Author: Breffni Banks

Anna is a singer-songwriter who hails from Tullamore, Co. Offaly. A newcomer in the music scene, Anna surprisingly just wrote her first song in December 2019 but she has quickly gained traction with over 5,000 active fans on her Facebook page in just 6 months. Collectively Anna has received over 85k views on her music videos on Facebook with over 31k views on her debut single ‘Million Pieces’. Anna’s tracks are produced and mixed with Irish music producer Robert McLeod (Universal, Grapevine Records, B*witched) and worked with the likes of Alex Gordan (Kate Nash, Sigrid) at the world famous studio Abbey Road, when mastering her debut album.

Anna is influenced by artists such as Lana Del Rey, Norah Jones, Dolores O’Riordan and her favourite band Villagers. She crafts her music with traces of indie-pop 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 second release ‘Summer Air’, out 4th June:

“‘Summer Air’ was written shortly after I moved home at the start of the pandemic to the quiet countryside of Offaly. I was living right in the hectic scene of Dublin City. I felt a sense of relief to be in a peaceful and quiet environment but I was still carrying the heavy weight of heartbreak and loss that I brought back from Dublin. I climbed up the Slieve Bloom Mountains with a friend and when I got back to my bedroom I picked up the guitar and it was as though the words and melody came directly from the mountains. It’s probably the most naturey song I wrote. It has an air of happiness and freedom to it but there is always that underlying haunting feeling to my songs. I carry a lot of emotions and that shows in my music. It’s how I release them. I have a lot of stories to tell and this song is just one of many more to come.”

Website: https://annacarmodymusic.com/

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annacarmodyofficial/?hl=en

Liliana is a 16 year old singer and songwriter from Dublin, Ireland. Having being raised by parents from Portugal and Romania, Liliana can speak 5 languages but her feelings are best communicated through her music.  She is currently excelling at juggling school work and song writing, releasing her debut single the same week as her exams!

She could not be more excited to release her debut single ‘What are We Now?’. It Is a chart worthy hit that tackles a heartfelt theme of the ending of an ‘almost-love’ summer relationship. The music is innovative, catchy and modern.

She has been singing all her life, winning several national Irish singing competitions. She grew up with musical inspirations from artists in her favourite shows such as Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus.

Nowadays, Liliana enjoys listening to all and every type of music, especially pop and R&B. Some of her favourite artists include Frank Ocean , Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish and Jorja Smith.

Liliana loves the process behind song-writing and creating songs everyone can truly relate to. Her biggest dream is hearing other people sing her own songs! Liliana has been named as ‘One To Watch’ and has a very exciting international career ahead of her.

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‘Flow’ is the new track from Dublin artist Ring Saigo, an exciting blend of jazz-tinged harmony and pop-rock sensibilities, swirling with colour and energy.

Ring Saigo’s real name is Alex Ryan; he has been the musical director and multi-instrumentalist with Hozier, both on the road and in the studio, for over eight years. He is the co-writer of ‘As It Was’ from Hozier’s Billboard-topping ‘Wasteland, Baby!’, and most recently arranged the strings for his acclaimed Other Voices ‘20 set, featuring Crash Ensemble. He has also worked as a producer with acts such as Saint Sister and Nashville’s Wildeyes. Active as Ring Saigo since 2018, his previous releases have spanned numerous genres and styles, with all aspects of each recording performed and executed by him alone.

“It has been difficult lately to think warmly of the future. To ‘flow’ is to be without direction, without form; to find peace in the moment. I hope that the song might empower some small sense of self that the past year has taken from us.”

The accompanying music video was written & directed by Patrick Ryan, who has previously directed work for Hozier, Wyvern Lingo and Ring Saigo. A narrative piece which tells the story of a stripper confronting three psychedelic visions of Catholic martyrs, it stars Jade Silke-Fetherston, Liadh Blake, Robyn Trout and Meghan O’Shaughnessy. The video was shot by Tommy Fitzgerald, designed by Lauren Kelly, costume designed by Anne O’Shea and produced by Lagoon Company.

Photo: Ruth Medjber

Dublin singer-songwriter BABA releases new single ‘Keep You Safe’ a neo soul earworm, that supports inclusivity and body positivity, today Friday 25th May.

2020 got off to an incredible start for Dublin singer songwriter BABA. In March it was announced that the artists second single, ‘I, Defy’  was included on the 2nd edition of 100% Her by Universal Production Music, supported by shesaid.so and She Is The Music, released on International Women’s Day, listen here.

