Author: Breffni Banks

‘Content’ is the introduction to Irish multidisciplinary artist, Frendan.

Frendan has spent the last number of years self-producing a genre bending concept album, as well as directing & editing a number of strikingly original music videos to be released over the coming weeks.

Drawing strong influence from electronic powerhouses like Flying Lotus & Aphex Twin or Hip Hop pioneers like Gorillaz & The Streets, ‘Content’ marks the first chapter of Frendan’s audiovisual experimentation.

On the debut single, Frendan wrote:

“After spending the best part of two years in a constant state of content consumption, I figured that the frustration I felt probably wasn’t unique to me, and so I wanted to express that in as creative a way as possible. I feel like we are headed in a direction where technology will only become more and more absorbing, it is important to take a step back every now and again to observe how quickly things are changing and developing”.

The music video for ‘Content’ is an explosion of imagination and creativity. Inhabiting an array of characters, Frendan shines a light on the many enticing yet menacing qualities of modern technology. An instant and soul-rattling banger, ‘Content’ is an exciting addition to the budding Irish hip-hop scene.

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Northern Irish Indie newcomer Jack Devlin  lands with debut single ‘Lies’  released on March 16th 2022.

Jack Devlin has been an unstoppable feature in Northern Ireland during the pandemic – playing gigs when the venues will have him and taking to the streets when the doors have been closed. With venues being closed he has traveled with a guitar busking on the streets of Ireland, writing constantly and using initiative to win over friends.

In the summer of 2020 he realised that a caravan battery could power up a busking session and so he was active with musician friends in Sligo, Galway, Westport, Dublin and Galway.

The income was healthy and the surge in social media supporters was proof that the effort was worth it.

Before COVID Jack has supported the likes of David Keenan and Hermitage Green. All of this has been building towards his first release, the track ‘Lies’. Recorded at home in rural Ireland this song contrasts from its birthplace, a three minute power house with a sound that aims for bigger places. For fans of Sam Fender, Cold War Kids and Jeff Buckley. One of the many songs he’s crafted at home during the pandemic.

Jack comes from Hilltown, by the Mourne Mountains. He was learning guitar at school and was also embarked on a mountain bike adventure, excelling on a competitive level.

In 2018 he was the Ulster Elite Enduro Champion. He rode in Italy and Austria and following a flight mishap at Whistler, British Columbia, he took to busking between rides to raise the extra cash for the journey home. This music/mountain bike connection was celebrated in a video, Busk to Ride  (2017). His other legacy from bike riding is a broken pelvis and a fractured wrist.  “I’ve got plates in all sorts of places.”

Music claims his energies now. He has over 100 songs recorded in various states of readiness. All to be revealed in the coming months.

“The song is always the foundation of where I judge my success,”  he reckons.

Columbia Mills announces the release of their new single ‘Heart of a Nation’. ‘Heart of a Nation” is the title track and first single from their third album scheduled for release in September this year. The single is due out Friday, 18th March 2022. 

Speaking about ‘Heart of a Nation’ lead singer Fiachra Treacy said: 

“Heart of a Nation” documents the housing crisis in Ireland, with each verse tackling a different aspect of the problem.  From a mother sleeping with her children in a Garda station to the crooked businessmen and politicians that have caused the housing crisis in Ireland.  Heart of a Nation peels back the political rhetoric and looks at the real people affected when the ruling class looks out for themselves.

Described by John Kennedy (Radio X) as Ireland’s answer to The National. Columbia Mills are regulars at festivals such as Indiependence, Longitude, and Electric Picnic and have supported world-class acts like Ride, Public Service Broadcasting, and Palace. On top of this, they have also toured Ireland & the UK with a string of headline shows at venues such as Whelans, King Tuts, and Sebright Arms.

Their mission statement is to merge electronica, dance, and pop while fostering a spirit of inclusion always evident at the long-gone club “Columbia Mills’ in Dublin’s docklands from where they took their name.

Constant musical development has marked the journey of Columbia Mills since the band’s inception. The band has released two critically acclaimed albums to date. ‘A Safe Distance to Watch’ and ‘CCTV’.

Columbia Mills are:

Fiachra Treacy

Ste Ward

Uisneagh Treacy

Connect with Columbia Mills: 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Spotify | BandCamp

Trusting the process is always a thing that is easier said than done but in the case of South Dublin rapper Selló, it’s been a phrase he has lived. Since stepping into the scene bearly a year ago the “Dublin” and “As Gaeilge” rapper’s rise has been a remarkably fast one. Championing a new voice for the nation of Ireland in the form of “Gaelic Drill”, a fusion of traditional Irish culture with the modern drill/ hip hop sound. Selló has pioneered a new era of music that is heavily focused on reviving classic samples and giving them a new lease of life.

