Author: Breffni Banks

 June 16th 2023 sees the worldwide release of ‘Silent Win’ the latest single from Irish based Musician Brendan McCahey. This new opus came together when he and New York based producer Oli Deakin (CMAT) teamed up in early 2023. The sound has a throwback 60s vibe and McCahey’s voice has had a few comparisons to the great Roy Orbison of whom he is a fan.

The song deals with themes of loneliness and empowerment and set with rich and warm background. This is the first of the collaborations and there are many more yet to come in the following months ahead.

McCahey is a previous winner of The Voice Of Ireland (2016) but, has been writing songs and music for other artists, stage plays and film soundtracks for many years previously.

‘A Silent Win’ is available on all major streaming platforms now.

A Dublin/Chicago based duo, DUO Decade have released their first single ‘A Little Bit of Love’ in lieu of their upcoming album the twelfth hour.

Emmet McCaughey, originally from Laois and now living in Dublin, met musican Mark Casey  in Chicago back in 2010 while he was doing an internship at Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio. Casey was originally from Co. Clare but immigrated the same year. Sharing a common interest in all things music they became good friends and kept in touch over the years. In 2020 Emmet, previously of Fuzzy Empire and Able Archer, reached out for some help with lyrics on a solo project he was working on. The collaboration went so well that Duo Decad was born.

Bouncing ideas from across the Atlantic, the track pulls from the alternative playbook as established by artists like Sparklehorse and Grandaddy and masterfully refines it for the age of digital collaboration. Recorded in their respective home studios in Dublin and Chicago, ‘A Little Bit of Love’ was mastered by Andy Gallas in North Carolina– who has become the third member.

‘A Little Bit of Love’ is available on all major streaming platforms now.

Freddy Black & The Hotel Mosaic is a collective of musicians, poets, and town criers, based around Dublin and Kildare. Led by Freddy Black, they came together after meeting at an open mic in Maynooth. After playing some improv sets together pre-pandemic they finally made it official and formed “The Hotel Mosaic” in 2021.

The question they are constantly asked is “what genre is your music?” The jury is still out, as their sound defies easy categorisation, blending elements of blues, rock, and funk to create a sonic landscape that is as captivating as it is emotionally charged.

Taking inspiration from artists like Leonard Cohen and Mac Miller, The Hotel Mosaic is a fluid ever changing canvas of expression, having welcomed countless musicians and poets to collaborate in the short time since their inception.

Inspired by true events, ‘Drainpipe Diamond’ is an exploration of the harsh realities faced by a homeless girl living on the streets of Dublin, entangled in the depths of drug addiction and the unforgiving world of sex work.

Set against a backdrop of haunting melodies and atmospheric instrumentation, Freddy Black & The Hotel Mosaic create an immersive sonic landscape that reflects the girl’s turbulent journey. Their unique blend of musical styles amplifies the emotional weight of the song, drawing listeners into the dark and unforgiving underbelly of her existence.

The song was recorded in Orphan Studios with Gavin Glass and features backing vocals from Rachel Grace. The collective’s commitment to authenticity shines through, as they channel their creative energy to shed light on the systemic failures and societal neglect that perpetuate homelessness and its associated struggles.

The song is a poignant reminder of the power of music to give voice to the marginalised and provoke social change. Freddy Black & The Hotel Mosaic’s unflinching dedication to truth and empathy compels listeners to confront their own biases and confront the systemic barriers that perpetuate the cycle of homelessness and its accompanying hardships.

‘Drainpipe Diamond’ is available on all major streaming platforms now.

Superstar YB is a Nigerian-Irish singer and a musical powerhouse whose talent transcends borders and cultures. With his roots firmly planted in the rich cultural depths of Nigeria and the heart of Africa, Superstar YB weaves together a unique blend of musical styles that captivate audiences worldwide. His genre of choice is afrobeat, which he considers to be the new worldwide genre, as it speaks the universal language of the soul and resonates with listeners of all cultures.

Fueled by his musical influences, Superstar YB draws inspiration from the legendary king of Afrobeat himself, Fela Kuti, along with other influential artists such as Majek Fashek and King Sunny Ade. These musical icons have played a pivotal role in shaping Superstar YB’s distinctive and dynamic sound, resulting in a rare gem that seamlessly combines tradition with innovation.

‘Love In Lagos’ by Superstar YB featuring Chinko Ekun is a captivating song that tells the story of a true love that blossomed in the vibrant city of Lagos, Nigeria. The inspiration behind the track stems from the artist’s personal experience and observation of love in the bustling streets of Lagos. The city’s rich cultural heritage and lively atmosphere served as a backdrop for the romantic tale depicted in the song.

To ensure an authentic afrobeat sound, the song was recorded both in Dublin, Ireland, and Lagos, Nigeria. Superstar YB, being a producer himself, collaborated with talented producers and musicians from Lagos to infuse the track with the distinctive Afrobeat elements. This collaboration allowed for a fusion of the energetic rhythms of Afrobeat with the infectious melodies of amapiano, creating a unique and captivating musical experience.

