Author: Breffni Banks

Wexford singer-songwriter Saige returns with her most infectious single to date in synth-pop track ‘Sparks’.  Saige’s latest single is bursting with confidence in both its sound and style, rivaling her contemporaries Griff, Sigrid, and Holly Humberstone.

‘Sparks’ is the debut single from Saige’s upcoming 2023 EP and a major development in her progress as an artist as she takes her songwriting from bedroom to studio.  There’s a timeless quality to ‘Sparks’, one reminiscent of the 80s pop powerhouses, as refreshing as it is familiar with its synth-led choruses. The track opens with a gritty guitar and establishes its addictive hook, contrasted by Saige’s dreamy vocals to create something beautifully unique.

Speaking about ‘Sparks’ Saige says: “ I’d been listening to Olivia Rodrigo’s album Sour at the time, which covers her feelings on teenage heartbreak. It kind of dragged me back to how that felt and how high emotions were – for me it really felt like my world was ending.

Inspired, I wrote Sparks about my own experience. I was young, naïve and in over my head. He had essentially said I had rose-tinted glasses on about love, and I said to him I’d rather love love than become cynical. Sparks depicts those final conversations and moments .”

Since the release of her first single during lockdown, Saige has been honing her craft through live performances and collaborations with Ireland’s top producers. The end result is a track that feels refined and glossy, yet still maintains the intimacy of her earlier lyrics. ‘Sparks’ is a promising beginning to her upcoming EP and showcases a new variety in her work.

Saige’s next headline show is Friday November 22nd in the Workman’s Cellar.
Tickets on sale now from ticketmaster.ie with special guests to be announced.

Pete and Tom On Song (Pete Nugent and Tom O’Brien) returned to music in 2019 after a long absence. They have been releasing singles since then aided and abetted by Aingeala D Búrca on violin. Aingeala, being classically trained, brings an extra dimension to the songs. They record at Floodplain Studios in Clontarf with Graham Watson engineering, co-producing and mastering. LIVELONG DAY is their 11^th single. They have also returned to playing gigs either as a duo or with guest musicians. Their music has garnered radio play not only in Ireland but also in Britain, the US, Austalia, Holland and many more far-flung places.

Pete and Tom revel in the discipline required to conjure up magical, evocative melodies within the three minute pop song structure. However, with each new recording they try to find something new and inventive to grab the listener.

Website: www.peteandtomonsong.com

Instagram: @pete_and_tom_on_song

Twitter: @peteandtomonso1

Irish songwriter, multi instrumentalist and producer Gavin Murray, aka Trick Mist, shares his new video for ‘Boring Bread’ and announces his UK & Irish tour. His new album ‘The Hedge Maze and The Spade’ will be released September 21st via Pizza Pizza Records preorder here.

Boring Bread is a song centered around a memory of an everyday experience with his Grandmother. About the song Trick Mist says “Boring Bread is a song about going to the shop with my Nan to buy bread as a child. It’s an exploration of mundane things’ mysterious capacity to be filled with romance and beauty. I based the song around a sound which acted as a microcosm for this enduring and always in need of celebrating phenomenon; the bread slicer machine in Lidl.”

The video for the song was entrusted to Graham Patterson.

This is the third installment of Trick Mist’s ongoing music video and podcast series ‘Tracing Places’ (funded by the Arts Council of Ireland). The project involves 4 artists making 4 videos for 4 new songs and an adjoining 4 part podcast series hosted by Trick Mist. ‘I’ve been working with these amazing artists in an unusual way. The artists were given full creative control over their art, making music videos based purely on their reaction to the song. Basically how it worked was I would send the artist the song and the lyrics. That was it. I would offer no directives. I see the video when it’s finished. Simple as that! My ambition is to emphasise individual perception, place it on a platform and celebrate it.’‘ When the works are completed I will host a stand alone 4 part podcast series. Each podcast will essentially be a discussion with the artist about the work created, their ideas behind the video, their interpretation of the song and my ideas behind the song. We’ll really try and tease out the intersection (if any) between us. There might not be any and that’s cool too. It’s all to play for. This will be the first time our concepts will meet. We’re going to communicate them here, on the podcast, out in the open.’ Videos and adjoining podcasts releasing from April 2022 onwards.