The album was released on International Women’s Day (8th March 2021) and showcases contemporary songs written exclusively by women.

10 tracks, 9 artists all of which were composed, mixed and mastered by women making it once again 100% HER!

The album was Mixed by Olga Fitzroy (Dua Lipa, Coldplay, Peter Gabriel, Hanz Zimmer) and Mastered by Katie Tavini (Ash, Arlo Parks, Nadine Shah)

The ongoing project underscores Universal Production Music’s focus on working to increase the number of women in production music and champions the huge contributions made by women in the industry.

‘I Defy’ was the second single from Dublin singer-songwriter Siobhan Lynch a.k.a BABA which she released in 2018, it’s pro-woman, pro-choice, pro-equality and pro-doing what the hell you feel like as long as you aren’t hurting anybody. Baba is the only Irish artist to be featured on this album.

‘100% HER: Contemporary Popular Songs’ will be released on the Universal Production Music Atmosphere label and will be available for licensing: https://www.universalproductionmusic.com/en-gb/campaigns/100her-she-said-so.

Since the album was released, Dublin singer-songwriter BABA announces new single ‘Keep You Safe’ a neo soul gem, that supports inclusivity and body positivity. Accompanying the single is a beautiful video by illustrator Sarah Gray. Her work is bold, graphic and playful, with lots of colour and texture, and draws on themes of body acceptance & inclusivity, feminism and the natural world.

“If I had the chance to go back and meet my younger self, growing up and trying to figure out the world, these are the words I would use: there is a way to keep yourself safe, to do battle with the struggle to find your place in life. 

Growing up, I was always at war with myself & that’s a dangerous place to be. You think you have nobody backing you and that leaves you vulnerable and frightened. As a woman, there were always conditions to my existence. We are always too fat, too skinny, too loud, too quiet. The list goes on… If you are female in a minority group that scrutiny intensifies tenfold.

This song is a reminder that if you can find the strength to dig deep and learn to love yourself then, you always have someone to back you. Someone to keep you safe.

Right now, it’s quite a radical thing to do: to love and accept yourself. It’s a simple sentiment but an important one. It isn’t echoed enough. You are your own safety net – you always have someone to ‘Keep You Safe'” – BABA

The video was directed, animated and edited by Sarah Gray & because of lock down restrictions was shot in Siobhan’s garage by Dara McDonagh.

Sarah Gray is an illustrator, animator and designer based in Dublin. After studying Fine Art at DeMonfort University, Leicester, she moved to Ireland where she now works in advertising. Her work is bold, graphic and playful, with lots of colour and texture, and draws on themes of body acceptance & inclusivity, feminism and the natural world. You can see more of her work at https://www.instagram.com/sagray.

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Independent.ie’s Rock Against Homelessness in aid of Focus Ireland will be a very special streaming event from the Olympia Theatre and Windmill Lane Recording Studios taking place on June 20th at 8pm. Directed by Dave Merriman of Savoy One Films and executive produced by the Sunday Independent’s Barry Egan, it will be a great night of music, but also a night of hope, love and support for Focus Ireland, from Dublin to London, Belfast to New York.

The incomparable Panti Bliss will serve as main MC, with Laura Whitmore on board to help out. As well as the coolest MCs, Independent.ie’s Rock Against Homelessness will feature the hottest Irish act on the planet right now, Pillow Queens, who have just made their US TV debut with James Corden on CBS’ Late Late Show. They will play their four-song set from Windmill Lane.

From the Olympia, beloved Dublin legends Christy Dignam and Aslan take the stage, and their extensive set will include a duet with the legendary Gilbert O’Sullivan, and another duet with Paul Walsh/Royseven. They will be followed by performances from Tolü Makay and Wyvern Lingo. Also in the Olympia, Panti Bliss will interview Oscar-winning director Jim Sheridan onstage about homelessness in Ireland.

Rock Against Homelessness will also feature performances from other venues and other countries. Irish icon Lesley Dowdall performs in Windmill Lane Recording Studios in Ringsend, duo Rodrigo Y Gabriela perform from Mexico, the sensational Ryan McMullan will perform from Belfast, while Ken Griffin (formerly of Rollerskate Skinny) will showcase his new band, The High Leaves, from New York. Blindboy Boatclub will also have a few words to say, filmed from his living room.

Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan says, “Focus Ireland needs to raise nearly 40% of our annual budget through donations so we really need people to support this great event again this year. Rock Against Homelessness raised over €70K last year. These funds were vital to help Focus Ireland support the most vulnerable families and individuals and keep them safe during Covid19. We cannot thank Mediahuis Ireland enough for this incredible support. This is the sixth year of Rock Against Homelessness and it will be a different year as the concert will be streamed online due to Covid restrictions. The show looks great and it will also feature some of the people we have supported, so it is a chance for people buying tickets to the event to really hear how their kind support is helping our work challenging homelessness and changing lives. I’d also really like to say thank you to all the artists for giving their time to support our work.”

Tickets for the streamed event cost €23 and are available this Sat 29 May from 10am via Ticketmaster. The concert will be available in its entirety to view for 7 days after the event (4pm, 27 June), so attendees can watch it at a time that suits them.

www.focusireland.ie/Rock21 /

Photo: Peter Vandermeersch

Karl Nesbitt announces the release of ‘EVERYONE’, the new single from his recently released album, ‘RETURN’, featuring Éabha McMahon (Anúna & Celtic Woman). RETURN is Kalrl’s second full length album, and is an exciting new release of contemporary traditional Irish music. It is a rounded blend of modern Irish Traditional music that is both freshly innovative and grounded in authenticity.

Hailing from the renowned Tipperary musical family, Karl has been involved in the production of albums and the live performances of various Traditional and Folk music artists on both the national and international stages. A skilled multi-instrumentalist who commands Flute, Bouzouki and Bodhrán, Karl is an accomplished composer and is also engaged in the community as a musical educator in the greater Cork area.

Having previously released his EP ‘The Good News’ and his debut album ‘Vista Point’ to great acclaim, Karl immersed himself in collaborative work, mainly assisting groups and artists in the making of their work such as; Niall Connolly, The Moorings, The Fuchsia Band, Tremolo and The Neff Brothers.

March 2021 sees the release of Karl’s brand new album featuring his compositions and arrangements of Traditional works. A synthesis of acoustic and electronic textures, with melodic weavings and sparkling percussive elements, ‘Return’ showcases the fluidity of instrumentation and the creative architecture that represent Karl’s unique style, all the while underscoring his strong root in the Irish Traditional vernacular.

A polished album mastered by Calum Malcolm with guest appearances from Johnny Kalsi (The Dhol Foundation), Éabha McMahon (Anúna) and GMC (Cork Rap Artist) among others, ‘Return’ signifies a new exciting chapter for the music of Karl Nesbitt and a refreshing perspective on the ‘Living Tradition’ that is Irish music in contemporary Ireland.

“I wanted to find a means of expression that was both Traditional, innovative and listener friendly,” says Karl of the inspiration behind ‘RETURN’. “Being influenced by Ambient and Downtempo music as much as Irish music, Jazz and Classical, Rock and Pop, I strived for a ‘sound’ I could put my own ‘stamp’ on that encapsulated my diverse influences, but didn’t alienate the popular music fan; of which I also am myself.”

Follow Karl Nesbitt online:  Instagram | Youtube | Soundcloud | Spotify

Wyvern Lingo are releasing a brand new remix of summer 2020 hit ‘Don’t Say It’. Initially released last year as the first taste of their now widely-acclaimed second album ‘Awake You Lie’ (Top 10 on the national album charts, number 1 on the Irish independent chart), ‘Don’t Say It’ was warmly welcomed by fans and media folk alike. Fast-forward twelve months and this none-more-summery song has been remixed by NYC-based uber-producer Jason Agel, best-known for his mix work for stellar names like John Legend, Lauryn Hill and Prince, not to mention ultra-cool talents serpentwithfeet and Kelsey Lu.

Furthermore, Wyvern Lingo will be hosting a unique live stream event direct from the National Concert Hall in Dublin, as part of the NCH’s Sounding The Feminists summer season, at 8pm on Wednesday 23rd June. The band say: “We were granted the Music Project Award from Sounding the Feminists/The National Concert Hall earlier this year, and are using it to produce our most ambitious show to date. In collaboration with visual artist, 1iing Heaney, we are going to transform the National Concert Hall and create an audio/visual experience like no other. With the help of a few special guests, we are going to elevate the work of women in the industry- we can’t wait.”

Fans will be able to stream the event on the National Concert Hall’s YouTube platform and Facebook page, and Wyvern Lingo’s Facebook page. Stay tuned to Wyvern Lingo’s social media for more news.

