Author: Breffni Banks

The Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Joe Hackett and the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Dublin, Alexandra McKnight, on behalf of U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Clare Cronin, are pleased to announce 40 Fulbright Irish Awardees for 2022-2023. Recipients were presented with Awards at a ceremony in Iveagh House last night. 

The Fulbright Program has served to strengthen international relations for seventy-five years. The Fulbright Commission in Ireland’s vision of inspiring minds to create a global culture of understanding is more important than ever in today’s increasingly polarised world. This year’s Irish awardees will undertake research, teaching and study in the USA spanning many disciplines. They will address pressing societal issues, engage with U.S. society, and share their knowledge when they return home.  

As a Fulbright-TechImpact Scholar to The Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research (BAIR) Lab at UC Berkeley, Dr Angela Butler (Intel Ireland) will investigate the fascinating connection that humans forge with artificial intelligence (AI). Fulbright-National University of Ireland Scholar Dr Colette Murray (Technological University Dublin) will visit the Center for Indian Education at Arizona State University to map how Irish Traveller and Indigenous children (Southwest USA) experience Early Childhood Education and Care systems through a Tribal Critical Race Theory lens. 

Fulbright-EPA Scholar, Dr Nuala Flood (Queen’s University Belfast) will work with the Parsons School of Design to explore innovative design for place-based climate resilience. Raphael Onwunali, the inaugural recipient of the Fulbright-Frederick and Anna Douglass Award and a graduate of Dublin City University, will travel to The University of Chicago to complete a Master of Public Policy.  

These are just a few examples of the work that Fulbright Irish Scholars, Students, and Foreign Language Teaching Assistants (FLTAs) will undertake over the coming year.  

The next round of applications for Fulbright Irish Awards will open on 31st August 2022, interested candidates should visit www.fulbright.ie for more information. 

Joe Hackett, Secretary General of the Department of the Foreign Affairs said:

“I extend my warmest congratulations to the Irish Fulbright Awardees for 2022–2023. Fulbright scholarships provide a transformational experience for individuals and play a crucial role in sustaining the close relationship that Ireland and the United States share. Every year, Fulbright recipients have the exciting opportunity to study, work, and experience life in the U.S., and to represent the best of Ireland. I wish this year’s Awardees every success for their time in the U.S.” 

Alexandra McKnight, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Dublin said:

“Fulbright offers an unparalleled opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, while fostering understanding between nations. This Program is a vehicle for advancing knowledge across communities and improving lives around the world. Congratulations to this year’s Awardees who will serve as ambassadors for Ireland and bring what they learn in the U.S. back with them.” 

Kevin Douglass Greene of the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives (FDFI) said:

“The Fulbright-Frederick and Anna Douglass Awards were established to mark the 175th anniversary of abolitionist Frederick Douglass’ historic visit to Ireland. We at FDFI worked with the Commission in Ireland and the U.S. Embassy in Dublin to create these Awards that honour not only the legacy of Frederick Douglass, but also of his wife Anna. With the goal of increasing participation of diverse communities in Ireland-U.S. exchanges, these awards offer new opportunities to Irish and U.S. students in areas of civil rights, social justice and policy development. I congratulate the inaugural Irish Award recipient Raphael Onwunali, and look forward to seeing the fruits of this scholarship.” 

Professor Diane Negra, Chair of the Fulbright Commission Ireland Board said:

“The Commission Board congratulates the 40 awardees travelling to the U.S. in the coming year and wishes them an enjoyable and successful Fulbright experience. They are joining a very vibrant network and will benefit from the professional recognition of being a Fulbright awardee. The excellence and expertise of Fulbright recipients continues to develop after 65 years of Irish-U.S. exchange, as they continue Senator Fulbright’s vision of creating a global culture of understanding that can erode mistrust that has historically set nations against one another.” 

Dr Dara FitzGerald, Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission in Ireland said: 

“The Fulbright Program continues to be an enduring, rich and affirmative part of the relationship between both countries. In addition to the brilliance of Fulbright awardees, the programme is wonderfully supported by our stakeholders and sponsors. We thank our partners, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Dublin, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. We are grateful to have the enduring support of our Irish award sponsors: the Health Research Board, Enterprise Ireland, the Environmental Protection Agency, Geological Survey Ireland, National University of Ireland, Teagasc, the Creative Ireland Programme, the National Lottery and such notable U.S. Institutions as the Exploratorium, the Smithsonian, the Harry Ransom Center and Boston College.  

