Author: Breffni Banks

Daithí is undoubtedly one of the top electronic artists in Ireland right now and  his presence is beginning to be felt away from these shores too, with media in the UK and Europe pricking their ears since the release in February of his most recent single, the mesmerising ‘Familial’.

On Wednesday 1st June , Daithí kickstarts the summer with his anthemic new single ‘ Sunset ’, led by the commanding vocal presence of long-time collaborator Ailbhe Reddy , who herself has just announced a record deal with major indie label MNRK.

The single serves as the closing of one journey – 2019’s critically acclaimed, RTÉ Choice Music Prize-nominated L.O.S.S. , an album that found Daithí O’Dronaí confronting his most personal questions up to that point in his life – and the start of another. Today, Daithí announces that his third album, fittingly titled I’m Here Now , will be released on Friday, 9th September 2022 , via Strange Brew . ‘Sunset (feat. Ailbhe Reddy)’ is the opening track on I’m Here Now .

Daithí says: “Sunset was written during a writer’s weekend at the Beekeepers Artist House in Co. Clare. Ailbhe, Sinead White and I had a beautiful weekend, back working together after a few years of being apart. The natural energy from that really shaped the song: The synths build into this euphoric moment of celebration, which is countered with Ailbhe’s bittersweet lyrics. When she started singing ‘These things are never easy’, it just broke my heart. The song really became about everything we’d missed, and how happy we were to be able to do it again. It’s the opening of my new album, which is all about your place in time, and what makes you who you are.”

On ‘Sunset’, Daithí’s layered synths underpin Reddy’s distinctive vocal, culminating in a joyous crescendo that belies the beautifully wistful lyricism of ‘Sunset’ – “If you can’t even look at me / then just stare at the sunset / I know it’s getting late / you don’t have to go yet.”

Ailbhe Reddy says: “I first heard this track in December 2020 and even though it was the depths of winter, it immediately evoked the feeling of summer and festivals for me. Lyrically, it’s about bumping into someone you have history with in that context and having all the feelings come back.”

As ever, Daithí’s considered production methods manage to evoke visions of lush landscapes and big weather, and these themes, along with an underlying narrative of loss and the reclamation of oneself, are explored in the single’s accompanying film by director Michael-David McKernan, which will follow the single’s release.

Daithí is set to play a number of festivals this summer: Vestrock (The Netherlands), Sea Sessions and Body & Soul, to name a few.

He is also touring Ireland as one half of HousePlants, his project with Bell X1’s Paul Noonan, throughout May and June.

Connect with Daithí 

IG | TWITTER | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP | FACEBOOK  

Dublin duo PHOENO /’fee:no/ release their third single – KELLY BROOK will be available on all streaming platforms from Friday May 27th.

 The stunning cinematic music video shot by Luca Truffarelli, features dancer Philip Connaughton.

‘KELLY BROOK’ is a song which ponders what happens when we allow ourselves to become fixated on an idea of perfection – an unattainable longing and desire for something that will never come to us . What happens when we find comfort in the waiting rather than choosing to live and experience what the world has to offer – Do we one day wake up with a life unlived? 

PHOENO is Adam Matthews and Liam Corbett – a self-produced and released Pop/Indie/Rock duo from Dublin. Formed in late 2019, We write songs about our own individual struggles, joys and questionings which manifest and grow into anthemic declarations.

INSTAGRAM: phoenomusic

SOCIALS: https://linktr.ee/phoenomusic

Mayo born singer- songwriter Tracy Gallagher is releasing a stunning new single and video ‘Caves’ on May 26th. A collaboration with Belfast based producer Michael Mormecha, Caves is a blend of Tracy’s rich, haunting vocals and  sharp and insightful song-writing style with the production mastery of Mormecha.

The result of this partnership is a dark, unique and original piece of musicianship and artistry that serves to enthral, unsettle, move and beguile the listener. Poetic lyrics with threads of love, exploration, loss and hope combined with Mormecha’s production genius weave a rich and intriguing tapestry which captures the attention of the audience and holds it. Caves is ultimately about delving within, into the unknown, facing inner fears and challenges and consequently  finding meaning in the world.

