Author: Breffni Banks

https://shaneofearghail.com/’You To Hold’ is the first single release from Shane Ó Fearghail’s eagerly awaited fifth studio album.  A three minute up-tempo track, You To Hold draws on old world influences and wraps new roots and rhythms to create a song you want to sing along to. For this album Shane drew on the expertise of his live band ‘The Host’.

The single is released today to radio and all streaming sites. Accompanied with a new video, the song will be launched in Vienna’s Theater Akzent.

The New Album

Recorded between Passau and Vienna, the new album contains fourteen songs, and takes Shane and The Host, on a trip down the Appalachian trail. “The Host”, bring a that live album feel to this new record, and partnered with Arge Music Austria for this project as well as Sad Opera Entertainment Ireland, Shane delves deeper into the Irish Appalachian tradition. With the band, they set out to explore the unique musical relationship between Ireland, Europe and North America. A relationship forged through culture, chaos and community; and fostered across continents and the Atlantic ocean.

The Sum of All Parts

“An uber professional Shane captivates every audience. Indeed great songwriting meets high musical sense. A fantastic artist!” Bernd Rossmann – Reinhardt Best Acoustics – Germany.

Shane Ó Fearghail (pronounced O Fa-reel), is an Irish Singer-Songwriter/Artist living in Vienna. From Dublin, his musical style has been called many things. Irish Indie & Dark Folk is the new calling. In the past Shane has been likened to REM, Crowded House, Rufus Wainright III, Glen Hansard and Ron Sexsmith. He takes that as a big compliment.

“Shane Ó Fearghail & The Host are one of those bands that grabs you from the first minute and won’t let go.  A wonderful live band!” Harald Neger – Donauinselfest / We Serve You Better.

The Host are an eclectic group of musicians who come from Ireland & Austria. Namely, Kenneth Whelan (Accordion, Piano, Sax),  Claudia Heidegger (Fiddle, Mandolin), Emily Velasquez (Bass), Johnny Falter (Banjo, Guitar), and David Butschek (Percussion). All live   players and singers, Shane Ó Fearghail & The Host are an exciting contemporary Irish / Appalachian combo, with that alternative “Dark Folk” roots feel. Their live performances are up tempo, crowd engaging and full of Celtic Soul.

Doing it Differently

In todays world, digital streaming dictates the musical landscape. A tight band in the truest sense, Shane & The Host wish navigate those digital soundscapes on their terms. A belief in the old school way of doing things. Build through performance. Touch base through tours and traveling; to take that different road.

Doing it differently also means the albums single release schedule will follow an alternative route.  The plan is simple — to release one single each month. To build momentum towards the album release in March 2023, where each single will be sent to radio and press. Each release will coincide with shows and will be followed by online releases on all digital platforms. Each song will then be available for downloads and streaming.

It is going to be hard work… but it should be.  The plan is to build momentum and create a buzz. Not to mention keep some control for songs and streams that may well get lost in the new vast oceans of todays music business.

The album will be released on Vinyl and CD St Patrick’s Day 17th March 2023. You To Hold will be the first part of the story. The album will be released to streaming sites on the 1st April.

Connect with Shane Ó Fearghail

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“The smoothest songsmith in the room…classic songwriting” (Broadsheet.ie)

“What a voice!” (BBC Radio Ulster)

“There is a whole country ready to fall in love with this music”, “great voice”, “very deep thought provoking lyrics”  (Beat FM)

Dave Thomas O’Gorman’s unique mix of dream pop and indie folk continues to grow an avid international following of thousands.

His profile has been boosted thanks to some of his own musical heroes. James Taylor endorsed Dave’s version of ‘You Can Close Your Eyes’ on social media. Feist invited Dave to showcase his music at her concert in the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire. A cover of St. Vincent ’s ‘Slow Disco’ has been watched over 1.5 million times on social media receiving over 55 thousand reactions and shares.

As well as performing at the Longitude Festival, Dave has had the privilege of headlining the esteemed Ruby Sessions and performing in leading Irish venues such as NCH, Whelan’s and The Sugar Club.

