Author: Breffni Banks

Dublin-based artist GALVO released his debut album The HeARTist on 26/09/2023 and it is now available to purchase on Bandcamp and stream on all major platforms. The album was heralded by the release of singles Getting Better, and Maybe, each accompanied by beautiful and entertaining music videos, several B-Sides of demos and live songs, all accompanied by AI music videos on GALVO’s YouTube channel. The songs collectively have received over 150,000 streams on Spotify alone, and his music videos have also racked up over 10 thousand views on YouTube.

GALVO – The HeARTist on Spotify | The HeARTist – Visual Album on YouTube

The HeARTist is an indie-folk record made up of 14 passionate, emotionally impactful songs from an original voice. It’s a wholly independent record from an independent, working class artist – GALVO isn’t backed by a label or a management team, this record is literally and figuratively the result of his own blood, sweat and tears. It’s funded by hard earned money working crack of dawn, physically demanding shifts in a factory. Made with the help of his collaborators giving their time, expertise and talent, loans from friends and family who love and believe in him and his songs.

The songs are raw and emotional, at times they are so delicate they feel they might just break, and at others they are full bodied, dense arrangements brimming with self-assured confidence. They are melodic and filled with hooks yet avoiding saccharine over-sentimentality. Critically they come from real lived experiences – of family trauma, of love and heartache, of losing faith, of self-determination, and of eternally swimming against the tide. His lyrics are sometimes lucid and linear, and at others they are more dreamlike impressionist depictions, but they always come from GALVO’s own idiosyncratic point of view of the world and his life.

Key to GALVO’s sound is his acoustic guitar, his unusual playing technique of upside-down open tunings and soft strummed rhythmic riffs and gentle fingerpicking, with textural blends of banjo and bouzouki, memorable hooks played on atmospheric electric guitars, melodic percussive piano, and pounding beats with unusual rhythms. His voice has echoes of Elliott Smith, or James Mercer of The Shins, or more contemporary comparisons with Angelo de Augustine and Ben Cooper of Radical Face. But the comparisons don’t do GALVO justice – his voice is his own voice, his songs are his own story. 

GALVO grew up in the Ballymun flats in the 1980s, surrounded by violence and drugs in the stairwells and environs of the iconic towers. His family escaped the chaos of Ballymun to the more sedate Dublin suburb of Swords, where he discovered music and like-minded souls. After playing in bands throughout the late 90’s and early 2000’s, he formed alternative rock band September Sun with his brother Stuart and some friends (including Conor Adams of All Tvvins/Cast of Cheers) and they released an album in 2006, touring it all over Ireland until they imploded with all the drama of a rock n’roll cliché. 

After struggling through difficult times in his home life, battling addiction, kicked out and sleeping in his Seat Ibiza for weeks on end, GALVO moved to Spain in search of a clean slate. It was here he rediscovered his love of acoustic guitar and began writing more sensitive reflective songs, and, as a lefty, relearning how to play upside-down on a right-handed guitar that he picked up in a charity shop. 

When he returned to Ireland in 2010 he brought dozens of songs and ideas and formed indie folk band A Dark Horse with fellow Swords man film composer Hugh Rodgers (One Million Dubliners, How To Tell A Secret) and drummer/engineer Niall Woods (Amazing Few, Polly Scattergood, Gabby Young, Codes) and in 2012 they released their self-titled debut EP featuring drummer Adrian Mullan (Fight Like Apes), cellist Vyvienne Long and pianist Luke Slott. The EP was described as “a rich, cinematic and substantial sound” by Nialler9 and “one of the most accomplished and exciting debuts that have passed through Hot Press towers this year” by Hot Press. It landed them live slots on RTÉ Arena, Today FM, and 98FM, and a slot at Hard Working Class Heroes festival, a SoFar Sounds performance, and drew favourable reviews from music publications all over the world as well as interest from major management, labels and publishers. Their single ‘The Heart Won’t Lie’ reached #6 on the AmazingRadio UK Chart and was voted #90 in the Amazing Radio Songs of 2013. A Dark Horse subsequently went on a hiatus for a few years and GALVO moved to London where he began working as an actor. He landed roles on the stage as well as parts onscreen – including as a Knight of the Vale in HBO’s Game of Thrones. When he returned to Ireland a few years later, he reconnected with Hugh Rodgers and they began writing new songs together for a follow up to the A Dark Horse EP. They also started working on some of GALVO’s solo material along with Niall Woods and in 2018 GALVO released his debut single ‘The Weight’ which Hot Press called “a stunning debut single” and chose it as the Hot Press Track of The Day. 