‘Love in Lagos’ is not limited to specific fans of X, Y, or Z artists but appeals to music lovers globally. Superstar YB believes that music is a universal language that transcends borders, cultures, and genres. The artist aims to connect with listeners on a deep emotional level, encouraging them to embrace the power of love and enjoy the captivating story woven into the beautiful mesh of afrobeat and amapiano tunes.

‘Love in Lagos’ is available on all major streaming platforms now. 

‘Dealán Dé’ [pronounced [DAL-AWN-DAY] is the new bilingual single from Cork-born, Belfast-based sixth generation fiddler, bilingual singer, and multi-instrumentalist Clare Sands. Clare, who is opening the Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury Festival this month, has unveiled this tribal and anthemic single ahead of her performance.

Following on from her ‘bold and beautiful’ self-titled album, released in September 2022, the contemporary folk artist is back with four new songs, delivered in Irish and English, alongside four new collaborators. The four-part music and film project, ‘Gormacha’, [pronounced GUR-MA-KA] treads a musical path between the four most extreme geographical points in Ireland. Tracing the line between rugged land and stormy seas, Gormacha interweaves Irish folklore, language, and personal responses to our natural world.

Following on from Teasgal, featuring alt-folk songwriter Patrick O’Laoghaire (I Have a Tribe), Clare’s second release ‘Dealán Dé’ features the much celebrated and world-renowned Irish flute and whistle player from County Armagh, Brian Finnegan of the band FLOOK.

Weaving between Irish and English, ‘Dealán Dé’ – an ancient word from County Donegal meaning both butterfly and Northern lights – was recorded on and inspired by the most northerly point in Ireland, Malin Head. Mysterious whistling, bluesy guitar, and sea shells invoke an alternative anthem for the Wild North West, echoing Plant and Krauss’ Raising Sands, before building to a driving flute solo and uplifting outro featuring Inishowen Gospel Choir.

A song full of hope, passion and spirit, this triumphant ode to language and landscape also took inspiration from the writing and poetry of Kerri ní Dochartaigh and Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill. Clare Says, “Whilst roaming Malin Head, I learned that a certain species of butterfly found in the Donegal Bog is now protected and has been saved from the brink of extinction by conservation efforts. I wanted this song to convey that energy and journey from near extinction to survival and revival. If we can appreciate and protect what is around us, we will do just fine…”

 The accompanying video, directed and shot by visual artists and twin sisters Liadain and Kasia Kaminska, captures the contrasting nature of nature itself. On discovering the unusual rock formations of Doagh Strand, the duo explain: “We were struck by the soft and harsh existing side by side – the rock and sand, the wild sea and calm meadow. We had this feeling of being in an Irish Western – the jagged, strange and harsh rock formations against soft sand, sea plants and meadows full of butterflies created a world of its own that we wanted to capture in the video.”

‘Dealán Dé’ is the second in a series of four songs that are deeply personal and universal, sensual and spiritual, ancient and new.

‘Dealán Dé’ is available on all major streaming platforms now.

Irish indie rock songwriter Caoilian Sherlock releases his latest single, ‘The Wheels Come Off’ from his highly acclaimed album, ‘Teenage Jesus’. The opening track from his debut album is available on all major streaming platforms on Friday 16th June.

This latest single is the perfect embodiment of Sherlock’s distinctive sound which seamlessly blends elements of indie rock, alternative pop, and introspective songwriting. ‘The Wheels Come Off’ showcases the artist’s ability to create immersive sonic landscapes that resonate deeply with listeners, leaving a lasting impact. The song began as a simple country ballad but during some experimental recording sessions with producer Brendan Fennessy the track blossomed into an energetic Bruce Springsteen style stadium rock anthem.

‘The Wheels Come Off’ is a captivating indie rock alternative pop anthem that showcases Caoilian Sherlock’s signature musical muscle and lyrical prowess. With an infectious melody, heartfelt lyrics and a driving rhythm that crescendos in a lurching guitar solo, the single takes listeners on a dynamic and emotional journey through themes of self-discovery and revelation.

With over a decade of experience writing songs, he has honed his craft through playing guitar in various outfits such as The Shaker Hymn and The Tan Jackets, he combines psychedelic indie rock with impactful and insightful pop music.

Throughout his journey, Caoilian’s sound evolved from a pure folk style to a more experimental approach, as he recorded numerous demos in the various homes he lived in while residing in Cork City. In 2019, he assembled a live band called The Big Children and began recording his first solo output, drawing inspiration from a diverse range of artists from John Prine to Cate Le Bon; The Walkmen to Thomas Dolby.

In May 2023, Caoilian Sherlock released his debut album ‘Teenage Jesus’ with a full Irish tour to coincide, including shows at The Workman’s Cellar on Thursday 22nd June and Cork Opera House on Saturday 1st July.

‘The Wheels Come Off’ is available on all major streaming platforms now.