“Endlessly consoling melodies and vocals that parallel… the softer and ethereal side of folk.” (A&R Factory)

“So unassuming…could really get under your skin” (BBC Radio Ulster) 

“Sooth your mind with his soft vocals, enchanting acoustic guitars and descriptive songwriting” (Sound Vapors)

Dave’s music has featured on radio both nationally and internationally on RTÉ Radio 1, BBC Radio Ulster, Newstalk FM, Radio Nova, KCLR 96FM, Midlands 103, The Acoustic Yard Radio Show, FM 104, Dublin City FM, Shannonside FM, RTE 2XM, Galway Bay FM, Carlow FM, Flirt FM and PLAYIRISH RADIO. 

His previous single, ‘The Sweetest Blood’, was chosen as Song of the Week by Ocean FM. 

“Delightfully styled…sweet and sentimental yet made up of substance and reckoning” (U&I Music Magazine) 

“Enchanting acoustic guitars and descriptive songwriting…The Sweetest Blood’, has a soft touch but has a lot of bite” (Sound Vapors)

Previous release, ‘With No Control’, also received much acclaim:

“[With No Control]  glistens with a spacious and warm production…classic songwriting” (Broadsheet)

“A beautiful gem” (Midlands 103FM)

“An absolute piece of magic” – (Dublin City FM)

A former winner of the all-Ireland Slógadh music competition and holder of a Master’s Degree in Music & Media Technologies from Trinity College, Dave’s musical journey continues with the release of his dreamy new single, ‘Stay Unknown’.

Connect with Dave Thomas O’Gorman

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Dublin born, NYC based artist Rosie Timmon is set to release her new single ‘Breathe’ on November 3rd, 2022. This funky pop ballad is a call to those who just need a moment to forget about their worries and trust that everything will “be alright.”

Timmon’s soulful voice calls on listeners to “just breathe,” a simple yet comforting command to the many overthinkers of this world. The guitar’s electric riff and Timmon’s catchy vocal hook makes it challenging not to want to get up and dance your worries away. Breathe is a powerful anthem that reflects on anyone struggling to get through both the simple and complex challenges of life. “I had so much fun working on this track with Irish producer, Alex O’Keefe, he transformed my idea’s and brought the song to life” – Rosie Timmon

Rosie Timmon is a soulful pop singer who combines her songwriting abilities and playful, imaginative personality to create ballads that carry an emotional depth while holding on to a tender, light heartedness. Her ability to belt powerhouse notes and create contagious hooks make her music fun, impactful and honest. Her biggest influences include Maren Morris, Dua Lipa, Beyoncé as well as genres such as pop, country, R&B & Soul.

Originally from Dublin Ireland, Timmon began her musical journey as a young child. From attending musical theater classes to performing at multiple talent shows, Timmon soared with her talent and passion for music. Picking up the guitar at the age of 13, she soon started writing songs. Timmon went on to advance her education studying Commercial Modern Music & Vocals at BIMM Dublin. Timmon has been working on her own solo projects, releasing her debut single in 2020, as well as collaborating with international producers.Now living in NYC, Timmon has been using her skills of storytelling to create new music and establish her sound as an artist. Check out previous press and interviews from Hot Press, The Last Mixed Tape, BIMM UK, TUDSU.TV, Pittsburgh Magazine and Joy of the Movement.

Connect with Rosie Timmon

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Connect with Fiona Kennedy

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Hot Press Magazine’s ‘Hot for 2022’ artist Faraway Martin is an Irish singer-songwriter based in Qatar.

It’s been an exciting year for the Mayo man, he was the headline acts at Qatar’s Formula 1 Grand Prix, played at The Qatar MotoGP and has headlined various festivals in Doha.

Upcoming shows see him play the Fifa World Cup Fanzone Festival Al Bidda Park Nov 20, 29 & Dec 8,11,16.

In Ireland he has opened for Aslan, Mick Flannery, Mundy, the Blizzards and Hermitage Green, as well as performances at Sea Sessions and Electric Picnic.

His previous releases have seen him playlisted on RTE Radio 1, support from 2FM, iRadio as well as across local radio.

He’s reached No. 5 on QBS Radio’s Top 40, the largest station in Qatar. Being the only unsigned act in the Top 40.