In 2020 GALVO started working on his debut album at Niall’s Porchlight Studios. The album features a collection of songs about love, loss and hope against the storms of life. The album was produced by GALVO and Niall Woods with additional production by Hugh Rodgers; recorded and mixed by Niall Woods; mastered by 9 time Grammy Winner Dave Collins (The Police, Soundgarden, Weezer). 

In July 2022 GALVO released ‘Leave The Light On’ as a single featuring a cinematic music video directed by GALVO and Conor Beegan. 

LEAVE THE LIGHT ON Music Video: https://youtu.be/E2PKChU5ZSM

In July 2023 GALVO released the single and music video ‘Getting Better’ heralding the release of his debut album, ‘The HeARTist’. 

‘Getting Better’, the lead single from The HeARTist, is a song that feels very much like a mantra, not just for the enigmatic songwriter himself, but for anyone in an on-going struggle for self improvement. It deals with ideas of inner demons, the personal battle against society’s view of what makes someone a success or a failure. It’s pushing back against your critics and those in your life who hold you back or keep you down with the refrain “oh no-one’s gonna stop me, no-one’s gonna push me down, no-one’s gonna get inside of that trying”. It’s a rousing, inspirational song that builds from an intimate intro of classical guitar and atmospheric vocals, to an epic finish, replete with catchy melodies and cinematic production.

While the song is beautiful and vulnerable, the music video takes a quirky approach to the theme – there is that side to GALVO, he’s not the stereotypical aloof artist, he is darkly funny and irreverent. Somehow this works with his sentimental and reflective music.

GETTING BETTER Music Video: https://youtu.be/dfhE5UCVGL4

GALVO followed up with another single and music video, ‘Maybe’, released in August 2023. It has now reached over 53,000 streams on Spotify since its release. ‘I’m Not Lost’, one of the B-Sides of the release, was singled out as one of Nialler9’s Top 12 Irish songs of the week. 

MAYBE Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmIN4ITh-Cw

GALVO is an artist with a vision, and apart from the songs and music videos he has worked on for the singles with filmmaker Conor Beegan, he has also created a collection of animated music videos based on the themes for every one of the songs on the album using AI generative tools. The resulting 14 song / 52 minute piece is beautiful and mesmerising, capturing the mood of his album. He has taken these new controversial AI technologies to realise a vision he had for the whole album; GALVO sees it as a new way to experience his music – to zone out and absorb the songs and pictures as one.

The HeARTist will be released across all platforms 26th of September, 2023. 

Press Quotes for GALVO and A Dark Horse:

“Atmospheric, intense indie-folk” Galvo – The Weight, Track of the Day Hot Press (IRE)

“A sound that is compelling, dense, and dreamy, A Dark Horse prove themselves to be more than commercial-radio-ready.” Seattle Weekly (USA)

“A completely immersive affair, but slowly, like rising water… Let yourself get swept away.”  Amazing Radio [UK]

“A rich, cinematic and substantial sound.” Nialler 9 (IRE)

“Pur sang pop.” Les Inrockuptibles (FRA)

“The most melodic & enchanting EP.” Siobhán Maguire of The Sunday Times (IRE)

“With each listen, you allow yourself to fall deeper and deeper under its spell.” Gold Flake Paint (UK)

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-301530868

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4dsnynMOBHr0Xh4hnF8F8G?si=9oO1J2KARN6ksTYy8kenNQ

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfRP6mElZrwaYBynE_YSySA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/galvo_galvo/

Website: https://www.galvo.org

‘Don’t Try Hard’ is an upbeat indie/pop earworm, in which O Meara delicately, yet cleverly shines the light over people who both ‘Try Too Hard’ in life, and those that are labelled as ‘Trying Too Hard’ when an effort is made.

O Meara wrote this song last year when a best friend was blanked by the love of their life, and Pauric in his humour, brought up that maybe they were trying too hard, which sparked the debate, “What are people really looking for? How do we find the balance? Between trying ‘too hard’ and not at all? Why does it seem like the people who care less get more?”

This universal feeling is brought to life through clever lyrics and imagery creation, and is heightened by the high energy, indie/funk twist where smacking snares and fluid guitar and bass melodies bring the reality of the theme to life.

