Written, performed, and produced by Femmepop, ‘Find You‘ is a minimalist piano-and-voice single from the London-based artist.
Continuing themes explored in ‘Circle In a Square’, ‘Falling Down’, and ‘There Is a Place’, the track examines emotional stasis, false reassurance, and an ongoing search for belonging and freedom.
‘Find You‘ is out now via Agentic and is available on all major online stores and streaming platforms.
The Bunker Studio is delighted to host the first Songwriter Club of the year on Saturday January 31st from 2pm – 6pm.
This month’s event features guest speakers;
Danny Carroll (IMRO) and
Ciara Lawless (Singer/Songwriter/Radio Presenter)
The Songwriter Club is a positive new community on the Irish music scene, and brings together musicians, songwriters and industry figures for talks and key networking opportunities.
Previous speakers at recent events include:
Neville Wright (All Wright Media) Mickey Joe Harte (Singer/Songwriter), Sabrina Ginesi (Lovestock Festival) Roddie Cleere (KCLR) Aaron Nestor (Singer/Songwriter, Photographer), David Virgin (Producer, Songwriter, Beardfire Studios), Darren Flynn (Drogheda Songwriting Festival) and Grace Day (Singer-Songwriter, Artist Support for TuneCore in Nashville).
Places are limited to 30 people so please book your spot through eventbrite.ie
Following their outstanding 2025 showcase appearances at Output Music Conference, Belfast, Ireland Music Week, Dublin and The Great Escape, Brighton, Dublin-based all-female four-piece rock band Martina and the Moons have unveiled their highly anticipated debut EP ‘Starfish Social Club‘ today, via Rubarb Music.
October saw the band release their striking, guitar-driven single ‘Laundry Mat’, on Rubarb Music – the newly launched Irish artist development label from Grammy Award-winning producer and mix engineer Ruadhri Cushnan and music industry veteran and 2025 Dublin Entrepreneur of the Year, Shea McNelis.
Capturing the band’s live energy and unflinching lyricism while inviting listeners to connect on a deeply personal level, the track earned extensive praise across Irish media (RTÉ 2FM Track of the Week, Galway bay FM Play Irish Track of the Week, BBC6, Radio X and more).
Having already shared stages with the likes of Porridge Radio and Thumper, with standout performances at Whelan’s, The Grand Social and The Great Escape, Martina and The Moons kickstart 2026 on a high with Starfish Social Club, a dynamic five-track EP that includes two powerful unreleased songs and an interlude, alongside singles ‘Laundry Mat’ and ‘Baby Turtle’.
About the EP, frontwoman Martina Moon says, “Starfish Social club is a project that’s full of contrasts. And yet, although sonically the songs are very different, the lyrical themes and overarching sentiment is the same. The songs tell different stories about moments where you lose your innocence, where your inner child disappears.”
Unheard opening track ‘Higher Than A Hawk’ explores the realization that certain entities aren’t real, but how that first spark of lust in someone’s mind can still linger. The title comes from Moon’s favourite film, Calamity Jane, where Howard Keel, with his rich baritone voice, stands in front of a painting of the sought-after ‘Katie’ and proclaims his love for her. Moon explains, “The title seemed fitting for a song in which the love the character feels is to be kept secret. It is a very cinematic song, as it was also inspired by the french animation ‘Azur et Asmar’. The best way I can put it, is that the tune is about chasing fairies”
The EP’s midpoint, ‘Ban on Glitter’, represents a rejection of traditionally feminine aesthetics and expectations. Originally an instrumental track, the song developed lyrically after the news of an EU-wide ban on non-biodegradable glitter inspired Moon: “I had always wanted to write a song about how, after having a hard time as a kid in ballet and with other girls in my school, I rejected all aspects of femininity. But now I feel conflicted because I should have been able to enjoy all those things when everyone else was doing it. And to me, to portray hyperfemininity now feels like doing drag, because I am not used to it. Now I take small steps to heal this part of me, and writing this song was one of them.”
Latest single ‘Laundry Mat’ is an exposure to an undesirable future, whilst the EP’s closing track, ‘Baby Turtle’, explores the departure from one’s home and family. Across the tracks, the band draw inspiration from the captivating stories and stunning imagery from mythology and folklore, using the story of the Scottish selkies (sea creatures with seal skins and women’s bodies), as the running reference that ties the EP together.
On working with Rubarb music, the band says, “Recording with Ruadhri and Elise has been nothing but a pleasure, they just understand our music. They get the simplicity of what we want to achieve, and they have captured the live feel of ‘Laundry Mat’ and ‘Higher Than A Hawk’ perfectly, as well as the character of the original demo for ‘Ban on Glitter’. Plus, we had the amazing Eoghan McGale playing violin on the first track, and the experience of having him in the studio was insane. He only had an hour-long gap available to record, and he came in, set up and laid down the whole song in thirty minutes, having only heard the song the night before.”