We also have tremendous support from Irish institutions such as ATU Letterkenny, University College Cork, University College Dublin, Dublin City University, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, National University of Ireland Galway, Maynooth University, University of Limerick, Technological University Dublin, Science Foundation Ireland, Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies, Irish Museum of Modern Art and the Hugh Lane Gallery. The impact of their support is momentous, especially in terms of diversity and range of disciplines that enrich the Ireland-U.S. relationship. ” 

“I’m tired of being the one to listen, now I’ll make some music, and make it love me” a line from Cocooning Heart, the title track on Myles O’Reilly’s forthcoming album due for release 30th June 2022.

Myles O’Reilly 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 now by this new collection ambient folk songs titled ‘Cocooning Heart’.

Last month Myles shared the first taster of the album, ‘The Most Colourful Thread in the Loom’, a song directly inspired by the love for his wife Aideen. Today, he follows with a second track ‘Shine’, featuring Niamh Bury and Simon O’Reilly. The video filmed at D-Light Studios in Dublin, was directed by Stephen Mogerly, and produced by Myles.

Speaking of the song, Myles says:

“Shine is an ode to my mother’s wish that I always keep singing. I grew up with a strict stepfather who thought making music was a waste of my time and an idle pursuit. My mother always thought the opposite but unfortunately I began to believe his negative views, and stopped playing music.”

THE EXPERIENCES THAT HAVE LED TO MYLES’ UPCOMING ALBUM ‘COCOONING HEART’…

Always evident in O’Reilly’s music documentary film work has been his deep adoration and passion for music but most important to note, having once been a working musician himself, for over a decade his willingness to prioritize his subject’s love for performing music above his own is perhaps what is most poignant about this long-overdue role reversal. “It took a pandemic lockdown for me to have nobody to cast a lens on but myself”.

“At 10 years old I was pretty much the same person I am today. Watching my Dad make bad television, thinking I knew how to do it better. Impersonating my favourite pop singers”. Myles’ mother Monika championed his creativity, perhaps to a fault, especially his singing, “I got away with murder in school. My teachers told mum I showed no interest in any subject and was certain to fail my leaving cert but it didn’t matter to her, as long as I kept singing”. Most parents regularly check on their children to make sure they’re applying themselves to homework, “Mum would pass my bedroom door and if she heard me belting out a song, I was left alone”.

Signed to a major label in his mid 20’s, the reality of the music business hit Myles hard in 2008 in a global economic crisis. His label V2 records, home to his favourite band Elbow, suddenly and without warning liquidated. “My album was due to be released the day I read about their bankruptcy in the paper”. It was the catalyst for Myles turning to his second love, photography, and film but he would persist with music, only as subject matter for his inquisitive lens.

“Mum died from cancer in 2013. I made a promise at her deathbed that I would sing again” but no sooner had the tragedy of her loss occurred than he himself suffered a life-changing near-death accident. “It took me over a year to learn how to speak again without slurring every word”. In a collision with an extremely violent bacteria, Myles lost the use of half his tongue. “The doctors told me I would eventually regain my speech but articulating certain words would be a permanent difficulty for me. So that was it really. I had no more hopes for singing”.

The pandemic of 2020 had its challenges for everyone, but with Myles working specifically in music, there were several projects evolving that weren’t just put on hold but cancelled outright. “The first two weeks on the sofa staring at the ceiling were the longest two weeks of my life. I was completely grief-stricken”. Given that his previous dice with mortality was compounded by a battle with his immunity, in lockdown he was ‘Cocooning’, and not taking any chances. “I went from being constantly on the road, to suddenly being exiled at home.

“My wife Aideen took to drawing and painting, but I didn’t know what to do with myself”. In a moment of inspiration, he thought to text his neighbour Rod, to ask if he had any instruments lying around that he could borrow. “Moments later Rod knocked on my door wielding a Moog synthesizer. It had a hundred buttons. I thought to myself, this is perfect. It’ll take me ages to figure out what each knob does. A perfect time filler”.