“No matter what way you act, someone will talk it down. we will never please everyone in this life, so just be you, and you’ll please the most important person, yourself.”

Upcoming Live Shows

German Tour September – Hamburg Sep 29th, Berlin Sep 30th

Uk and Ireland Tour February – Dates TBC

Recent Live Shows

March 3rd – Roisin Dubh, Galway
March 4th – Whelan’s, Dublin – SOLD OUT
March 10th – The Grace, London – SOLD OUT

Tour 2022 Highlights:

Mainroom Whelan’s 2023 Highlights:

Press Highlights

“One of Ireland’s most exciting young stars-in-the-making.” – Hot Press Magazine

“Mixture of magnificently vibrant vocal work and enticingly serene yet energising instrumentation is likely to allure a large listenership.” – Pure Mzine

“O’Meara crafts a tight and expressive soundscape that rushes through the listener’s ears with heartfelt emotion.” – Indie Buddie

“Every lyric and every note is purposeful and honest, feeling like various truths that Pauric himself has entrusted to us. An immersive experience to say the least, O’Meara’s spirit and dance moves are contagious, making an otherwise small venue feel like a sold-out arena.” – Hot Press Magazine

“instantly had the crowd on their feet…rich rhythms, earworm melodies….crowd to become feverous with dance tendencies….charming persona is utterly infectious and his passionate performance left much to be admired!” Indie Buddie

MELTYBRAINS? MEMBER BRIAN DILLON, THE LINE, ANNOUNCES 13 TRACK COLLABORATIVE RECORD

Ft Godknows, Loah, Sorcha Richardson, Dan Fox (Gilla Band), Sarah Corcoran (Pillow Queens), Caoi de Barra (Wyvern Lingo) + more. 

Coming Weds 1st November 2023 via Strange Brew 

FIRST SINGLE ‘PATIENCE OF SAINTS’ FT. GOD KNOWS & MURLI

OUT NOW –  https://li.sten.to/patienceofsaints

The Line is the pseudonym of Brian Dillon, musician, sound artist, and Irishman. Brian is originally from a small town in rural Ireland, and he has never quite been able to escape the lines of identity that separate his life from the lives of others.

Brian is a member of Meltybrains? and has worked with a range of Irish artists over the last 10 years, including Talos, Loah, Brídín, and Lilla Vargen among others. He has performed at many international festivals such as SXSW and Iceland Airwaves, and his music has previously been featured in Q Magazine, Boiler Room, and Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist.

In recent years he has gleaned a great deal of experience from collaborating with a range of musicians, as well as artists from a number of disparate disciplines, including JFDR, Anna B Savage, Emma Martin (choreographer), Ellius Grace (director), Emmet Kirwan (actor/writer), Mark McGuinness (photographer) and Kate Dunne (aerialist).

The wealth of collaborative experience has led to the basis for his new project. Red Blood Cells and Righteousness is a communally created record, built on the creative endeavours of Brian and a number of friends from within the Irish music world. The album is set for release Weds 1st November 2023 via Strange Brew.

The 13 track collaborative LP focuses on the importance of community and communal values. The intention of the record was for the creative process to reflect the themes and content. As a result each song was a collaboration between Brian and some of his favourite Irish musicians, friends and most erstwhile collaborators. This includes Godknows, Loah, Sorcha Richardson, Dan Fox (Gilla Band), Sarah Corcoran (Pillow Queens), Caoi de Barra (Wyvern Lingo), and a range of others.

The sonic landscape of the album is varied, as each track came from a collaborative writing session. As a result, there are a multitude of reference points and influences. The influence of dream-pop acts such Beach House and Cocteau Twins, as well as noisier acts like My Bloody Valentine and Skunk Anansie is felt throughout. The songwriting continually pays homage to greats of contemporary alternative songwriting, including the likes of Sufjan Stevens, Frank Ocean, Phoebe Bridgers, Villagers, and Big Thief.

Speaking about the album, Brian says “This is an album built on personal relationships and communication, dedicated to playing a small but significant role as a part of a world so much bigger than any of us are willing to admit. After all, maybe we’re all just blood cells, swimming through the veins of the earth, serving a much higher function.”

Red Blood Cells and Righteousness will be released on Wednesday the 1st of November via Strange Brew, and there will be a small Irish tour to launch the record, including a show in Dublin’s Unitarian Church on November 25th, which will feature performances from a number of the collaborators on the album. Live date details coming soon.

