Author: Breffni Banks

Indie Pop sensation Taylor D is set to captivate audiences worldwide with the release of her
highly anticipated debut EP, ‘Fan Girl,’ scheduled to hit digital platforms on September 8th.

Featuring a diverse blend of infectious Pop anthems and soul-stirring ballads, the EP promises to showcase Taylor’s immense talent and leave listeners craving for more. With her impressive string of successful singles leading up to this moment, Taylor D has already established herself as an artist to watch. Hailing from Clondalkin, Ireland, Taylor’s music transcends conventional Pop boundaries, drawing inspiration from a wide range of influences such as Taylor Swift, Nelly Furtado, and The Weeknd.

‘Fan Girl’ EP takes listeners on an enthralling musical journey, offering a glimpse into Taylor’s versatility as an artist. From the flirtatious ‘Fan Girl’ to the darker and more tense ‘Liar,’ Taylor’s ability to connect with her audience on multiple levels shines through in every track. Focus track ‘Until The Time Is Right’ is a pop banger which was made for the airwaves. A clear step up in production, it represents a mature step for Taylor and one that has the potential to cross over into the UK and beyond.

Taylor D expresses her genuine admiration for fan culture through the EP’s title track, ‘Fan
Girl.’ With its empowering message, the song celebrates the passionate fans who deserve to share
the spotlight and revel in the joy of both being a fan and a popstar.

Following the EP’s release on September 8th, Taylor D will be hosting an almost sold-out
launch party on September 15th, promising an unforgettable evening filled with electrifying
performances. Tickets can be found here.

New single ‘Homeowners’ is the bands most vulnerable offering yet. The song deals with the concept of “right person, wrong time.” An unspoken romance between two people destined to ponder what could have been. Fate dealt a different hand, tied up in the trappings of adulthood and family life they simply have too much to lose to ever act… ‘It doesn’t matter now we’re homeowners.’

‘Homeowners’ which was recorded and Mixed by Daniel Fox (Gilla Band) is out now on Fatal Vision.

Autumn UK/IRE Dates

2nd Sept – Laois, Electric Picnic

6th Sept – Dublin, Whelan’s (Supporting She Past Away)

9th Sept – Dublin, The Button Factory (Supporting She Wants Revenge)

14th Sep – London, The Old Blue Last

15th Sep – Luton, The Castle

16th Sept – Brighton, The Prince Albert

11th Nov – Dublin, Workman’s Cellar Tickets

Connect with SCATTERED ASHES

Instagram | Spotify | Bandcamp | X

Irish singer-songwriter ULTAN CONLON found a haven for his unique sound and sensibility in Los Angeles, California, with Grammy Award- winning David Garza (Fiona Apple) producing Ultan’s fifth record, The Starlight Ballroom, which drops on September 13^th, 2023.

Today (Thurs 31^st August), Ultan shares ‘All Sewn Up’, the second single from the album.

Speaking about the new song, Ultan Conlon says “All Sewn Up is a result of spending too much time on social media and judging other musicians and resenting them for opportunities they get. “How did they get that slot and who do they know?” The last verse puts the shoe on the other foot and is from the perspective of how other musicians view my career. It concludes of course that a lot of what we see and believe from online is only perception and not always the reality.”

Ultan first met Grammy Award-winning producer David Garza in LA in 2017 while playing some shows with him at Largo, the nightclub where Sean and Sara Watkins host The Watkins Family Hour. Ultan says: “When I met David and we played some songs together I saw his unbridled energy and talent and knew I wanted to work with him” Fast forward 6 years and The Starlight Ballroom is born.

The Starlight Ballroom was a ballroom of romance in Westport, Co. Mayo, which opened in the early 1960’s and closed in 1981. Thousands of people would pack into the hall to see local Irish Show bands and the best international acts of the day. Roy Orbison played The Starlight in 1969 and Ultan’s song The Starlight Ballroom takes in and ponders the night in question.

Listen to it below:

On the iconic Electric Arena stage on Saturday, September 2, 2023 Electric Picnic festival goers will get the chance to spend an hour with Ireland’s hardest working band, Ispíní na hÉireann, for an entertaining, raucous, and dazzlingly fun show. Their irreverent brand of punk trad showcases original and reinvented favourites from their debut album, The Hardest Working Men, as well as exciting new work. Get ready to be blown away by one of the best live shows on the island of Ireland.

