Author: Breffni Banks

Emerging artist Xona is a musical triple threat who combines a special talent for songwriting and production with a truly beautiful voice to deliver sensual, soulful pop music.

He releases his debut EP ‘In My Head’ Friday 12^th November via Welcome to the New World, the Berlin based label who also represent Tolü Makay, Strange Boy, Enda Gallery, and Willzee.

Having moved from Lagos to Ireland at the age of 10, he spent his teenage years mixing it up between the church choir and watching live performances of the pop stars like Prince and Christina Aguilera on YouTube. Pursuing his dream of writing songs and being a singer Xona studied for degrees in jazz and popular music all the while making ripples in the Irish underground music scene.

Xona began working with different producers and songwriters in London, Berlin, and Dublin. His influences emanate from the vast worlds of jazz, electronic, house, rock and even classical music.

Speaking of the seven track EP, Xona says: “;In my Head; it is sentimental, very melodramatic, and just fun. I can’t put into words how proud I am of the tiny little world we created.
It’s an emotional rant which is probably why the intro is my fave, right off the bat I’m alerting you to the fact that it’s just yet another singer stepping up to the mic to bemoan the thrills and swells of the heart (yet again!).

This Ep was a teacher, it taught me lessons about myself with every track I completed. I learnt how to really write on this project, through sitting in a particular feeling or experience and really understanding the story. and sometimes even though the stories didn’t arrive seamlessly, there was this newfound calm in the process, driving without a roadmap, to a destination you’re so sure you’ll eventually reach. I learned what sound served as the best vehicle to carry what I felt I had to say, and most importantly I found out how to mean what I said.

With every listen I’m taken back to what was then the overwhelming feeling that inspired each track, Longing (‘This Could be Us’) bubblegum infatuation (‘Crazy’),  separation anxiety (‘When You’re Not Around’), yielding (‘Anything)’, love (‘Slow Dancing’).

Given the last year we’ve all had, I’m glad I came out of it with a chance to chronicle what went on in my life during that time. I learned a new found appreciation for the present. I’m glad I have this body of work serving as a reminder of what all these feelings were like, the good and the  other. Too often we lunge forward without appreciating the gifts of the present. It’s a timestamp that will live on, even if only for me, to look back and smile at decades from now.”

 ‘In My Head’ by Xona is out now on all digital platforms via Welcome To The New World.

Twitter: @xonatheartist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xo._.na/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xonatheartist

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/de/artist/xona/1533671366?l=en

Marty Mone strikes a chord with the hearts of the nation with his latest release ‘Why Change’.

Another original song from Marty Mone, that tells a story most of us would be very familiar with. It’s a story about love, heartbreak, ghange, and just being very unsure of the road to take in a relationship; something most people can relate to at least once in a lifetime.

This song was written back about 8 years ago by Marty and has been sitting on the shelf since, waiting on its time to shine.

Marty spent a lot of his time off the road over the past 18 months perfecting his recording skills and is now ready to release a lot of new music.

Release Date: Friday 12^th November 2021

Taken from the brand new album ‘Truck and Roll’ out released 12th November 2021

Follow Marty Mone:

Official Site // Spotify // YouTube // Soundcloud // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

Multi-platinum hit makers Meduza and Hozier have released the performance music video for their new collaboration ‘Tell It To My Heart’.

Directed by Matt Hancock, the video was filmed at the Rock of Cashel and Hore Abbey in Co. Tipperary – the first time filming has been permitted at the Abbey in over 40 years.

Since the single was released just over one week ago, ‘Tell It To My Heart’ has already picked up over 12 Million global streams and entered the Top 100 Airplay Charts in Ireland, Italy, Germany and Australia.

An emotion-steeped, atmospheric electronic masterpiece, ‘Tell It To My Heart’ pairs the trademark sophisticated production firmly associated with Meduza, with Hozier’s iconic soaring vocals.

It follows the similarly rousing ‘Paradise’, Meduza’s collaboration with another Irish chart topper, Dermot Kennedy, which has racked up over 400 million Spotify streams, and achieved platinum awards in multiple countries, peaking at #1 in the Irish Singles charts.

Meduza exploded onto the scene in 2019 with ‘Piece Of Your Heart (ft. Goodboys)’, a seminal global smash which has clocked up over 1 billion combined streams since its release and received a Grammy nomination. The track went diamond, multi-platinum and gold worldwide, including in the UK, selling over 1.2 million units and peaking at #2 in the UK Singles Charts and #1 in the US Dance Charts.

This was followed up by the equally successful ‘Lose Control’, a collaboration with UK artists Becky Hill and Goodboys, another global, multi platinum-selling hit, which clocked in at #11 in the UK Singles chart and has also amassed more than a billion streams alone.

Hozier is a multi-platinum tour de force that burst onto the scene in 2013 with debut single ‘Take Me To Church’ achieving multiple number 1’s worldwide. He has since dropped multiple albums and singles, cementing his status as one of the world’s foremost singer-songwriters, with a captivated fanbase craving every release.

