Author: Breffni Banks

So which way will we go…

From hedonistic gay abandon, to deep and tender love songs, like a Robert Burns for the present, smart and educated generation. KTG, with her voice so-real-it-hurts, stamps her authority and artistry on every song. Her wondrous playfulness seems to come to us through the ages from the Goddess Danu herself, the mother of the Irish people. She disarms us, and leaves us quite vulnerable, with her ‘favourite sister’ appeal. But like all super heroes, quickly changes to show us her awesome powers. You will easily fall in love with KTG over and over again. A true genius of story and song.

Join KTG as her four year journey finally comes to life. “The Long Road Home ” is KTG’s second album, recorded with and produced by the spellbinding talents of Beardfire Studios, consisting of Rohan Healy, Al Quiff and David Virgin, quickly becoming Europe’s leading production team and recording label. The album is to be released on July 19th 2023 with lead single “seventeen”.

The new album follows previous successes by the Longford songstress such as the RTE Recommended “Empty Hallways” and the world wide phenomenon “Matches”.

Having started this album back in 2019, halted with the Covid-19 pandemic, the creation of this album has taken many twists and turns, as the back roads in the Irish country often do. With many genres explored by KTG, she documents her search for her sound, as that of a road trip with friends sharing the aux chord. “The Long Road Home” documents not only KTG’s growth as a songwriter but an exploration within herself, growing up and finally returning home. With tracks that take you on a journey through the 26 year old’s voyage  from writing songs for dream James Bond films, to rebellious punk pop anthems, to folk music that makes your heart ache, the journey home was long but worth it.

seventeen

Delve into the inner mourning of a collective youth with KTG, as she releases her newest single “seventeen”.

Join KTG as her four year journey finally comes to life. “The Long Road Home ” is KTG’s second album, recorded with and produced by the spellbinding talents of Beardfire Studios, consisting of Rohan Healy, Al Quiff and David Virgin, quickly becoming Europe’s leading production team and recording label. The album is to be released on July 19th 2023 with lead single “seventeen”.

The new single follows previous successes by the Longford songstress such as the RTE Recommended “Empty Hallways” and the world wide phenomenon “Matches”.

The track concludes the album and thus a four year creative process for the 26 year old. Meandering through genres to finally come home to her truest authentic sound. ‘seventeen’ is a song of growth, fear of being left behind, regret of wasted time and realising not everything is the same as it was before.

“seventeen” and “The Long Road Home” are available everywhere from the 19th of July 2023

Connect with KTG

Spotify | Facebook | Instagram

After the success of debut single ‘Big Tree’, gaining national and international press coverage, Robert Harley now focuses on the penultimate single ‘Straight For Your Love’, ahead of his album out next month (25th Aug).

Showing his dexterity and creative ability (especially in the studio) Robert is excited to unveil a more upbeat track, allowing us some more insight into this body of music which he has worked so hard on over the last couple of years. Producer and collaborator Christian Best (Mick Flannery) has crafted the sound reminiscent of a young Jeff Buckley, or in this case, early Stone Roses. With a clear attraction to the early nineties Robert seems part of a rejuvenating scene across the music industry. ‘Straight for your Love’ epitomizes this without commercialising or ‘modernising’ too much.

On the song, Robert says:

“In the haunting melody of ‘Straight For Your Love,’ the shadows of doubt intertwine with the yearning for freedom, resonating within the depths of a broken heart. With each note, it captures the bittersweet struggle of escaping the clutches of a toxic love, while battling the inner chorus of self-doubt and whispered warnings. Through its brooding lyrics, this song beckons us to find the strength to trust our instincts and break free, for the pursuit of true happiness often requires bold leaps into the unknown.”

This track 6 on the record is a beautifully melodic piece that let’s the music do the talking, climaxing at the end before a wonderful fade out, in keeping with the style. This is a new chapter for Robert, opening up another door to his soul. 

BIO

Rob Harley was born in London to Irish parents, at the age of five they moved to San Francisco, this is where Rob began to notice the live sounds of street buskers and blues music around the Haight-Ashbury district,  his family then moved back to Cork City in Ireland. Rob bought his first guitar, a 12 string Ibanez acoustic, and began to try and emulate the songs of The Beatles moving on to the blues of John Lee Hooker and Rory Gallagher.

​​In 2019 Rob started his second album ‘Big Tree’ with Producer/Engineer/Drummer Christian Best, a ten track album featuring the saxophone of Liam O’brien, Darragh Keary on piano and keyboards and Chris McCarthy on electric and double bass. ‘Big Tree’ was due to be released in 2020 but due to the covid lockdowns and the birth of his daughter, the release had to be postponed. In January 2022 Rob released the fist single from ‘Big Tree’ called ‘Crying For You’, In April 2022 the second single ‘These Days’ was released and was featured on Dr. Chris Ryans podcast Tangentially Speaking, the third single ‘Swinging For Fences’ was released in June 2022.   