Things are opening up, the days are getting warmer, Wyvern Lingo are back on the radio, good times are around the corner.

‘Don’t Say It’ (Jason Agel Remix) is released by Rubyworks today, Friday 28th May.

Originally from Nigeria and raised in the Irish midlands, Tolü has used her music as a medium to speak the truth, again she teams up with longtime collaborator songwriter and producer Enda Gallery for her latest release ‘Aye’, out now on all digital platforms: https://found.ee/AyeToluMakay

‘Aye’ is an African pop, dance, world themed summer track inspired by Tolü Makay‘s Yoruba heritage with traditional Nigerian percussions such as Conga and the Talking drum, about to take off on streaming sites, it was added to high-profile Spotify playlists ‘New Music Friday playlist’ and ‘A Breath of Fresh Éire’.

“’Aye’ means life in Yoruba. A lot of what makes us who we are comes from our childhood. I want this song to celebrate life and the child we forget we were. We are who we are because of that child. I added my oriki which my grandmother blessed me with, she sings it in this song. Oriki is a Yoruba “attributive epithets” you’re given. Who you are called forth to be.

I hope this song brings joy and awakens your inner child.“ -Tolü Makay

Tolü was due to travel to Nigeria to create this song and reunite with her family who she hasn’t seen throughout the pandemic, but still it wasn’t possible. Tolü teamed up with some producer friends from Nigeria to gather some kids and created a mini choir. “I was literally on the phone for 6 hours working remotely with the kids as well as the Nigerian percussionist we hired for the day (an absolute legend), he played the shakers, conga, talking drum. It was intense and I really wish I was there in person, yet despite the current travel bans, we still managed to create this magical track.” 

A seasoned vocalist possessing classic soul influences from the likes of Erykah Badu, Nina Simone and the Nigerian/French singer/songwriter Asa, Tolü’s trajectory has seemed destined for the stars since the release of her debut single ‘Goodbye’ in 2018.

‘Aye’ is the new single from the exhilarating afro-Irish singer Tolü Makay which follows the huge success of the debut EP ‘Being’, and subsequently her version of the classic The Saw Doctors song ‘N17’ accompanied by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

‘Aye’ is the second song to be shared from Tolü’s debut album, coming early 2022.

‘Aye’ by Tolü Makay is out now on all digital platforms: https://found.ee/AyeToluMakay

Live Dates

2021 Ireland Tour – The Tolü Makay Experience

28/05 – Grand Social, Dublin

04/06 – Grand Social, Dublin

05/06 – Grand Social, Dublin

12/06 – Roisin Dubh, Galway

13/06 – Cyprus Ave, Cork

2021 Festivals

13/08 – 15/08 – Wild Roots, Hazelwood

2022 Tour

March ‘22 – USA tour with ‘Ireland In Music’

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ToluMakay

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

Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2Puk1SP

Apple Music: http://apple.co/3sHdIcL

YouTube Music: http://bit.ly/3qe7Upr

Ever since the release of her 2019 debut album ‘Matters Of The Heart’, Ruthanne has been busy in the studio, writing, recording and producing exciting new music. In October 2020 she released ‘Remember This’, the first track from this new project with AntiFragile Music. Last month, the adoring, passionate single ‘F.L.Y.’ followed and today RuthAnne is delighted to be sharing her latest single ‘Safe Place’.

The track highlights the importance of finding support and space to talk and to heal when we are struggling. It’s about finding strength in vulnerability and learning what works for you. ‘Safe Place’ is RuthAnne’s nod of gratitude to her own safe place, which has helped her come through dark times. The song is also an extension of love and encouragement to listeners who may be going through similar experiences.

“I wrote ‘Safe Place’ when I was getting out of a very dark place. My physical and mental health were at an all-time low due to endometriosis, which is a chronic disease I live with. There were some days I couldn’t get out of bed due to my condition and other days where I had to really put on a front that I was ok, touring, seeing friends, but I wasn’t ok at all. I had been keeping so many thoughts and things I was feeling inside but the minute I started to open up and talking about what I was feeling with my loved ones, I finally felt I was not alone. I felt supported, loved and hearing the thoughts out loud and talking them through really helped me out of the darkness and back into the light. I wrote this to hopefully encourage people to do the same. To open up, to talk and to find their ‘Safe Place’ whoever, wherever and whatever that is.”