Participating artists: Katie Ball (Just Mustard), Bob Gallagher (Lankum, Villagers, Gilla Band, Junior Brother) Graham Patterson (The Mary Wallopers, Junk Drawer, Bleeding Heart Pigeons, Post-Punk Podge & The Technohippies) and Donal Dineen (David Gray, Katie Kim, ‘This Ain’t No Disco’ Music Series)

Science tells us that our ability to remember the past and our ability to imagine the future are deeply intertwined. Trick Mist’s second full-length The Hedge Maze and The Spade sees him remember and imagine in equal measure. Catapulted into a period of forced introspection after the death of his 96 year old grandmother with whom he shared a remarkably close relationship. The album’s initial impulse was a quest to explore and understand this relationship as it passed into a new phase. ‘I was always wrecking her head asking her about things in her life and old ways of living. She was always very insightful about what felt like another world to me. When she died I thought I needed to continue the exploration and figure out what lessons can I take from our experience together and how can I implement them into my future. In the face of big challenges like the climate crisis maybe we can learn something from older generations.’

Sonically the album is strikingly ambient and meditative and sees more relied use of space and melody. Trade mark experimentalism is plain to see in organic-sample laden electronic productions but also finds new expression lyrically and in the more traditional realm of folk singing. Oddity and accessibility share a harmonious platform.

The Hedge Maze and The Spade is a layered tapestry, a therapeutic space, a travel log of an inner journey with many universal truths along the way.

Trick Mist Ireland and UK tour

• London: Fri 7th Oct / Old Blue Last w/support Fixity (solo) (Scruff of The Neck Presents)
• Manchester: Sat 8th Oct / Castle Hotel w/support Fixity (solo) (Scruff of The Neck Presents)
• Glasgow: Sun 9th oct / Nice N Sleazy w/support Fixity (solo)
• Dundalk: Tue 18th Oct / Spirit Store w/support Video Blue
• Dublin: Wed 19th Oct / The Workman’s Cellar w/support Howlbux (Foggy Notions Presents)
• Limerick: Fri 21st Oct / Pharmacia w/support Howlbux (L.A.S.A Presents)
• Cork : Sun 23rd Oct / Coughlan’s w/support Howlbux (Tombstome Presents)

https://www.facebook.com/trickmist

https://twitter.com/TrickMist

https://www.instagram.com/trickmist/

Hallie’s new single ‘Y D E K’ is out now!

This is Hallie’s 6th single since launching her music career in June ’20.

Multi-genre artist Hallie is back with a fresh pop/punk single called “Y D E K”.

She took inspiration from her favourite artists growing up, My Chemical Romance/Paramore/Avril Lavigne/Fall Out Boy/Jimmy Eat World/The Used to name a few.

Since her last single “Impact” was released she’s been busy writing behind the scenes with a lot more music to follow throughout the rest of the year!

Hallie hopes this song can reach the right people that need to hear it and hopefully inspire people to reach out and take the risk of making the first move in all walks of life.

Artist Biography

Hallie is an Irish singer/songwriter/recording multi genre artist who crafts emotive, honest, alternative pop with shades of synth pop & art pop.

She emerged in May 2020 with her debut single ‘Familiar Place’. Since then she has released three more singles to critical acclaim, with rotation on multiple national/worldwide radio stations.

Hallie has made the ‘RTE Recommends Playlist’ with all her singles to date.

Hallie is an avid mental health & chronic pain advocate living with chronic illnesses & wants to use her platform to advocate & remind others who’ve struggled that they’re never alone.

She began writing poems & songs as a personal release to soothe & channel her life long battle with depression, anxiety & chronic pain.

She graduated with a BA Hons Degree in Music (WIT) ’15, after completing her first year in BIMM Dublin. Her music & songs were kept private and personal for years.

