Author: Breffni Banks

smythy is the stage name of Galway based musician Andrew Smyth.

Smythy says;

“I began my musical career back in May 2020 with the release of my debut single “When It Happens”. Since the release of this single I have moved to Galway in the hopes of developing my musical career. I spent the past few years writing and developing a series of indie pop tunes. The first single of this series is entitled “turn back the time”. My main influences are artists such as Tame Impala, Dayglow, Sam Fender, Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, The Cure, SOAK and Orla Gartland. Myself and the band have played in iconic Irish venues such as Whelans and the Roisin Dubh. The band also played at a festival in South Tipperary and in several establishments around Galway and Dublin.”

The new single, ‘Stay the Night’ is released Friday August 12th. The single was recorded in Galway with local Producer Rory Ryan. Of the single, Smythy says:

“I first heard of Rory through the band members as some of them had played with Rory before. I listened to songs he had produced himself on Spotify and I was immediately hooked and knew that our sounds would complement each other greatly. Rory was extremely helpful in allowing the track to blossom and become what it was meant to be. He had great vision for the final product and was fantastic to work with. He provided help with the structure of the song, he created synth and guitar parts and was integral to the overall vibe of the song. Shane O’Connell laid down the drums on this track. Shane had played the songs live before and was extremely important in creating the upbeat feel of the song. Daire Canavan came on board and wrote and recorded a solo at the end of the tune.”

“stay the night” is a psychedelic indie pop song written from the perspective of a person who has just come out of a long-term relationship. The writer yearns for his previous partner and tries to find her amongst a variety of relationships to no avail. He cries out for someone to “stay the night” as he is fearful of spending it alone. The sad melancholic lyrics combine with a simple yet incredibly powerful melody to create a sound that will have listeners singing along by the last chorus.

smythy and his band have some gigs lined up across the country including support slots in Whelans on the 28th of August, supporting Trophy Wife, and October 22nd supporting Thom Southern. smythy will also be playing a solo gig in Galway on the 24th of August.

As part of a string of singles leading up to the release of debut album ‘Local Boy Climbs the Ladder’, Local Boy has shared Get Up (Out The Bed) – a further exploration of the soul and funk sound he has been delving into in his recent productions.

The track explores a tongue in cheek lyrical theme as the self-proclaimed slacker attempts to motivate himself to leave the comfort of his bedroom and faces the challenges of the outside world. Local Boy delivers his trademark theatrical vocals over smooth funk chords that call to mind Aja era Steely Dan as much as they do his contemporaries such as Still Woozy and Steve Lacy.

“Sometimes your bed can be the most comfortable, safe place in the world and I’m as guilty as anyone of retreating to that environment more often than is productive,” Local Boy says.

“My music often gets hit with the ‘slacker’ moniker so I wanted to make something to uplift my fellow slackers into getting up and taking action”.

Local Boy has also announced album release tour dates coming up in a few weeks.

‘An Evening with LOCAL BOY + some special guests’ will be coming to Áras na nGael, Galway, August 25^th; The Record Room, Limerick, August 26^th; and Workman’s Cellar, Dublin, September 22^nd. Tickets go on sale soon, follow Local Boy on socials for details.

Local Boy is a Dublin based musician who creates highly idiosyncratic pop music which he oversees entirely from inception to mastering – having spent years honing his abilities as a producer and an engineer despite his young age. He invites listeners into his sonic and lyrical world packed with hip-hop beats, colorful guitar chords and creative wordplay.

In the short time he has been releasing music under the Local Boy moniker, he has racked up millions of Spotify streams, supported international acts such as Easy Life, Hobo Johnson, and Open Mike Eagle, sold out his several headline gigs in both Dublin and London. In 2022 he signed a lucrative publishing deal with industry giant Peermusic for his original compositions and his burgeoning crafts of production and songwriting.

Following up on the successful release of the ‘Local Boy Helps Himself’ EP in summer 2021 which saw several tracks added to high-profile Spotify editorial playlists such as ‘New Music Friday’, ‘Our Generation’, and ‘Peach’ – Local Boy then returned with his well-received 2022 single Reality, an honest rumination of the artist’s mental health struggles.

Local Boy is now gearing up for the release of an album which will complete the trilogy he began with his 2019 EP release. The album expands on the themes explored in Local Boy’s previous releases, with several songs critiquing the difficulty of making a living in modern Ireland – Local Boy however never loses his optimistic outlook throughout the record with several tracks including lead single ‘Milkshake Pilltaste’ celebrating life’s simple pleasures.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LocalBoy3000/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/localboy3000 / @localboy3000

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/local_boy3000/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/34Ze0nb54KG3gietZGFZIj?si=8-o0SwDiRka99CQCMDVBqw

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ie/artist/local-boy/18474169

Paul J. Bolger has not rested on his laurels since releasing his self-titled album on Canadian label Wolfe Island Records in the summer of 2020. He’s back with a collection of 10 fiery, emotional and vaguely personal songs which were recorded in Ireland under the guiding eyes and ears of producer / guitar maestro Dave Molloy. Paul wanted to widen his musical approach but work with a smaller group of musicians and Molloy has helped him do just that. Recorded The Cellar Club, Newry in between other creative projects Paul found himself knee deep in, Hard Truth was a slow grower.