Produced by ProdbyMax, ‘Process’ is a reflection of Selló’s come up and hunger to make it in the rap game. Using traditional Irish samples as a backbone Selló’s rhymes depict the stark surroundings he grew up in, while also highlighting the inner turmoil he continues to deal with on his journey to fame as well as depicting a range of systemic issues. All of this plays out over infectious, icy production. Speaking on the track Sello Explained, “This song is about what’s happening in my life right now, my come up, my journey, where I come from and my hunger for success. I see this as a motivational track for anyone on the come up”.

Hailing from Clondalkin a small town in Dublin Selló has quickly exploded in popularity. Know for his thick Dublin accent rapid-fire rhymes, storytelling and infectiously simple choruses – Selló has enough talent and charisma to silence any doubters. Named RTE 2FM Rising Artist and Irish Times Top 50 People To Watch after a breakthrough year, which saw him release a steady pace of singles, Selló is gearing up to release his highly anticipated debut project sometime this year.

Keep up with Selló via:
https:/www.instagram.com/sello_ire/
https://twitter.com/Sello_ire

Cork singer, songwriter, and musician, Kevin Walsh will be releasing his debut single, Embrace the World, on 13th April in what he terms, “a gesture of hope for autism awareness in the community for Ireland and beyond.”

Kevin, who was diagnosed as autistic at age 5, has faced many challenges in his journey to becoming a professional musician, this single will not only launch his hard won career in music, but its success has the opportunity to offer inspiration to other autistic artists. This symphonic ballad, with its rock undertone and wide array of vocal styles, was inspired by some of Kevin’s favourite musical theatre ensemble numbers. Inspiration for the vocal composition of the track came to Kevin from supergroups formed by Bob Geldof, Michael Jackson and Irish Women In Harmony, as it features an eclectic mix of talented vocalists; Emma Langford, Ger O’Hanlon, Lisa Curran, Molly Lynch, Rebecca Houlihan, Stephen Gormley, Caroline Kay and Mark Daly. The track was produced at Kitten Lane Studios by Aidan O’Connor, and at MTU Cork School of Music by MA graduate, Emily O’Leary with Mix Engineer Rik Appleby of Lionheart Productions, and Fergal Davis Mastering.

“By embracing widely different vocal styles within our super group performance, I wanted to allude to the variety within Autistic diagnoses, as each person on the spectrum is an individual with different support needs and ranges of abilities.”

The music video for Embrace the World, directed by award-winning director-producer Yvonne Coughlan of RSVP (Red Sandstone Varied Productions), was shot over ten days, with 11 crew, and a cast of 21 character roles, 13 dancers, and 22 special extras. This ambitious video production dramatically illustrates key moments of Kevin’s life growing up as an autistic person, and the impact on his family; from a non-verbal child with eating difficulties to an adult with a First Class Honours degree in music. Jean Law (Fair City, The South Westerlies) portrays Kevin’s mother. Logan O’Leary, Paddy Hayes and Roy O’Connor portray Kevin at various stages of his life, both Logan and Roy are on the autism spectrum, as the project works to follow the disability maxim, ‘Nothing about us without us.’ The Embrace the World vocalists and Kevin himself make appearances at locations in Kerry, Limerick, Cork, London and Barcelona.

Embrace the World is supported by a FundIt crowdfunding campaign with 278 pledges. The campaign drew local and national media attention. 50% of all proceeds from the single and its related merchandise will be donated towards AsIAm, the national charity providing a one-stop shop for the Autism community in Ireland.  “AsIAm’s mission statement emphasises education, empowerment, advocacy and community, four areas which strongly resonate with me” 

The pre-launch for Embrace the World on March 24th, at Firkin Crane theatre is a reception followed by a talk-show style event and features artists Mark Daly, Rebecca Houlihan, Lisa Curran and Ger O’Hanlon, including performances from composer Kevin Walsh, as well as a preview of the music video.

To celebrate World Autism month, we mark the official release of Embrace the World on the 13th April. Physical copies are available for sale at all Embrace the World events, with digital downloads and merchandise available via Bandcamp.

Embrace the World can also be found on all digital streaming platforms.

Find Out More About Kevin Walsh: https://www.facebook.com/Kevin.Walsh.MusicIRE, https://www.instagram.com/kevin.walsh.music

Find Out More About Embrace the World: https://www.instagram.com/embracetheworldrsvp/ https://www.facebook.com/embracetheworldRSVP

Songwriter, electronic musician and multi instrumentalist Trick Mist (Gavin Murray) presents a beautiful live performance video shot on Christian’s Hill, Ardee. The Pizza Pizza Records produced video sees the electronic artist performing in his favourite field.

Featured is a new song ‘Flagbearer’ along with a new version of older song ‘Crumbs Abound’.

In Murray’s words-

The song Flagbearer was written after my Nan’s wake. It was such a mad time returning to her home house. I hadn’t been there in so long and I was confronted by memories of the place mixed with the whirlwind intensity of a traditional Irish wake. A wake is a great Irish ritual. I reckon it’s something we do well. The song is an ode to that as well as to her. The hill in the video is called Christian’s Hill. I used to love coming over here as a kid. The structure’s function seems unclear. Some people say it was a lookout post, others say a mill for flax or flour. Another theory is that the hill was a place of worship or ritual. This is the theory I like the most! So I’ve decided to create my own ritual here today with my flag, my art and my experience in a place that resonates. 