The unique and bold sound created when saxophone and Uilleann pipe player Pádraig Óg Mac Aodhagáin, Bodhrán player Cian Ó Ceallaigh, and Cellist Aongus Mac Amhlaigh combine with the powerful vocals of Tomás Mulligan and banjo player Adam Holohan’s brilliant musicianship is pure enjoyment.

This show will be their last festival of the season and their last big show before their much anticipated Academy gig, Dublin, on December 21, 2023.

Ispíní na hÉireann’s music is a combination of original songs as well as reimagined covers and tunes, all influenced by the Irish musical tradition. There are layers of subtext and commentary, and a genuine method to all the madness. And as with any great art, it is left open to the interpretation of the listener. It is up to the audience to decide whether or not this is all waffle, or if deeper meaning can be found amidst the chaotic noise.

Listen to their music here or on Spotify

From arranging flowers to arranging music, 24-year-old Irish singer and florist Ciara Lawless, goes from working in her flower shop by day to arranging music by night where she write’s and records her own music.

The celtic songbird made her mark on the music industry with her debut single, ‘Half The Man’, in May of this year. Since then, Ciara has been sharping her stage skills over the summer performing at various festivals including The Mná Festival at Dun na Sí, Co. Westmeath and The Lovestock Festival in Tuamgraney, Co Claire.

With her sophomore single, ‘I Am Your Healer,’ Ciara delves into the profound themes of love, self-discovery, and healing. Set for release this September, the song promises to captivate hearts and minds, leaving an indelible imprint on all who encounter its ethereal melodies. And this is only the beginning, for a full album is set to grace our ears in May 2024, an eagerly awaited masterpiece of musical storytelling.

Ciara writes and sings contemporary pop songs exploring modern themes of mindfulness and wellbeing. Her songs are easy listening folk-pop songs incorporating elements of folk music with pop sensibilities. Her music features acoustic guitar as the primary instrument, with melodic and catchy choruses. The songs are mellow and melodic evoking a sense of nostalgia and exploring modern themes of mindfulness and wellbeing, delivered with Ciara’s particularly distinctive voice.

Ciara’s music journey began at a young age when she started taking classes in acting and singing. She later developed an interest in classical and opera, training at the Academy of Music in Tullamore, where she also competed in national and international competitions.

While some singers cut their chops while climbing the music ladder, Ciara earned her singing stripes as a funeral singer, something that she is very proud and honoured to do so.

You can find Ciara’s music on all streaming platforms. Ciara’s Music is released and distributed on Human Angel Records: https://linktr.ee/ciaralawless

Galway artist Me Auld Flower is releasing single ‘An Unholy Amount’, with accompanying video, on 01 September 2023. Recorded in the wilderness of Connemara, An Unholy Amount is the latest narrative journey through song from the Kinvara-based musician.

‘An Unholy Amount’ showcases Me Auld Flower’s unique blend of psychedelic elements with folk sensibilities, creating an experience that transcends genre. The song’s hauntingly tender melodies, evocative lyrics, and ethereal vocals combine to create an otherworldly atmosphere that draws the listener in from the first note.

As the title suggests, ‘An Unholy Amount’ delves into the duality of life, exploring the contrasting aspects of existence with an intricately woven musical arrangement. Guided by Me Auld Flower’s vocals, the song narrates a tale of self-discovery, reflection, and acceptance. The artist’s penchant for storytelling shines through, painting vivid landscapes of emotions that resonate deeply.

“‘An Unholy Amount’ is an exploration of the human spirit and the universal quest for balance and meaning,” says Me Auld Flower. “Unusually for me, this song was actually recorded as it was being written and probably took no more than an hour or or two in total to finish both. I remember finishing it in the middle of the night and listening to it back in the garden, under a full moon at the foot of the Maumturk mountains. It felt really whole to me, despite the short turnaround. There is often a nagging feeling within that something is never finished, that there’s always something else you want to tinker with, but this one just came out almost fully formed.”

‘An Unholy Amount’ will be available on all major streaming and digital platforms from 01 September 2023.

Immerse yourself in another world and experience the spellbinding songcraft of ‘An Unholy Amount.’ For updates, news, and more, follow ‘Me Auld Flower’ on social media and visit their official website.

About Me Auld Flower:

Me Auld Flower is the moniker of Irish songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Brian Patrick Nally. The nom de plume is a traditional term of endearment in Ireland, and was bestowed upon a young Nally by his maternal grandmother. Me Auld Flower is a visionary artist known for his unique blend of sublime and celestial folk music. With a knack for crafting immersive soundscapes and transportative storytelling, Me Auld Flower captivates with beguiling melodies and poetic lyricism. The artist continues to trace the human experience, exploring themes of nature, life, and cosmic introspection, leaving a singular impression on his audience.