Fronted by Scotland-born, Spanish-raised Martina Moon (vocals/songwriting), the band also features Sarah Morgan (guitar), Ruby Levins (bass) and Zahira Ellis (drums), bringing a fresh urgency to Dublin’s indie scene.
Influenced by Britpop and 90s alt-rock icons (Elastica, Catatonia, Blur) and classic singer-songwriters (Paul Simon, Carole King, Joni Mitchell), the band have carved out a sound that blends guitar-driven hooks with unflinching lyrical honesty.
Recorded and produced by Ruadhri Cushnan (Ed Sheeran, Mumford and Sons, Snow Patrol) and Elise Mollé at Camden Studios, the EP delivers raw but polished sounds that bridge the gap between the band’s incendiary live shows and the studio.
With its blend of introspection, urgency and Britpop energy, Starfish Social Club is no quiet introduction. With brooding basslines, clockwork drums, eloquent guitar and a gripping combination of singing and spoken word elements, Martina and The Moons embody bespoke indie rock at its finest.
Starfish Social Club is released 16 January on all streaming platforms.
TRACKLISING
01 Higher Than A Hawk
02 Interlude
03 Ban On Glitter
04 Laundry Mat
05 Baby Turtle
Connect with Martina and the Moons
Dublin based five-piece Cable Boy set to release powerful third single from their debut album – ‘Something In My Head‘
If you’ve caught Cable Boy live recently, you’ll notice a trend emerge. Their loud is louder- a grit implied on prior singles ‘Purple’ and ‘Let’s Go!’ has evolved into a heavier, often more abrasive sound. Such a sound comes to the fore with ‘Something In My Head’.
Guitarist Jason counts us in- a midway reminder that for all the sleek production flair on their debut album, this is a band that’s just as forceful gathered in the studio with nothing but their instruments and a strong sense of intention.
This latest offering flows with urgency, propelled by a tight backbeat led by drummer Fionn and glossed with a dream-like, yet uncanny unison harmony between frontman Semi and bassist Liam. Synth player Corneille glides between rich harmonies and ad-libbed call and response; adding depth and energy to the lead vocals whilst gesturing to a band fundamental; the music can be at once heavy and pointed, yet playful and sardonic.
As far as lyrical intention behind the song, frontman Semi says:
“Something in my Head is about watching and absorbing life changing news everyday on every single social media app and feeling powerless to do anything but watch. The chorus is a response to the verse; ‘I can be cool just where I am, weather is cooler where I stand, keeping it cool, that’s who I am’ is a tongue in cheek comment on how we absorb these things as artists; being aware but also not really doing anything.”
Ostensibly, sonic comparisons could be made to Bloc Party, My Bloody Valentine and Sonic Youth; bands Semi acknowledges as inspiration, who are very much staples amongst band playlists. Being music fans first and foremost, Cable Boy don’t shy from gleaning influence. However, it’s clear that it manifests less as a place to settle, but rather a drive toward something cogent and unique to them.
“There is something in my head, so peaceful. There is something in my head”
About the Band
Cable Boy is a five-piece rock band based in Dublin. Formed by school friends Semilore Olusa and Liam Murray, 2019 saw the release of their dreamy debut EP, ‘Whole’.
The 2020 lockdown signified a time of change and growth for the band, spiritually and stylistically. With the addition of members Corneille Tshibasu, Jason Aikhionbare, and Fionn McLoughlin, they progressed towards a heavier, shoegaze-leaning hybrid, aptly coined: goth disco.
Cable Boy have had a busy 2025, as far as recording and live performance goes. Whilst putting the finishing touches on their soon to be calling card- a confident, powerful debut album, they have been rapidly gaining a reputation as a live band not to be missed.
With sets spanning small, sweaty dive bars and attics to Beyond the Pale, Forbidden Fruit and Vicar Street, the anticipation towards their dynamic debut is ever growing. Described by frontman Semilore as “a horror story that channels feelings of loss, desperation and the pain of denying oneself their true desires”, their recent single, Purple is inspired by films such as I Saw the TV Glow and Twin Peaks.
It received nods from premier Irish music publications, among them RTÉ and Nialler9. With leading singles, ‘Let’s Go!’ and ‘Purple’ available on streaming services (the latter accompanied by a fantastical, Hal Hartley inspired music video), they invite you in to preview the world of their long anticipated debut album- slated for a Spring 2026 release. If that’s not quite enough to quell the wait for the record, get a ticket and hear for yourself- they’ll see you in the pit.
Connect with Cable Boy
Apple Music: Cable Boy
Deezer: Cable Boy
Instagram: @cableboyband
TikTok: @cableboy8
Tolü Makay, one of Irelands most celebrated performers will grace the stage of The Oriel Centre, Dundalk Gaol on Saturday 17th January 2026 at 8.30pm. This is a rare opportunity to experience an uplifting night of music with Tolü in one of the quirkiest and most intimate venues in Ireland.