Two of the world’s most talented musical acts have come together on an unquestionably stirring sonic masterpiece.

‘Live @ JJ Smyths’ is a concert that was recorded in 2013 in the legendary, iconic but sadly now closed Dublin jazz & blues venue. Ben mixed the album during Covid lockdown when he had plenty of time on his hands. This album might never have seen the light of day during normal times with Ben’s usual busy touring schedule. The live album features mostly songs from that period, his 2013 album ‘Darkness & The Ligh’t & some of his finest songs from the previous five albums. It also includes two great cover versions, Bob Dylan’s ‘The Times They are a Changin’ & The Beatles ‘A Hard Days Night’. It is now available on CD and all digital platforms.

This follows on the heels of ‘The Nashville Calling` the title of the 9^th studio album which was released at the start of the pandemic on the 27th March 2020. Produced by Will Kimbrough and Tommy Womack and featuring Garry W Tallent on bass from the legendary E Street Band. Recorded in Nashville the album was done and dusted in just three days with all live takes with a rootsy rock, live band feel. Work has also commenced on a 10th studio album.

Since his debut album ‘This Is the Movie’ back in 1999, Ben has reinvented himself from album to album, influenced by different styles of music over the years. As one critic said, “He’s not afraid to throw in some in folk, soul, reggae vibes, which in turn call to mind John Hiatt at his best”. Another describes him as “somewhere in the middle ground between rock and jazz or a sound that is sometimes reminiscent of Dylan and the Band”.

In a solo career which now spans over twenty years, Ben has received worldwide critical acclaim with numerous high profile TV/Radio appearances like BBC, RTE and Dutch NPO Radio.

Supporting the likes of Jools Holland, & The Cranberries and he has collaborated musically with such names as Hal Ketchum & The Blockheads. He has co written and performed live with his fellow countryman Tony McLoughlin and some of Nashville’s finest such as David Olney, Nanci Griffith & Irene Kelley.

In the past Ben was selected to play an official showcase at Folk Alliance in Memphis TN and has toured as double bill with Tommy Womack (Nashville) in the U.S & UK and also with legendary American folk singer/songwriter Eric Andersen in the UK & NL. While in Nashville he was invited to play the famous Bluebird Cafe on a number of occasions, most recently Sept 2018. Ben continued to stay in touch with his fans during Covid lockdown by playing fifty online streamed gigs on Facebook live every Friday night for one year.

Over the last ten years Ben has enjoyed successful tours in Ireland, UK, Europe & U.S.A, receiving rave reviews and attracting a growing loyal fan base. He has graced big festivals such as Jamming@Hippie Jacks (USA), Musiktan festival in Bilbao, (ESP). Haarlem Jazz & Huntenpop (NL), Robin Hood folk festival (UK), Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots, Cork Jazz & Electric Picnic.

Ben Reel says;

“I’m delighted that I finally got to release ‘Live @ JJ Smyths’ in Dublin and share it with you. This recording was made on Nov 30^th 2013. It captures The Ben Reel Band at a moment in time, in full flow with all engines purring after the release of my ‘Darkness & The Light’ album (2013). Listen and you will hear the great musicians I have had the pleasure to play with down through the years, all in fine form at this gig.

My wife and soul mate Julieanne Black Reel on backing vocals and longstanding soul brothers Michael Black on drums, Ronnie O’Flynn on bass, Mick McCarney on electric guitar & John McCullough on piano & organ.

This is my A team and we always loved to appear at JJ Smyths in Dublin. It was one of our favourite places to play and to me it was the Ronnie Scott’s of Dublin. I have dedicated the album to the memory of Brian Smyth.

Now sadly JJ’s has closed its doors forever and this event was shortly followed by the tragic death of Brian Smyth who passed away before his time at the age of forty seven in 2017.  Brian who ran the family venue built up JJ Smyths to be one of the most prestigious and respected Jazz & Blues venues in the world. The Ben Reel Band were one of the only original bands to play there as Brian was a fan of our music even though we leaned to the more roots rock side of the spectrum. I’m guessing there was enough shades of the blues there to keep Brian and the JJ’s audience happy. I am forever grateful that Brian gave us the opportunity to play there to showcase my songs in front of a musically intellectual audience who knew a good band when they saw one. RIP Brian Smyth & JJ Smyths venue.”

https://benreel.com

Elephant in the Room is an electronic/soul/pop duo comprised of Ireland natives Marty Mullally and Keenan Copas.

The group has worked with a number of artists as ghostwriters and producers, most notably Josh Gray, co-writing and producing his track “Come Home”, which has reached over 370,000 streams on Spotify. After college they moved to New York City, where they have honed and refined the sound we hear in their most recent single, ‘Hollywood Hills”.

‘Hollywood Hills’ is a personal account of how Elephant in the Room struggled with expectation versus reality, moving from Ireland to New York.

The lyrics capture this using heartfelt honesty and deftly crafted anecdotes:

“The apple don’t fall too far from the city now”.

