Author: Breffni Banks

Anna Mieke has announced her new album Theatre will be released on November 18^th, 2022, via Nettwerk.

The stunning eight-song collection envelopes listeners in the warmth of her world, radiating with an intense heat that lies closer to the desert or the jungle than her hometown of Wicklow, Ireland.

Theatre is the surreal soundtrack of a vast personal plain steeped in nostalgia, family, memory, death and dreaming—where gritty reality and romanticism meet. Lush new single “For A Time” and its accompanying Louise Gaffney-directed video, featuring a Disco Yeti, are the perfect showcase of the album’s dream-like visions.

“It’s a song of humid heat, burning summer, a pool. Rotting fruit, flies, the density of a greenhouse in August, carpeted stairs, a diving board. But also loss, and that feeling of fading and forgetting, of passing on,” explains Anna Mieke. “It reflects that feeling of nostalgia for a time you never actually experienced, or a person you never had the chance to meet, but feel you know well.”

Of the video, she adds: “I wanted to depict some sort of character or creature moving through, but at odds with, its surroundings—blending in and disappearing at times, mirroring back the landscape around it. Hence the Disco Yeti that you see in the video, who let us follow them around for a day.” Theatre is now available for pre-order.

Duality is the thematic core of Theatre, which focuses on the conflict between permanence and temporality, the immaterial and material, and how memories of places and people fade, warp, and reinvent themselves over time. Ultimately, though, the album is more about sensation than theme.

“Perhaps the music enables some form of dreamlike movement towards an imaginary place,” Anna Mieke says. “I’m just creating a sound world to escape to, built from moments in time. I hope it reminds someone else of their own experience…memories of youth infused with an intense warmth, like that childhood sensation of summer.”

A captivating artistic statement, Theatre finds Anna Mieke at her most assured and poetic as she contributes a challenging, exciting new voice to alt-folk.

With influences ranging from Talking Heads and The Mamas & the Papas to Orchestre Baobab, Nusrat Ali Khan, West African kora and traditional Brazilian dance, the album’s vivid soundscapes mirror Anna Mieke’s lush and adventurous upbringing. As a child, she cycled over The Pyrenees to Gibraltar, learned Maori songs while living in New Zealand (age 5) and, later, traditional songs in Bulgaria. “It was a surreal time,” she recalls of New Zealand. “Climbing glaciers and an active volcano, trekking through jungles..I remember that otherworldly feeling, somewhere totally alien to all your senses.”

Theatre is a world in bloom with deep evergreens, shocks of red coralline beneath umbered skies, and auburn leaves, all filtered through a terracotta vision that burns like deep heat. Words like ‘asphalt’, ‘tarmac,’ and ‘plastic’ float over delicate guitars, contrasting the beauty as their urban harshness unapologetically highlights day-to-day ugly mundanity. “The lyrics are also fairly rooted in the ugly side of things. I guess that side feels grounded and real to me, because it surrounds me, it is my actual environment,” she says.

Theatre was written in Wicklow, during residencies in a house by the sea just west of Ireland, and in a barn at a former school in Hyrynsalmi, Finland. It was eventually recorded over three intense 4-5 day periods at Dundalk’s Black Mountain residential studio, with Ryan Hargadon’s layered saxophone, clarinet and synth drones, Matthew Jacobson’s textured percussion, and engineer and co-producer Nick Rayner. Long-time musical partner Brían Mac Gloinn (violin, harmonium) also plays on the album, alongside Alannah Thornburgh (harp), Cora Venus Lunny (viola/violin), Lina Andonovska (flute) and This Is The Kit’s Rozi Leyden (bass). 

“I really think collaborating made a big difference in the way I approached songwriting,” says Anna. “It became more intentional, cohesive and meaningful. I thought this would be a solo, pared back album, but as I wrote, I imagined it as something much bigger, more spacious. Some people tell me listening to my music makes them picture a landscape, or moving through a landscape…I guess I like that idea of my music giving a feeling of an expanse, of openness.”

 Theatre tracklist:

1. Twin
2. For A Time
3. Mannequin
4. Coralline
5. Salt
6. Seraphim
7. Go Away From My Window (trad.arr)
8. Red Sun

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Emerging Cork songwriter Kevin Walsh shares the music video for his debut single Embrace the World in aid of AsIAm Ireland, based on his life experiences with autism.

