Author: Zoé Piater

In our new episode of the IMRO Podcast, we have a live recording from the inaugural IMRO 360 Series – a new annual event discussing issues and topics of importance […]

The post IMRO 360 Series: AI, Copyright and The Future of Music – New Episode of the IMRO Podcast appeared first on IMRO.

Chilean-born, Dublin-based artist-producer Vaticanjail releases new single ‘MIEL’ on June 27th, inviting her audience to enter a world of whimsical motion through the reflective narrative of a coming of age story. ‘MIEL’ blends alternative electronic, reggaeton, and alternative latin, where playful arrangements, sampling absurdism, and sweet, layered vocals play a key role in sculpting a space where listeners can enter a new dimension.

Inspired by the tale of a third-culture soul, one split between geographical spaces that yet always comes back to the feeling of longing for belonging, Vaticanjail creates a mesmeric track that shrouds the psyche in a captivating atmosphere through absurdism, depicting the realisation: that home is wherever your memories are. Soft, reggaeton rhythmic elements, salsa sampling, and verses in spanish, aim to illustrate the Chilean heritage of Vaticanjail, while the electronic fusion and BPM acceleration over lush chord progressions and lyrics in English, aim to amplify ties Vaticanjail holds for the second culture she shares in Ireland. Whilst most of the stylistic traits chosen for the arrangement and instrumentation depict the latin footprint in the song, the narrative is inspired by Sean-nós storytelling, portray a clue to Irish recognition, incorporating anecdotes from the artist’s life encapsulated in a playful timeline dating all the way back to adolescence to young adulthood.

Speaking on the single she says ‘Having moved to Ireland at 14 years old from Chile, I feel as if the bones of my story are a misty memory of South America, whilst the flesh is all Ireland, and Dublin specifically; my love for both makes up the soul of the context I grew up in. I wanted to depict the inner fight that we undergo as immigrant children to locate our voice, given that that journey took years to find comfort in, I wanted to tell the story of everything that happened in the course of finding my identity, all the friends I made, the heartbreak, the life lessons;Sean Nós narrative and storytelling made perfect sense to be the vehicle for the message, yet the atmosphere I aimed to create was driven by latin style and rhythms.’

Inspired by the music of Nathy Peluso, Rosalia and Hozier, this track was written as a love letter to Chile and Ireland, and for all the people with a heart that has learned to love more than one city and call more than one place home.

Vaticanjail is currently working on her debut EP to be released later in 2025 and you can find her at Feile Na Greine, Limerick on August 16th; Live Art Ireland in North Tipperary on August 8th; and Clash at the Quays II: LokoMania at the Complex Dublin on September 6th.

DUBLIN, 24th June – ‘I Love You Dublin (But You’re Dying)’ is a new track, an evocative mix of jubilant indie rock and socially-conscious lyrics, addresses the uncertain future of Dublin’s iconic live music venues, which have been hit hard in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the song’s powerful title, Airoldi blends raw emotion with an urgent plea to save the heart and soul of Dublin’s cultural identity – its music scene. As venues continue to close their doors due to the economic and logistical challenges post-pandemic, ‘I Love You Dublin (But You’re Dying)’ stands as both a tribute to the city’s vibrant history and a sobering commentary on the current crisis facing the Irish music community.

Produced at home with a raw and gritty energy, the track’s chiming guitars, pounding drums, and Airoldi’s impassioned vocals reflect the urgency of the message. Lyrically, ‘I Love You Dublin (But You’re Dying)’ paints a stark picture of a city struggling to maintain its creative spirit in the face of overwhelming challenges, while also celebrating the resilience of those who continue to fight for its survival.

Cian Airoldi is an emerging Dublin-based indie rock artist whose music blends introspective lyrics with powerful guitar-driven soundscapes. Drawing inspiration from both the city’s musical history and his own experiences, Airoldi’s music speaks to the struggles, triumphs, and complexities of contemporary life. This new single follows his critically acclaimed releases and signals a shift toward more socially conscious and reflective songwriting.