The duo have been tenaciously honing their craft in the midst of all the challenges New York has thrown at them.

From atmospheric verses and alluring pre-choruses to captivating and up-beat choruses, Elephant in the Room combine their production and vocal skills to craft their most dynamic work to date. This third single is a strong statement of their vocation as potential big hitters in the music industry.

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Leila Jane is soon to release her single ‘Joe’.

It is representative of her coming into her own as a self-aware artist who bases her songwriting on personal observation. Leila Jane wrote ’Joe’ after being moved by an intimate Myles Manley concert, which, in the song, symbolises a space of freedom and growth. ‘’The smoke I used to breathe’’ gently exits the psyche as a fresh dawn of inspiration arises. The song is a mantra for letting go and accepting all that was, along with its pain and heartache; A past of seeking comfort in sources of pain is held up to the light and dissolved in this beat-heavy creation. The music video will focus on how catharsis & artistic expression play a vital role in healing emotional trauma.

Leila Jane is a Dublin based artist with roots in London and Donegal. Her influences include Big Thief, Mac Demarco, Angel Olsen, Frazey Ford, Jessica Lea Mayfield and Timber Timbre. Leila enjoys how these artists channel sounds from 60s folk to 90s grunge, and then combine it with their own authentic expression, forming something nostalgic yet new. Leila Jane’s distinctive voice is a testament to her appreciation of the genres which inspire her: from vintage blues & soul, to modern pop and R&B. Her main goal is to express an honest message through her voice in order to connect with whoever needs to feel understood amid the turbulence of the world.

The (RTE Radio 1) Late Date’s Cathal Murray described Leila Jane as ‘’one to watch’’ and Golden Plec’s Stefan Tivodar noticed her ‘’passion and attention to detail’’. The sense of heart in Leila Jane’s songwriting won Imelda May’s favour for the ‘Imelda May Scholarship’ at BIMM Institute Dublin. Leila Jane’s song ‘Look Away From Our Creation’ (which was her last single release) won runner-up at the IMRO Christie Hennessy song-writing competition. She also won the solo category of the Ballyshannon Folk & Trad Festival’s contest, leading her to be part of a festival line-up which included the likes of Kíla and The Lost Brothers. Glastonbury, Electric Picnic, The Academy, The Grand Social and The Cambridge Folk Festival are among Leila Jane’s top gigs, while Bronagh Gallagher, Angie McMahon, Kitty Daisy & Lewis, Rival Sons and Jessica Lea Mayfield are among Leila’s favourite acts she has opened the show for. She also played festivals & shows across the USA while on her creative inspiration travels.

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19-year-old Irish musician and songwriter Lauran Beth has assembled some of Ireland’s greatest musical talents to create a beautiful and uplifting rendition of John Lennon’s posthumously released classic ‘Real Love’. All proceeds generated from the sales, streams and donations surrounding the single release and video will go directly to Barnardos Children’s Charity.

Barnardos mission is to help transform children’s lives through their services; support parents; and challenge society where it fails children, Barnardos vision is a country where no child has to suffer and every child is able to reach their full potential, with their services to children and families situated in the heart of local communities made up of over 700 staff and volunteers working in 40 centres across Ireland delivering vital services to children and families.

Lauran has been building her music career the past number of years releasing a string of well received singles as well as appearing on the Late Late Toy Show in 2016, winning the Bronze Medal in the under 16 solo singing category at the All-Ireland Championships in 2016, and winning the Pewter Medal in 2017, and, most recently, Lauran won the first place price at the Mick ‘The Dom’ Egan Memorial Busking Competition 2019!

When Covid hit, and opportunities for live performance and gatherings were restricted, Lauran decided to use her music to make a real difference, she called upon many of Ireland’s top musical talents to join her in creating the charity single. The star studded and wonderfully diverse roster of guest vocalists consist of Waters Edge, RUNAH, Sarah Tighe, Rachael Akano, Zoe Clarke, Hera, Hannah Kinsella (Busky Bops), Moylan, KTG, Kayli Sousa, Molly Knowles Rodino, Chris Short, Michael T and Dredd Luna.

Of the project Lauran states that “I really wanted to bring people together through music during such an isolating and challenging time, and I felt as though covering a song together for a good cause would be the best idea. I have thoroughly enjoyed creating music with all of my amazing friends that I have not seen in a long time, and I feel that Barnardos is a charity that deserves so much support for all that they do”.

The single was recorded and produced at Beardfire Studio, Dublin by Rohan Healy, Al Quiff and David Virgin.

Real Love by Lauran Beth and the Beardfire Singers is out now on Beardfire Music.

The song and video will be released on the 19^th of November 2021 on Bandcamp as well as all major streaming/download platforms, with all proceeds in the first six months going to Barnardos.

Donations can also be accepted directly through PayPal or via the Barnardos website.

Barnardos: https://www.barnardos.ie/how-you-can-help/fundraising/donate/make-a-donation

PayPal: https://paypal.me/lauranbethmusic