Tolü Makay is celebrated for her dynamic fusion of alternative pop and soul, delivering empowering anthems of self-discovery and growth. Known for creating unforgettable, immersive experiences, she captivates audiences with her elaborate outfits and emotionally charged storytelling.
Her journey gained international attention in 2021 when her viral cover of the Saw Doctors ‘N17’ with the RTE Concert Orchestra garnered over a million views. The performance drew acclaim from the Saw Doctors and national and international media. Graham Norton said it moved him to tears while Dara Ó Briain, Chris O’Dowd and embassies and cultural organizations worldwide have greatly praised the performance.
Other highlights of her remarkable career include performing for President Michael D. Higgins, appearing in Lewis Capaldi and Niall Horan’s Irish road-trip documentary, opening for Disclosure, Alanis Morissette and Gabrielle and gracing prestigious stages worldwide.
Prepare to be moved, inspired, and uplifted by Tolü in the Oriel Centre, Dundalk Gaol. From euphoric highs to heartfelt emotion, Tolü’s performance is an experience that will stay with you long after the final note. Tickets are €35 and are available from www.orielcentre.ie.
“…constantly confronts us with emotional honesty, pressing on bruises that feel all too familiar.” – Pitchfork
“A songwriter of real emotional depth” – Uncut
“Her vulnerability is awe-inspiring and relatable.” – Clash
“Ailbhe Reddy has what it takes to become an international sensation.” – Hot Press
Ailbhe Reddy is excited to release her new single ‘That Girl’ – the latest offering from her anticipated new album KISS BIG out on January 30 via Don Giovanni Records (pre-order). The track arrives alongside an accompanying music video directed by Greg Purcell which premiered at Under the Radar, and is available now on all streaming platforms.
On the song Reddy shares: “This is one of the record’s emotional anchors. A study in how love shifts shape over time — how we start seeing each other less tenderly, and forget what we once adored. Inspired partly by Fleishman Is in Trouble, it reflects on memory, time, and how impossible it is to stay the same person inside a long love.”
‘That Girl’ follows the album’s previously released singles ‘So Quickly, Baby’ and ‘Align’, which are available now on all digital platforms. Allsingles are taken from Reddy’s forthcoming third album KISS BIG, which she will tour in the UK and Ireland this spring (dates below). Today, Reddy has also revealed that she will play a number of in-store shows at record shops in Ireland, the UK and the US (dates below).
Recently, Ailbhe has added another string to her bow as the host of ‘Salvation Songs’ on RTÉ 2FM – a five episode series which sees Ailbhe interview fellow Irish artists such as Karla Chubb (Sprints), Moncrieff and more. The first episode aired 29 Dec 25 during The New Music Show with Beta DaSilva. Listen back.
Kiss Big unfolds as a breakup record – but not the tidy, acoustic kind. It lives in the messy middle: the disorienting period when the life you built with someone collapses, and you’re left trying to figure out who you are on your own.
Written between Dublin, London, New York and the American Midwest, Kiss Big traces the cycle of love, loss, and renewal. It’s raw and wry: the sound of coming apart and gluing yourself back together.
From the reflective calm of ‘Align’ to the self-sabotaging haze of ‘Gorgeous Thing’, and the vulnerable self-reckoning of ‘That Girl’, Reddy builds an emotional world that’s deeply personal yet quietly universal.
“It’s about the aftershock of a break up,” Reddy explains. “That liminal space where you’re equal parts sad, hopeful, terrified and probably a bit delusional.”
Building on the foundations of her previous records Endless Affair (2023) and Personal History (2020), Kiss Big signals a return to more instinctive, personal songwriting — guided by feeling rather than concept, and drawing inspiration from the artists who first shaped her musical world. Sonically, the record leans into an electronic palette while retaining an organic warmth, moving seamlessly between intimate acoustic reflection and bold, cinematic arrangements.
The Kiss Big album artwork, shot and designed by Su Müstecaplıoğlu and Sirin Tunali, mirrors the themes of intimacy and imperfection. Featuring real couples kissing — unposed, vulnerable and human — it captures the messy tenderness at the heart of the record.
AILBHE REDDY – KISS BIG – TRACK LISTING
UPCOMING LIVE DATES
30 Jan – London, UK @ Rough Trade West (In Store)
1 Feb – Dublin, IE @ Freebird Records (In Store)
7 Feb – Milltown, NJ, USA @ Revilla Music (In Store)
7 Feb – Philadelphia, PA, USA @ Main Street Music (In Store)
21 Apr – London, UK @ The Lexington (tickets)
5 May – Belfast, Northern Ireland @ The Deer’s Head (tickets)
7 May – Galway, IE @ The Roisin Dubh (tickets)
8 May – Dublin, IE @ Button Factory (tickets)
Connect with Ailbhe Reddy
Carlow based electronic heavyweight Norberto Loco teams up with Irish alt-dark pop artist MICAH for their striking new collaborative single, “Savage Daughter” set for release alongside an official music video on Fri Jan 9th 2026.