The single, released April 2022 for World Autism Month, topped the Irish iTunes Singles Charts and Rock Charts on release day, AND entered the Irish Homegrown Charts at #19.

Described by MusicNGear as “soaring and symphonic”, the supergroup ensemble arrangement features vocal styles such as folk, hard rock and musical theatre, which in Kevin’s words “is designed to aurally reflect the spectrum of Autism as a diagnosis”.

The moving music video for Embrace the World, directed by award-winning writer/director/producer Yvonne Coughlan of RSVP (www.rsvpireland.net), depicts Kevin’s true to life experiences from childhood to present day.

Shot over ten days, in 18 locations, with 14 crew, Kevin and the 8 featured vocalists (including esteemed Irish artists Emma Langford, Ger O’Hanlon, Lisa Curran, Molly Lynch, Rebecca Houlihan, Caroline Kay and Mark Daly) were supported by an astoundingly talented cast of 56 artists; 21 actors in character roles, 13 Joan Denise Moriarty School of Dance students, and 22 special extras.

An Taoiseach Michael Martin, praised Kevin and his team at the single’s April launch “Kevin’s decision to apply his musical talent and hard work in support of AsIAm is a mark of his quality and his selflessness as a person”.

The video production dramatically illustrates key moments of Kevin’s life as an autistic person, especially the impact on his family, of a non-verbal child with eating difficulties to an adult with a First Class Honours degree in music. Jean Law (Fair City, The South Westerlies) plays Kevin’s mother, and Logan O’Leary, Paddy Hayes and Roy O’Connor portray Kevin at various ages. Both Logan and Roy are on the autism spectrum, as the project works to follow the disability maxim, ‘Nothing about us without us.’

AsIAm benefits from proceeds of streams and downloads of the single, as well as Shopify merchandise, Kevin credits their work with giving him the courage to speak openly about his life experience as an autistic person, based on their ethos of a strengths-focused approach to Autism.

SHOPIFY LINK: https://kevinwalshmusic.myshopify.com/

ZASKA’s next single, “Just For One Day” featuring R&B singer Melina Malone, is out this Friday 12 August. Pre-save it here.

To celebrate the release, catch the first full-band ZASKA headline show in a year for Funk Fridays at The Lighthouse Top Deck in Dun Laoghaire on 12 August. The powerhouse pipes of Melina Malone and Jess Kav will be on hand, along with an amazing horn section and Max Zaska’s incredible band with room to dance. Tickets on sale now.

“Just For One Day” is the latest single from ZASKA’s long-awaited sustainability-themed second album, “A Better Way” due out in October. 

The sultry yearning of this slow-burning love song delivers Max Zaska’s delicate dreamy guitar riffs under Melina Malone’s smokey R&B runs.

“I sent Melina an instrumental track from a writing session to see if she wanted to sing something over it. I was blown away with what she sent back so quickly and how she created such beautiful lyrics and vocals,” Zaska explained.

“This was one of those lovely songs where the lyrics just fell out of me. I wrote it with the idea of it being a love song,” Melina explained. “Then Max told me about the concept of the album and how he saw it as if I were singing from the perspective of Mother Earth asking us to love her as much as she loves us. I thought that was such a beautiful interpretation.” Malone continues, “The song is ultimately one of hope, that if we can keep going just for one day, that maybe we’ll be alright after all.”

“Just For One Day” is the second ZASKA track to be released on edbl recordings, the UK label of singer-songwriter, producer, and guitarist edbl, a prominent artist in the much-hyped South London scene who, like Max Zaska, is known for his collaborations that blend hip hop, jazz, neo-soul, and R&B.

ZASKA’s previous single, “Gone In A Minute” featuring J Smith, released in June, landed on the New in R&B Apple Music playlist, gaining more than 35,000 streams in its first four weeks.

Tipped as ‘one of the best voices in Ireland” Dublin-born Melina Malone is featured on Mango X MathMan’s 2021 club banger “Heartbreaks & Promises.” She has released four singles and is writing new material for her debut album.