RuthAnne’s outstanding career started back when she was just 17-years-old, penning music for huge pop artists, including JoJo’s ‘Too Little Too Late,’ for which RuthAnne achieved the ASCAP Songwriters Best Pop Song award. From then she wrote a string of massive records including Britney Spears’ RIAA platinum-certified ‘Work Bitch,’ One Direction’s ‘Where Do Broken Hearts Go,’ Pentatonix’s ‘Misbehavin’ and Martin Garrix & Bebe Rexha’s ‘In The Name Of Love.’ In 2017 she co-wrote 5 songs on Niall Horan’s debut solo album ‘Flicker,’ including US #1 hit ‘Slow Hands,’ for which she received a BMI award. As a songwriter her songs have been streamed over 4 billion times. She also co-wrote Horan’s latest single ‘Nice To Meet Ya’.

RuthAnne’s stunning solo single ‘The Vow’ took her own music to great heights. The track was played during ITV 2’s Love Island 2019 Final – it was Shazamed 15 thousand times within the hour and reached #1 in the main Irish iTunes chart. RuthAnne’s material has now amassed over thirty million streams so far.

Her most recent project has been back home with supergroup, Irish Women In Harmony. In early 2020, RuthAnne brought together almost 40 of Ireland’s greatest female artists to remotely record a cover of ‘Dreams’ by The Cranberries. All funds raised go to Safe Ireland, working to end domestic violence and coercive control in Ireland. RuthAnne produced the track and came out with a song that captured the heart of the nation and made Irish music history. In its first week, the single hit #1 in the Official Homegrown Chart, the first female act ever to do so. ‘Dreams’ was also #2 in the Irish airplay chart and #1 in the Breaking Tunes chart.

Later that year, RuthAnne began writing and producing the original festive single ‘Together At Christmas’ in support of ISPCC Childline. The song became an instant favourite in households across the country and raised much needed support for children in dangerous situations, heightened by the Covid-19 pandemic.

If you are struggling with your mental health there is support available.

Visit pieta.ie for more information
Freephone 1800-247-247 to speak to a therapist if you are in crisis
Text HELP to 51444 to text a therapist if you are in crisis
Call 0818-111-126 to make an appointment with a therapist

RuthAnne online:

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

https://thisisruthanne.com

Producer, songwriter and multi-disciplinary artist Lisa Murray launches her electric, self-produced debut single, ‘The Kind Of Girl’ out May 28th – the first in what is sure to be a promising string of cutting edge, indie pop songs that perfectly encompass a nostalgic summer soundtrack.

Lisa Murray fuses her creativity and unique production style with honest and narrative storytelling to create a soundtrack of modern life and love. Her tongue-in-cheek wit goes hand in hand with a raw expression of emotion in her songwriting process, detailing the charming tragedy of modern womanhood. As a producer, Lisa fuses 80s nostalgia with cutting edge vocal production that allows listeners to dive deep into her sonic world.

Her debut release, ‘The Kind Of Girl’ showcases the masterful songwriting and unique production style that this rising one-woman song machine is capable of. ‘The Kind Of Girl’ was inspired by the manic pixie dream girl narrative device and Lisa’s own experiences as a woman navigating through early adult life. Using synth bass lines, punchy drums and crystal clear vocals, Lisa creates a captivating vehicle for this charming story.

‘The Kind Of Girl’ was written during Lisa’s time studying at the world-renowned Berklee College of Music, from which she holds a Masters degree in Music Production, Technology and Innovation. Starting with the narrative concept and catchy hook, a large portion of the song was written during a 2am studio session with a deadline the following morning.

Detailing the songwriting process, Lisa says, “When it comes to songwriting, I often wake up in the morning with a fully fleshed out song idea in my head. This was one of those songs that appeared in my psyche one day, and once I started to sing through and perform it, the rest of the song wrote itself.”

Alongside her musical work, Lisa devotes a great deal of her time towards closing the gender gap in the music industry. She works as the Chapter Director of shesaid.so Dublin and fills a myriad of roles within She Knows Tech, a collective aimed at female empowerment in the music tech industry. Through her work, Lisa has been featured on BBC ATL Introducing, Headliner Radio with Genelec, and has upcoming collaborations in the works with IMRO. Lisa is dedicated to uplifting women and gender minorities in the industry, and prides herself in creating her music with an all-female team, with production and mixing by Lisa herself and mastering by Piper Payne.

INSTAGRAM  | FACEBOOK | SPOTIFY