Red Blood Cells and Righteousness

TRACKLIST:

1. Nothing W/ Lullahush
2. Communion W/Loah & Fehdah
3. Earth Died Streaming W/Feel Bad Music Club
4. Hero of Coincidence W/Sarah Corcoran
5. I Know This Is Water W/Eamonn Dillon
6. Everything We Know in An Instant W/ Lullahush
7. Patience of Saints W/Godknows and Murli
8. The World Told No Lies W/Dan Fox and Nevv
9. Fruit Peel Path W/Caoi de Barra
10. A Trail, Thin but Beautiful W/Lullahush
11. Collar Bone W/Sorcha Richardson
12. Light Work W/Ben Bix and Micheál Quinn
13. A Crack Becomes a Crevice, A Foothold Becomes A Foundation W/ Eoin French

The first track is out now – it was co-written by Brian, God Knows and MuRli in MuRli’s home studio in Limerick. After the three men had a long discussion about belief, being true to one’s self, and the pandemic, this track was written quite quickly. The track discusses faith, friendship and the challenges posed when one feels the need to prove themselves. Musical influences from the track come from cinematic hip-hop artists such as Little Simz and Sudan Archives, as well as from a range of rock and pop artists. Listen here: https://li.sten.to/patienceofsaints

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/briantheline

Artist Website: http://briandillonmusic.weebly.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian_dillon_is_sound/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0uoS5ZiwVkX4qPs3ryEU7s?si=z8n6zX1oR828k59Y64gTDQ

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theline8138

“When I was covered in bruises, the day I ran away…”

Lyrics like these are in abundance throughout ’20 Greenlea Road’, the new album from Les Keye. This collection of 8 songs (out now, released on September 28^th 2023) is one man’s reflection of what it means to grow up Jewish and Irish in Ireland.

20 Greenlea Road is a record which examines Les’ family history- half Catholic, descended from the great harpist O’Carolyn, and hailing from Kilmainhamwood, while his father’s side were Jewish emigrees fleeing persecution from Russia and Poland at the end of the 19^th century, and arriving in Dublin (via London) during WW2. The title comes from the street his grandparents lived in, in Terenure, Dublin.

Working in separate studios in 2 different countries the album was written and recorded with his friend, sometime band member, and musician extraordinaire Joe Chester.

The second single titled ‘Barely Dividing’ is out now & was released with the album on September 28th.

Barely Dividing, develops one of the central themes of the record, and examines the paradox of being a first time parent – ending one’s own childhood, as a new one begins…

You can watch the music video for Barely Dividing here:

Listen to it here:

https://mixup.audio/playlist/FTdNaiEZwD

The album can be listened to & downloaded here:

https://mixup.audio/playlist/w32TMhSzFy

The album 20 Greenlea Road is an exploration of family, migration and marks a welcome return to the front of the stage from Producer, Musician and Songwriter, Les Keye. Last year Les opened for Tom Dunne’s (Something Happens) first solo outing and more recently for In Tua Nua’s 40^th anniversary tour, as well as for his long-time friend and busking mate Mark Dignam in Whelans.

Lead singer and songwriter of much-loved Dublin band The Wilde Oscars who released an album (Fish) as well as two EPs (Falling Down, Newspaper) during the 1990s, Les subsequently branched out on his own, releasing two solo albums, Breathe in 1999 and Plan B…Again in 2004. He is a member of the Dublin bands Eamonn Dowd and The Racketeers (which also features Horslips legends Eamon Carr and Jim Lockhart), Strand (with Niall Toner of The Prongs, and The Dixons), Duncan Maitland, (ex XTC, Picturehouse, Pugwash), Herm and Clay Dolls.

As a producer/engineer he has worked with an array of Ireland’s finest artists, from rock and roll to contemporary classical, including Neil Hannon & Thomas Walsh, Cruel Sister, Skinner, Pretty limited band, Judith Ring, Liam O’Maonlai, Stephen Gardner (Aosdana), Steve Wickham and many more from his self-built recording studio, Arad Studio in Dublin.

What listeners have been saying:

“Perfect and considered listening for anybody with a kind ear towards carefully crafted modern adult contemporary music”…

“Les Keye has the gift of music, writing, playing,singing & producing”…

“Beautifully done”…

About the Artist

Lead singer and songwriter of much-loved Dublin band The Wilde Oscars who released an album (Fish) as well as two EPs (Falling Down, Newspaper) during the 1990s. Les subsequently branched out on his own, releasing two solo albums, Breathe in 1999 and Plan B…Again in 2004.

