Author: Zoé Piater

Kipunji, aka Paul Jarvis, is a Wicklow-based electronic artist. After having spent the last six years playing and touring with Clannad, Moya Brennan & BANYAH, as a highly regarded keys player, percussionist, producer, and songwriter, Kipunji is Paul’s first solo endeavour, and one that has been extremely successful in a short space of time. Drawing influences from the harmonious folk & new age world he grew up in and being later inspired by Bonobo, Maribou State & Four Tet, the music he creates is warm, uplifting, and melodically rich.

Kipunji burst onto the Irish electronic scene in 2021 with his first single, ‘Fortress‘, which has gained over 1.5 million streams on Spotify, to date. Since then he has collaborated with a plethora of other Irish artists including BENJAMYN, Conor Hamilton Long, Bridin, and Blimp, and has received radio play both in Ireland and abroad, including on BBC Radio 1.

Named as a wave making Irish producer for 2023 by Hot Press Magazine, Aran Sheehy is an artist and electronic musician from Dublin. His 2022 debut single ‘Burn,’ a collaboration with AILSHA, went to number 1 in the iTunes Electronic Charts, and his follow up ‘Mandala’ has seen endorsements from legends of the electronic music scene such as Sasha and Job Jobse. Music written, recorded, and produced by Aran has been featured on platforms such as RTÉ, Hot Press, iHeartRadio, SBS Australia, SpaceAmbient (over 100,000 subscribers) and The Psychedelic Muse (over 250,000 subscribers) Aran’s music has also gained over a million streams on Spotify and other online streaming platforms.

Aran released his debut EP ‘Bridge Burner‘ on May 26th, 2023, a hugely ambitious four track release which attempts to the bridge the gap between raw, energetic 90’s jungle and pristine, immaculately produced modern techno.
Apart from his solo work, Aran is also one half of electronica duo Manyana, and has a space ambient music side project entitled TrES-2b.

In the artists words;

‘We are so happy to bring you our first collaborative single, ‘The Waiting Room.’ Created in Shire Studios, our shared artistic space, this song is the first of what we hope to be many beautiful collaborations. It was such a joy getting to meld the beautiful, uplifting, floating house melodies of Kipunji with the dusty and dark analogue synthesis of Aran Sheehy. We consider ‘The Waiting Room’ not to be lo-fi, but rather to be our own unique brand of ‘Nostalgic House,’ as we truly believe this is a song that could sound at home in any decade from the 90’s through to today.’

Kipunji x Aran Sheehy – ‘The Waiting Room’

All music written, produced, mixed, and mastered by Paul Jarvis and Aran Sheehy at Shire Studios in Blessington, Co.Wicklow.

Kipunji’s Links;

 Spotify // Instagram 

Aran Sheehy’s Links;

 Spotify // Instagram // Website 

From her second album, ‘Come As You Are’, out 31^st May 2024 on Faction Records 

Pre-order the album on vinyl and CD

+ FREE POP-UP SHOWS + FESTIVALS ANNOUNCED

Critically acclaimed Irish artist Niamh Regan will release her second album  ‘Come As You Are’ on vinyl, CD, and digital 31^st May 2024 via Faction Records.

EARMILK says “…ready to pull us into a world of acutely observed vulnerabilities and introspection, the upcoming album is set to showcase a bold evolution of Regan’s sound”, and UNCUT reviews the album “there’s a touch of Laura Marling in her voice, something of John Martyn in her intonation and Nick Drake in her guitar picking, the influence of everyone from Jeff Tweedy to Josh Ritter in her crafted storytelling 8/10.”

Niamh shares another taster from the album today (16^th May 2024), ‘Music’, and of the song, she says “Music is one of my favourite songs on the record. I was listening to a lot of Wilco while making this record and this song is like a nod to that with regards to production. It’s the first song that I wrote where I thought this might be an ear worm, and just had lots of fun with the lyrics and melody and I hope that comes across in the recording now.”