Blending MICAH’s raw, emotionally charged vocals with Norberto Loco’s cinematic electronic production, ‘Savage Daughter‘ is a bold statement of identity, resilience, and inherited strength.
A fearless fusion of emotional pop storytelling and club-scale electronic power.
Savage Daughter – Norberto Loco & Micah – Video
ABOUT THE SINGLE – SAVAGE DAUGHTER
‘Savage Daughter’ is a dark, empowering anthem that explores generational strength, survival, and self-definition. Anchored by MICAH’s commanding vocal performance and Norberto Loco’s driving, atmospheric production, the track moves effortlessly between intimacy and intensity.
The song draws on themes of ancestry, womanhood, and emotional inheritance, positioning ‘Savage Daughter’ as both a personal declaration and a communal rallying cry. The release marks the first in a series of collaborative tracks between the two artists.
An official music video accompanies the release on January 9th, 2026, expanding the song’s themes through striking visual storytelling.
THE COLLABORATION
Following the success of their initial creative sessions, MICAH and Norberto Loco have developed multiple tracks together, signalling an ongoing artistic partnership that bridges alternative pop and electronic music worlds.
This collaboration pairs MICAH’s emotionally fearless songwriting and cinematic aesthetic with Norberto Loco’s globally tested production and club credentials, creating a sound that is both emotionally resonant and built for large-scale impact.
Artist Overview – NORBERTO LOCO
Norberto Loco is an internationally recognised DJ and producer and a Guinness World Record holder for the Longest Marathon Club DJ-ing (200 hours non-stop). He has toured extensively across Europe, Asia, Australia, North America, and beyond.
He has appeared at major festivals including Tomorrowland, Ultra Festival, and Songkran Festival Thailand, and has released music on leading electronic labels such as Revealed, Smash The House, and 2Dutch.
With millions of streams worldwide and consistent DJ support, Norberto Loco brings global reach and club authority to ‘Savage Daughter‘.
Artist Overview – MICAH
MICAH is a rising Irish alt-dark pop artist known for blending cinematic soundscapes with unfiltered emotion and a fearless sense of self. Tipped as “Hot for 2025” by Hot Press Magazine, she has built strong momentum through sold-out headline shows, national radio support, and growing international attention.
Her sound draws influence from Fletcher, MUNA, Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams, Tove Lo, Evanescence, and Tate McRae, while her visuals and storytelling lean into the bold, the moody, and the magnetic.
Previous support from RTÉ 2FM, Today FM ‘Spin 1038 / Spin SW, Hot Press, GoldenPlec etc
Connect with Micah & Norberto Loco
Mend, is an upbeat song with a heartfelt message that was written for an independent film on the topic of Men’s Mental Health called, SOCIAL, which premiered in the summer of 2025. Built on guitars, bass, and steady drums that channel the energy of the early 2000’s, this indie pop song offers a hopeful chorus that reassures the listener: even without everything figured out, you’re still on the right path.
“When we first wrote the song, we had been contacted by Ciaran Hemeryck, writer and lead actor of SOCIAL. He wanted an original song for the emotional climax of the film, and shared with us a number of songs he thought would suit the scenes, then asked us to create our own original song using his references. It took us a few tries to get there but after watching some of the more emotional scenes from the film, the idea for Mend kind of just poured out. We wanted the song to convey a message of hope, how even in the darker times, there is a light to be found.”
Produced by Shauna Radford, written by Ciarán Hemeryck and directed by Sam O’Neill, Social explores a deeply vulnerable and often overlooked aspect of mental health – one where the signs may not always be immediately visible. Premiering at Louth International Film Festival, and having been selected for other festivals around the country, SOCIAL has received an incredible reception, as did the the song Mend itself. The team behind SOCIAL also held a charity screening of the film in the Lighthouse Cinema Smithfield and raised over €800 for Movember.
“The whole experience start to finish was such a privilege. We were so honoured to have been asked to contribute to a project that is built around such an important cause. We are so looking forward to releasing Mend and being able to further communicate that message of hope.”
The single was recorded at home between Donegal and Meath, with Donegal’s own Mark McGirr playing drums on the track. Cara and Mark McGirr had played together in a number of projects in college, and Cara and Ruth were delighted to have such a talented musician lend their craft to the song. The song was then mixed and mastered by the wonderful Beardfire Studios in Dublin. A brilliant studio which has worked with Cara and Ruth on all their previous releases such as Wherever You Go and Close To You.
The Hopeful Kind are set for their busiest year yet. Mend, is only the beginning. The duo plan to release a number of singles this year, exploring both their upbeat full bodied indie pop sound, along with some softer songs that showcase their storytelling and lyricism abilities.
The single is set to be released on Friday, 9th January. And can be streamed everywhere online.
Limerick-born, New-Jersey based roots artist Helen O’Shea will release new single ‘Lost’ on January 9th 2026, honouring Dolores O’Riordan (The Cranberries) on her 8th anniversary of passing on January 15th.