FACEBOOK: facebook.com/MeAuldFlower

INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/me.auld.flower

YOUTUBE: youtube.com/@meauldflower

BANDCAMP: meauldflower.bandcamp.com/

Line Before The Line is the second track to be released from the forthcoming Late Nite 99 album from Super Extra Bonus Party, featuring guest vocals from Silverbacks’ Emma Hanlon. 

Like previous single The Corpse, Line Before The Line heads off into previously uncharted territory for the band. It chugs along in a faux-western vein with cinematic strings and plaintive glockenspiel and melodica underpinning an insistent rhythm and intertwining vocals setting out a tale of love, loss and the hope for second chances. 

About Line Before The Line, Gavin Elsted says “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do stylistically and it harks back to what we used to do the first time around. We were never concerned with what genre or style the songs on the records were, the only real criteria that we needed to satisfy was whether we liked the song or not. We were delighted to work with Emma too – she has an amazing voice and imbues the track with a quiet strength and just the right amount of emotion.”

Recorded over two weekends in late 2022 in The Meadow, Delgany with Rian Trench, Late Nite 99 is the sound of a more cohesive, thoughtful band, neatly skipping between cinematic faux-westerns, technicolour psychedelia and delicate electronica. 

“I wouldn’t say that it’s our ‘grown-up record’ by any stretch, but maybe it’s being comfortable enough with each other to really refine our ideas that gives this a bit more of a focus” says guitarist Gavin Elsted, reflecting on the process behind the finished product. “I think a longer gestation period really helped us figure out what we didn’t want the album to be and gave us the space to write in a way that would allow the album to present itself instead of trying to force things together.” 

While this newfound sense of comfort might extend to things behind the scenes, it hasn’t stopped the band trying to be playful wherever they can. From the amazing neon nightmare cover art by Jorge Parras to the title of the record (named after a sighting of one of the band’s parents emerging from the Heuston Supermacs with a post-work ice cream) there’s still a lot of mischief to be found in Super Extra Bonus Party.

“I think that what’s happened with this album is that we’ve learned a lot as musicians over the years, but the dynamic between us has remained the same” Cormac Brady expands. “I think when we set out to make the album, we had a vision that the album would feel a little bit more cohesive and a little less chaotic. But the reality is that we’ve poured all of our new abilities into the exact same mould. No matter how much each of us progress at what we do musically, the way we create together remains unpredictable. That’s what makes it enjoyable and maybe why we’re still doing this after so long!”

Listen to it below:

1000 Beasts is excited to announce the upcoming release of the sixth single from his highly anticipated sophomore album on September 1st. “Cherry Delight” is a low key, neo-soul track featuring the smooth vocals of London-based Irish artist Tomike “Cherry Delight” is filled with rich jazz harmony infused with a stready drum break and Tomike’s dreamy vocals. For fans of Greentea Peng, Pip Millett & FKJ.

Arguably one of the most prolific producers to come out of Cork in years, 1000 Beasts released his debut album ‘Naruda’ in April 2022. Featuring collaborations and co-writes from an eclectic mix of artists such as FeliSpeaks, Célia Tiab, LENII, Arthur Valentine, April and Orla Gartland, and with well over 8+ million streams amassed on the project already, 1000 Beasts has established himself as an artistic force that straddles the line between indie, soul & electronic music.

The concept behind 1000 Beasts is simple. One producer who writes & collaborates with different artists (the “beasts”) on each track to create music greater than the sum of its parts.

Tomike is an artist born and raised in Dublin Ireland, now living in London.

Growing up she was heavily influenced by Jazz and soul, her smooth soulful vocals paired with a drum focused and groovy production, is a sound that will most definitely draw you in with every listen.

” I first met Tomike during the pandemic when we collaborated on ‘Ériú’ with Body & Soul. After working together on the remix of ‘It’s Like’, I knew I wanted her to be part of my upcoming album. I sent her some beats, she sent back some ideas, and Cherry Delight was born! I love the track – it’s a perfect mix of our styles, bringing a fresh vibe while still capturing the essence of my earlier work. So excited about it!” – 1000 Beasts

“’Cherry Delight’ is a song about finally beginning to see the light in life after a period of being in darkness, it has a very optimistic and reflective message to it. Collaborating with Cian on this was a pleasure and I am excited for the track to be released. ” – Tomike

“Cherry Delight” is available on all major streaming platforms now.