 Listen here: https://factionrecords.lnk.to/Music

Official lyric video (by Juliet Bryant): https://youtu.be/jsEBqmx5AKA?si=UCrS39t2M2UsfLxg

ABOUT ‘COME AS YOU ARE’

Niamh Regan’s 2020 debut album ‘Hemet’ introduced her as an artist with a gift for crafting folk-tinged songs with a quiet, reflective intensity. The release started to make waves and achieved over 1 million streams on Spotify and led to nominations for both the RTÉ Folk Awards and the Choice Music Prize ‘Album of the Year’.

Since its release, Niamh has embarked on headline tours from Ireland, to UK, Australia, Spain + more. Pairing this with many festivals and a variety of support opportunities with artist such as CMAT, Villagers, John Grant, SOAK, Patrick Watson, Sam Amidon, Cormac Begley, and Sorcha Richardson.

In between her performances, Niamh began to write her second record in Attica Studios with producer Tommy McLaughlin. She says ‘I arrived in Donegal to meet Tommy for the first time with a bunch of demos, half-baked ideas and feeling not ready, it was scary. But I’m so glad that I did it that way. Trusted the process and came into the studio with the intention of capturing exactly where I was with it all and Tommy helped me build from there.’

And here we are, with the upcoming release of that second album, titled ‘Come As You Are’. It’s an album full of acutely observed vulnerabilities and introspection. Its themes are the issues that many of us find loom large in the small hours: questions of self-doubt, uncertainty about your life’s direction, whether relationships are flourishing in the way you’d hoped and determining priorities.

“A lot of it is about being in your late twenties and kind of realising we’re all running out of time,” she ponders. “I’d have bouts of massive self-belief in the studio, and then in the next breath I would be like, ‘This is the worst piece of music I could have even imagined.’ It was a rollercoaster. But through that I found self-acceptance; this is where I’m at and making peace with that. That’s what the album essentially is, just making peace with where I’m at and being realistic with myself.”

Niamh’s goal for the record was to achieve a richer, full live band sound, inspired by her love of Julia Jacklin, Caroline Rose, and especially Wilco. While there are moments of intimacy, the songs on ‘Come As You Are’ are far grander in scale and ambition than those on ‘Hemet’.

She has a contagious passion for performing live, having recently completed tours of Ireland, Switzerland, Spain, the UK, and supporting CMAT in the EU. Niamh explains the joy of releasing new music for her is performing it to a live audience, “It’s the best feeling and I think I’ll be chasing it for the rest of my life.”

And that’s a feeling that ‘Come As You Are’ will help her tap into. It’s an album which is a confident step forward, full of songs with the spark to come alive on stage and with the immediacy to beckon newcomers into her world.

Pre-order Niamh Regan’s album ‘Come As You Are’, out 31^st May 2024 via Faction Records.

https://irishmusicmarket.com/collections/niamh-regan 

‘MUSIC’ by Niamh Regan, is out now (Thurs 16^th May 2024):  

Listen here: https://factionrecords.lnk.to/Music

Official lyric video (by Juliet Bryant): https://youtu.be/jsEBqmx5AKA?si=UCrS39t2M2UsfLxg

TOUR DATES:
POP-UP SHOWS + SIGNINGS:

To celebrate her upcoming album release, Niamh will be touring across the country performing free pop-up stores in record stores and cafés, see her at:
Thurs 30th May – Pot Duggan’s, Ennistymon, Co. Clare, 8pm
Fri 31st May – Fairhill Coffee, Galway, 12 noon
Fri 31st May – Spindizzy Records, Dublin, 6pm
Sat 1st June – MusicZone, Cork, 1pm
Sat 1st June – Prim’s Bookshop, Kinsale, Cork, 4pm
Mon 3rd June – Rollercoaster Records, Kilkenny, 2pm
Weds 5th June – Luca Records, Waterford, 8pm
Thurs 6th June – Steamboat Records, Limerick, 5.15pm

UK (SOLO)
9th June – Metronome, Nottingham | (supporting Memorial)
10th June – Portland Arms, Cambridge | (supporting Memorial)
11th June – Paperdress Vintage, London | (supporting Memorial)
12th June – The Wight Bear, Bournemouth | (supporting Memorial)