The release follows latest single ‘Caged Birds’, honouring Sinéad O’Connor, which featured acclaimed artist and songwriter Liam O’Maonlaí of Hothouse Flowers. ‘Caged Birds’ earned extensive praise across Irish and international media, including addition to the RTÉ Radio 1 Recommends List for two consecutive weeks.
‘Lost’, releasing January 9th 2026, is the fifth song to be released in advance of the 12-track album ‘Songs In The Key of O’ (out May 1st 2026) which pays tribute to Sinead O’Connor and Dolores O’Riordan. The album is already receiving acclaim in the US, the UK and Ireland with Hot Press noting O’Shea’s work as, “a stunning tribute.”
A star who burned brightly for a tragically short time, Dolores O’Riordan brought much beauty to the hometown she shared with O’Shea, through her singing and her songwriting, representing their home county of Limerick, Ireland with pride before her tragic passing in 2018.
On the origin of O’Riordan’s deep influence on her, O’Shea recalls an impactful experience during her medical school days, when her brother, a student at what was then NIHE (now University Of Limerick), came home with a mixtape that included The Cranberries‘ renowned single, ‘Linger’. The stunning voice of Dolores left a lasting impact on O’Shea – another Limerick girl.
Dolores was living the singing dream that O’Shea longed for, and with a voice unlike any other. When O’Shea was blessed to begin her singing journey much later in life, she carried with her the influences of all the girl singers she loved, but most of all, her two countrywomen, Sinéad O’Connor and Dolores O’Riordan, with whom culturally she shares so much more with than just a love of song.
O’Shea had researched Dolores O’Riordan’s vast catalog, selecting three songs that most resonated with her for her upcoming album, ‘Song in the Key of O’ (Out May 1st 2026) . The third of these three songs, ‘Lost’, is taken from The Cranberries’ 1990 album ‘In The End’.
One of O’Shea’s personal favorites, the poignancy and depth of feeling conveyed by the band evokes the true reality of being completely ‘lost’, without any sign of hope. O’Shea’s producer, GRAMMY award winner Marc Swersky, heard the song more as a troubled conversation and less as a melodic song, so in the studio he gently pushed O’Shea out of her comfort zone to achieve that heartfelt conversation with herself.
Swersky explains that he “felt the spirit of Leonard Cohen make his way into this song in the studio, as the musicians fell into line with ease”, creating a message of profound loss, as expressed by O’Riordan in what is one of her final recordings with The Cranberries.
Album ‘Songs in the Key of O’ (for release on May 1st 2026) features a talented list of collaborators, including Nathan Bishop, Nicole Scorsone, Brielle Brown, Michelle Moore (Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – E Street Choir), Fiona Tyndall, Lauren O’Shea, Liam O’Maonlaí, James Maddock, The Carlile Family Band and more, with the LP engineered by Jack Daley (Spin Doctors), mixed by Seth Von Paulus (Linda Perry) and mastered by Leon Zervos.
Announcing the album Songs In The Key of O in July with a special Jersey-girls cover of Sinéad O’Connor’s ‘Dense Water Deep Down’, O’Shea earned strong international support from Hot Press, Front View Magazine, Vents Magazine and more, launching the highly collaborative LP with flair. Succeeding this was August single ‘Rock and Roll Angel (feat. Barry Murphy)’, a delicate original track penned with two-time GRAMMY award winning producer Marc Swersky, in honour of O’Riordan, which was soon followed by ‘Caged Birds’, honouring Sinéad O’Connor on her 59th Birthday.
ABOUT HELEN O’SHEA
With the heart of a healer and the grace of grit, Ireland-born, New Jersey-based artist Helen O’Shea is trailblazing a path of hope and possibility, sharing her unguarded story so that others may step fully into their power.
Helen’s journey from medicine to motherhood to music embodies resilience, reinvention, and the power of learning to heal. Blending Americana and Celtic influences into her signature sound, which she calls AmeriCeltiCana, her music and message resonate deeply with women and mothers rediscovering themselves later in life.
Through Helen’s metamorphosis, she holds fiercely to her personal mantra, Turning Tides Make Sturdy Souls, reflecting her belief that life’s challenges—both joyful and painful—are what shape us. Embracing transformation takes courage, and through her music, Helen extends a hand, reminding us that we don’t have to take the first step alone.
Before entering the music world, Helen dedicated years to a distinguished medical career as an obstetrician/gynecologist. She attended medical school at the University College Galway (UCG) Ireland, where she met her husband, Paul O’Shea, PhD.
She then spent a number of years as an Assistant Professor in Medical Research and Medical School Teaching at the prestigious McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where she became a leader in perinatal research and medical education. She created Healing in Medicine, a groundbreaking course that taught medical students, residents, and physicians how to handle the complexities of caring for vulnerable patients and their families.