I GOT FIRE

Faraway Martin’s upcoming single ‘I Got Fire’ got picked up by Hyundai for their Fifa World Cup Ad. Capitalising on the success of the ad, the Irishman, accompanied by his band will celebrate the upcoming release with a number of live performances scheduled at the World Cup including a 3,000 cap gig on release night of ‘I Got Fire’ Thursday Oct 27th

Faraway Martin recently released ‘Figure You Out’. Joined by Qatari singer, Aisha, who is best known for featuring on the current Fifa World Cup single ‘Hayya Hayya’ with Davido & Trinidad. ‘Figure You Out’ was recorded live at Katara Studios and was produced by Grammy Award winner Matt Howe and mastered by Mazen Murad.

ABOUT THE SONG

Out of all my songs ‘I Got Fire’ is one of my favourites! It’s about standing up for yourself. We all have a little fire in us. The old proverb ““They tried to bury us, they didn’t know we were seeds” was a huge inspiration behind this song. It’s a high energy song that’s fun to play live!”  – Faraway Martin

Upcoming shows:

Oct 27th – Release party at The Backyard – Doha, Qatar 3k capacity

Dec 6 & 9th – Fifa World Cup Fanzone – Education City

Fifa Fan Festival Al Bidda Park Nov 20, 29 & Dec 8,11,16.

Previous Support:

‘It’s stunning’ – Dan Hegarty, RTÉ 2FM

‘Leaves an instant mark on the listener’ – Hot Press

‘Faraway Martin creates a whiplash cirque berserk that is so over the top it’s amazing’ – REMY

‘Full of feeling and fervour and never exhibits a dull moment’ – PureMZine, Track of the Week

‘A very catchy tune with lyrics we can all identify with’ – Joe.ie, Song of the Day 

Brother Josh, aka Josh Bass, is building on the success of his first three singles, ‘Build It Back’, ‘Crawl Back’ and ‘Waves’, with the Debut 5 track EP, also called ‘ Build It Back’ released today.

‘ Build It Back’ the single has a vocal that swaggers and swings on top of chunky full-blooded guitars and drums, and a definite whiff of classy pop. The eagerly-awaited Build It Back EP will include all three singles, plus ‘Turn the Page’ and ‘Cut A Switch’ to concoct a generous slab of frontline Irish pop-rock.

All five tracks poured from Dubliner Josh’s songwriting pen in an intense creative period during the last lockdown. As Josh himself explains, “The absence of live music and face-to-face interaction with other writers during the lockdowns created a logjam of emotions that is now pouring out in exciting new recordings. In truth, I’ve never been this excited about my music, and I know that other musicians feel the same about theirs. Although the competition out there among bands is very healthy and very competitive, all the feedback we’re getting from music fans about the state of Irish music right now is to be celebrated.”

His debut single ‘Crawl Back’ showcased Josh’s dramatic vocal style and his expressive way with lyrics but the on-line response surprised him. “We had terrific feedback in Ireland but we were amazed to see that 80% of streams of ‘Crawl Back’ were actually from overseas, including the USA and Britain.”

Modern technology enabled Josh to work on the basic structures of his songs via the Garage Band app and then build on that in the studio with Josh himself on guitar and vocals, plus his cousin Daire Bass on guitar and backing vocals, the inventive Bulgarian producer Yanko Genov and drummer Alan Connon.

With his tongue only slightly in his cheek, Josh reckons the band is well on its way to fulfilling the prophecy of music guru Louis Walsh who spotted them on RTE’s programme Sessions From Oblivion and said, “I reckon that if Brother Josh makes the right moves he has the creative potential to do really well.”

So it’s no surprise that Damien Dempsey then offered Brother Josh a support slot on his recent nationwide tour. Nor that Alan Corr on www.rte.ie described ‘Crawl Back’ as “a vaudevillian waltz of doom” or that Jackie Hayden of Hot Press said, ‘Crawl Back’ is where post-lockdown passion meets high-intensity drama. We need more of it.”

