Author: Breffni Banks

Springing from the ever growing market town of Gorey, Co. Wexford, Foot Squeaker began their alternative rock wayfaring in 2018. Proposing only vigorous and fervent performances, this is what audiences have been getting from day dot. Having released three singles in 2020 and then sucked into the pandemic years, they rise in 2023 with the incoming new single, ‘Silhouette’, out 01.09.23.

“Silhouette is a song about disappearing into yourself after a traumatic event, spinning in a personality vacuum with the only way out being the love and support of your special someone. Don’t become a silhouette of yourself, find out who you really are and try to overcome.” – Diarmuid Comerford

The song was recorded in Diarmuid’s studio, mixed by Daniel Fox (Gilla Band) with the mastering by Darragh Nolan aka Astakalapa.

’Silhouette’ sees Foot Squeaker finding their sound with a chorus that has already had audiences singing along at shows. “Stay in your heart” echoed through a recent hometown show in The Loch Garman Arms alongside Peer Pleasure and indie rockers Drying Weather. This song connects to a place where people can find their solace and hope.

The band have shook the walls of Fibber Magees in Dublin twice this year along with a blistering set at The Gorey Market House Festival.

Foot Squeaker plan to play across Ireland this Autumn in support of the single and head straight in to record new music in November.

Upcoming Dates:

02/09 – 3pm – In store, Harlequinn Records, Gorey

04/09 – 11:45am – Morning Mix with Alan Corcoran, South East Radio

08/09 – The Cellar, Galway

‘Silhouette’ will be available across all platforms on 01.09.21

Hozier has scored yet another Irish number 1 with his highly anticipated third studio album Unreal Unearth. Released last Friday August 18^th to incredible reviews, the latest album from the Wicklow superstar has outsold the entire top 5 albums combined in this week’s chart to score the #1 spot in Ireland. The Irish superstar cements himself as one of the greatest songwriters in his field with a record that has spawned world class tracks in “Eat Your Young,” “All Things End,” “Francesca” & “De Selby (Part 2)”.

Hozier says “It’s a special feeling to receive this kind of support in your home country. Massive thank you to everyone in Ireland for all the love and support shown to Unreal Unearth! News of this number 1 has me absolutely thrilled.”

Using Dante’s Inferno and the 9 circles of hell as a loose structure, the 16-track LP follows a captivating thematic arc informed by the turbulence of the world and the fight for a better and brighter tomorrow. Unreal Unearth, featuring 11 brand new songs including “Damage Gets Done” with Brandi Carlile, traces a provocative, poetic, and powerful roadmap back into the light.

Unreal Unearth is the third studio album from Hozier and follows the multi-platinum selling, #1 albums Hozier (2014) and Wasteland, Baby (2019).

With over 1 million tickets sold worldwide, and recently wrapping a sold out European, UK and US tours, he will bring his massive international ‘Unreal Unearth Tour’ back to Europe in December, which will see him conquer arenas, including London’s OVO Arena Wembley, and x3 sold out shows in Dublin’s 3Arena. The North American leg of Hozier’s ‘Unreal Unearth Tour’ begins on September 9 in St. Louis, MO with Madison Cunningham joining as special guest across all dates. Hozier will perform 28 sold-out shows across 25 cities, including Madison Square Garden in New York and Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, marking his largest headline run in the U.S. and Canada to date.

Today marks the start of yet another exciting chapter in the Irish songwriter’s esteemed career.

Listen to Unreal Unearth below:

Renowned as a multi-talented musician and producer, R3D emerges as an exhilarating force on the music scene, crafting captivating tunes that challenge conventions and evoke emotions. Drawing inspiration from a blend of hip hop, funk, and electronic music, R3D has become a name synonymous with innovation and genre-defying artistry. His latest release, “Need This,” is a pop-infused love song that seamlessly weaves themes of destiny and uncertainty into a melodious tapestry.

With an unmatched passion for pushing musical boundaries, R3D has solidified his reputation as one of the most exciting artists in the industry today. His signature sound is an intricate fusion of intricate beats, lush harmonies, and soulful melodies, expertly packaged into compositions that are both complex and accessible. This distinctive style has not only captivated audiences but has also led to collaborations with industry heavyweights, proving his prowess as a producer who elevates his fellow artists.