He is a member of the Dublin bands Eamonn Dowd and The Racketeers (which also features Horslips legends Eamon Carr and Jim Lockhart), Strand (with Niall Toner of The Dixons), Duncan Maitland, (ex XTC, Picturehouse, Pugwash), Herm and Clay Dolls.

As a producer/engineer he has worked with an array of Ireland’s finest artists, from rock and roll to contemporary classical, including Neil Hannon, Judith Ring, Benjamin Dwyer, Steve Wickham, Liam O’Maonlai, My Sweet Beloved, Sean Millar, Patrick Freyne, Mary Stokes and members of the Horslips, all from his self-built recording studio, Arad Studio in Dublin.

Socials:

Facebook: @Arad.studios
Instagram:  @arad_studios
Twitter:  @arad_studio

Sometimes in life we can get caught in spirals. So often we can feel like as if all the answers we need are somewhere outside of ourselves, hidden or out of reach. The song ‘Morning Air’ is intended to be a reminder that all the answers we will ever need are within ourselves, and that nature can be the key to access that inner wisdom.

Written and recorded by multi-instrumentalist Rain Jamerson in Dublin Ireland, ‘Morning Air’ is a chill, sexy, and energetic jam that aims to connect listeners to their inner wisdom with positivity and love. Magic is possible. You can do anything. Feel it in the morning air. Ireland just got a little bit funkier!!

Sound recordings mastered by Seán Mac Erlaine at Studio Saile – Website / Instagram
Music video created by Carla Rodera – Website / Instagram

Rain Jamerson

Funky, soulful, and authentic, Rain Jamerson is on a mission to spread peace, love, and positive vibes.

Inspired by artists like Prince, George Clinton, and Betty Davis, Rain is a multi-instrumentalist who writes, performs, and records his music in a home studio in Dublin.

“Funk and soul is most interesting to me when the songwriting is focused on spirituality, what it means to be human. To me that all started when George Clinton said – Free your ass and your mind will follow. My aim is to continue in that tradition of funky cosmic sounds.’’ (Rain Jamerson)

Although his feet are firmly rooted in funk and soul music of the 60s and 70s, Rain Jamerson is not simply an exercise in nostalgia. By combining elements of hip-hop, electro, R&B, and pop with a deeply intimate lyrical style, Rain brings new cool to the old school.

Hear it for yourself!

Debut single, Morning Air, released 29th of September 2023

Debut album, A house where the Light is master, released 10th of November 2023

Connect with Rain Jamerson

Spotify | Instagram

HearOne are proud to announce the first single ‘DIY’ from duo Elkin from album project ‘Hear Us Roar’ released September 29th.

Hear Us Roar (or H|U|R ) – A musical collaboration like no other, is an extraordinary Album featuring six incredibly talented female artists from Ireland, ELKIN, Alicia Raye, Jackie Beverly, Laura Elizabeth Hughes, Dena Anuk$a, Lisa Gorry for release on March 29th 2024.

Quote from Elkin:

“This project made us feel part of a community of Irish artists again after the isolation of the pandemic. It was also amazing for us to be part of a women-led team!”

About the track from Elkin:

“This track is about the impact toxic masculinity can have on a relationship. We love the reimagined version, special shoutout to Theodora Byrne for this arrangement.”

This unique, meaningful project, which began its creative journey mid Covid in 2021, with endless Zoom conversations brought to real life in Camden studios shortly after where the tracks were recorded. 2023 saw the artists come back to finish the project with performance videos being filmed in Newmarket studios (One Productions). The project highlights the immense talent of these artists while pushing the boundaries of their individual styles. The Album promises to deliver a fresh and exciting sound that is sure to captivate audiences worldwide.

