Author: Breffni Banks

Bog Bodies’ new single ‘Dead Are Dancing’ is a haunting, dark-folk song that bravely blends a traditional folk sound with a distinct, contemporary vision that is garnering critical acclaim both nationally and abroad.

You can catch Bog Bodies performing live in 2022 at the Electric Picnic Festival as well as the Bealtaine Fire Festival, among more dates yet to be announced. 4

‘Dead Are Dancing is the second of a 3-single campaign (preceded by ‘Firelighters’) that will pave the way to their debut album, ‘Reclaim The Ritual’, out later in 2022.

Bog Bodies are a heavy folk outfit (often dubbed “Bog Rock” or “Druid Rock”) formed by Irish singer-songwriter and anthropologist Dan Maher. Their genre-bending, high-energy folk sound is inspired by Dan’s close study and appreciation of ancient culture, pulling songs from the ether during visits to megalithic tombs and other ancient sites.

The forthcoming debut album has been written and arranged by Maher over the last 2 years of world-travel and has been scheduled for release later in 2022.

Tour Dates

7th May – Bealtaine Fire festival at Uisneach

12th June – Doolin Folk Festival

30th – 2nd July – Stendhal Festival

2nd – 4th Sept. – Electric Picnic Festival

Renowned Irish songwriter, John Spillane, is set to release a timely live version of his iconic song, ‘The Dance of the Cherry Trees’, taken from a forthcoming album of his music recorded live with Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra. Originally released in 2002, the track has found a place in the hearts of many music lovers in Ireland and internationally, with its themes of new life, hope, warmth and wonder.

‘The Dance of the Cherry Trees’ is the first single from In Another Light – an album that was recorded live at the Right Here Right Now Festival at Cork Opera House in 2021. John is joined on the track by Pauline Scanlon with the Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra, conducted that night by John O’Brien and orchestrated by Paul Frost.

The song has found a regular place on Irish airwaves over the last two decades, perhaps particularly during April when the titular Cherry Trees begin to bloom around the country. Its positive sentiments and optimistic look to the future also brought much comfort during the lockdowns of 2020-21, with the lyrics “well done everyone” having deep resonance for many.

“‘The Dance of the Cherry Trees’ was first released as a single in April 2002 on the EMI label,” says John, “and has received much airplay down the years around the world and at home. This is its 20th year and the song has had many adventures. It took me to Japan in 2003, the home of the cherry trees. It is like my ‘Fairytale of New York’ in that it gets a burst of radio play every year in its own season.

“The song then got more radio play than ever in 2020 in the first Covid year. Everybody stopped and suddenly noticed the spring blossom.  Like a tree, the song has grown some tree rings in the 20 years. There’s a riff in there that was composed by Peter O’ Toole, one of the Hothouse Flowers, who produced the first single, and there’s some lovely notes in there as well that came from Donogh Hennessy the great traditional guitarist.”

Two-time Meteor award winner John Spillane is a musician, songwriter, performer, recording artist, storyteller, poet and dreamer. Rooted in people, place and story, his music transports the listener and his live performances captivate audiences around the world. John’s extensive back catalogue begins with the 1997 album The Wells of the World.

This new live version of ‘The Dance of the Cherry Trees’ will be accompanied by an imaginative video, directed by former member of Gráda, Alan Doherty. The idea for this Cherry Trees video came from my manager Ciara O’ Leary Fitzpatrick,” explains John. “She dreamt up three videos for the three singles we are releasing from the new album. These videos will explore three themes; youth, young adulthood and maturity. It was a pleasure to work with Alan, who is a positive and hard working creative artist and it was wonderful to work with my eight year old granddaughter Sofia who stars in this lovely video.”

In Another Light pre-save link: https://johnspillane.bandcamp.com/album/in-another-light

Connect with John Spillane Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Tour Dates

April 23 – Cashel, Tipperary

April 30 – Sea Church, Ballycotton, Cork

May 1 – Drimoleague Inn, Cork

May 5 – Station House Theatre Clifden, Galway

May 15 – The Mall Arts Centre, Youghal

June 4 – Mountshannon Arts

June 5 – Jim of the Mills, Thurles

June 17 – The Snug Bar, Athlone

July 8 – Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy

modernlove.  announces seven Irish tour dates for November 2022. Taking place in Belfast, Derry, Galway, Listowel, Limerick, Cork and finally, Dublin. Tickets will go on sale this Friday, 29th April at 10am from www.singularartists.ie 

Their latest single ‘Don’t Wanna’ is out now, via Akira Records, this follows their single ‘Follow You’ which have since found support across countless tastemakers including Wonderland, Hot Press, Official Charts and many more, Irish indie-rock outfit modernlove. return once again to deliver their euphoric new single ‘Don’t Wanna’ through Akira Records (Phoria, Henry Green, Mt. Wolf, Rosie Carney, Shura). 