“I wanted to capture the feeling of loss, frustration, and uncertainty that many of us have experienced in Dublin in the past few years,” says Airoldi. “It’s not just about the venues closing – it’s about the entire landscape changing, the heart of the city starting to fade, and all the little moments of connection that music gives us slipping away. The song is a love letter to Dublin, but it’s also a warning. We need to protect what makes this city unique.”

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/cianairoldi
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cianairoldi

“Those in power write the history, while those who suffer write the songs.” – Frank Harte

“Epic, yet intimate. A song lovers delight.” – Irish Times

This 27th of June brings the 20th anniversary of the passing of the highly respected and immensely prolific and beloved song collector and folk singer Frank Harte. “When Adam Was In Paradise” is a collection of Frank’s work curated by his daughter Orla, one of his four children, and engineered by his long-time collaborator Dónal Lunny. His often emulated distinctive style is showcased across a range of timeless including “A Spailpín, A Rúin”, “I Am Stretched On Your Grave”, “Easy and Slow and many more.

The sleeve notes were compiled and presented by his daughter, Orla Harte.

Frank Harte was dedicated to collecting and recording Irish traditional songs, focusing on songs that represented the “unofficial” accounts of history and experiences. He recorded eight albums in his lifetime, with later albums focusing on specific themes in Irish history. He always included extensive sleeve notes to provide context to the songs.

Before his death, Frank planned to create an album of love songs. Although he only compiled a list of songs, a concert he gave on the theme of traditional love songs was recorded and many of those songs are included on this album. His daughter, Orla Harte gathered recordings of Frank singing love songs from various sources, and compiled his lecture notes to provide context for the songs.

Frank shows us the significance of love as a theme in traditional songs, covering various forms of love, including marriage, courtship, seduction, betrayal, and murder. He highlights the difference between songs written for commercial gain and traditional songs that tell a story of real or imagined romantic occurrences.

Frank Harte said about: “When Adam was in Paradise”:

“What you have heard is a personal selection of love songs and I have left out as many more songs that I would have liked to have sung, but perhaps they may arouse an interest in you to look for, or listen more intently to, the love songs of the Irish. It’s always a pleasure to sing these kinds of songs where there is an audience who wants to listen to the stories that they have to tell.”

Orla Harte(Frank’s daughter) says:

“I hope that the album will help keep Frank Harte’s voice and the tradition of Irish song alive.”

The album includes the lyrics and background for 12 songs:

1. Donal Og
2. Adam In Paradise
3. As I Roved Out
4. I Am Stretched On Your Grave
5. Sile Ni Iyre
6. Spanish Lady
7. Spailpín A Rún
8. The Brown and Yellow Ale
9. The Lover’s Ghost
10. The Bonny Blue Eyed Lassie
11. Red Roses For Me
12. The Lambeg Drummer

When Adam Was In Paradise | 27 June 2025

Pre-Order: http://lnk.fuga.com/whenadam

“neat spookiness with beautifully arranged melodies” – The Irish Times

“an otherworldly offering from the outset” – Hot Press

“…beautifully showcases Lōwli’s ability to transport listeners to another realm” – Get In Her Ears

Irish composer Lōwli prepares to release her new single Woven, out on 2nd July 2025 via Veta Records. Intricate piano melodies create a delicately driven piano-solo offering, akin to the likes of Nils Frahm & Hania Rani.

Talking about the single, Lōwli elaborates:

“Woven acts as a sort of turning point within the record; it’s brighter in comparison to previous tracks, and this represents a change of mood. For me, this piece is all about connection and is inspired by the natural world and seasonal change. I wanted to evoke that hopeful feeling we experience when the longer, lighter days of spring and summer return once again; representing those moments in our lives when we feel things are changing for the better.

I also felt strongly about showcasing the natural character of the acoustic piano. Recorded on a 1920’s Forster upright piano, we used felt on the piano strings, as well as embracing the many mechanical sounds from the instrument, which have now become an important part of the piece.”

Lōwli is the solo project of Roisin Lowry. Lōwli has performed on stages at Other Voices, Galway International Arts Festival, Sounds from a Safe Harbour, and Piano Day Dublin, to name a few. In 2023, she performed a sold out headline show in Dublin’s Smock Alley Theatre.