Even as a doctor, Helen’s deepest calling was to be a healer—not just of the body, but of the human spirit. She has been a guiding light for many while quietly navigating her own struggles behind the scenes.
Her return to the US in 2011, where she had lived briefly in the 90s, was rough on her children and coincided with their request that she stop working in medicine and stay home with them after school—an idea which surprised Helen, but which she and her husband fully supported. She explains: “Two days into my new life, without my lifelong identity as Dr. Helen McNamara, I began to settle into life as housewife Helen O’Shea, with great difficulty. It was then that my husband said “You’ve always wanted to sing – this is your chance.”
Helen rediscovered her life-long passion for music, quickly becoming a dynamic force in the independent music scene, collaborating with two-time Grammy winner Marc Swersky (Joe Cocker, Natalie Cole), winning Best Americana Song for “Sturdy Soul” at the Global Music Awards, and earning nominations for the 2024 Josie Awards and the International Singer-Songwriter Award for Best Duo with Alexander Simone for their collaboration on “Holy Mother”.
SONG CREDITS:
Writer: Dolores O’Riordan
Producer: Marc Swersky
Vocals: Helen O’Shea
BGVs: Brielle Brown, Michelle Moore, Lauren O’Shea, Andrew Robinson aka Brother Andrew, Rob Clores
Acoustic & Bass Guitars: Marc Swersky
Electric Guitars: Andrew Carillo
Piano/Keys/Accordion: Rob Clores
Drums/Percussion: Aaron Comess
Strings: Nathan Bishop & Nicole Scorsone
Engineer: Jack Daley
Mixing: Seth Von Paulus
Mastering: Leon Zervos
ABOUT “SONGS IN THE KEY OF O”
“…a stunning tribute…” – Hot Press
The story behind Songs In The Key Of O is a simple one. It is a love letter to two of Helen O’Shea’s biggest influences in music and in life: Sinéad O’Connor and Dolores O’Riordan. Helen grew up in Limerick, Ireland, loving everything about songs and singing, and she longed to make her life all about the beauty of song.
However, her darling father had other ideas for his precious oldest daughter, so off Helen went to medical school, closing the door on a singing career firmly behind her. Cut to many years later when Helen’s father was tragically killed in a car accident, Helen immediately felt him guiding her back to singing from beyond the grave. Now, she is releasing her third full album “Songs In The Key Of O” – a loving tribute to Sinéad O’Connor and Dolores O’Riordan.
While Helen was in medical school, she had two unforgettable experiences with these two iconic Irish singers that impacted her to this day. The first was Sinéad O’Connor’s unforgettable debut on the Irish Late Late Show, when she exploded on the screen with a crew cut and a tank top scream-singing “Mandinka”. Helen, along with most of Ireland’s young girls, were transfixed by this new vision of Irish womanhood – gentleness and anger, ferocity and determination – with a beautiful voice. Sinéad simply encouraged everyone to be true to themselves.
The second of Helen’s impactful experiences during her medical school days, was when her brother, Steve, a student at what was then NIHE (now University Of Limerick), came home with a mixtape that included the song “Linger”. The stunning voice of Dolores O’Riordan left a lasting impact on Helen – another Limerick girl like herself. Dolores was living the singing dream that Helen longed for, and with a voice unlike any other. When Helen was blessed to begin her singing journey much later in life, she carried with her the influences of all the girl singers she loved, but most of all, her two countrywomen, Sinéad and Dolores, with whom culturally she shares so much more with than just a love of song.
HELEN O’SHEA SOCIALS:
Revered Irish Singer songwriter, Oliver Cole, re-releases his single ‘Please Let It Go’. The duet features country Blues singer, Leila Jane guesting on vocal duties alongside Oliver. Taken from his recently released fourth solo album, ‘Wingspan’, which received great reviews on release including a 5-star review in The Irish Times by esteemed writer, Tony Clayton-Lea. Available on all streaming platforms now.
‘Wingspan’ follows on from his highly acclaimed 2020 album ‘Father, Brother, Son’, which was named RTE Album of the Week, Newstalk Album of the Week, and Irish Times Album of the Week, Cole delivers another immersive musical journey. He describes Wingspan as less direct than his other albums, more of a stream of consciousness approach.
All songs for Wingspan were recorded and produced by Oliver in his own studio, The Cole Shed, and mixed by long-time collaborator, Ciaran Bradshaw. With musical help from long-term friends and collaborators Gav Fox (Turn, Idlewild, Sack), Graham Hopkins (The Frames, Glen Hansard, Therapy, Dolores O’Riordan), Jason Oglesby, and Leila Keeney.
TOUR DATES
Oliver Cole will be playing some live shows in support of Wingspan in 2026, starting with the wonderful Nighthawks at The United Arts Club on Saturday, February, 14th and an appearance at The Dun Laoghaire Summer Fest at Walters, on Sunday, July 12th. Tickets for both shows are on sale now.