Under the visionary direction of Lia Lieghio, (artist manager, video director and producer) Hearone Music, the project emerged as a beacon of creativity during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Inspired by the desire to foster connection and innovation, the project brought together six exceptional Irish artists for a unique musical venture that has since become a celebration of talent…

The musical director for the Album, Theodora Byrne (James Vincent McMorrow, Saint Sister, and Sorcha Richardson) skillfully reworked the already released tracks from the artists, rearranging and transforming them into new and compelling compositions. By encouraging the artists to explore uncharted musical territories and push beyond their comfort zones, Theodora ensured that each track takes on a fresh and distinctive sound. Theodora gathered other well known Irish musicians to play on the tracks (Violin – Maria Ryan, Cello –  Laura McCabe, Harp – Gemma Doherty)

The recording of the album took place at the renowned Camden Studios in Dublin, known for its state-of-the-art facilities and exceptional sound engineering by Elise Mollé (Sam Ryder, The Blizzards).

One Productions and HearOne Music, two influential names in the Irish music and video production scene, teamed up to create captivating visuals that will accompany the EP’s release through live performance videos, interviews and captivating content. To align with the first single a live performance video is available to watch on YouTube:

This launches HearOne’s entrance into a new service that supplies authentic digital assets to support signed and unsigned music acts with goal orientated visuals.

Lia Lieghio expressed her excitement for the upcoming release, saying, “From the very beginning, the goal of this project was to showcase the immense talent and creativity of female artists in Ireland. We believe that by uniting their individual strengths and pushing boundaries, this EP will be a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in the music industry. I’m excited to see where this release takes HearOne and its new service.”

The Album will feature the diverse styles and backgrounds of the participating artists. Listeners are in for a musical journey unlike any other.

Stay tuned for the first track from the Album on September 29th, 2023, available on all major music streaming platforms and YouTube. For further updates and behind-the-scenes content, follow HearOne Music on social media and visit www.hearone.com

‘Maccy D’s‘ is the latest infectious indie guitar bop from Dublin’s Big Sleep. The track is inspired by the sounds of Alvvays, Spacey Jane, Big Thief, and The Cure and is the latest release off Big Sleep’s forthcoming sophomore EP.

Quote about the song:

“For ‘Maccy D’s’ we tried to capture the same energy we feel in the room when we perform it live. There’s this angular feel to Matteo’s drum groove and the outro is bursting at the seams but we think it’s a nice contrast with the hooky guitar melodies and lyrics. It took us a while to settle on the form for this one but when we all crowded around a mic in the live room of Hellfire Studios to scream our heads off for an extra bit of noise in the outro of the song it felt too good to leave out and we knew we were heading in the right direction.”

With recent supports in Dublin for CVC and Do Nothing in the last couple of weeks, as well as headliine Irish and UK headliners on sale, Big Sleep are having a very busy time of it.

The Irish-Italian outfit partly met at school and others later joined after meeting through the city’s live music scene. With indie-pop qualities that blend alternative rock and soul sounds, Big Sleep cite artists like Big Thief, JJ Cale, Jamiroquai and The Cure as influences. It’s been a busy year for the quartet. In the last 12 months since their Debut EP release, they’ve toured with Somebody’s Child, received international radio play (BBC R1, Radio X, RTÉ 2FM) with features on major Spotify editorials (Hot New Bands, All New Rock) and toured internationally across Europe. Big Sleep’s Sophomore EP is due for release in Autumn 2023 and with sold out shows in Dublin, London and Berlin already under their belt, they won’t be stopping anytime soon.

Upcoming Shows

5th Oct  – Workmans Cellar 23:20, Ireland Music Week

25th Nov – Dublin , The Grand Social ( promoted by MCD )

29th Nov – London, Sebright Arms ( promoted by  Live Nation )

Written by Carlsbad, Parliament was recorded at The Clinic Recording Studios in Dublin, produced by David Anthony Curley (The Cope) and Duncan Stewart (Dunx, U2). Featuring David on bass, Dunx and Carlsbad on guitar, Dylan Lynch (Sodablonde, Moondiver) on drums, Claire Kinsella (Lemoncello) on cello, harpist Méabh McKenna and Gemma Doherty (Saint Sister) on backing vocals. Mixed by Duncan Stewart and Mastered by Idania Valencia at Sterling Sound in NYC.

“I hope the feeling and sentiment of this track is self explanatory. It explores power dynamics, wicked thoughts, judgement from others.. Sometimes I like to think of it as the female perspective of ‘The Long Black Veil’. The title comes from my fascination with owls and collective nouns, Parliament being a group of owls. In Native American tribes like the Navajo owls are messengers of death. Greek Goddess Athena and the Norse Goddess Katyogel are often seen with an owl companion. And of course there is Macha, The Owl Witch. They are a symbol of wisdom and are believed to bridge the gap between the veil.” – Carlsbad

Carlsbad is set to play Workmans Cellar supporting Lo Moon on Nov 9th. Ticket link below: https://theworkmansclub.com/events/singular-artists-present-lo-moon/

In addition to her next single ‘Soft Spoken’, a very special collaboration is the works with Clare based specialty apothecary The Hare + The Moon both due to release later this year.