Previous support comes from 2FM, BBC R1, BBC R6, BBC Ulster, XS Manchester, Across the Line, and Radio X, as well as featured in The Line of Best Fit, Earmilk, Wonderland, Hot Press, MTV, Under The Radar, Nialler9, Golden Plec, Atwood Magazine, Ones To Watch, Vacancy, and named as the Official Charts’ Ones to Watch’,

 Like their name suggests, modernlove. explore the complexities of the modern lives of twenty-somethings. Even though their lives are still complicated, Barry, Cian, Danny and Graham of Drogheda have already nailed their sound; they deliver polished, indie-pop with a glossy ’90s sheen and intricate details.

Sat 12 – Belfast, Deer’s Head

Sun 13 – Derry, Sandino’s

Thu 17 – Listowel, Mike The Pies

Fri 18 – Limerick, Kasbah Social Club

Sat 19 – Cork, Winthrop Ave

Thurs 24 – Galway, Roisin Dubh

Fri 25 – Dublin, Button Factory

Tickets will be available from Friday 29th April at 10am via www.singularartists.ie 

Connect with modernlove. 

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Spotify 

Best known for his time as frontman of Dublin quintet The Eskies, who released 2 highly acclaimed albums and toured Europe extensively including festival performances at Glastonbury, Montreux Jazz Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Electric Picnic etc , Ian Bermingham has developed a reputation as a truly singular writer and performer, ploughing a furrow that defies both trend and tradition.

His eagerly anticipated debut album ‘The Death Of Old Sea Legs’ is a genre-bending, un- pigeonhole-able, totally singular record. It’s a timeless tangle of tongue-twisting, brain-burrowing lyrics that lurches from breathless barrage to lilting lament – at times without a moments notice. Crawling with vivid imagery and colourful characters, it’s a window into a world entirely of Bermingham’s own creation.

Displaying all of the storytelling nous and craft of the quintessential folk troubadour, the melodic ear of a pop pioneer and the lyrical largesse that has become so synonymous with Ian’s songwriting, ‘Old Sea Legs’ see’s the Dubliner push himself to new and exciting territory as a solo performer, with a sound that manages to be both expansive yet intimate.

Old Sea Legs – Socials Links :

Twitter –  @itsoldsealegs

Instagram –  @itsoldsealegs

Facebook –  @itsoldsealegs

Website – www.oldsealegs.com

One of Ireland’s finest songwriters, Roisin O, returns to Cork on Thursday May 5th, with her long-awaited sophomore album, Courageous. 

Getting its release on Friday April 29, Courageous is a musical autobiography charting the last few years of the singer-songwriter’s life – dealing with loss, heartache, breakups, letting go, and ultimately finding hope. It’s an album that chronicles never before heard chapters from the life of one of Ireland’s most distinctive and talented female voices.

Having previously immersed herself in other successful collaborations as the lead singer of the band Thanks Brother and as part of Irish Women in Harmony (who achieved an Irish number 1 with ‘Dreams’ in 2020), this album sees Róisín’s triumphant return as a powerful and influential solo artist. Her recent signing to US Record Label Blix Street is an indication of how, yet again, she seems destined to make a mark as a performer in her own right.

Combining Róisín’s incredible vocals with her innate skill for composing indelible lyrics, this is an album that will allow the listener to accompany her on a journey of heartbreak and healing but, in true Róisín style, there are plenty of tracks that will also make you want to turn up the volume and dance!

Róisín O said: “This record has been about eight years in the making. Since my debut album I’ve made a lot of different career moves but in 2021 I finally decided to come back to my solo career as Róisín O. Releasing a second album had always been a daunting thought, something I kept putting at arm’s length. After writing the first single ‘Heart + Bones’ in 2020, the songs just poured out of me and the time finally felt right to release my second album.

“The pandemic affected so many people in different ways and for me, it really gave me the time to take stock and reassess why I was doing this in the first place. I love performing, I love writing songs and I love seeing people connect with them or move them in some way. Every song on this album has an underlying theme of bravery and it has taken a lot of courage to finally get to this point in my career. I took the long road but I’m so proud to be releasing my sophomore album Courageous.”