Four of the ten songs were previously released on a limited-edition EP in 2018 and the new remixed and remastered versions on here feature the wonderful vocals of Della Mannion. The album also showcases the mighty talents of Ron O’Flynn (bass), Michael Black (drums / percussion) and pianist Cathleen Flynn creating a blend of Irish vibe and rootsy rock and roll that give PJB’s songs a fresh urgency and ambition. “I wanted to widen my sound on Hard Truth with a smaller band,” says Paul. “As my last effort was a big team, yet intimate, Canadian / Irish / American affair, I wanted to see how far I could push these songs with fewer people performing. If my first record was a slightly keyboard driven whisper, then Hard Truth is an audacious guitar led shout.” Special guests on the album are Horslip’s Barry Devlin on vocals and Rónán Ó Snodaigh from Kila on bodhrán.

“In my collection, it’s going to sit on the shelf with Paul Weller, Bryan Adams and Lucinda Williams…. and I think it will be very comfortable there.” (The Rocking Magpie Blog)

2022 is looking like a busy year ahead for Paul as he is planning some showcase gigs around Ireland, the UK and further afield. There will also be a string of singles from the album leading up to and a little beyond the album release date – all with accompanying promo videos made by Paul and his creative team in Ireland. These will be interspersed with a run of sporadically release live jam videos released to give some of Paul’s songs, and a few well-heeled covers, a semi acoustic spin. He also has a tome of a graphic novel coming out from Dark Horse Comics in March. Titled HOUND, it retells the life and times of mythical Irish warrior Cú Chulainn. Paul illustrated the book and co-wrote it with his creative brother from another mother, Barry Devlin of Celtic Rock heroes Horslips.

Paul J Bolger is what some might call a ‘Renaissance Man’, even if mentioning that makes him feel a tad self-conscious. Everything Paul has done since entering the entertainment industry in the late 1980s has been from the heart. Whether it was lending his drawing, directing and design skills to films, books and graphic novels, the visual arts or writing, recording and performing his songs, Paul J. Bolger is a consummate creator.

“The rave reviews for Hard Truth are well deserved. Paul Bolger has put together a brilliant rock album. Do yourself a favour…play it and play it loud…” Barry Devlin, Horslips

Paul J. Bolger’s New LP, Hard Truth, available now on all Digital and Physical Formats.

Stream the Hard Truth album here:

Playing Live:

Backstage at the Royal Theatre, Waterford, August 12^th

The Phil Lynott Convention in The Well, Dublin August 20^th

www.pauljbolger.com/      www.facebook.com/pauljbolger/

www.instagram.com/pauljbolger/   www.twitter.com/pauljbolger

Following her debut single release this year, Pamela Tully is releasing her second single “Just Like You”.

The past 2 years has seen this new singer/songwriter overcome a brain tumour diagnosis, subsequent brain surgery that had a very scary risk of speech complications. The recovery was long and arduous that saw her unable to work or drive for over a year and suffering epileptic seizures. She has come back even stronger to now be able to release her own music and wants to inspire people like her and raise awareness that brain tumours can happen to absolutely anyone.

‘Just Like You’ is an uplifting mix of pop and rock undertones that showcases the journey anyone with a health diagnosis might experience. The highs and devastating lows of recovery and adjusting to a new way of living.

“I wanted to use my experience in a positive way and showcase how it feels when you’ve been told something about your health that you never expected and weren’t prepared for. It’s a story of beating the odds, getting back up even though you have to go through the tough recovery journey and you’re really not yourself in the midst of it all. Inspired by the events in my personal life I really want to use this creative platform as the push to let others hear my words and sound.”

Since the successful surgery Pamela has gone on to run a 10K for Brain Tumour Ireland raising over €2000 for much needed research in this field, she has also been asked to speak and perform at the Irish Cancer Society’s “Living well with and beyond with Cancer 2022” event this coming September 3rd in the Burlington Hotel Dublin.

“Just Like You” was produced at Jealoustown Studios with Stuart Gray, as featured alongside Aslan on Virgin Media’s documentary “This is for Ukraine”.

Pamela hails from Kilnamanagh, Tallaght, is a wife, and mother to her little mini-me daughter Alix (3).