“Need This” is a sonic journey through the realms of love and destiny, with R3D poetically likening destiny to a lover. This captivating analogy is brought to life through lyrics that explore the ambiguity of both love and destiny, celebrating the beauty of uncertainty while embracing the rewards of trust. The chorus resonates with an anthem-like quality, with lines like “Cos when you’re with me / I know I’m alive / I can’t stand to leave / With you in my eyes / If this shit is fate / I won’t act surprised / If this shit for real / I need this for life.”

R3D’s creative process is nothing short of magical. Armed with an open mind and unburdened by rules, he steps into the studio ready to be moved by the moment. The result? Authentic and deeply emotive tracks that are a reflection of his genuine reaction to the music. Often working from the comfort of his own bedroom studio, R3D’s close connection to his craft allows him to seamlessly integrate live feedback from his DJ sets, ensuring a real-time interaction between his creativity and the audience’s energy.

What sets R3D apart from the crowd is not just his musical finesse but also his ability to bridge the gap between technology and art. He’s been delving into the world of AI, employing it to craft the artwork for his recent tracks. This fusion of cutting-edge technology with his avant-garde musical style further solidifies his status as a true innovator.

Inspired by luminaries such as Kanye West, Pharrell, and Damso, R3D is a creative powerhouse in his own right. He has shared the stage with the likes of Tebi Rex, Erica Cody, Soulé, Monjola, Travis & Elzz, Bricknasty, and has lent his talents to support acts like Maverick Sabre and The Blizzards.

As R3D’s following on social media continues to surge, his influence as a leading voice in independent music only intensifies. He remains a source of inspiration for both fans and fellow artists, driven by his relentless dedication to pushing the boundaries of musical expression. R3D’s music is a testament to the power of embracing ambiguity, and his journey continues to captivate hearts around the world as embarks on his voyage to the land of Vancouver, Canada.

Listen to “Need This” below:

Cork-born, singer-songwriter, producer and multi- instrumentalist, Darian June, is making the leap in 2023 with her fresh approach to the Electro Pop genre. A pop lyricist at heart, Darian June intertwines her passion for both electro-pop and R&B to create catchy, hook dominated songs. Through her distinct use of relatable themes and lyrics along with her synth-driven progressions, Darian June creates a lasting impression on her listeners.

“Temporary Lover” is the latest raw and honest creation of Darian June, all brewed up in her cozy little bedroom studio in Cork, Ireland. Inspired by her own rollercoaster of past relationships, this song dives headfirst into the frustrating reality of today’s dating scene. It’s a reminder that everything feels so temporary nowadays, and forever just seems like a distant dream.

Darian June’s heartfelt vocals lay bare her exasperation with modern romance, accompanied by an infectiously groovy bass line and beat that’ll have you nodding your head in agreement. This track is a sonic journey that captures the ups and downs of love, laced with a tinge of self-blame and the fleeting nature of connections. Let Darian June’s soul-stirring vocals and irresistible rhythms transport you into her world. “Temporary Lover” is a true testament to her talent and the emotions she effortlessly pours into her music.

“Temporary Lover” is available on all major streaming platforms now.

Grace Day grew up in Donegal and began her music career in Galway Ireland, where she attended college and played in college bands, Grace Day decided to move to Nashville on a whim, not knowing a single soul in the city. Her spontaneity pervades her music through her eccentric, often humorous lyrics, and unique indie pop sound. Her dreamy heartbreak ballad ‘Never Lonely With You’ made its way onto rotation on many radio stations across Ireland, including RTE 1 and BBC. Grace is a big fan of collaboration and when she’s not working on her own music, she’s writing with other Nashville Artists/writers. 

In the lead single of her debut EP ‘Woe is me!’ Grace captures the universal struggle of parting ways while learning the art of embracing life’s transitions. In ‘Irish Goodbye’, Grace wanted to convey the emotions we all face when confronted with goodbyes – the pain, the nostalgia, but also the beauty of embracing change and finding the courage to move forward

Backed by Grace’s signature blend of dreamy acoustic guitar sounds and stacked vocal harmonies, “Irish Goodbye” showcases her ability to weave emotion into sound. The haunting melody, combined with introspective lyrics, creates an emotional resonance that listeners will find both relatable and comforting. 

Grace’s EP will be available everywhere on August 25th.

West Cork based songwriter Polly Barrett releases her second single of 2023, the uplifting and evocative ‘Sapling Be’ and reveals details of her upcoming album. ‘Sapling Be’ is set for release August 25, 2023.