MORE ON CARLSBAD

Carlsbad is a singer/songwriter hailing from Cowboy Country, (USA) now Dublin based.
Her debut EP ‘Future Yeehaw’ is exactly as it sounds, a post modern blend of electronic, pop, folk and country.  Produced by David Anthony Curley (The Cope, The Clinic Recording Studios) and Duncan Stewart (Dunx), the record features performances from the likes of Dylan Lynch (Soda Blonde) on drums and Gemma Doherty (Saint Sister) on harp.
Mixed by Brandon Bost (Florence+the Machine, Maggie Rogers, Norah Jones)

2022 was a breakthrough year for newcomer singer songwriter Carlsbad. It started strong when she opened for Saint Sister in April (Monroe’s Live in Galway, Live at St. Luke’s in Cork and Dolan’s, Limerick) and performed at Electric Picnic shortly after releasing her debut single ‘Still Life’.  Sophomore single ‘Lemon Pie’came in at No.6 in The Last Mix Tapes Top 50 Songs of 2022  and Carlsbad’s debut EP ‘Future Yeehaw’ was released in October and a Whelan’s headliner coincided to launch the body of work. December saw Carlsbad play ‘Other Voices’ festival for the first time, and also join Philip King onstage as part of his all star band featuring band featuring Sorcha Richardson, Luke Reilly (Otherkin) and violinist Aoife Ní Bhriain. Carlsbad also featured on a special performance with U2 members on their recent documentary Bono & The Edge : A Homecoming with David Letterman.

Connect with Carlsbad

Instagram | YouTube | Spotify

‘Thousand Yard Stare’ is the debut solo-album from Irish indie artist Conor Miley. Available on all streaming platforms 29/09/23.

Across 11 complex and emotional songs Thousand Yard Stare explores themes of love, loss, heartbreak, hope and life as a single parent in Ireland in the 21st century, drawing influences from indie, folk, electronic, gospel and much more.

The album arrives after three well received singles (‘Father’s Day’, ‘Thousand Yard Stare’ and ‘Lost Honeybee’) were released over the course of 2023. Each single was accompanied by striking and much lauded videos directed by Michael-David McKernan.

The production on the album is epic in scale. With blueprints written on either the guitar or piano, Conor set about turning his house into an impromptu recording studio during the lockdown and painstakingly developed and arranged each song.

Listening to the record, and in particular the gospel-tinged title track, you can understand the enormity of the project for the solo artist. Miley played and sung all parts with the album being recorded over the course of a year.

He then wrote and arranged the string, brass and drum parts which were later recorded by Christian Best (Mick Flannery) in Monique Studios in Cork.

Over one hundred friends and family contributed through WhatsApp voice notes to a line on ‘Slowly, I Return’, the opening track.

A voice note recording of Conor’s son as a baby in addition to a recording of him as a 2 year old issue in the final song, Paean, and the album concludes with a distant conversation between father and son.

Well-honed and perfectly seasoned, Thousand Yard Stare is one of those rare debuts that come along every once in while that demand attention. It is an emotive collection of songs delivered with fervorous craftsmanship.

“Thousand Yard Stare is an album borne out of a personal crisis. Written in a short period of time following the breakup of a romantic relationship, after which news came that I was to be a father, I threw myself into every line, chord, note and rhythm.” – Conor Miley

Forthcoming live shows:

30/09/23 Hole in the Wall Kilkenny
13/10/23 Smiddy’s Mullingar
14/10/23 The Secret Garden Cafe Galway
27/10/23 John Lee’s Bar and Venue Tullamore
29/10/23 Bello Bar (Physical Album Launch) Dublin
02/11/23 Fred Zeppelin’s Cork
10/11/23 Toales Dundalk
11/11/23 The American Bar Belfast
16/11/23 Frank’s Place Wexford Town
17/11/23 The Bear Cave, Hungry Bear Cafe Gorey
08/12/23 Bennigans Jazz Club Derry
09/12/23 The Clock Tavern Westport

Biography:

Conor Miley is a Wexford based songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist and composer hailing from Dublin. His music draws from the well of folk, indie and electronica in expansive and intricate arrangements that deliver an emotive punch, while his lyrics explore the range of human emotions and experience in an original and dynamic way that has been described as “amazing”.