Lōwli has previously received praise from the likes of The Irish Times and Hot Press, and her music has also been selected for several Spotify editorial playlists. Lōwli’s single ‘Worlds Above Us’ was chosen to soundtrack Tourism Ireland‘s 2025 global campaign ‘Ireland Unrushed’. Her music has also been played on RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ 2FM, BBC Radio and more, as well as being featured on the RTÉ Radio 1 Recommends List.

Lōwli has recently written and recorded her debut album, which is due for release later this year.

Lōwli’s single Woven is out on 2nd July 2025 via Veta Records.

Dublin-based indie pop artist Lex Bucha is set to release his debut EP, Painless Mode, on July 2nd, a vulnerable, genre-blending body of work that lays bare the emotional highs and lows of navigating anxiety, fractured relationships, and the search for peace.

Emerging as a bold new voice in Irish pop, Lex uses Painless Mode to put words and sound to moments he’s previously kept silent; panic attacks, breakdowns, and the emotional fallout of a complicated relationship with a parent. The result is a collection of five tracks that are both deeply personal and sonically diverse, drawing from influences like HONNE, Troye Sivan and Hurts.

“I’ve lived through these things, but I rarely spoke about them,” says Lex. “Painless Mode is me finally putting my fears and pain into words and music. I hope that by sharing my truth, others won’t feel so alone in theirs.”

The EP’s focus track, Back & Forth, releases alongside the project. Produced by Jameson (James Sayer), the song is an upbeat, raw depiction of anxiety attacks – with bright, danceable beats and lyrics that cut straight to the heart. “I love how the song combines uplifting, happy beats with lyrics that reveal the melancholy beneath,” Lex explains. “It’s my way of sharing what anxiety feels like while still keeping the energy hopeful and relatable.”

The production throughout Painless Mode is equally eclectic and intimate, shaped by a team of collaborators including Alex Yardley, Marek Deml, Jameson, Cian O’Donoghue, and whenthebeatisbad (Jessica Richardson). From chilled pop textures to euphoric synths and melancholic grooves, Lex’s debut EP doesn’t settle into one space — instead, it mirrors the emotional unpredictability that inspired it.

Lex Bucha’s music has already earned spins on BBC Introducing, TodayFM, and SPIN, and with Painless Mode, he offers something more – a quiet but powerful statement of identity and resilience.

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Ciara Fox is an Irish Folk singer from Greencastle, Co. Tyrone. Finding her voice at a young age, Ciara’s dedication to her craft has been matched only by her drive to improve and evolve musically. With strong roots in Irish traditional singing, Ciara’s assured delivery, beautifully controlled ornamentation, and innate ability to form an emotional connection between song and listener saw her win an All-Ireland Fleadh medal for singing in 2010.

Ciara has also toured Ireland and the UK along with Comhaltas on their ‘Comhaltas Tour’. In 2023 and 2024, she travelled to the USA, performing all over the country. She also sailed the Caribbean in 2024 and showcased her voice on Andy Cooney’s, ‘Cruise of Irish Stars’.

It was on that cruise she met Irish American musician James Kelly who co-wrote the new single.  James felt it was perfect for Ciara and recalls ‘My grandparents left Ireland in their teens to come to America with only a few dollars in their pockets and either an accordion or concertina in hand. I told Carl Corcoran that I wanted to write a song about their sacrifice and about how scary it must have been to leave everyone and everything they knew. We wrote this in his kitchen in Dublin and it is one of my proudest songs.’

Ciara released her first album ‘From The Hearthstone’ in 2021 and since then 6 singles. This latest single, Atlantic Sky (Corcoran/Kelly) produced by Omagh based Matt McGlinn is accompanied by a beautiful music video.

Visit the website https://www.ciarafox.com

“Her vocals are so raw and so edgy, ARLENE’S done it, she really has!” – Gemma Bradley – BBC RADIO ATL

“I just hear this energy bursting out from the entrance of the tent (of Night & Day Festival) and I was drawn over to an artist by the name of ARLENE, who has a real unique sound!” – Josh Crosbie – Newstalk FM

Hailing from Roscommon, ARLENE is a rising singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist making waves in the Irish music scene. Her sound is a distinctive blend of indie-pop and alt-rock, fused with experimental beats that push genre boundaries.