The album title track Cocooning Heart was written and recorded that night. “Flood gates opened. I was in my attic, whispering into a mic so my wife couldn’t hear me. There were moments when I cried profusely. I was reunited with the act of writing music, and nothing else mattered. Every lyric of that song is exactly what was on my mind that night, in that reunion”.

Indeed every track on Cocooning Heart does carry a feeling as though it was recorded in the intimacy of a home, late at night. The gentle whirr of a laptop is accompanied by a whistling wind noise from outside, where cats can be heard fighting. A kettle is warming up. The dull racket of a shower from next door. In listening, the listener is very much transported into Myles’ attic. It’s an ode to life within those walls, and to living there with his wife.

‘Cocooning Heart’ will be out on June 30th.

LIVE DATES:

25th June – The Burren College of Art

30th July – All Together Now Festival

+ more to be announced.

Connect with Myles O’Reilly

Bandcamp | Spotify | Website

‘Laura’ is a song about finding yourself and being true to the person inside. Letting your private self come to the surface and showing it’s okay to be vulnerable.

Usually when the song is performed live it is interpreted as a love song, and the question “so, who is Laura?” is always asked with a cheeky grin. Although there is no “Laura” there is certainly a person inside everyone we are looking to bring to the surface.

The Nation Mourns is the current musical endeavour of Irish songwriter Neil O’Shea. Growing up with a wide range of blues and rock influence, it was the haunting timbre of artists such as Tom Waits, Nick Drake, Jackson C Frank, and Damien Jurado that drew him to songwriting. This has led him to lyrics of landscapes and leaving for home; while subtle, melancholic melodies draw you ever further into the music.

In 2021 The Nation Mourns was selected as a showcasing artist at Ireland Music Week 2021. He is currently based in Berlin, recording his debut album “Remember/Leaving” with producer and Universal Music Publishing artist Cameron James Laing.

Connect with The Nation Mourns

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Spotify

BRÍDÍN, West Co. Sligo native, carries on the tradition of Irish music into the fourth generation of her family, she sings, plays the harp, flute, piano and dances sean nós. Over the years she has achieved many accolades for her musical ability. Her love of music led her to pursue a musical career, having studied music at University College Cork achieving a degree and Master’s in music and performance. BRÍDÍN’s most recent performances include ‘The Late Late Show’, ‘The Tommy Tiernan Show’, ‘Ireland AM’, ‘Today with Maura and Daithí’, ‘Claire Byrne Live’ and national radio.

BRÍDÍN will release her highly anticipated debut album, coming 20.09.22, and today shares the first video for ‘Empty Room’, filmed by Fionn Rogers at Markee Castle, Sligo.

Music video shot by Fionn Rogers at Markree Castle, Sligo.

Brídín – Director/concept and creative direction.

Assistant artistic director – Karen Ann Clancy

Lighting – EAV – Ray Forde

Over the past number of years, BRÍDÍN has developed her own style influenced by her natural surroundings and rooted in her background in traditional Irish music.  BRÍDÍN uses her loop and effect pedals to create her musical pieces. Her layered melodies on harp and voice blend beautifully with contrapuntal fiddle, keyboard, electric guitar and bass, woven together with pulsating drums.

BRÍDÍN’s single ‘Empty Room’ is a song about how she loves ‘the sound of an empty room’. It stems from her being a sociable introvert who could spend hours on end happily in the studio completely alone writing and playing music, but is not lonely or sad in doing so. ‘Some people feel sorry for you if you’re on your own, I’m just expressing that I’m really happy in my own company’.

The song sounds dark from the beginning, but as she experiments with her different styles of voice, it opens up an angelic layered depth as she layers her soprano countermelodies. She also expresses how she can hear music in her head; ‘I’ve always been able to hear music in my head, I could arrange a whole song in my head with multiple instruments and vocals and have often done so in bed at night or on long journeys. I never thought it was unusual until I started to study (lightly) neuroscience and how people think so differently.”

Listen to ‘Empty Room’ out now.

Summer Tour Dates 2022:

Galway Folk Festival at Monroe’s Galway – 15th June

Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo – 24th June

All Together Now – 29th July

Céilí Picnic at the fleadh in Mullingar – 3rd August

Milwaukee Irish Fest at TradFest Temple Bar stage – 18th-21st August (USA)

Fuinneamh – 17th September

Sitges Live – Creative Connexions Sitges, Barcelona – 27th-30th October

+ more to be announced

Czech Republic native Yana has an Irish heart. Influenced by the likes of Interference, Mic Christopher, Glen Hansard or Nick Cave, she built a name for herself by writing deep lyrics surrounded by atmospheric melodies. She released her debut EP Distant Shore in 2020 to rave reviews and a great radio support.