Max Zaska is an Irish guitarist, songwriter, musical director, and producer best known for his feel-good blend of neo-soul, modern funk, and indie jazz. ZASKA is a supergroup of Irish talent with collaboration at its heart that began with the band’s original vocalist, Hozier. Look for ZASKA’s second album “A Better Way” out this October.

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zaskamusic.com

The Sound House has proudly announced the return of their Summer Series.

This year they will host nine live shows across 22nd to 28th August, featuring the best Irish talent on the Irish music scene. Roisin Ó, Stolen City, The Fynches, Aimée, Bobbi Arlo, Flynn, Tim Chadwick, DAITHÍ and Rue will all perform in The Sound House this August.

Tickets are available now from eventbrite.ie. 

The Sound describes the Summer series as their big marquee event of the year.  

The venue says: “We will block book an entire week of great live music and shows in the last week of August to help wrap up your Summer with a blast while highlighting some of Ireland’s most vibrant promotors, the very best of up-and-coming artists, as well as some internationally recognised talent”. 

Previous artists of the Summer Series are; WILD YOUTH, Robert Grace, Ryan Mack, Ryan O’Shaughnessy, PRiiCE, Shiv, Fya Fox, SELLÓ, Celaviedmai, Loud Motive, KEHLI, Arthur Valentine, Sky Atlas, Post Party, Pauric O’Meara, Wendy Godfrey, Tomike, Jack Joyce. 

Roísín O // 21st August // Doors 8pm  TICKETS

Stolen City // 22nd August // Doors 8pm – TICKETS 

The Fynches // 23rd August // Doors 8pm TICKETS 

Aimée // 24th August // Doors 8pm TICKETS 

Bobbi Arlo // 25th August // Doors 8pm TICKETS

Flynn // 26th August // Doors 8pm TICKETS 

Tim Chadwick // 27th August // Doors 8pm TICKETS 

DAITHÍ // 27th August // Doors 11pm TICKETS

RUE // 28th August // Doors 8pm  TICKETS 

The Sounds of the Summer series 2022 will see 9 events take place over 8 days from August 21st to 28th. 

Connect with The Sound House 

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On the rise emerging pop vocalist and songwriter Natalie Moran returns to airwaves with her new dance ready party anthem ‘Can You Feel It’ on August 12^th, 2022.  The electro pop dance tune is infused with upbeat tempo and thrilling high and drops to keep listeners overjoyed. Natalie’s encouraging feel good words along with power vocals convey a message to get listeners excited to get up and ready.

‘Can You Feel It’ is a go to song to elevate the next exciting outing. The song’s message is a set up for the feeling you have when you are looking forward to the night ahead when you know it is going to be a good one and you can feel it.

‘I wrote this song when I was feeling super excited for the weekend and so ready to leave the day behind me and just have fun with my friends. I wanted to write a song that you hear, and it instantly gets you in the mood for going out and having the best night ever!’ – Natalie. 

This club ready tune is a must add to your going out playlists, it’s snappy, infectious, memorable and is set to have your toes tapping with its energetic and uplifting beat.

Dublin based singer songwriter Natalie Moran debuted in late 2021 with her single ‘My Ambition’. The singer has since released a series of singles which made impacts across radio and blogs including Hot Press, RTE Entertainment, RTE 2XM, Tomorrow Radio, Shannonside FM, Near FM, Spin Southwest and many more.

Natalie’s music style consists of electro pop anthems and melodic acoustic messages to suit your every mood. This August, on Wednesday 24^th the independent artist is set to reach new heights as she will be headlining Whelan’s on her debut show covering all her latest singles and some sneak peaks of what to expect next. The anticipated show will have listeners ready for a night full of upbeat feel good tracks as well as sweet melodic acoustic moments.

Natalie Moran Headline Show tickets available here.

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“After you’ve caught your breath and taken it all in, the feeling that you’re dealing with the real thing becomes irresistible.” Niall Stokes (Hot Press Magazine) once wrote about Saucy Monky, Cynthia Catania’s female-fronted band with her Irish music partner at the time Annmarie Cullen.

Together, they shared festival stages with well known acts such as The Cure, B-52s, PJ Harvey, PINK!, Wilco, and more as they played to crowds of 100,000 plus at OXEGEN, O2 in the Park festivals and also making an appearance on The Late Late Show.