Ethereal and rhythmic, ‘Sapling Be’ is the title track and second release from Polly Barrett’s upcoming third album out October 6, 2023. ‘Sapling Be’ continues the discussion of her journey through motherhood. Inspired by both her son and her love of nature Polly says “The song is like a wish for my son that he grows strong and tall like a great oak tree, and with his roots firmly in the ground. That he never forgets his connection to nature.”

Struggling with writer’s block Polly had the idea of a song based on the sapling analogy for many years. It was following a meditative sensory forest therapy course in her local Glengarriff Nature Reserve that she found her creativity start to flow again. This meditative and spiritual release is captured thoroughly with Polly’s use of steel tongue drum and loop pedal to create a hypnotic other-worldly sound as the basis for ‘Sapling Be’ that continually brings her back to a place of pure creativity. On top of this dreamy base Polly layers looped vocals, bodhrán, cello and bass guitar. ‘Sapling Be’ was mixed by grammy-nominated producer Chris O’Brien (Clannad, Aslan, and Emma Langford) and mastered by Richard Dowling at WAV Mastering, Limerick.

‘Sapling Be’ follows up the success of recent single ‘Huge Mistake’ that saw Polly earn support from RTE Radio 1’s Louise Duffy, Today FM/98FM’s Claire Beck, Lyric FM’s Marty Whelan and Newstalk’s Sean Moncrieff. ‘Huge Mistake’ is an ode to finding beauty and one’s peace in an unexpected place. Infused with Polly’s own very personal experiences of motherhood, love, and loss ‘Huge Mistake’ offers an intimate look inside the life of the Cork singer and a glimpse of what to expect from her upcoming album Sapling Be out October 6.

Polly Barrett is a well-known name on the Irish folk scene. After releasing 2 albums, 2011’s Mr Bookshop and Probably Me in 2014 she took a break from music to focus on family. However, the experience of motherhood, surrounded by the beauty of living in the wilds of West Cork continued to inspire her. During the Covid-19 pandemic Polly quietly recorded and released “Dark Garden”, an EP of four new songs, one of which, ‘Thinking About You’ was chosen for a Discover Ireland Campaign for West Cork. Since then, Polly has been fervently writing songs and experimenting with new musical sounds instilled by her own experiences and magic of the natural world. Using a loop pedal, bodhrán, guitar, tongue drum and low whistle, Polly has developed an exciting new sound which is as compelling to see being created on stage as it is to listen to. Polly performed an Official Showcase at Folk Alliance in the US in 2022 and has just returned from performing at Milkwaukee Irish Fest in the US alongside the Coronas, Wallis Bird and a host of other Irish acts. She has also played alongside Jack O’Rourke, Caoimhín O’Raghallaigh and recently wowed at Tradfest.

The Irish rising music artists Alicia Raye, from Drogheda, and Becky McNeice, from Belfast, come together to announce the release of their new single, “Far Away” on August 25th. The soulful track marks the debut release from their joint EP “Love Letters”, an intimate four-track journey set to unfold from August to October.

Both the track and the upcoming EP combine Raye and McNeice unique music styles and encapsulates the essence of their collaboration, seamlessly merging dance, pop, R&B and vibrant afro-pop melodies and elements. These musical powerhouses offer a vivid glimpse into their personal journeys of love and life, beautifully capturing their distinct experiences of romance and intimacy.

Alicia and Becky are on a mission to take Irish music to a global level. As part of the roll out for the project, the duo is travelling to New York, a city known for its creative pulse, to cultivate new fandoms, forge strategic alliances, and breathe life into their project through visually stunning music videos. Their US adventure will also lay the groundwork for an eagerly anticipated cross-country tour.

“With“Love Letters” we are not just creating music, we are creating a transformative movement that celebrates diversity, bridges cultures, and amplifies the presence of Irish artists around the world. Our individualities harmonised into something truly captivating, an authentic artistic synergy that mirrors the beauty of our creative partnership, both as artists and as business allies”

This release is an invitation to people to witness the birth of a new era in Irish music, as Alicia Raye and Becky McNeice revolutionise the scene. “Far Away” serves as the sonic invitation, teasing the masterpiece and transformative journey that is the “Love Letters” joint EP.

“Far Away” will be available on all major streaming platforms on August 25th.