Hallie won the first Golden Discs Golden Busker Competition ’19 & Best Original Song in the Guinness Singing & Swinging Awards. With her Golden Disc’s prize she recorded her music professionally for the first time at The Orchard Recording Studio.

She was diagnosed with inoperable end stage double jaw joint degenerative disease, debilitating her from touring in ’21. Despite her challenges, she wants to inspire others to follow their dreams, rewrite music industry norms & fight for what you love even when you don’t feel deserving.

Social Handle: @hallieishername

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hallieishername/

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/c/HALLIEOFFICIAL

Twitter https://twitter.com/hallieishername

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@hallieishername

Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/hallieishername

Bandcamp https://hallieishername.bandcamp.com/

Selló is back with his brand new single ‘No Love’.

The Clondalkin native is also very happy to announce the new release date for his mixtape ‘‘Sellótape’ officially coming on September 30th, 2022.

Named as Irish Times 50 Best People to Watch in 2022 and earning the prestigious cover page in January edition, the 22 year old has pioneered ‘Gaelic Drill’,  a fusion of traditional Irish culture with the modern drill/ hip hop sound,  a new era of music that is heavily focused on reviving classic samples and giving them a new lease of life for his generation.

Selló penned his mixtape last year, a love letter to his hometown in the songs ‘Dublin’ and ‘Molly Malone’.  His rapid fire rhymes on ‘Process’ confronts the hardships and rawness of everyday life. His songs strive for a better life but working as hard as he can to achieve it. His new single ‘No Love’ is a more dance-leaning banger, but explores the toxicity of a bad relationship from all angles.

Selló speaks directly to and on behalf of a generation, that with every lyric he aims to inspire his audience to do better and work harder.  Celebrating Black Irish with his relatable and sharp lyrics,  weaved with Gaeilge,  Celtic beats and using legendary samples from the likes of Sinead O’Connor and Radie Peat.  Known for his thick Dublin accent , storytelling and infectiously simple choruses – Selló has a genre defying talent representing youth culture in Ireland today and deserving of a world stage.

The Mixtape includes features  appearances from  Robbie G, Reggie, JRILLA , Offica and Evans Junior and was produced  by Max Crowley.

Writing the mixtape Selló says  ‘I feel this tape is something I’m super proud of and I’m happy I’m being real to myself. I feel like this will change the way Irish music is taken in and also will encourage people to be authentic to themselves and their music. This could be a life changer for me.’

1.    Intro
2.    Yo B
3.    Dublin
4.    Process
5.    Irish Girls (feat. Reggie)
6.    Mia Khalifa
7.    Molly Malone
8.    No Love
9.    Story Mode
10. #Sellótape Freestyle
11. Big Mac (feat. A92)
12. Come Ouu (feat. JRILLA)
13. Oggy (feat. Offica)
14. Testimony
15. Diana (feat. Evans Junior)
16. As Gaeilge
17. Sláinte

CONNECT WITH SELLÓ

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“Music to immerse yourself in… and disappear amid the slowly ululating waves, like dipping into the biggest, warmest bath in the world” writes John Walshe of Hot Press in review of Cocooning Heart, the recent album of ambient folk songs released by filmmaker and minimal ambient musician Myles O’Reilly.

Myles is a musician, composer, and filmmaker from Dublin. Since first lifting a camera in 2010, multitasking O’Reilly has filmed, directed and edited over 100 music video promos and 20+ music documentaries of Irish musicians at home and abroad, some of which include Glen Hansard, Villagers, Imelda May, Lisa O’Neill, Ye Vagabonds, Sinead O’Connor and Lisa Hannigan, alongside other international artists such as Hollywood soundtrack virtuoso Ernst Reijseger, Icelandic artists Soléy, Múm, and Amiina, US soul phenomenon Janelle Monae, and UK folk trio The Staves.

Early life as a working musician began for Myles in 2003 with the band Juno Falls. Signed for two albums by Sony UK and then V2 records, Juno Falls disbanded in 2010. Ten years later and in a global pandemic lockdown, Myles returned to making music and has since composed, recorded, and released two minimal ambient albums, Cabin Light’s Off (2020) and My Mothers Star (2021), followed by this new collection ambient folk songs titled ‘Cocooning Heart’.