IE TOUR DATES 2024
16^th June – Doolin Folk Festival (full band)
25^th July – Song Room, Wexford (solo)
12^th August – Kilkenny Arts Festival (solo)
17^th August – Electric Picnic (solo)
14^th November – Cyprus Avenue, Cork (full band – presented by In Bloom Agency)
15^th November – Liberty Hall Theatre, Dublin (full band – presented by Foggy Notions)

Tickets: https://shor.by/zC6c
+ more to be announced

****

“…Ready to pull us into a world of acutely observed vulnerabilities and introspection, the upcoming album is set to showcase a bold evolution of Regan’s sound” – EARMILK

“Niamh Regan is the real deal btw. A songwriter. a WRITER of SONGS. new stuff is somehow sounding even better. raising the bar and doing it FLAWLESSLY” – CMAT

“There’s a touch of Laura Marling in her voice, something of John Martyn in her intonation and Nick Drake in her guitar picking, the influence of everyone from Jeff Tweedy to Josh Ritter in her crafted storytelling…” – 8/10 UNCUT Magazine

“…one of the most formidable forces in the Irish indie-folk scene… a pristine record which deals with faltering relationships, self-doubt, and love with exactitude and fearless candour.” – 9/10 Hot Press

Alice Kiernan has today announced her brand new single Jealous coming to all major music platforms Friday, May 17th.

The singer-songwriter returns to the music scene with her latest piece of work which introduces listeners to a side of Alice they’ve never experienced before.

Speaking about the release Alice said: “Jealous is a song all about wanting it to work with someone, be it a friendship or a relationship, but unfortunately they can never allow you to ever be a step above them. They’re never happy when you’re happy. They only want you when you’re a shell of yourself. It’s a completely different sound to anything I’ve done before. It’s bolder, grittier, and I’m so excited for people to hear it. ”

About Alice Kiernan:

Alice is a 28-year-old singer songwriter and musician from Meath, based in Dublin. She is the sole writer and co-producer on all of her tracks. She is entirely self managed and Jealous will be her fifth release. Her music has gained media coverage from RTE, 2FM, BBC, Hotpress, JOE.ie, The Independent and more. 

In 2021, she gained a following on TikTok with her music and poetry reaching over 361,000 likes and almost 3 million views. One of her most popular TikTok’s include her love/hate letter to Dublin which gained media attention from RTE, The Irish Times, LadBible and more, with the iconic line ‘I love my home, but my home doesn’t love me back’.

Jealous will be available on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music and all other music platforms May 17th.

“Set to a sprawling synth soundscape, the pops and clicks and electronic hooks that fill the spectrum of T.A. Narrative meld with the intricate vocal interplay resulting in a lush listen from start to finish”

– The Last Mixed Tape 

“It’s hard to believe there’s just two names behind the intricate, bursting sound of Limerick city duo T.A. Narrative, and yet it’s true.”

– Hot Press

T.A. Narrative is a duo from Limerick, Ireland, composed of Tara Nix and Anna Murphy. The pair, who are childhood friends, have worked together under various guises, sharing the stage in Irish punk bands and touring and recording in the U.S.

Starting a collaboration as T.A. Narrative during lockdown, their unique and exciting visual live show and the release of their debut E.P. ‘Retro Futurism’ in 2023 has firmly placed them as a must-see act. Drawing influences from post-punk, electronic, and sparkly pop music (from Fugazi to Kim Petras), they have been described as having a charming abandon and a palpable sense of freedom and joy in the music that they create. (Notbad.ie).

Fresh off the back of a tour with Irish electronic giants, King Kong Company, a much talked about performance at last year’s Electric Picnic Festival, and having opened for the likes of Les Savy Fav, Bush Tetras, O., Le Boom & KYNSY, T.A. Narrative will be releasing new single ‘Caught Out’ this summer followed by a new E.P. in the Autumn. Expect to dance your tits off.

The duo are also booked for this year’s All Together Now festival so expect big things to come, keep your eyes and ears open as T.A Narrative is about to take off.