The pandemic gave her more time to be creative which resulted in the body of work forming her
forthcoming debut album Journey of the Soul.

The first single from the album, ‘Reach Out’, was released in February 2022 and Yana is now ready
to share the second single. ‘Calm Before the Storm’ has a strong Irish feel, with the violin played by
Claudia Heidegger and bodhrán played by Shane Ó Fearghail.

The song was written as a reaction to sudden passing of a fiddle player and singer Jitka Suranska, a
key figure at Folk Holidays festival in Namest nad Oslavou, Czech Republic, who died of cancer at 41.
Yana didn’t know her personally yet the news still came as a shock.

The song tends to encourage the listener to enjoy every moment of your life because the end might
come sooner than you think (“hold it close before it fades”).

‘Calm Before the Storm’ is out now.

Connect with Yana
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter

KAZMS is the collaboration of Berlin based Irish folk singer-songwriter Eoin Keely, Dublin electronic producer Ciarán Byrne and traditional Irish musician Seán Ó Casaide. The music is a stunning blend of their individual talents with Keely’s writing and delivery already drawing deserved comparisons with big Irish voices like Hozier and Dermot Kennedy combined with the subtle electronica of artists like Talos and James Blake.

Connect with KAZMS

Instagram | Twitter | Spotify

Paragon Records, the label home of artists such as the award winning Kitt Philippa, Jessica Hammond, Curtis Walsh and The Sei, are delighted to introduce Jess Meyer, the South African-born artist and songwriter and her glorious indie-pop gem “Summertime Song” set for release June 10th.

At just 20 years old, Jess is currently based between Ireland and the UK, having grown up in Cape Town and Dubai, where she spent the majority of her childhood. Having always had a keen interest in poetry from a young age, she taught herself piano and began putting her poetry to music. Through this process, she discovered a passion for songwriting. Her move to Ireland introduced her to a wider musical language including traditional, folk and alternative, all of which had a significant influence on her indie-pop sensibilties.

‘Summertime Song’ was written in full by Jess and produced by Dave Skelton.

Jess comments:

“My main focus as an artist is to bring people together through my music, no matter who or where they are in life. I want to share my own experiences through my music, in the hope that others can relate to what I have to say. I try to write some of my songs from different perspectives, to empathise with people who are going through contrasting circumstances to myself.

Summertime Song is about reminiscing over the good times, even when times get tough .It’s about always having hope, no matter what the circumstances at hand are and knowing that good days are on the horizon. 

I wrote this song during one of the lockdowns of recent times. It was written about how not being able to see people and share special moments with others affected everyone, including myself, but I remained in a positive mindset and kept reminding myself that nothing is constant, and that I’ll be able to see my friends again and make memories with them again.”

Jess Meyer – “Summertime Song” is out June 10^th via Paragon Records

Instagram @ijessmeyer           TikTok:@ijessmeyer    Twitter:@Ijessmeyer

Facebook:@Ijessmeyer           Youtube: @jessmeyer Soundcloud: @ijessmeyer

Spooky rock’n’roll artist Black Pope has just released a 7 minute animated music video for his track ‘Demon Stomp’. This ambitious video was animated by the artist himself, with backgrounds designed by Cork-based artist Tony Clifford.

The video tells a coming of age story set against the backdrop of demonic possession in a small community. Although the video features an abundance of gore, dark humour and satanic imagery, the artist has described it as a very personal project.

“One of the things people say about the possession genre is that it’s either a subconscious or conscious allegory for men coming to terms with women’s sexuality. I wrote the song when I was around 18 so I’m sure there was an element of that, but I doubled down on it when working on the video to turn it into a Black Pope origin story.”

The track was recorded in Monique Studios in Cork, Ireland with Grammy-nominated producer Cian Riordan and is the third single from Black Pope’s upcoming EP “Music for Girls Vol. I”, which is set for a summer release.

Black Pope’s ‘Demon Stomp’ is out now.