Connect with Brother Josh

Following on from ‘Cabin Lights Off’ (2020) and ‘My Mother’s Star’ (2021), ‘An Ode To Soft Landings’ (2022) is a third instalment in Myles O’Reilly’s [Indistinct Chatter] minimal ambient series of long players. A meditation on the elementary ethereal sound of hazy drones, lush reverb, delicate synth and guitar loops. A journey into memory and nostalgia, where most of our experiences remain inside us as fragmented echoes. Mysterious and melancholy slow-swelling strings. Submarine tones, subtle and frail.

As the title suggests ‘An Ode To Soft Landings’ is just that, a peaceful and patient bath of sound in which to immerse and wind down. The album is due for release November 8^th and the first taster is out now, with an accompanying film, also by Myles.

VIDEO ‘Her First Crios’

Explaining the video and song, Myles says:

“A ‘Crios’, pronounced ‘Kriss’ is a type of hand woven waist belt that was commonly worn in Ireland for many thousands of years. Sadly during British occupation they were banned, and the tradition died out. Each Irish family would have had their own unique pattern. Knowledge of how to weave the family Crios would have been handed down from generation to generation.

Christmas 2021 for my wife Aideen and I was bit rough. We both had Covid. Thankfully my present to Aideen was a small weaving loom. She had only recently joined The Liberties Weavers, a local organisation dedicated to reviving some of inner city Dublin’s old weaving traditions. Where we live in Dublin 8 was for hundreds of years was the weaving mecca of the country. It’s here that Aideen learned of the Crios and how to make one.

This film is a document of how we spend a lot of our days at home. I’m making music upstairs and Aideen is weaving downstairs. The cats look on. It details the exact process we both go through in practising our new found crafts.

The song I’m playing titled ‘Her First Crios’ is the current ambient manifestation of a song ‘The Most Colourful Thread In The Loom’ from the album I released earlier this year. It is what the tune has evolved in to now. The emotions from that song, dedicated to Aideen and her weaving, put under the microscope. A deeper and totally instrumental dive in to those feelings, moulded from the same intentions.”

‘Her First Crios’ is the first single to be released from Myles’ upcoming LP in his [Indistinct Chatter] series of ambient albums, titled ‘An Ode To Soft Landings’, the album will be released on November 8th.

Pre-Order on Bandcamp: https://mylesoreilly.bandcamp.com/album/indistinct-chatter-an-ode-to-soft-landings

Paddy Hanna  releases his fourth studio album, Imagine I’m Hoping, via Strange Brew.  The album is available digitally and on limited edition ‘buffalo yellow’ vinyl. Order it now from Strange Brew .

Along with it, he shares new single ‘Yellow Buffalo’.  The song would be right at home in a modern Western, thrumming with harmonica and rattling, Americana-inspired percussion.

There are few artists who could count Burt Bacharach and Fontaines DC amongst their fans but Paddy is one of them. The Dubliner has long eschewed passing fads in favour of timeless melodies and fine songwriting, leading indie music bible The Quietus to call him “a songwriter with a propensity for wildly infectious hooks and choruses that burrow into your brain with no intention of leaving.”

One thing is for sure, since 2014’s debut Leafy Stiletto , 2018’s Frankly, I Mutate , and 2020’s The Hill , Paddy has been basking in the light of something quite pure, and perhaps unexpected from someone who has previously been influenced by darker subject matter—love.

“Everything about this new record is borne out of love, which is the first time I can say that,”  he says. “During the pandemic, I got engaged and married. The album was recorded while there was a baby in my wife’s belly. Everyone who worked on the album, I have the greatest affection for. It was just a lovely experience. It was love on top of love. The album, thematically, is about letting go of things.”

Album opener ‘Look For Tomorrow,’ with its bright strums of guitar and Paddy’s impressive falsetto, certainly embodies this sentiment of moving on from the past. The song ends on a bombastic note, buoyed by brass fanfare; it’s a watershed moment to prepare us for the rest of Imagine I’m Hoping .

‘A Dancer’ follows with indie fervour: furiously cascading piano, sleigh bells on the chorus, and an ebullience that propels you to the dance floor. Paddy’s delivery is whisper-soft on the classic pop tune ‘New York Sidewalk,’ made with the help of frequent collaborator Daniel Fox (Gilla Band).