Having grown up learning classical music, Miley studied jazz in his formative years before embarking on a career involving multiple bands and session work. His original project, We Raise Bears, released a well-received debut EP in 2016, which gained airplay across BBC Radio, RTE Radio 1, 2FM and TXFM, as well as on Irish and UK regional stations.

Miley headlined venues around the country and appeared at festivals that included Ireland Music Week, All Together Now, Other Voices, Electric Picnic, Vantastival and Ones to Watch. Following the breakup of this band, he discovered that he was to be a father a month after a relationship ended.

Mired in a personal crisis, Miley threw himself into writing and recording his debut solo album, Thousand Yard Stare, which was released on 29 th September 2023. Recorded in houses and mobile homes around Dublin, Kerry and Roscommon, he played, wrote and recorded all parts while orchestrating the strings, drums and brass which were recorded with Christian Best (Mick Flannery) in Cork. Across 11 songs the album explores themes of love, loss, heartbreak, hope and life as a single father in Ireland in the 21st century.

The first single, ‘Father’s Day’ was released on 25th January 2023, premiering in Hotpress and garnering press in the Sunday Independent, Sunday Business Post, rte.ie and Golden Plec. The follow-up single, ‘Thousand Yard Stare’, premiered on Nialler9, earning rave reviews and extensive coverage across many Irish and international blogs and outlets including Hotpress, The Last Mixed Tape, Chordblossom, Iggy Magazine, The Wild is Calling and Naga Magazine. It was playlisted on RTE Radio 1 and championed by Ciara King of ‘The Late Date’. Third single, ‘Lost Honeybee’, was released on September 15th.

To coincide with these releases Miley will tour the material nationally, having announced dates all over Ireland for the last three months of the year.

Dublin-based rock band Brake Loose – frontman Alex Murillo, guitarist David O’Grady, bassist Juanjo Pulpeiro, and drummer Dylan Martin are four 21st-century romantics obsessed with touring and tearing up every single venue they perform.

Perhaps one of the most unconventional Irish rock bands of today. Led and formed in 2021 by reckless Venezuelan singer and poet Alejandro Murillo, they’ve established themselves as a notable force on the Irish rock scene having sold out The Workman’s Club twice in the past two years and playing gigs all over Ireland.

One notable support gig was opening for Aslan in Clane. With more than 100,000 streams on Spotify and being featured in Hot Press Magazine as “Hot Irish Acts for 2022” the band are now set to release on Friday 29th of September a brand new and exciting song called ‘REBEL REBEL (Evil Like The Devil)’ followed by a UK and Ireland winter tour.

REBEL REBEL (Evil Like The Devil)’ is a song about embracing individualism as an act of rebellion, in other words, it is a song about embracing your true individuality as a human being to the point of understanding how unique and peculiar your existence is, and realising that with the right attitude, as attitude is all we’ve got, we should be constantly encouraging and motivating ourselves as well as others to live fully and aim discover who we truly are.

That’s the bands message to all of you out there who have been following them or are hearing the guys for the first time, come join the ride, get ready to feel energized and Brake Loose baby.

Now, how did this all come about? One fine September night in their Glasnevin studio, vocalist Alex had written these memorable lyrics (inspired by his favorite poets Arthur Rimbaud and Allen Ginsberg) and was looking for something that could bring people together, a fierce anthem with such a chanting and catchy chorus that everyone will sing along and stamp their feet as a unison.

Dave, the bands guitarist, mimicked Alex’s lyrics with a punchy industrial type of riff and drummer Dylan had the brilliant idea to incorporate this fantastic set of dancing drum beats that will make people’s blood boil with rhythm.

“Honestly, it is so captivating for us to play this song live and see everyone sing the chorus like a mad energetic choir. So, all of you fans of Maneskin, Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, and even The Doors, you will absolutely love our brand new single that combines industrial metal with rock pop, nothing out there sounds like this! Lastly, the track was recorded this August at Oblivion Studios in Dunboyne, Co. Meath, and it was mixed, mastered and produced by our friend and renowned Bulgarian producer and sound engineer Mr. Yanko Genov.” – Brake Loose

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