Following the success of her 2021 singles ‘Heart + Bones’, ‘Still Gold’, and her top 20 hit ‘2023’, her most recent single ‘Stolen’ soared straight to No.1 on iTunes, having been co-written with international hitmaker singer-songwriter Gavin James. Now with the release of the album comes Róisín’s brand-new single ‘Better Now’.

If getting over a breakup took song form it would be ‘Better Now’ which cites the highs, the lows and ultimately the resolve to emerge from heartache stronger and more empowered. Produced by Danny O’Reilly (The Coronas), Cormac Butler (Gavin James, James Vincent McMorrow) and Lar Kaye (All Tvvins, True Tides) and mixed by Phil Magee (Kodaline, The Script), ‘Better Now’ evokes the epic chorus of Florence and the Machines’ ‘Dog Days Are Over’ with the sentiment of Beyoncé’s ‘Irreplaceable’. It shows that sometimes when the clouds of heartbreak clear, you are free, have clarity, and are healed – finally you are ‘Better Now’.

‘Still Wish We Were Together’ is the 3rd single released by Robbie Monaghan. A song about heartbreak. It’s an acoustic pop single that will have significant mass appeal.
It was recorded and produced by Dave Skelton (Rofi James, Rachel, Faraway Martin) and mastered by Aidan Foley of Masterlabs (Denise Chalia, U2).

‘I wrote this song about a time when I was heartbroken. I was missing the girl after she broke up with me, I was finding it hard to get her out of my head and wishing she’d take me back. I think it’s a song that will resonate with a lot of people’.

The song was created first through acoustic guitar chordal progression, which was then layered with the vocals, the piece was then complimented with electric guitar and drum kit.

Robbie Monaghan is a 20 year old singer song-writer from Galway. Robbie began his music career at a young age, busking on the streets of Galway since he was 12 years old.
In 2017, Robbie was chosen to co-front the ‘Galway Girl’ act on the Late, Late Toy Show. This experience further encouraged Robbie to pursue a career in music and he began song writing.

In 2019 Robbie auditioned for X-Factor ‘The Band’ where he progressed to the semi-finals of the competition. Nicole Scherzinger joined Robbie on stage for his rendition of ‘Don’t Cha’ by The Pussycat Dolls. This performance has subsequently gone viral on YouTube with over 1.3 million views.

Over lockdown Robbie made good use of his time concentrating on songwriting and social media which lead to him going viral on Tiktok gaining 120,000 followers, over 50,000,000 views and over 3,000,000 likes with his entertaining videos of him singing to strangers online.

In late 2021 Robbie heard Louis Walsh was looking for the next big boyband, he had already gained the attention of Louis from the X-Factor and says ‘Louis had been giving him advice and feedback on his songs’ from 3,000 applicants he made it to the final 20 of the making of the boyband and then got the bad new he said ‘he had a heart to heart with Louis as Louis said ‘I don’t envision you in this band I see you as more of a soloist but you should keep in touch with me and it definitely won’t be the last time we meet’

Since then Robbie has been building up his arsenal of original songs and said ‘I want the world to know what Robbie Monaghan can do’ ahead of his next series of releases.

Robbie says his music is influenced by the likes of Niall Horan and Lewis Capaldi.

Roscó Flanagan is a folk and blues artist from Dublin, Ireland. He first emerged on the scene playing original songs around the rousing pubs of his hometown in the mid to late 2000s. His unique lyrics, honest vocals and naturally developed fingerstyle approach to acoustic guitar quickly garnered the attention of his peers. He has successfully played a handful of festivals across Ireland to enthusiastic reception.

In the midst of the pandemic lockdowns – and an overcoming of significant personal loss – the decidedly humble two tracks that make up ‘Take This Hand’ were recorded, mixed and mastered by modest means at home in 2021. Released that fading summer, this act of “doing” signified a watershed moment in the evolution of a musician beginning to realise his own potential. The results were reviewed favourably by several local magazines and online music zines, as well as being featured on various playlists in the digital streaming world.

Encouraged by the response, Roscó booked himself into the studio towards the closing of the year to lay down the uplifting, wistful ‘Ballad For The Gap Of Danger’.

Officially available as of April 29th, this represents the work of a maturing songwriter ready to face the music. Sights are already set on the coming of his debut EP later this year.