About the song Gallagher says “Caves is inspired by the work of Joseph Campbell, American professor of Literature and well known mythologist, credited by George Lucas as having inspired Star Wars. While reading his book ‘The Hero With A Thousand Faces’, I became enamoured with the idea of each individual being the hero in their own story and the trials and tribulations each of us have to face and overcome throughout our human experience in order to grow and develop as human beings. Caves explores the relationship we have to the natural world and simultaneously to the inner self, it is a look at the wild, powerful and sometimes frightening aspects of nature that can act as a metaphor for the unexplored parts of our inner worlds. The wildness of the ‘seven seas’ and the dark unknown of the ‘cave’ represent our innermost fears, that which we try to keep hidden from ourselves and the world at large but this is also the place where the deepest treasures and revelations lie, where personal growth and development happens.” 

Gallagher’s blend of beautifully haunting vocals and a poetic and catchy song-writing style has won over the hearts of music lovers from all walks of life and earned her a rightful place amongst Ireland’s finest emerging indie artists. Tracy’s new material marks a transition from a more folk centric style to a darker, folk-rock, alternative/indie sound, mixing poetry and music together seamlessly and leaving the listener with that wonderful ‘chill’ after an artist has managed to move you. World travels, huge life changes and personal challenges have all influenced her story-telling and outlook on life and are evident in her song-writing. Having tried her hand over the years at a number of various careers from teaching French to hypnotherapy, Tracy decided it was finally time to commit fully to music and produce her first studio-recorded work. This ultimately led to converting an old work van into a rustic home on wheels and hitting the road to write and live out her dreams as a wayfaring musician. Travelling far and wide in her self-converted camper van allows her to glean inspiration from beautiful places and affords her the quiet retreat that song-writers so  often desire in order to write.

www.facebook.com/tracygallaghermusic
www.youtube.com/tracygallaghermusic
www.instagram.com/tracygallaghermusic
www.twitter.com/tracygallmusic

Ever feel like you’ve been dealt just one dud card too many by fate? That life needs to back off and let you have a little fun? Then OWN GOOD TIME might be the song for you! We all deserve a break from bad luck and hard times and it’s all very well to say: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” but we still need a little sugar and some good, clean fun like a day at the beach, a spin on the Waltzers and chips and a sing song in the car on the way home. So, fate, bring on the good times….or else!

UPCOMING CONCERTS:

Thurs 9 June, BELLO BAR, Portobello, Dublin

Sat 11 June with Eoin O Riabhaigh, LIVE AT ST. LUKES, Cork

Mon 20 June, TUTTY’s, Hollywood, Wicklow

More dates throughout the Summer. Details from tigerdogrecords@nullhotmail.com

Greenshine Music:

All music available to purchase at

www.greenshine.bandcamp.com

Follow Greenshine:

http://greenshinemusic.com/

www.facebook.com/greenshinepeople

www.twitter.com/greenshinemusic

‘Shadow’ is about the balancing of the shadow side of the self. The song also explores the sacred feminine and masculine within us all. It explores having to rise up to meet the challenges of how the worlds’ pressures have compressed this part of humanity and calls for the strength to do so. The video explores some of these ideas with the mirror imagery calling and responding. Its ending signifies the freedom of this kind of release in the final scene.

Marie Keane is a singer-songwriter with eclectic themes, from environmental protection (Marie’s a qualified environmental scientist) to Motown influenced love tunes. For 20 years she’s performed in various blues, soul and jazz ensembles. From the main stage in the Cork Jazz Festival to performing traditionally inspired tunes in the Botanical Gardens, her music crosses more than a few divides.

Her debut album ‘Russian Doll’ is a mix of folk blues and soul with subtle classical and traditional undertones. The release of Russian Doll followed on from it’s launch to a packed out Sugar Club performance of the full album in 2019.

‘Shadow’ is the first released single of Marie’s second album ‘MNÁ’ penned throughout the lockdowns of the last two years. MNÁ will be released later this year. “Shadow” will be available on all main streaming platforms from June 6th.