BIOGRAPHY
Having had some success with his first band Swampshack, Oliver Cole formed the three-piece rock band, Turn. Oliver was Turn’s singer, songwriter and main guitarist, and they soon signed to Infectious Records in London, which was home to Muse, Ash and Garbage, among others. Turn enjoyed great success and popularity, playing sell-out gigs at Vicar Street and a packed to the gills standout performance at the Oxegen festival in 2005.
They released three Irish Top 10 albums, ‘Antisocial’ (2000), ‘Forward’ (2003), and ‘Turn’ (2005) and were nominated for Ireland’s coveted Choice Music Award. Cole left the band in 2006 to begin work on his first solo album, ‘We Albatri’, which was recorded in Germany. Upon its release in 2010, The Irish Times gave the album 5 out of 5 and made it their album of the month.
Oliver continued to progress his career as both a songwriter and solo artist, on ‘Year of The Bird’ which was released to huge critical acclaim in 2015.
‘Father Brother, Son’, Cole’s third album was released in 2020. Unearthing themes of life and loss, birth and death, it explored the path from grief to recovery, following the passing of his mother and brother, in what we have and what we leave behind.
LIVE DATES
February 14th – Nighthawks at the United Arts Club, Dublin
July 12th – Walter’s, Dun Laoghaire Summer Fest, Co. Dublin
Dark folk trio Saltaire have released their new single, ‘Slip Jigs & Jenny’s’, with the announcement of their highly anticipated debut EP, Only Moonlight, out on February 27th.
Saltaire will showcase at Your Roots Are Showing on Wednesday, January 14th at 11:30pm, and Tradfest Culture Ireland on Friday, the 23rd of January at 2:45pm.
Following their haunting debut original single ‘The Axe’, which earned RTÉ Radio 1 Recommends inclusion, and their compelling rendition of ‘Matty Groves’, new single ‘Slip Jigs & Jenny’s’ continues to frame Saltaire’s ascent as compelling new players in the contemporary Irish folk and trad scene.
With ‘The Axe’ and ‘Matty Groves’ introducing Saltaire as songwriters and folk collectors, ‘Slip Jigs & Jenny’s’ establishes the traditional instrumental dimension of what Saltaire has to offer. The track introduces Kaitlin Cullen-Verhauz’s cello not only as an atmospheric and textural foundation to the Saltaire sound, but as a leading melody player in its own right. The entrance of other instruments taking over the melody (flute by Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, banjo by Ryan McAuley, piano by Catherine McHugh) atop a powerful and lush accompaniment foundation by Ian Kinsella and Conor Lyons on guitar/bouzouki/bodhran, opens up a mesmeric and multi-dimensional space for harmony and countermelody amongst all the players.
This set of tunes was developed in a patchwork fashion; Cullen-Verhauz, Kinsella and McAuley were performing together representing Ireland at the World Expo in Dubai in 2021, and the first two slip jigs (‘Fig For A Kiss’ and ‘The Foxhunter’) frequented their set list. These were also some of the first tunes that Cullen-Verhauz learned on the cello, and upon returning to Ireland, she brought them with her to gigs with Lyons and Ó’Ceannabháin, who built upon the set with with the third slipjig (‘Elizabeth Kelly’s Delight’). Lastly, concluding tune ‘Jenny’s Chickens’ resulted in the band beginning to refer to the set in sessions as ‘the slip jigs & jenny’s’.
Self-dubbed ‘a band of backers’, Saltaire’s music is a collective experience, expanding outward via close friendships with some of Ireland’s most talented musicians in the folk and Irish traditional space. Frequent collaborators Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Ryan McAuley and Catherine McHugh bring nuance and freshness to Saltaire’s carefully selected renditions and originals, steeped in tradition and moreover incredibly inventive.
On the collaborative nature that defines Saltaire, Cullen-Verhauz says, “As a cellist, new to the tradition and a bit of a blow-in, I’ve been really fortunate to have the support and encouragement of my closest friends, who also happen to be some of the most exciting talents in contemporary Irish music. Over the last nearly ten years living in Ireland, every friend in traditional music that has included me in a session, invited me to join them on stage or in the studio, or even shared some of their own favourite tracks and tunes from the archive to absorb and learn, has made an indelible impact on my life as a musician.
She continues, “I am so grateful to continue to be welcomed into the fold and educated by my friends. Playing with this particular group of heads feels like a particularly appropriate love/thank you letter to a greater community that has given me so much. Having the track open with the cello leading the melody is pretty nerve-wracking and vulnerable, but exciting nonetheless as I don’t know how many if any recordings exist with a cello melody line backed by the bouzouki.
The arrangement came together rather organically as each instrument layers, weaving over and under one another, building momentum that ebbs and flows from start to finish. We did some fine tuning in the studio, but most of the arrangement decisions happened instinctively playing the set over time. It’s great when a set marinates gradually, on and off stage, from the pub to the green room to the sitting room, and everywhere else in between”.