Socials:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tullypamela/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@pamtully0
Facebook: https://facebook.com/pamtmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pammytree
Brain Tumour Ireland patient story- https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca-bVzjMWTQ/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Irish singer-songwriter Victoria Johnston is set to release a timely, reimagined rendition of the iconic song ‘From A Distance’ on Friday 12th August 2022.

With ‘From A Distance’ being a smash hit for both Nanci Griffith (1987) and Bette Midler (1990), and Victoria’s own original #1 debut song ‘Tar Liom’ being shortlisted for the 2021 Grammy Awards for Song of the Year, Victoria has now teamed up with Billy Farrell (Grammy-nominated producer, The Corrs) who has arranged and produced this single.

On the decision to record and release ‘From A Distance’ Victoria says:

‘It’s been a long time since this song has had a fresh arrangement by a female artist. With all that’s going on in the world at the moment, it feels like the right time to breathe new life into this song.’

Victoria Johnston will release ‘From A Distance on Friday 12th August 2022 on iTunes and all streaming platforms.

Ahead of the release of their fourth studio album Magnify on September 30 HamsandwicH are set to release new single ‘All My Blood’ August 12, 2022.

‘All My Blood’ is the follow up to singles ‘Electro-Wave’ and ‘Le Soleil’ released throughout 2022. Speaking on their new music HamsandwicH guitarist Darcy says: “I think we’re always afraid of writing the same song,” With this new music the band incorporated an array of fresh influences and electronic soundscapes whilst maintaining melodic motifs integral to their idiosyncratic style. Of their latest body of work, Niamh reflects, “We’re a band who have constantly evolved over the years and this is our biggest evolution yet.”

The Kells band’s enthusiasm for writing and performing shines through on new single ‘All My Blood’. HamsandwicH are ready to party and ‘All My Blood’ is a great party song as it builds to a classic HamsandwicH climax. It is the perfect blend of the HamsandwicH we know and love and the new direction the band are embarking on.  It’s a subtle shift from the infectious 80s synth-pop arrangement of ‘Electro-Wave’ the sonic setting immediately re-contextualises Farrell and McNamee’s synonymous vocal pairing. “Do you still feel like your life’s a Saturday night?” McNamee poses throughout the track. Meanwhile, Le Soleil is a mix of fun alt-pop and light dance that pairs really well with the call and response song writing. Magnify promises to be a testament to HamsandwicH’s spirited and assured artistic voice, and of their penchant to be daring with their music.

The writing and recording of Magnify encouraged new ways of working for the band, notably collaborating with producer Michael Heffernan (Dermot Kennedy, Ailbhe Reddy, Thumper) for the first time. They also worked  with a different cast of collaborators, including Justin Gerrish (Vampire Weekend, The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs) as well as Emily Lazar and Chris Allgood (Beck, Haim) who mastered the record, also facilitated the band’s renewed perspective towards making music.

Writing remotely in different parts of the country (Dublin, Meath and Monaghan), swapping ideas over voice notes and recording between studios and Niamh’s kitchen over a staggered timeframe, the band’s adaptability is woven into the tapestry of Magnify’s essence. Their ease of moving from propulsive rhythms to introspective and sweet soundscapes is effortless and a testament to their remarkable musicianship and unwavering chemistry as a band.

Connect with HamsandwicH

Twitter: @Ham_Sandwich

Facebook: @hamsandwichmusic

Instagram: @hamsandwichband

Photo: Glen Bollard

Waterford-born, Groningen-based multi-instrumentalist Ward returns with groove-soaked summer anthem ‘Meet Your Maker’, his first effort since his Irish Breakers Chart-topping Summer 2022 EP ‘Strawberry Jam’.

Ward reprimands a third parties’ insensitivity and disloyalty in the hip-hop infused track; following her using him to cheat on their significant other, Ward with no knowledge of the pre-existing relationship. In an irresistibly catchy blend of hip-hop, pop, and anger, Ward berates her regarding her heartless infidelity.

Meet Your Maker’s incredibly bouncy drum groove, pocketed bassline, and winding genre fusion only further establishes Ward’s increasingly unique and groovy arsenal of beyond-creative, radio-ready tracks.

Signing to Egg Twelve Records (The Drive., Cable Boy, etc.) in early 2020, previous singles ‘In Two Minds’ and ‘Childsplay’ garnered huge support across National, Dublin and Regional radio stations. With Ward debuting the Top Ten Irish Breakers Chart as well as securing features across Hot Press, GoldenPlec and many more. 

Having established himself as an essential-Irish artist over the last two years, Ward presents Meet Your Maker in preparation for his debut live shows in August of 2022:

August 11th – Ward – Cork

August 12th – Ward – Dublin

August 13th – Ward – Waterford