Find  Marie on the following platforms;

https://mariekeane.ie

https://mariekeane.bandcamp.com

https://www.facebook.com/mariekeanemusician/

https://instagram.com/marriekeane

https://www.youtube.com/user/TheMariekeane/

A Singer Songwriter, recording artist & IRMA Award nominee, Fiona has a very long track record which includes albums, EP’s & singles and many TV performances, including her own one hour TV special on RTÉ.

This latest single release ‘All Together Now ’ is produced by Christian Best (Mick Flannery) with superb guitar playing by Alan Comerford . A succession of new songs released over the past 18 months included ‘Where Else Would You Get It’ , produced by Declan Sinnott ( Mary Black/Christy Moore) & ‘The Place of my Resurrection ’ (prod. Cormac O’Conno r) both of which went straight to number one in the ITunes Chart .

Fiona’s followers are growing fast with longtime music lovers being joined by many new fans of Kennedy’s distinctive voice & thoughtful, honest songwriting. A recent sell-out performance in Corks Winthrop Avenue was the beginning of a summer season of shows.

Studio time is also on the cards this summer with final sessions lined up to finish Fiona’s next album due to drop in the autumn.

Artwork for the track is by Cork artist David O’Donovan who did a pen and ink drawing especially for the song , incorporating some of the imagery woven into the verses.

In the artists’ own words: ‘I believe in looking to the future but sometimes when things get tough, its good to look back and remember where you come from. I wrote the song about a deja-vu moment I had when walking in to perform in the famous New York venue CBGB… memories of my college days playing in the bar in U.C.C. came rushing back..that connection to where my journey began is always there and it grounds me when the challenges seem too big.’

Fiona Kennedy & her band play Upstairs in The Whitehorse on the 10^th June. Tickets on Eventbrite.

Fiona plays a special outdoor concert ‘Songs for a summers Evening’ with Ilse de Ziah (Cello) & John McGrath (guitar) in Kinsale on the 18^th June.

Fiona plays a double header show with singer songwriter Anna Mitchell in Camden Fort Meagher in Crosshaven (currently the venue for televisions Ultimate Hell Week) on July 23^rd . Tickets on Eventbrite.

www.fionakennedy.ie

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Songwriting legends Nick Kelly and Sean Millar are to release a second song from their new musical collaboration DOGS. A shimmery slice of pure summer Philly-meets-Kilfenora soul-folk, “Heartbeat” follows hot on the heels of DOGS’ recent Irish radio hit “Old Dog Young Dog”.

DOGS have also released final details of The Song Cycle to Glastonbury, which kicks off with a show upstairs in Dublin’s Whelan’s on Wednesday June 15. This unique tour, conceived to start a conversation about more sustainable ways to perform live music, will see Nick pedaling himself and all his equipment from Pembroke Ferry Port to Worthy Farm by bicycle, playing shows along the route. Fellow-DOG Sean will make the same journey by train, joining Nick onstage each night. The Song Cycle culminates with a brace of performances by DOGS at Glastonbury’s Bread and Roses tent on Friday June 24 and Saturday June 25.

Wednesday June 15th – Whelan’s (Upstairs), Dublin

Sunday June 19th – CWRW, Carmarthen, Wales

Monday June 20th – Uplands Tavern, Swansea, Wales

Tuesday June 21st – Porter’s, Cardiff, Wales

Wednesday June 22nd – Cloak and Dagger, Bristol, England

Friday June 24th – Bread & Roses Stage (11:45am), Glastonbury Festival, England

Saturday June 25th – Bread & Roses Stage (12:30pm), Glastonbury Festival, England

NICK KELLY has been described as “Uncompromised and ever-shining, precious” by NME and “The most visual songwriter Ireland has ever produced” by Hot Press. He first came to prominence fronting fabled ‘90s band The Fat Lady Sings. He has subsequently released four acclaimed solo albums, the latter two as Alien Envoy. He was awarded Best Solo Artist at the Irish Music Critics Awards in 1999, nominated for Irish Album of The Year at the inaugural Choice Music Prize in 2005, and voted Ireland’s #3 Best Songwriter in the Hot Press’s annual Readers’ Poll in 2015. In recent years Nick has also gained fame as a film maker. Having been Oscar-shortlisted for his third short “Shoe”, his debut feature “The Drummer And The Keeper” won 18 major awards on the global festival circuit. He has performed his stage show “See:Hear”, in which he mixes live musical performances and film clips to explain how rock’n’roll has taught him to make movies, at both Ireland’s leading music and film festivals, the Electric Picnic and the Galway Film Fleadh.