Taken from their highly anticipated debut EP Only Moonlight, ‘Slip Jigs & Jenny’s’ reflects Saltaire’s deep-rooted trad sensibilities, shaped by attentive, intricate arrangements and finely honed musicianship.
ABOUT SALTAIRE
Saltaire brings together three distinct musical voices, shaped by years of performing in acclaimed Irish traditional and folk bands and as sought-after session musicians. Comprised of singer/cellist Kaitlin Cullen-Verhauz, guitarist Ian Kinsella and bodhrán/bouzouki player Conor Lyons, Saltaire creates a rich tapestry of sound, fusing Irish and American folk and trad styles.
Kaitlin, a performer with 2025 RTÉ Folk Award winners Natalie Ní Chasaide & Iarfhlaith Ó Domhnaill, has also played with the esteemed Frankie Gavin & De Dannan band alongside fellow Saltaire member Ian Kinsella. Conor Lyons, founding member of The Bonny Men, performs with both Cullen-Verhauz and Kinsella in Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin’s live band, with all members featuring on his debut solo album The Deepest Breath (awarded 4 stars by The Irish Times).
Their combined experience fueling a bold and dynamic sound, the band weave haunting, ethereal folk styles with rich storytelling to create original songs and reimagined folk ballads and traditional tunes. With the deep resonance of cello, the rhythmic pulse of bodhrán, and the melodic interplay of guitar and bouzouki, they craft a fresh yet dense folk sound that feels both timeless and nostalgic.
They have played to packed audiences in venues such as Whelan’s, The Duncairn, The Cobblestone and the Button Factory. Gracing the main stages of Vantastival, Wild Roots, Féile Binn Éadair, and the St. Patrick’s Day Festival Quarter at Collins Barracks, the trio have also showcased at Your Roots Are Showing – Ireland’s Folk Conference, Hooks&Reels events and World Unplugged concerts, which included a support slot for David Kitt in March 2023.
SINGLE CREDITS:
Kaitlin Cullen-Verhauz: Cello
Ian Kinsella: Guitar
Conor Lyons: Bodhran, bouzouki
Ryan McAuley: Banjo
Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin: Flute
Catherine McHugh: Piano
Alex Browick: Co-producer & engineer (Black Mountain Recording Studios)
Seán Mac Erlaine: Mastering engineer
Cover art: Rachel Kenny
Photography: Mollie McKay
ONLY MOONLIGHT EP TRACKLISTING
01 Aldborough Parade
02 Matty Groves
03 Slip Jigs & Jenny’s
04 Lungs
05 The Axe
Connect with Saltaire
“Open Those Gates – 50 Years On: A Night of Truth, Justice and Solidarity”
Vicar Street, Dublin – Sunday, 29 March 2026 @ 8pm sharp.
Tickets – Sallins Inquiry Now Benefit
Line-Up Includes:
Damien Dempsey
Kíla
John Spillane & Pauline Scanlon
Theo Dorgan, Paula Meehan & Colm Mac Con Iomaire
Gene Kerrigan, Peter Murtagh, Justine McCarthy, Patsy McGarry
Osgur Breatnach & Nicky Kelly
Half a century after one of Ireland’s darkest miscarriages of justice, artists, journalists, lawyers, and human rights defenders will come together for a night of remembrance, resistance, and renewal. “Open Those Gates – 50 Years On” marks fifty years since the Sallins Mail-Train Frame-Up Case, a moment that exposed the fault lines in Ireland’s justice system — and the long shadow of silence that followed.
A Case That Shook the Republic
In 1976, over 40 people were arrested in connection with the so-called Sallins Mail Train Robbery. Several were beaten, tortured, and forced to sign false confessions. Three innocent men — Osgur Breatnach, Brian McNally, and Nicky Kelly — were convicted by the non-jury Special Criminal Court and sentenced to years of hard labour. Despite overwhelming evidence of brutality and injustice, the State has never issued an apology, never held an inquiry, and never explained how three men were imprisoned on coerced statements alone.
Their story is Ireland’s own Birmingham Six — but unlike the UK, we have yet to face it.
Human Rights Lawyer Alastair Logan who acted in the cases of the ‘Guildford Four’ and ‘Maguire Seven’ become aware of the Sallins Mail-Train Frame-Up Case, a case he regarded of equal magnitude and importance.
“I was struck by similarities between how my Clients in the ‘Guildford Four’ and ‘Maguire Seven’ Cases – and of course ‘Birmingham Six’ – were stitched-up just like in the Sallins Case:- all were arrested in the mid 1970s, all were assaulted in police custody, some were forced to incriminate themselves for crimes they did not commit and all received lengthy prison sentences”.
Supreme Court Justice Adrian Hardiman warned in 2007 when comparing the Sallins Case to those English miscarriage of justice cases:
“We have never, as a country or as a community, internalized the lessons of that event.”
Because until Ireland faces its own ghosts — they will continue to haunt us.
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” – James Baldwin [American writer and civil rights activist].