Muse, Republic of Loose, The Divine Comedy). In the band’s own words, the track is about, “struggling with feelings of isolation, anxiousness and loneliness, the uncertainty about asking for help, and ultimately coming to the realisation that those darker moments will pass and it’s possible to overcome them.”

Since releasing their debut single in 2016, the Galway-based band have opened for established acts including Picture This, Wild Youth and The Riptide Movement. Other notable appearances include performances at Electric Picnic, Fever Pitch and Riverfest, which Rofi James co-headlined alongside LE GALAXIE and Hermitage Green.

Earlier this year Rofi James headlined the Galway 2020 capital of culture Fire Festival Tour, spanning 7 nights across the county of Galway, with outdoor shows in Clifden, Spiddal, Tuam, Balliansloe, Portumna and Athenry, performing to approximately 15,000 people over the tour. Rofi James were due to wrap up the week of shows at the grand opening ceremony in front of a 50,000 strong crowd, with the event falling foul to the unpredictable weather of Galway.

Feeling at home on radio, Rofi James have acquired over 3.6 Million Impacts on Irish Radio, 180,000 streams on Spotify and received regular airplay on RTÉ 2FM, iRadio, Beat 102103, Red FM and many other stations nationwide.

With the band close to finishing their debut album, scheduled for release in 2021, ‘Sorry’ is the first of many singles scheduled for the coming months.

‘Sorry’ is available across all digital platforms now.

https://www.rofijames.com/
www.instagram.com/rofijames 
https://www.breakingtunes.com/rofijamesmusic
www.facebook.com/rofijamesmusic 
www.twitter.com/rofi_james

Following the release of his debut album ‘Masks‘ in 2019, Galway rocker Echo Harte returns to bring you his latest single ‘Rain In June’, which focuses on the toxic moments that come towards the end of a relationship.

Echo Harte, an alternative-rock singer/songwriter from Tuam, Co. Galway, began releasing music as an artist in 2016 with the release of his first single ‘Separate Ways’ . He followed this up with fellow singles ‘Kaos’, ‘Scars Of Rag Week’ and ‘Exile’, all  of which were featured on his debut album. 

Speaking about the origins of ‘Rain In June’, Harte recalled the writing process behind the track. The song is a collaboration with fellow artist Flemingo, which began in a jam session where Echo improvised lyrics and Flemingo strummed the early remnants of a melody.

“The lyrics were originally intended to be about the changes the world was going through due to the pandemic but took an instant shift to being about a toxic relationship” they added of the song’s key message.

Harte’s interest in music began when his father taught him how to play guitar at the age of 9. By the age of 13, he was playing electric guitar, and by 14 had joined his first band. A year later, he formed Blu Loves Milo, where he took to singing for the first time. After years of experience gigging with both bands, Harte began production of ‘Masks’.

Echo Harte has performed in venues across Ireland, including in Whelans where he performed at the midnight hour with fellow Galway band Dead Horse Jive, Fibber Magees, Róisín Dubh and Corralea Court in Tuam, where he supported legendary English punk poet John Cooper Clarke. 

‘Rain In June’ is set to only be the beginning of the Echo Harte comeback, with more singles in the pipeline already. “I want to collaborate with other local artists for each single,” Harte confirmed, “I also plan on releasing a new single with my band Vulture Casino in the near future.” 

‘Rain In June’ is available across all digital platforms.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1GlXon5Pp3s14dUYzO2wGC
Facebook: www.facebook.com/echohartemusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoharte_music/ 
Bandcamp: https://echoharte.bandcamp.com/releases 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EchoHarteMusic 

Shy Mascot today release new single ‘Telepathic’.

“’Telepathic’, like many of our other songs, came about during a break in rehearsal. Our pal and former keyboard player Éanna Ryder was playing this riff on piano that just made me think of a dramatic conversation or argument. I recorded the riff on my phone, went home and wrote my verse and the first back and forth section of dialogue. Fiadh took it, and fleshed it out  by making the concept more three dimensional with her lyrics.” –   Jamel

It became a song about the breakdown in communication of a couple. Thinking of it as an argument, it opens with one side trying to  explain themselves and how frustrating it is dealing with someone who won’t be honest and open with their thoughts. It follows the character’s inner monologue and dialogue between them, often with many contradictions. That’s how it is though, the remnants of the loving relationship are still there which makes things all the more complicated.

“It was gas listening back after a take! It reminded me that that is what I sound like when I argue. It’s not always calm, thought out points, but can descend into petty jabs at the other person, and wound-up explosions of anger!” – Fiadh

Following the single release of ‘Telepathic’, the accompanying Live music video will launch On November 27th

Shy Mascot are a Dublin-based quintet who, through their inventive blend of familiar genres, bring a uniquely provocative sound to Ireland and beyond. By combining elements of funk, jazz, and hip-hop, they succeed in blurring the lines between traditional genres and reviving them with a fresh new groove.

In a fresh collision of hypnotic rap (Jamel), soulful vocals (Fiadh), and electric jazz instrumentals (Keith), Shy Mascot make for an exciting display of talent no matter what the setting. They have commanded the stages of reputable Dublin venues like The Grand Social and WigWam, as well as independent music festival ‘Knockanstockan’ and the iconic ‘Galway Jazz Festival’. They have also played Kilkenny’s Sofa sessions which was curated by Irish Times jazz critic Cormac Larkin, and Red Bull’s FREE GAFF event in 2019.

In August of 2020 the band took part in ‘A Modern Ireland In Music’, a virtual event in association with the Irish Arts Centre NY, along with creative platform ‘The X Collective’ of which they are a part.

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