Bio

Trick Mist is Irish songwriter, multi instrumentalist and producer Gavin Murray.

His arsenal of original samples and storytelling lyrics combined with gestures towards traditional Irish music and experimental electronics create a captivating, immersive and meditative musical space.

Trick Mist

Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Spotify / Youtube / Website / Soundcloud / Bandcamp

‘My Joy’ is a delicate yet upbeat love song narrating how love grows from young to old.  This single is the first release from an album that will be released at the end of April.

The song was recorded during 2021 with support of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media via The Music Industry Stimulus Package.

It features two members of the Ulster Orchestra, Danny McCann-Williams performing violin, and Sian Evans performing cello.  Danny also arranged the strings.

Accompanying the song is a stunning video filmed by David McGarvey showcasing the picturesque Mourne Mountains and the east coast of Northern Ireland.  This video project was funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Creative Individuals Recovery Program.

‘My Joy’ is available now on Bandcamp and all other online music stores from the 19^th of March 2022.

Stephen James Smith releases single ‘I’ve Had Lovers’, taken from his upcoming album ‘See No Evil’ due out 1st April 2022.

This spring sees Stephen James Smith embark on his 3rd tour of the UK & Ireland. However this time he will be on the road with a band and visual artist (Steve Simpson) as he performs poetry.

The 9 track album was recorded during lockdown in Co. Wexford, after Stephen found himself moving there from Dublin during the pandemic which presented the opportunity to work with Gavin Glass in Orphan Recording Studios. Stephen was awarded the Music Industry Stimulus Package under the Recording Stimulus fund to help with the making of the album which is due for release on ‘Nymphs & Thugs’ an independent record label based in the UK. Stephen is the first Irish artist they are working with.

The album is produced by Gareth Quinn Redmond and features a host of other artists such as; Conor O’Brien (Villagers), Jess Kav, Laura Quirke (Lemoncello), Cormac Begley, Camin Gilmore (Sun Collective / Crash Ensemble), Aidan Murphy, Conor Cunningham and Albert Karch.

TOUR DATES:

IE

8th April – Pepper Canister, Dublin

10th April – Bennigans Bar, Derry

22nd April – Presentation Centre Enniscorthy, Wexford

23rd April – Monroe’s Tavern, Galway 

30th April – The MAC, Belfast

6th May – Coughlan’s, Cork

UK

18th May – London Irish Centre

19th May – Carole Nash Hall, Stoller Hall, Manchester

21st May – Thorner Victory Hall, Leeds

22nd May – The Hug and Pint, Glasgow

The UK tour has kindly been funding by Culture Ireland.

Connect with Stephen James Smith 

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Up & coming, Cork singer songwriter Emmo releases his new single ‘Still’. The single channels the raw spirit and energy of a love that is resolute and remains ignited despite the trials and tribulations of time.

Fresh off the stage from a series of sold out headline shows in Cyprus Avenue, Winthrop Avenue, Whelans and The Workmans Club, EMMO is at the cusp of an industry breakthrough.

Of the new single, Emmo says:

“The same exhausted tropes are always in love songs – be it new, lost, unrequited love etc. But what about Love that is resolute? My aim was to credit the actuality of persistent and unfaltering love between couples who have been together for a long time despite the odds. Funnily enough, the song started as a slow-moving piece but became this anthem like ballad after my guitar was knocked into a strange tuning from being loose in the back of my car. After some experimenting, the lyrics sprang to life with the new energetic sound from the accidental tuning.”

Recorded in Camden Studios, Dublin, produced by Cian Boylan & mixed by Conor Brady with Darren Beckett (from the Killers) on drums, Dave Redmond on double bass, Kealan Kenny on lap steel guitar and Mastered by Ruadhrí Cushan. Emmo’s raw vocals & undeniably catchy hooks speak for themselves. Furthermore, Emmo snuck his friends & family onto the track, listen carefully and you might just pick out a hidden message!

A unique and intelligent singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Cork with influences ranging from Hozier and The Lumineers to Phil Collins and Joni Mitchel, EMMO’s genre lies as his true song writing ability often leading him to create incredibly different songs.

EMMO was invited by Ovation Guitars to perform at The German Songwriter Awards in Berlin. His song “Little Bird” received critical acclaim from a panel of industry judges including Universal Music & Sony Music making it through to the semi-finals.

While EMMO is continuing to develop his sound from one song to the next he most certainly is not letting the constraints of being “Genre Specific” hinder his creative spirit, which makes him an exciting, unpredictable and fresh-sounding newcomer to the Irish Music scene.

https://www.facebook.com/EmmoMusicIreland/

https://twitter.com/emmo_music

https://instagram.com/emmomusic