ARLENE gained national and international recognition in 2020 with her breakout single Send Me Any Sign, earning a spot as one of BBC Radio Introducing’s Top 5 Artists of the Week. Her follow-up track somebody else solidified her momentum, making her Artist of the Month across several Irish radio stations including Cork’s 96FM, Q102, LMFM, and Limerick’s Live 95.

After taking a step back to write and refine her craft, ARLENE returned in 2024 with Longshot — a bold new release already garnering radio support in the UK and Canada.

With performances at major Irish venues like Whelan’s, The Workman’s Club, and The Sound House, and festival appearances at Night & Day, K-Fest, TNBT, and Whelan’s Ones to Watch, ARLENE has built a reputation for electrifying live shows and genre-defying sets.

Unapologetically bold and creatively fearless, ARLENE is one of Ireland’s most compelling new voices — and she’s just getting started.

‘Racing Minds’ unpacks the toll of being stuck in cycles of overthinking, emotional betrayal, and growing disconnection. It opens with a stark existential question — “Does it matter what colour the sky is?” — immediately placing listeners inside the mind of someone who’s navigating a world that feels increasingly unsteady and detached. However, ARLENE’s raw edgy vocals along with hybrid electronic beats, melodic hooklines and layered synths only encourage listeners to dance or sing along to it.

‘Racing Minds’ is a slow-burning, genre-defying anthem – a raw confession wrapped in sound, made for late-night reflection, heartbreak recovery, and anyone confronting the chaos within, while still keeping a positive outlook.

“I wrote ‘Racing Minds’ some time ago now, and somehow I still find myself relating to it everyday. I kept it under wraps for as long as possible, because I was anxious to let everyone into my little world of thoughts and feelings by releasing it. I just hope people can connect emotionally with it the way I do.”

Produced by Stu Gray of Jealoustown Studios & mastered by Billy Farrell. 

All Links To Arlene’s Socials FOUND HERE

Von Venn, the Irish indie rock outfit helmed by Gary Cox, has released ‘Ghost,’ perhaps their most compelling record to date. – Music For The Misfits

Constant Girl’ is, without a doubt, one of the most appealing indie-rock jewels released recently. – The Musical Hype

Von Venn is the main project of songwriter and instrumentalist Gary Cox.

Von Venn are
Gary Cox: Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Synths.
Terry Doyle: Keyboards, Synths, Vocals
Ciara Henry: Vocals
Mark Wogan: Drums

The musicians for the Von Venn project were gathered together by Gary Cox in 2022 to perform a collection of his songs written and recorded in demo form during Covid.

The band fleshed out the tracks at Soundcaster Studios, Dublin, Ireland.

The resulting album, Jeanie is Out was met with critical success with the likes of Hot Press, The Thin Air, RTE 2XM, iRadio, Cobra Promotions, Near FM and produced the standout singles Ghost, and Constant Girl.

Von Venn have now returned with their album Forgetting the Fall. The album is a new collection of songs full of harmony and melodic hooks. The songs that take us on a journey from the innocence of youth through cynicism, hidden agendas and ulterior motives and finally to hope and redemption. The songs for the album were written during 2024 and were again recorded and produced in Soundcaster Studios, Dublin, Ireland. The album draws on influences from past indie and alternative greats while still creating a unique distinctive style and sound.

“I think that’s the events of the last couple of years have led to a general loss of innocence with respect to world events and the bending of value systems to suit narratives. We live in a world where might equals right.

I reflected upon my own experience from the naïvety of youth (full of confidence that people would always do the right thing and people were true to their word). The experience of life both personally and with respect to world events taught me differently.  The challenge is to be realistic but not cynical about how people operate. 

If I look at the tracks in the album Forgetting the Fall the tracks follow that arc, from the innocence of Still Falling through to the realism of Mainstream and Can Talk to Me, to the call for action of Be Free. 