Caught Out is a dramatic, thumping, synth-driven pop song, drawing influence from icons such as Lady Gaga, Robyn and Abba. The song came about quite fast one evening when Tara and Anna were having a handstand competition in Tara’s kitchen. Fellow Limerick producer Chris Kirby brought his honed production skills to the track to create an exciting buzzing soundscape. It gives a nod to the iconic pop sound from the 00’s and beyond.

Speaking about the track, Tara states:

“I wrote this as an observer, witnessing someone engaging in the addictive state of infatuation, and the destruction that followed. While I claim to be an outside observer, I can’t help but see parallels between their behaviour, my own experiences, and the larger societal, environmental, and global issues we all face.”

Caught Out was written by T.A. Narrative, Recorded and Produced by Chris Kirby, Mixed by Chris Pawlusek and Mastered by Richard Dowling at Wav Mastering.

It’s a track made for dancefloors and festivals so get strap yourself in!

Instagram  Twitter  Spotify

8pm | Thursday 16th May | Live & Online
Livestreamed via othervoices.ie & YouTube

_____

This Thursday night, Other Voices and the Office of Public Works bring their new series of ‘Anam – Songs for Hearts & Minds’ to Portumna Castle in County Galway.

Following last week’s series premiere, Anam returns this week to showcase three more extraordinary Other Voices performances, set against the backdrop of one of Ireland’s most cherished heritage sites.

Presented by MayKay, episode two welcomes a diverse line-up including Waterford’s breakout pop act Moncreiff, who brings his dynamic sound and electrifying stage presence to the Portumna’s Jacobean manor house with a string quartet adding extra magic to his Other Voices’ debut.

“In this second episode, rising-star EFÉ flaunts her endless creativity and flawless performance credentials, adapting her most loved tracks and unreleased material for the unique setting of Portumna Castle.”

And fresh from releasing his critically acclaimed debut LP Cold Sea earlier this year, Navan native and former half of The Lost Brothers Oisín Leech showcases his solo work which has been lauded as a triumph of songwriting and masterful musicianship.

Anam will continue its musical journey across Ireland next Thursday as the series visits Dublin’s Pearse Museum to bring viewers performances from chart-topping drill duo TraviS & Elzzz, viral sensation Sarah Crean and Bláth na hÓige’s Piaras Ó Lorcáin, with the series finale taking place on the banks of Lough Gill in Parke’s Castle with legendary fiddle player Martin Hayes, alt-folk duo Lemoncello and more. Episode one featuring Adrianne Lenker, Uly and Muireann Bradley is available to catch up now on YouTube.

In the words of Philip King from Other Voices, “We are so delighted these magnificent buildings (like Portumna Castle) will play host to some of the world’s great musicians and singers and that we can stream these performances the world over.”

Minister of State with responsibility for Office of Public Works, Kieran O’Donnell T.D. stated: “Following on from the success of last year’s Other Voices music series as Minister for the OPW, I am very pleased that we are partnering once more with Other Voices and Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This exciting project will celebrate the links between the arts, culture, history and heritage sites across the country. I look forward to musical performances from some of Ireland’s most talented artists – made all the more meaningful by the surrounds of these stunning historical buildings and locations.”

Performances will be streamed to the world via the Other Voices YouTube each Thursday at 8pm. Music fans can set a reminder now for all the livestreams.

Photo credit: Shane Heneghan @shane.archives

This Friday, Ireland’s RnB innovator Monjola shares his new single ‘Go Wrong’ via Chamomile Records.

An elastic summer anthem that marries singing and rapping, ‘Go Wrong’ sees Monjola questioning the missteps that led to the unraveling of a relationship before surrendering to life’s inevitable ups and downs. Opening with sun-kissed refrains and melodies, MJ soon changes gears over a beat switch highlighting he’s as comfortable in the booth as he is soundtracking the brighter evenings. It’s yet another example of the Dublin multi-hyphenate’s signature approach that blends catchy melodies, immersive songwriting and features soulful production from his brother and label mate Moio.

Speaking on the single Monjola says, “It’s a journey through the labyrinth of past relationships, where the corridors echo with the haunting whispers of regret. The song is about reflecting on past relationships. Thinking about things that you might have done wrong and situations you wish you could revisit. Whilst revisiting this feeling it’s also about feeling a sense of peace, knowing you can’t change the past and you need to focus on you. It’s not that deep”.