SEAN MILLAR has been described as “an Irish National treasure, the Poet Laureate of Dublin’s dark side” by The Irish Times and as “Ireland’s greatest lyricist” by the RTE Guide. Also known as Doctor Millar, Sean has released five critically-acclaimed solo albums, and has been nominated for many awards for his work. He is also an internationally-acclaimed theatre maker and composer. Since the late 1990s, Seán has worked as an artist/facilitator on many community-based, socially-engaged  collaborative music and theatre performances. His ground-breaking practise in this sphere has been the subject of several academic studies. Most recently he was invited to curate and perform at “Love Song Part 1: Communities of Dissent”, a retrospective celebration of his work on at Dublin’s Abbey Theatre.

DOGS is the unlikely result of Sean’s rash offer to house-sit for a friend in West Clare in late 2021, which also entailed looking after the family’s energetic 8-month-old German shepherd Yogi. In need of both moral and physical support for his unexpectedly onerous duties, Sean invited Nick to join him in Milton Malbay on the pretext of writing a few songs together. Somehow, despite (or maybe because of) the hyperactive influence of Yogi, the duo crafted a series of cracking new tunes together over six days, between big feeds, cold plunges and long walks. DOGS’ debut EP “Tricks”, which includes both “Heartbeat” and “Old Dog Young Dog”, is due for imminent release.

True Tides have been busy. After dominating the Irish airwaves for the last number of years, an RTÉ Choice Music Prize nomination for Song of the Year, Top 10 Radio Airplay & national playlisting across all major & regional stations, lead vocalist Cian recently joined forces with Kodaline’s Steve Garrigan to write songs for global pop giants Westlife’s new album, alongside man of the moment Ed Sheeran. Other recent accolades include co-writing the new single for multi-million streaming Norwegian DJ ‘Matoma’ & a nod from Elton John for writing and production duties with Irish heroes The Coronas. The three brothers were invited to sing alongside Sinéad O Connor on The Cranberries covers album “Salvation” and to top it off, a personal invite to the JJ Abrams hosted Oscar Wilde party in LA as part of this year’s Oscars week.

During this whirlwind few months at the helm of the Irish music industry, the band have also been working hard on new material. The first of which is their new single ‘Beating Heart’, which will be released on Friday May 27th.  An upbeat 80s infused pop smash with an infectious chorus bursting with gospel style backing vocals & punctuated with Quincy Jones-style brass motifs, ‘Beating Heart’ celebrates true friends, the people on your side who aren’t afraid to tell you how it is & pull you back when you begin to lose your way.

Singer Cian says; “I often struggle with my OCD and can get lost in my obsessions, be that music making or my own thoughts which can be very isolating. For me this song is an ode to those people that remind me of what really matters; human connection”. As the chorus echoes “Don’t stop what you’re doing, keep tearing me apart, cos I need it, your reason, it’s the beating of a real life heart”, this celebration of friendship is reflected in the unapologetically joyful melody that invites you to dance with abandon in an outpouring of colorful sounds and joyous brass refrains.

TRUE TIDES SOCIALS

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TRUE TIDES SHOWS

21st May – Cork City Hall with Cork Youth Orchestra SOLD OUT

27th May – Marquee Cork support The Coronas

17th June – Malahide Castle support Kodaline

18th June – Main Stage at Sea Sessions

‘Cheese Slices’ is the third single from idiosyncratic Derry post-punk quartet Invaderband’s second album, Peter Gabriel, which received widespread critical acclaim, and plays on both Irish and UK National radio (RTE2 / Today FM / BBC Radio 6Music / Radio X). The album was released last September and was placed at No. 17 in the Top 20 albums of 2021 by Danny McElhinney in The Irish Mail on Sunday.