Forgetting the Fall is about waking up, and  approaching the world with a healthy realism”

Terry Doyle recorded and produced the album. Terry also doubled as the keyboardist for Von Venn.

Gary’s influences are wide ranging and vary from past songwriting greats such as John Lennon, John Martyn and David Bowie, Steely Dan through to indie/alternative artists such as Television, Jeff Buckley, Joan as Policewoman, Wilco,  Queens of the Stone Age, Radiohead through to artists like Melodys Echo Chamber, Phoenix, and Cannons.

All of these sensibilities inform the songwriting, resulting in indie/alternative songs that have a strong melodic and lyrical core while still sounding fresh.

“You Can Talk to Me” is the first single from the upcoming latest Von Venn album “Forgetting the Fall”.

Ther track revolves around a grinding guitar riff backed by driving drums and bass.

A game of ulterior motives unfolds in a tale of two lost souls engaging in a dance of misdirection and subtle seduction.

They try to convince themselves and each other as to the purity of their intentions as they weave a narrative that excuses their actions. “we’re just killing time” The night unfolds leading to its inevitable conclusion.

“I have always been fascinated by what drives us as human beings, the complexity of our emotions, the multiple layers that we are capable of operating at….our ability to hide and even deceive ourselves as to our true intentions. I think these elements become even more interesting when taken in the context of sexual tension between a couple. They engage in game of desire and denial. This becomes even more apparent when the relationship is considered conventionally frowned upon, eg an affair, or inappropriate work relationship.

I introduced a double negative to the chorus to emphasise that at a deeper level the protagonists know that they are engaged in something inappropriate.” – Gary on the track

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Donegal’s cinematic folk band return with a haunting meditation on sleeplessness.

Donegal-based cinematic folk outfit Charles James & The Rise release their brand new single, “Wide Awake” June 19th, a darkly atmospheric track exploring the quiet torment of insomnia and are also proud to announce the release of their long-awaited self titled debut album, arriving September 2025. With their signature blend of haunting folk melodies and choral textures, the band once again delivers a deeply cinematic soundscape — this time turning their lens inward, capturing the surreal and restless experience of lying awake through the long hours of the night.

“Wide Awake” is described by frontman Charles James as “a song about the space we inhabit between wake and sleep and the inability to actually get to sleep. A fever dream made worse by the urgency and restlessness we experience during bouts of insomnia.”

Expanding on its inspiration, James shares:
“I wrote this song when I was struggling to sleep on a ship knowing I had to get up again to keep watch in a couple of hours. The mounting frustration only makes things worse.”
He continues, “Lyrically, the song explores this idea of being caught between states of consciousness and eventually waking up unsure as to whether you’ve slept at all. The change of tempo halfway through is used to reinforce that feeling of frustration we all feel as a sleepless night runs on with no end in sight.”

“Wide Awake” follows a wave of critical momentum for Charles James & The Rise. In 2023, they were named Highland Radio’s winner in Hot Press’ A New Local Hero competition and have since played stages across Ireland and Austin, Texas, building a reputation for evocative live performances and immersive visuals.

Earlier this year, their single “Carry On” was named Hot Press’ Track of the Day, with Rolling Stone (Spain) including them in its “20 Artists You Should Know” list. Their most recent release, “Greatest Prize,” continued this upward trajectory, premiering at the Your Roots Are Showing festival and earning a win at the Kinsale Shark Awards 2025 for its stunning accompanying video.

The band is currently touring in support of their forthcoming debut album, set for release in September 2025, with upcoming headline shows in Whelan’s (Dublin) and Bennigans (Derry) this July.

With “Wide Awake,” Charles James & The Rise offer yet another glimpse into their spellbinding world — a space where folk music meets the cinematic, and where restless hearts will surely find a home.

Stream “Wide Awake” now on all platforms.

TOUR DATES (MORE TBA)

• 3rd July – Bennigans, Derry (Headline show)
• 10th July – Whelan’s, Dublin (Headline show)
• 13th September – Róisín Dubh, Galway (Supporting Without Willow)

www.charlesjamesandtherise.com
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