The Irish-Nigerian singer’s sound has already earned praise from Notion, Wonderland, The Line of Best Fit, District Magazine, Nialler9 and enjoyed airplay from BBC 1xtra. While he was also named as part of RTÉ 2FM Rising’s 2021 edition.

Sonically sitting somewhere in the sweet spot of a venn diagram between Tom Misch, Kojey Radical and Saba, ‘Go Wrong’ is the next in a long line of upbeat cuts. It comes after the release of ‘ON MY MIND’ featuring Moio and ‘OFTEN’.

Having toyed with releases on soundcloud during school, MJ’s artistic vision began to crystallize during lockdown when he, his younger brother Moio and Aby Coulibaly spent their time making music before starting their own label Chamomile Records. It’s quickly become one of Ireland’s most exciting DIY outfits and a home for the inseparable soup of soul, hip hop, RNB, pop and jazz that make up their releases.

This sound has propelled Monjola to tours with Kid Cudi and Genesis Owusu. However, the label co-founder has kept his feet firmly on the ground with his jam sessions in his DIY studio that bring Dublin’s Rnb, soul and pop scene together while his Chamomile Club nights are some of the most exciting in the city and often sell out within a day of release. It’s part of his bigger mission to inspire the next generation of black and Irish artists and foster a community where diversity thrives and emerging talents are celebrated.

Last year, Chamomile Club held The Chamomile Garden Party in The Complex and united the UK and Irish alternative scenes, inviting acts like Wicklow’s Cosha and London Rapper Sam Wise to Ireland’s capital. The second edition takes place on July 27th.

Follow Monjola
Instagram / TikTok

“Love this stripped-down sound, a bit of garage rock thrown in with a bit of grunge and very low key-think Cowboy Junkies! Tridence and their sound could definitely become a trend!”
– Rock At Night

“a beautiful melody, and philosophical lyrics all reminiscent of U2’s War-era material. “
– Otherside Reviews

” Tridence’s ‘By Your Own Design’ is a fierce, energetic and electrifying single that leaves an impression on the listener and strongly demonstrates the musical talent comprising this up and coming Irish band.”
– Hot Press

Tridence are an Indie, Alternative-Rock band from Dublin, Ireland. The band consists of cousins Bailey McLoughlin on lead vocals/lead guitar and Ben McLoughlin on rhythm guitar along with their good friend PJ Moore-Coates on bass guitar.

Bailey and Ben conceived the idea to start a band in the year 2019 and very quickly began writing songs and visualising their success. The boys are very spiritual, whether that’s in how they write their music or dictate the next move to further their career. COVID-19 played a major role in what would be the official beginning of the band, as the boys had a lot of time to think, write, and hone their sound.

Tridence have since been played on Irish radio, released a multitude of singles, an acoustic EP, and on June 9th last year released their debut album entitled “Euphoric Youth”.

Their most recent release ‘By Your Own Design’ released earlier this year and saw the band land coverage with the likes of Hot Press, RTE Entertainment, Otherside Reviews, RTE 2XM, The Beat, Pure Mzine, Amazing Radio UK, InMusic, Corks Red FM and many more.

With ample radio play worldwide, mainstream press coverage and a second album on the way, Tridence are an exciting force in the Irish music scene, showcasing true promise and an unrelenting drive to change the rock music scene

Now the band hope to keep building their momentum even further with the release of their brand new upcoming single ‘Pretty Imperfections’ out May 24th.

Pretty Imperfections is the second single to be released off of Tridence’s upcoming sophomore album. The track is very fun, upbeat and Summery. This feel-good sound is new and different for the band, but still feels natural. The guitar throughout is quite Johnny Marr-esque and overall the track feels Beatles inspired, yet very modern.

The lyrics are written from the perspective of frontman Bailey McLoughlin. He sings words of reassurance to his partner, comforting her about her insecurities. Reminding her that despite how she feels as though they’re imperfections, he still finds them charming and beautiful. His attraction and love for her is unwavering.