Opening with a bright guitar line possibly channelled from The Stone Roses or The La’s, ‘Cheese Slices’ is a song drenched with cynicism; Frontman and songwriter Adam Leonard taking aim and pulling the lyrical trigger on an unnamed self-regarding band urging them to “Stop making music please … you’re as interesting as cheese”.

Of the track Leonard says: “I actually quite like cheese slices, so I’m not sure why I used them to signify tedium. Anyhow, to me the song is along similar lines to Morrissey’s “We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful”. There’s always a band you hate, who are doing better than you, and who are very obviously worse than you in every conceivable way, and it’s a head scratcher … It’s my “Positively 4^th Street” but with added processed dairy squares”.

JUNE MINI-TOUR

To promote the single, Invaderband will be playing some dates in June:

Psychotic Reaction Presents

11 June / Dublin / Fibber Magees

Table It! Promotions Presents

17 June / Belfast / McHughs Basement

Tectona Grandis Presents

18 June / Derry / Bennigans

ABOUT INVADERBAND

Invaderband are a garage/art rock band assembled in Derry, Northern Ireland by Mancunian singer, guitarist and songwriter Adam Leonard, who enlisted local musicians to voltage-enhance his dystopian postpunk songs.

Their self-titled debut album arrived in January 2017 and was met with radio play throughout the UK & Ireland on BBC Radio 6Music (Steve Lamacq, Gideon Coe & Tom Robinson), BBC Radio Ulster, RTE 2FM, RTE RNAG & Today FM, receiving widespread critical acclaim and a shortlist in the Northern Ireland Music Prize for Album of the Year 2017.

Their second album ‘Peter Gabriel’ was released in September 2021, preceded by 2 singles ‘I Won’t Remember You’ and ‘Handcuffed Man Shoots Himself’, the former being shortlisted for the Northern Ireland Music Prize Best Single Of 2021.

As with the debut album, ‘Peter Gabriel’ received widespread critical acclaim, and plays on both Irish and UK National radio (RTE2 / Today FM / BBC Radio 6Music / Radio X). The album was placed at No. 17 in the Top 20 albums of 2021 by Danny McElhinney in The Irish Mail on Sunday.

The quartet have played shows all over Ireland and Northern Ireland including Other Voices Dingle (2021), and their singles have been selected by Steve Lamacq’s 6Music Recommends show twice.

Invaderband are: Adam Leonard – Vocals | Chris McConaghy – Guitar | James Cunningham – Bass | Tom Doherty – Drums

Socials: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Bandcamp | Soundcloud| Instagram

Songstress Natalie Moran returns to her popular electro pop roots sampling back to her debut single ‘My Ambition’ with a launch of ‘Ain’t Nothing Gonna Stop’ this June.

A praised artist, Natalie creates a versatile and unique yet recognizable music style. The singer launches music to surprise and leave listeners anticipating the next release.

With features across Irish radio and blogs, the singer has received praise for her releases and ability to transfer the meaning of a song into her art

‘She can not only sing but she puts the feelings into the interpretation so you get the complete package.’ (music from the heart). Natalie has also been noted as one to watch ‘She is certainly one artist to watch out for’ (ICK. mag) This rising pop star continues to make waves and grow as she offers more to come this year.

For fans of: Dua Lipa, Becky Hill.

Irish singer-songwriter Natalie Moran kicks off the summer vibe with new release ‘Ain’t Nothing Gonna Stop’ on June 3rd 2022.

‘Ain’t Nothing Gonna Stop’ is a vibrant electro pop number with a twist of dance saxophone and energetic sounds. All these sounds are complimented by a colourful cocktail of Natalie’s soulful power vocals ready to embody the moment and keep you smiling. Her tone is punchy and expresses a style full of feel-good attitude.

The song is about loving the life you live and living the life you love. Its message is a reminder to keep your power no matter the environment you find yourself in and know that ‘ain’t nothing gonna stop’ your smile. This anthem is made to keep listeners empowered and enjoy the life they live with a smile on their face. A message that is sure to have listeners belting it. It’s a must add to all your summer playlists.

PRE-SAVE: Pre-Save ‘Aint Nothing Gonna Stop’

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