This September on Friday 9th, Whelan’s in Dublin is set to become Myles giant proverbial bathtub for a truly immersive evening of film, visual art, song and spoken word. The event will open with a screening of Myles short film ‘The Street Where You Live’, followed by a packed roster of very special musical guests and collaborative performances, flowing in a warm meditative undercurrent of the ethereal ambient sounds grown to characterise Myles recordings.

Myles says:

“I am absolutely thrilled to announce that I’m curating a very special event in Whelan’s on Friday, September 9th where I’ll be screening a couple of my films, playing tunes and inviting a bunch of legendary friends onstage to collaborate, for a night of film, song and spoken word, all soaked in a warm bath of ambient goodness. I promise you a pure massage for the soul. There’ll be tears, laughs and plenty of singing on-stage and off! The main venue is a big room to fill, so tickets are good value. Hope to see you there! Special guests include Rónán Ó Snodaigh, Niamh Bury and more to be announced closer the time. You can expect to see other familiar subjects of my lens! ‘Tis gonna be mighty. X Mylo”

Tickets €13.50 available online from Whelan’s – https://www.whelanslive.com/event/myles-oreilly/

8pm, Friday 9th Sept 2022

Whelan’s Main Venue

Strictly over 18′s, I.D. may be required.

After the gig enjoy Whelan’s Indie Club w/ Late Bar from 10:30pm or check out the bands playing The Midnight Hour in the upstairs venue – Free Entry via front door until 10:30pm

Cocooning Heart’ is out now.

Order on digital or CD via Bandcamp:

Bandcamp | Spotify |  Twitter | Instagram |

http://www.arbutusyarns.net

Last Survivor return with their single that launches the album.  This is called Midnight Run and it is written and performed by the band’s very own Cara Molloy.

A cross between the soundtrack to Bladerunner and Shakespeares Sister, this haunting ballad is about a couple on the edge of breaking up after constant cheating and lies but one half has the heartfelt realisation that she has the power.  The bands debut album ‘Kill For Love‘, which lifts its title from a lyric within this very song and is release consecutively on the same day also.

Originally a concept started right before Lockdown happened and the brainchild of Decky Hedrock and Mick McCallion.  Decky who was once part of electro super trio The Japanese Popstars, alongside singer/songwriter, Mick, who was the drummer in rock band Droids.

Decky, the music producer of the group, has previously been asked to remix songs by A-list artists such as Beyonce, Depeche Mode, Gorillaz, Kylie Minogue, Daft Punk, and he has also released collaborations with Robert Smith (The Cure), Morgan Kibby (M83), Jon Spencer (Blues Explosion), and James Vincent McMorrow over the years.  This level of tenure really shines through on ‘Kill For Love’!

So, when the world shutdown they couldn’t get out and audition a vocalist for the band, Decky reached out an asked various artists that he’d worked with previously, to provide guest vocals on some of the tracks that were just waiting for a singer.  Guest vocals are from the likes of Novabloods Dave Beattie and Mark Baker, esteemed comic book writer Brandon Jerwa(writer Battlestar Galactica, GI Joe, Vampirella) and Here Come The Landed Genty’s Martin Doherty.  And from this their debut release Waste Away EP went straight into No.18 on iTunes Album Chart on release!

But when things returned more normal again, they got back into the studio with the fantastic vocalist Cara Molloy and finished writing this new neo-futuristic album with 80s synths, an attitude of rock and a sprinkling dance music.

This album is the soundtrack to the best 80s B-movie that you never saw.

Their releases have been getting national and international radio play, plus they are building up a celebrity fanbase, which includes some very well known TV personalities and super star DJs!

Last Survivor could easily be music in your favourite video game, sound tracking a blockbuster movie or TV show, on daytime radio or rocking out on any dancefloor. If the combined previous experience behind them is anything to go by, you can only expect big things.

Out 26th August on Riot Synth Riot Records.