In 2019, her single “Phones” debuted on Late Date with Fiachna ó Braonáin and RTE’s Arena-the track garnered rave reviews and substantial radio play. Recently, as a solo artist, her experimental live shows have led to opening acts with OURS (Jimmy Gnecco) and upcoming shows this summer with The Riptide Movement . Her music videos are often vivid collaborations with her filmmaker-actress partner Sue Ann Pien who is starring in the critically-acclaimed, ground-breaking Amazon show “As We See It”.

At just 13 years old, Cynthia Catania discovered her voice as a singer/songwriter:

“I used to sing in the car with my Mom – I guess I inherited her vocal abilities, but I got the love of music from my Dad who played mandolin at family parties.  I followed in the footsteps of (one of my) brothers who picked up guitar when we were kids. We were close – so I jimmied myself into his garage bands. 

Early influences includeAretha Franklin, Ann Wilson (Heart), U2, Aimee Mann, Elliott Smith, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The Pretenders. I saw Chrissy Hynde at the Tower Theatre during her heyday.  I was mesmerized by her songs, stage presence, and punk attitude.  I knew early on I wanted to DO THAT.”

“I picked up the guitar when I left home.  I had to learn how to accompany myself at open mics.  So I learned to play by ear – which was a cognitive choice.  I wanted to follow my instincts-not how I was formally trained”.

“Tom Dunne took a liking to “Celebrity Trash,” Saucy Monky’s first album.  We went to Ireland for a radio tour and our debut show at Whelan’s.  For me, Ireland was magic.  We were in Hot Press magazine, our CDs were in Tower Records near Grafton Street, Irish radio opened their arms to us — it was a dream come true!  I’ve always found Ireland to be welcoming to me, personally.  When I came back in 2019, after a long hiatus, it was the same.  My friends booked us great gigs, my single was played on Today FM and RTE Radio One – it was almost as if no time had passed.  I’ve even signed up with IMRO.  I’m back on track building that dream career across the pond.  To me, there’s no better place to play live music.”

Additional summer shows will include her singing, songwriting pals Naimee Coleman, Sylvie Lewis, and Annmarie Cullen. The new single “Something Better” hits Irish airwaves this August. The  exhilarating, memorable and irresistible single from the singer/songwriter drops worldwide on August 12^th 2022.

SOMETHING BETTER:

‘Something Better’ is a joyful, kitschy anthem laughing at that inescapable human tendency of always wanting what you don’t have.

“Everybody wants another feather in their cap.” says the singer-songwriter-producer, Cynthia Catania.

Recorded and self-produced in Los Angeles, this track was a labour of love, created with a bevy of talented friends. Co-written by Jason Thomas Gordon (of St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital and author of ‘The Singers Talk’ Simon & Schuster), mixed with additional production by composer Gabriel Mann; additional instrumentation by Adam Marcello (Katy Perry, American Idol), Gabriel Mann, Cary Beare (Kingsize); additional backing vocals by SaucyMonky alumni Annmarie Cullen, and Dublinite Naimee Coleman (Aurora).

Cynthia on the track: 

“I remember a conversation I had with an old girlfriend about her bestie.  How he was happy in his relationship – but always wondered if he should ‘settle’, what if there was something better out there?” Such is the human dilemma…  and the challenges of commitment.

“I guess for me the deeper meaning of this song is to surrender to the present moment, circumstances, relationships, work-life, and ENJOY. The root of suffering is in the craving. Surrender is a way out. I have to practice that on a daily basis.”

I wrote the refrain “Everybody wants something better than they have” and bounced it off a few different songwriters I like to collaborate with.  Jason was a resounding yes – and we bounced lyrics and melodies back n’ forth from there.  It came quickly and easily.  Romance, finance, and status — everyone struggles with those aspects of living from time to time.”

 This track has a few snappy pop elements to it. As a producer, I love keeping things minimal and interesting. Anytime a deeper message can be tucked into a pop song, it’s a win-win.  I am so grateful for my production mentors – Rob Cairns, Doug Heffernan, Michael James, and now, Gabriel Mann.  I love what artists Lana Del Rey, Billie Eilish, Loma, Orville Peck, etc., are doing with their sparser tracks.  Lana is a fav.  What a brilliant lyricist she is.”

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