Produced and mastered by the renowned Christian Best, “Big Tree” is a collection of songs that showcase Rob Harley’s unique songwriting and vocal abilities. The album features an all-star lineup of musicians, including Liam O’Brien on sax, Darragh Keary on piano and keyboards, Chris McCarthy on bass, and Christian Best on drums. 

Connect with Robert Harley

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Website | Spotify

Dublin naturally imparts grit upon its denizens. Instead of sugarcoating or pandering, they shoot straight from the hip without pretense or posturing. As the largest city and the capital of Ireland, its streets have given rise to everyone from Thin Lizzy to U2 who fought to be heard and left a mark on music worldwide. VNXI embody this uncompromising, undeniable, and unbreakable spirit. The Dublin quartet—Kurtis Wade Murphy [lead vocals, acoustic guitar], Noely Musgrave [bass, synth], Andy L’Estrange [lead guitar, keys], and Leo Cassandro [drums]—craft cinematic rock uplifted by pop ambition, soundtrack-worthy sonic architecture, and good old-fashioned hometown authenticity. Growing up, the members of VNXI initially forged lifelong friendships.

After gaining traction at home, the band crossed the pond and delivered a showstopping performance at the 14^th annual Oscar Wilde Awards , earning acclaim from The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard. Selling out shows back in Ireland, they continued to write and record, honing an identifiable and irresistible signature style meant to invoke sight just as much as sound. In the end, the group’s honesty will distinguish them for a long time to come. “The music is a reflection of who we authentically are,” Kurtis leaves off. “We aren’t trying to sell anything. We just want people to connect with the music. Music saved us in a lot of ways and has added so much value to our lives that we want our music to do the same thing for others.” Now, VNXI arrive with the single “Unknown” in 2023.

“Unknown” is the latest single from VNXI. Having amassed over 100,000 Spotify streams on their first three singles and fresh off a European tour with Joshua Radin, the band returns with a raw, emotionally-charged single dealing with love, loss, grief and the afterlife. For fans of Mumford and Sons, Hozier, Lord Huron, Foy Vance and beyond– “Unknown” weaves a deep narrative lyric with intimate, yet soaring, vocal and pairs it with punchy driving rhythm, swelling soundscapes, and cinematic strings.

“Unknown” is available on all major streaming platforms now.

One of Ireland’s most exciting and successful breakthrough pop stars, Aimée serves up a fresh summer smash in the form of, ‘See You There’.  Out now, via Universal Music Ireland. 

Listen here!

Watch the lyric video here!

On a sunny Spring afternoon in London, Aimée joined forces with producer-writer, Ash Howes (known for his work with Ellie Goulding, One Direction, Little Mix and Kylie Minogue), along with platinum selling songwriter, Olivia Sebastianelli (noted for working with Ella Henderson, Cassyette and Purple Disco Machine).  Emersed in the inimitable spirit of the London music scene, the trio curated the anthem; a song seeped in loyalty, belief and determination that catapults the listener into an energy that screams ‘SUMMER’.

Aimée says:

“I arrived at the studio that afternoon knowing exactly what sound I was after. I wanted to create something that just screamed SUMMER.” “At the time, I was travelling a lot between LA, Sweden and London, which meant being away from family and my loved ones for long periods of time. But, no matter how busy life got, or how far away I was, I would drop everything if someone close to me, needed me.” 

Of the lyrics, Aimee explains:

–  “If that car breaks, then catch a train, if the train stops, better catch a jet plane’’ “Nothing good comes easy, but I believe in you & me. It might take the longest road, but I know, I know I’ll see you there”

 “There will always be reasons and excuses not to take the leap and do something. This song is about overcoming obstacles and digging deep to find a way. Stop making excuses, if you really care about this person do whatever it takes to meet them halfway.”

Aimée continues to soar through 2023, captivating audiences at shows from Dublin to Brighton to Bundoran and Cork – culminating in a revered performance alongside Dermot Kennedy last May. All the while her last release ‘Hurt Like Hell’ earned the Top 100 highest entry at radio, week of release, (reigning over the likes of Anne Marie, Ellie Goulding and Zara Larsson’s releases). The hit also landed top of the Irish Breakers Chart, day of release, peaking at #14 in the Irish Charts.

It’s hard to keep up with what may look like an overnight success story, but Aimée’s journey kicked off in her teenage years, swapping books for auditions and surprising many as a modern day, triple threat by way of singing, dancing, and song writing.  Aimée is soon set to fly the nest where she will re-immerse herself in LA life, influences, and collaborations.  Such is her creative hunger, Aimée is poised to springboard to infinity, and beyond.