PRESAVE LINK https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/lastsurvivor1/kill-for-love

Jim McHugh’s new single ‘Can’t Feel Anymore’ is a humorous ode to social media influencers. In a rocky punk anthemic vibe, it’s directed towards an afflicted bunch, some with their ‘pumped up lips’.

This is the second single from Jim’s upcoming fourth album ‘I Whisper to the Dawn’.

‘Can’t Feel Anymore’ was recorded, produced and mixed by Alex Borwick (Niamh Reagan, James Vincent McMorrow) at Transmission Rooms Studios, Drumlish, Longford and The Stables Studio, Castleblayney, Monaghan. It was mastered by Fergal Davis (Sinéad O’Connor/Muse).

‘Can’t Feel Anymore’ features Jim McHugh on Vocals/Backing Vocals, Electric Guitar, Paul McCabe on Bass/ Backing Vocals, Paul Sherry on Electric Guitar, James ‘Butch’ McNeill on Drums, Alex Borwick on Trombone and Ronan Morgan on Backing Vocals..

‘Can’t Feel Anymore’ will be available on all digital formats for streaming/download.

From the Farney drumlins of Co. Monaghan, Ireland, multi-instrumentalist Jim McHugh brings a new edge to the folk tradition, blending traditional and indie styles with up-tempo beats. In 2017 he drew upon his past and recent musical experiences to record an album of new songs entitled ‘Noise Machine’, nicely summed up by Pete Whalley as ‘Indie folk-driven rock that has a vibrant beating heart’.

Jim’s second album ‘My Nuclear Radio’ followed in 2019.  This 11 track album included the singles Avenue Road, Marjorie, Everything’s Cool and My Mandalay and was recorded, produced and mastered in Ben Reel’s studio in South Armagh. My Mandalay featured on the ‘RTÉ RADIO 1 recommends’ playlist in Nov/Dec 2019, and was the ‘LMFM All Out Local Song Choice’ for March 2019.  Single Everything’s Cool was Roddie Cleere’s ‘Song of the Week’ on KCLR in August 2018 while Avenue Road and Marjorie were widely played at home and abroad.

In 2020, Jim released ‘Should Have Lied’ which was premiered by Hotpress Magazine and received multiple airplay nationally and internationally.

In 2021, Jim released ‘Pretending To Wake Up’ and featured singles ‘Dave’, ‘Hey Jimbo’ and ‘Her Love’. Jim’s songs have been premiered by Hotpress and received national and international radio play.

https://www.facebook.com/jimmchughmusic/

https://www.instagram.com/jimmchughmusic/

https://twitter.com/jimmchughmusic

www.JimMcHughMusic.com

Partland is the stage name of Galway based singer songwriter and artist Thomas McPartland.

Partland has gigged in various countries such as Canada, Germany, France, Scotland and England over the years, including support slots with the likes of Damien Dempsey, Ham Sandwich, Picturehouse and Heathers.

His first album, ‘Sing Me to Shore’ was released in Summer ’16, and was featured as Internationally renowned songwriter Charlie McGettigan’s Album of the Month on his radio show.

Forthcoming album ‘The Empty Atlantic’ will come with quite a unique feature, in that the songwriter has also created a music video for each song. This gives an extra cinematic dimension into the storytelling of each song, creating a visual world in addition to the listening experience.

Partland is now set to unleash his soothing, infectious and heart-wrenching new single ‘Don’t Shoot Me Those Baby Blues’ on August 26^th 2022.

A love note to Galway, the song and also the music video tells the tale of bumping into an ex-girlfriend randomly and proceeding to have a catch up conversation, reminiscing on the good times. But before you can muster up the courage to ask to go for a coffee and catch up properly, you realise you’ve walked her to her new boyfriend’s house. The baby blues in question refers to the girl’s eyes. The male character concedes she has moved on and is ready to accept that, just as long as she doesn’t shoot him the look that he fell in love with in the first place with her baby blue eyes. The song and video in Galway city and feature many of the city’s landmarks and trademarks.

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