Pre-save forthcoming single

Instagram | Spotify

ROOUE are the electro-pop twins merging glistening noughties pop, gorgeous harmonization and R&B infused stylings to create an honest, insightful look into love, loss and uncertainty in 2022.

On Friday 22nd April 2022 the duo release their fifth single, ‘Orbit’ – their most compelling and radio-friendly to date.

A song about stumbling through a new reality, ‘Orbit’ takes its inspiration from that disorienting feeling experienced at the end of a relationship, when it feels like your whole world has imploded. To be able to capture such deep feelings and metamorphose them into a perfect pop song seems effortless in the hands of ROOUE, A.K.A. Roisin and Lou.

ROOUE say: ”‘Orbit’ delves into the vulnerable perspective of how one is suddenly expected not to be in love, just because the relationship has ended. However, hours before the break up, you would have done anything for that person. The feeling is as if one sentence has thrown your life, as you knew it, completely upside down.”

Born in London before moving to Dublin as children, Roisin and Lou grew up in a home warmed by music and creativity. With a music therapist mother and “music-nerd” father, their lives were soundtracked by everything from jazz and classic rock to Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.

Though they have always made music, it wasn’t until 2019 that the twin sisters decided to come together as ROOUE, a portmanteau of their given names, and a few months later they had their debut single ready and waiting to be recorded. When COVID struck, the pair, not to be deterred, set up a home studio, which led to the release of ‘What You Want’ in October 2020. Since then, ROOUE have released three more singles: ‘Flavour’, ‘Bad Blood’ and ‘Dancing Sad’, each track showing a growing maturity.

“We have drifted to more commercial pop, but over time gravitated towards 00s vibes with old-school roots,” they explain of their musical evolution. “We’ve really grown as people, even though it’s only been a year.”

Despite their relatively recent arrival on the scene, ROOUE’s previous singles have earned them millions of impacts on Irish radio, in particular the 90s-tinged ‘Dancing Sad’, which was playlisted by iRadio and ‘Bad Blood’, which received widespread airplay on Spin 1038, Spin South West, iRadio, 98fm and more. Nialler9 called their music “Really smart electronic pop music” and Hot Press commented that the twins are “one of the most exciting emerging acts on the Irish scene”.

Connect with ROOUE:

TIK-TOK  | IG  | FB  | TWITTER  | SPOTIFY

Sean is a 21-year-old singer songwriter from County Wicklow. Seán began writing at the age of 10 and has spent the last 12 years honing his craft. In 2015 Sean’s song ‘Burning In Fire’ was chosen by Music Generation Wicklow to be recorded on The Lennon Bus when it visited County Wicklow.

Sean started to make a name for himself in 2019 which saw him share the stage with Aslan and Jerry Fish. The highlight for 2019 was opening for Aslan in front of a sold-out crowd in The National Opera House.
2019 also saw Sean release his second single ‘Open Road’ which saw airplay on numerous local radio stations including KCLR, Phoenix FM, East Coast FM and many more.

In 2020 Sean teamed up with some fellow musicians to form The Decades. Their intention was to put on an Irish Tour and break onto the Irish Festival scene. COVID 19 highjacked their plans so instead they turned to the studio and recorded ‘Electricity’. Sean recorded and produced the single under his own label Fox Sound Productions.

‘Electricity’ was released October 31st and went straight into the overall Irish Itunes Chart at NO 1. By the end of the week they were number 20 in the Official Irish Home-Grown Chart Electricity was playlisted on RTE2XM as well Classic Hits FM, KCLR, East Coast and many more.

Sean is once again back on the live scene, with shows lined up in The Workmans Club and Whelans .Sean will be opening once again for Aslan in The Amber Springs.

‘Orchestra Of Sound’ is best described as an upbeat pop song/indie rock . The song describes the impact one person can have on all aspects of your life both positive and negative .
Seán says this track has brought together his love for Acoustic Singer Songwriter style and Indie Rock .

Seán ‘demonstrates his ability as a multi-instrumentalist and producer having played all the instruments as well as mixing and producing the track in his own studio. Seán played ‘Orchestra Of Sound as part of his set while opening for Aslan at a sold out show in February. The song went down exceptionally well with audience members asking when it would be released all throughout the evening. Sean says the audience reaction has been amazing and he can’t wait to see how ‘Orchestra Of Sound’ performs when released.

Details of upcoming shows can be found on Social Media or at seanfoxmusic.com.