As far as production goes, the song was recorded remotely by each band member in their bedroom studios and mixed and mastered by Canadian producer and engineer HugoGT, who also added synth parts to the track.

Spotify  Instagram  TikTok  Twitter

Photo credit: Kate Lawlor

“With a vocal range similar to that of Sia, Robyn and Lady Gaga, Micah’s fresh and authentic take on pop has garnered her plenty of radio plays and Spotify streams”
Hot Press

“One To Watch”
Sarina Bellissimo, SPIN 1038

“Track of the Week’’
Katie Sheehan, Spin SW

Get ready to be impressed by Micah, the Tipperary native with a vocal range in the territory of industry icons like Sia and Lady Gaga! With previous high praise from Hot Press and Golden Plec, Micah’s recent sold-out show at Whelan’s is just the start of an exciting journey in 2024. Her upcoming  EP “Villain is set to drop in Autumn 2024.  ‘No Love’ draws inspiration from the dark pop vibes of Fletcher, Loreen, Tove Lo, and Tate McRae and packs a real punch.

With previous release like “Shatterproof,” “Stranger,” and “Replace Me,” Micah has already made a splash, capturing the airwaves on stations like Today FM and Spin FM, and even charting multiple times on the Dutch dance top 40 on Spotify.

Produced by Christoph ‘Hadl’ Hassel, known for his work with Sony, Universal, and Warner, Micah’s emotionally charged tracks tackle themes of depression and personal growth, striking a chord with listeners internationally. With over 260k streams and a growing fanbase, Micah’s star is on the rise, with TV appearances both at home and abroad solidifying her status as a rising star in the music scene. Get ready for unforgettable live performances and a year to remember as Micah takes 2024 by storm!

Micah navigates illusions of love, shattered trust, and the agony of seeing her beloved with another. As the chorus laments the pain of obsession, the narrative unfolds to reveal a fading passion and bitter realization. With haunting lyrics and captivating melodies, “No Love” explores the complexities of human emotion and the delicate dance of love and pain.’

Dublin indie rockers, Raining In December, are a three-piece rock band, with fast-paced riffs
and emotional moments. They take influence from post-hardcore, shoegaze and metal music
with fast tempo changes and emo screams. Raining In December draw inspiration from Ling
Tosite Sigure and Loathe for their unique sound.

In December 2022, Vincent Liu (Guitar and Lead Vocals) decided to embark on this new project while also playing guitar for a metal band. Vincent was later joined by bassist Eoin Kinahan and James McCabe on drums.

“We are very excited to show the world what we have to offer. We have been refining our music for almost a year and we can’t wait to share it with our audience.”

Raining In December has played in popular venues such as Workman’s Cellar, Whelan’s Upstairs, SoundHouse, Grand Social and Fibbers, and many more to come. They have upcoming shows with their debut gig on the 31st of May, 6th and 7th of June, and where they will be playing all original music. The band is in the process of creating its debut single ‘restart’ and plans to release it by the 24th of May.

PRESAVE HERE.

Connect with Raining In December on Instagram.

Four man indie-rock band Tung in Cheek return with one final release upon their farewell as a recent prominent name on the Dublin music scene.

Tung in Cheek were active on the Irish and London music scene from 2018-2023. They enjoyed great success playing festivals, showcases, headlines and support slots sharing the stage with many great acts such as Bricknasty, Fizzy Orange and Big Sleep and performing at showcases such as Ireland Music Week. The band has currently gone on an indefinite hiatus as several members have emigrated. Prior to the departure, the band grouped to record their latest original in a back garden shed.

Leave Me Be captures the bands post-punk raw live flare with abrasive yet dynamic garage rock elements. Andy Burke’s signature apathetic but upbeat vocals portray a lonely desire for a tranquil placid life free from turmoil.

Tung in Cheek are Andy Burke (vocals), Eoin O’Shea (guitar), Gavin Dunne (bass) and Chris Brady (drums). Leave Me Be was self recorded by Tung in Cheek members and was mixed and mastered by Eoin Whitefield of The Hive Studios.