“With artists like Aimée on the scene it is safe to say the future of Irish music is in good hands.” –

Jenny Greene (RTÉ2FM)

“Each new release from the Universal Music signee takes her closer to her goal, the work of an artist with the world at her feet. A profoundly independent voice.” – CLASH

Follow Aimée

AiméeMusicOfficial.com / Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Spotify / TikTok

CMAT has turned into her mother – and she’s written a song about it. The poignant fist-pumper – the third single from the global pop star’s upcoming second album – features none other than John Grant on guest duties.

CMAT on Where Are Your Kids Tonight?: “I wrote this song when I realised I had turned into my mother. It’s kind of inspired by this image I had of entering a waterfall-like portal from an Irish kids’ show called ‘Foreign Exchange’ where I’m looking at 1988 and 2023 at the exact same time every time I look at myself in the mirror. To quote a TikTok comment I saw recently: ‘The human experience is absolutely fucking wild.’”

John Grant on Where Are Your Kids Tonight?: “Mega-chuffed that Ciara invited me to be on this beautiful track. Love the lyrics”

The single follows a hectic few weeks for CMAT: a breakout Glastonbury moment on the Woodsies Stage, followed by a solo acoustic number post-Elton John on the BBC’s live coverage; a Spotify billboard on Grafton St and Times Square; two huge outdoor supports to Florence and the Machine in Dublin and Belfast, a BBC Radio 1 interview, and her first festival headline at Otherside.

Where Are Your Kids Tonight? was recorded, produced and mixed by Matias Tellez at his studio in Bergen, Norway, with John recording his vocals at his studio in Reykjavik, Iceland.

CMAT on working with John Grant: “I always knew this song was going to be a duet, and when I was writing it I always said to myself, ‘It would be so good if we could get someone *like* John Grant on this’, because a) his body of lyrics reflects my own life and experience more closely than anyone else working today b) I never thought we would get him. But I got him! And he is so sweet. His performance really adds the layer of profundity that I was looking for to carry off the two-ages-staring-at-each-other angle. Love him so much.”

The Where Are Your Kids Tonight? video – featuring both CMAT and John – is a gentle homage to the oft-overlooked clip for Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson’s ‘I Know Him So Well’, only with bigger hair and a smaller budget.

CMAT’s new album, the 12-track ‘Crazymad, For Me’ – out via AWAL Recordings on October 13 – is a “an abstract break-up album – about what happens when you are still angry about something that happened 10 years ago”. It’s also a concept record of sorts – involving time travel, Belle Epoque Paris and a woman who may or may not be CMAT in the future.

Watch the video for ‘Where Are Your Kids Tonight?’ below:

Roisin is a 26-year-old singer/songwriter from Cork, Ireland. Her life has revolved around music ever since she was young, having taken classical violin lessons at just 5 years old.

This was closely followed by piano lessons and Irish traditional fiddle, bodhrán and céilí drum lessons. She began to teach herself guitar and ukulele from YouTube thereafter. By age 12, Roisin had competed in numerous Irish traditional music competitions both as a solo musician and as part of a larger group in Cork and across Munster.

Roisin started to post covers to YouTube and Instagram a few short years later in which she played guitar or piano and sang along. Today, pop music is her focus, working alongside producers to write her own lyrics to her songs.

To date, Roisin has played a number of gigs covering popular songs around Cork city, including open mic nights in the Brú Bar, a charity gig in Collins Barracks and a college ball in University College Cork. She now has over 10k followers on Instagram, 14.2k followers on TikTok, and a total of 206,235 streams on Spotify.

After having a segment within the Evening Echo, a local newspaper in Cork, detailing her music career in 2021, Roisin hopes to gain even more exposure in the music industry by having her music heard by a larger audience.

More importantly, however, is her longing to continue writing lyrics about her life experiences and to continue to enjoy the process of creating music, from initially sitting down with her notebook to writing the lyrics and melodies to when the song is released on all streaming platforms.

The Love You Left Behind is a deeply personal song to Roisin. The act of writing lyrics is a way for her to process all that she experiences in life, and that’s exactly what this song is for her.

The concept of this song came to her when speaking to a friend about those she had lost, and this conversation even inspired some of the lyrics such as “when the stars sparkle I see your smile” when she was told to look up at the stars that night and remember the happy memories they shared. The grief of losing loved ones is not new to Roisin and this song was a form of therapy for her in learning to deal with the loss of several friends and family members both to illness and suicide.

This song was produced by New Jersey producer Ruff. Roisin and Ruff worked back and forth to create the perfect production for this song that highlighted the emotional message held within the lyrics. Roisin then recorded the lyrics in Cork at a local recording studio. Ruff was also responsible for the mixing and mastering of the song to produce the final version.

The day Roisin received the final version of the song, a robin bird flew up next to her as she sat in her back garden, and she remembered a quote “when robins appear, loved ones are near”. The message that Roisin wants listeners to take from the song is that even after death, loved ones never leave us and in fact, they can show us how close they are in mysterious ways.

‘The Love You Left Behind’ is available on all major streaming platforms now.