“The whole crux of ‘New York Sidewalk’ is that things in life that happen that can be bad can become funny in later life, you know,” he explains. “So, like, going to New York and trying to make a name for yourself out there, but instead making a tit out of yourself. But then the song ends looking back in a bit of a Hemingway situation, where you’re telling the story to someone and it’s like ‘It made you laugh, saw you smiling, that’ll do.’ See what I mean? It’s about not being a victim to the past anymore.”

‘Nightmares’ follows, and it sounds like anything but; a sunburst of piano and sweet harmonies soar throughout the track. Paddy knows how to craft a delectable pop melody.

“There aren’t enough love songs about nightmares,”  Paddy shares about the song

“My partner and I often have very troublesome dreams, the kind where you find yourself waking with a scream and a gasp for air. On many of these occasions my partner would be there to offer comfort and assurance that everything was alright, upon reflection I realised this was an achingly romantic notion, that of a frightened soul being comforted by the person they love the most, of love waiting for you at the opposite end of darkness. The song pretty much wrote itself from there,”  he explains.

The record as a whole is cinematic; the jazzy ‘Symphony Bacalao’ is positively vaudevillian, and Paddy shows off his unexpected sense of humour here, declaring, “Oh, what a shit show!”

Rollicking single ‘Yoko Ono’ is accompanied by an appropriately colourful and bizarre music video featuring a surreal talent show and Paddy himself, of course. Directed and edited by Alex Lynch (who’s previously worked on videos for SOAK, Irish Women in Harmony, and more) and Liam Farrell, the video proves just as playful as the song itself.

Paddy says: “I feel the directors and crew captured the fear, anxiety and joyful absurdity of a performer’s life. Perhaps the most concerning part is that despite the video’s peculiarities, it mirrors reality to an almost uncomfortable degree.”

“The song started as an improvised rap about Mike love from The Beach Boys, and over time it mutated into a cheerful bop about an identity crisis. There isn’t a day where I don’t feel like an imposter, so why not write a catchy tune about it,”  he shares.

The much-anticipated follow-up to 2020’s The Hill , this new record has already gained early acclaim with lead single ‘New York Sidewalk’ proving one jangly, jovial chord at a time that it is possible to climb the radio charts with a song that as far from generic as they come. Nialler9 wrote that it “bursts with shimmering piano notes, parps of brass and gorgeous backing”  and Stereogum speculating that the “wistful, lush song, all plinking piano and cooing background vocals” may be signalling a new direction for Hanna.

With a new, more optimistic Paddy Hanna now in the driving seat, 2022 may well be the year that this idiosyncratic underdog rises up to take his rightful place centre-stage.

Dublin based pop artist Natalie Moran debuted in 2021 with her hit single ‘My Ambition’. The young pop songstress has since released several singles which have made big impacts across radio and media since her music launch. Previous singles such as ‘My Ambition’ and ‘Ain’t Nothing Gonna Stop’ have been included in some big publications and big radio stations such as Hot Press, RTE Entertainment, FM104, 98FM, Today FM, Red FM, Spin networks, RTE 2XM, Tomorrow Radio, Near FM and many more, she is also nearing a very impressive 50,000 streams on Spotify making her one to watch and having just sold out her debut headline show upstairs in Whelan’s, Dublin Natalie Moran is certainly going to keep make a bigger name for herself.

Natalie’s music style consists of electro-pop anthems and melodic acoustic messages that suit your everyday mood.

Moran’s distinctive tones that capture delightful highs and powerful punches in her low register have been credited and come across in her songwriting.

“Moran’s distinctive vocal powers definitely stand out from the crowd”. – Hot Press

Natalie has written and released a series of music and joins her formative singles with her new songs to form this EP. The EP’s name, ‘Ambitious Desire’ showcases a fearless exposure into the pursuit of following our dreams. It covers all emotions, fierce and bold or soft and intimate.

About the EP Natalie says:

“This debut EP embodies the times that pushed me to pursue music and the experiences the journey have brought me, rather be it a time that challenged me to grow or the want to thrive on my biggest desires and ambitions. I wanted the EP to include these important moments and resemble them in both lyrics and song ambience and offer a balance of all different variations of my songwriting. I loved the idea that the EP covers what led me to where I am and it excites me for what is next”.

Connect with Natalie Moran

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