Author: Zoé Piater

Dublin rapper JyellowL is set to solidify his place in the Irish music landscape as he announces his upcoming headline show in Dublin’s Soundhouse on May 17, 2024. The announcement is accompanied with news of new music and visuals to mark the 1 year anniversary of last year’s “Shades of Yellow” EP. Tickets for the Painting The City Yellow show go on sale Friday, March 29 at 10AM and are available from www.eventbrite.com

The Painting The City Yellow show slated for May 17 coincides with the 1 year anniversary of JyellowL’s 2023  EP “Shades of Yellow”. JyellowL plans to mark the occasion with the release of a video for single ‘Stepped In’ featuring Kamakaze on April 5. The headline show announcement also triggers the release of brand new single ‘Rizzlas’ on April 19. This follows the success of JyellowL’s recent single ‘Judas’ featuring stunning vocals from Toshin and his appearance as one of Ireland’s Eurosong finalists on The Late Late Show in January 2024.

JyellowL also plans to release a video to accompany ‘Judas’ on May 1, 2024. ‘Judas’ became a song of inspiration, a battle cry for facing down adversity, and it makes sense for the Dublin rapper to honour its impact with accompanying visuals. Whether it’s negativity, roadblocks, or toxic relationships, ‘Judas’ challenges listeners to rise above the shadows and stay true to their vision. “It’s about pushing forward, no matter what life throws at you,” shares JyellowL. “Judas might knock you down, but you get back up, stronger and wiser.” A powerful anthem of resilience ‘Judas’ is co-produced by two music titan veterans: Jake Gosling, whose Midas touch has graced albums by Ed Sheeran, One Direction, and Sam Smith, and Sammy SoSo, the mastermind behind Tyla’s chart-topping smash ‘Water’.

JyellowL learned from his Jamaican grandmother how to be himself in a world that wants to force you down a particular path. Born of Jamaican and Nigerian parents and raised in Ireland, the 25 year old rapper has drawn on all three origins to create a distinctly powerful sound that is radically individual.

JyellowL, dynamic in his lyricism and fueled by political conviction, delivered his highly anticipated debut album Bulletproof in 2020, with the first single ‘JeweLs’. A leading voice emerging out of the fierce juggernaut that is Ireland’s rap scene, this debut follows two groundbreaking EP’s and a string of headline performances, both in Ireland and internationally.

His standout track ‘Ozone’ has surpassed 3 million streams on Spotify and the single ‘Oh Lawd’ has already surpassed 2 million streams. A self-driven artist and entrepreneur, his newly established JyellowL Records Ltd quickly landed a distribution deal with the international distribution company IDOL.

Following the resounding success of his debut album, JyellowL has taken his musical journey to new heights. The album’s commercial triumph, coupled with tours alongside industry giants like Nelly, The Game, and De La Soul, solidified his status as an artist on the rise. His music has found its place in popular culture, with placements on notable platforms such as EA Sports’ FIFA soundtrack, Hulu’s original series ‘Normal People’, and collaborations with global telecom provider Virgin Media.

Tickets for Painting The City Yellow at The Soundhouse go on sale Friday, March 29 at 10AM available from www.eventbrite.com

Tour Dates:

May 17 – The Soundhouse, Dublin

Connect with JyellowL:

Instagram/ Twitter/ Facebook/ Youtube

HEADLINE SHOW IN DUBLIN’S MARLAY PARK ON JULY 5^th

Following the release of his brand new EP, Unheard, last Friday, world-renowned singer-songwriter Hozier continues to impact the Irish and International charts with his latest single “Too Sweet”, taken from the new EP. Upon it’s release last Friday, “Too Sweet” picked up over 15 million global streams in three days. It’s currently trending #2 in the US Spotify Charts, #6 in the Irish Spotify Charts and #8 in the Global Spotify Charts.

After sharing the news of its release on social media last week, alongside a video of a sketchbook, it was revealed that the new EP would contain four unreleased songs, originally recorded during the sessions for latest chart-topping album Unreal Unearth. These include ‘Too Sweet’, ‘Empire Now’, ‘Fare Well’, and ‘Wildflower and Barley’ featuring Canadian Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and activist, Allison Russell.

Hozier says; “It’s my pleasure to announce the release of more work from the album sessions which could not make the original release. These are songs that might’ve made it to the circles of gluttony, limbo, violence and the outward ‘ascent’ respectively but could not for different reasons. I’m very glad I’ll get to share them with you.”

In August last year Hozier scored his third consecutive Irish #1 and his first ever UK number 1 with that very third studio album Unreal Unearth. The Irish superstar has cemented himself as one of the greatest songwriters in his field with a record that spawned world class tracks in “Eat Your Young,” “All Things End,” “Francesca” & “De Selby (Part 2)”. He outsold the entire UK Top 5 combined in release week and also scored his first ever number 1 album in the Netherlands and top 5 spots in the USA and Germany.

This summer will see Hozier perform outdoor shows, including a headline show at Dublin’s Marlay Park on July 5^th plus a sold out date at London’s 45,000 capacity Finsbury Park on July 7th – which will be his biggest UK headline show to date. This follows what was an incredible 2023 on the live circuit which included a triumphant surprise set at Glastonbury, an acclaimed sold-out show at Dublin’s Malahide Castle, and over a million tickets sold worldwide for his sold-out headline tour, which saw him conquer arenas including x3 sold out shows at Dublin’s 3Arena.

Visit https://hozier.com/ for tickets and full worldwide dates.

FOLLOW HOZIER:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter | YouTube

Abe Soare is a singer songwriter from Limerick. Their unique voice and song-writing talent grasps a room with honesty and vulnerability. Through the ups and downs of life, Abe Soare has learnt to find light in darkness and continues to share their story through music.

Abe plans to release a string of singles throughout 2024, beginning with their new song ‘An Muilte’, out now (Thrusday 28^th March 2024).

“An Muilte” serves as a testament to Soare’s journey through transitional phases, penned amidst pivotal moments in their life. Following the culmination of academic pursuits and the dissolution of a romantic entanglement, Soare found themselves standing at the precipice of change. Embarking on a soul-searching pilgrimage to the tranquil shores of the Aran Islands, off the coast of Co. Galway, Soare delved into the depths of introspection amidst the serene landscapes of Inis Mór.

Crafted against the backdrop of this insular idyll, “An Muilte” encapsulates the essence of existential exploration and the quest for self-discovery. Soare’s narrative unfolds through ethereal melodies and poignant lyricism, underscored by the soothing cadence of oceanic waves—a poetic ode to the symbiotic relationship between the self and the natural world.

The song is a reminder that its ok to feel lost and not know who you are, because when you look back on it, the journey is always the fun part.

Speaking about how the song came about, Abe says “It was a mad party and socialising time. When I needed time alone I went to the beach, which was every day. It was a feeling like I was in a waiting room, hoping for something big to happen. AND IT DID. The next few years were a blur of growth. But I always remember sitting on the beach thinking I wonder what is out there for me, that was a beautiful time, a lot of hopeful wonder about the future. I brought my guitar to the beach every day, I think it was the first place I started really connecting with myself and the guitar and the songs.”

“An Muilte” opens with gentle vocals, guitar, and the sound of the sea, exactly the way it was written. With swirling string sections and harmonies, the artist captures the feeling of hope and wondering. The song is a pop ballad with hints of traditional Irish traditional instruments, most certainly influenced by the music that was wafting through the island. The song captures a feeling of good hope and faith through its uplifting full production by Limerick’s own Ben Wanders.

As the inaugural offering in a series of forthcoming singles slated for release throughout 2024, “An Muilte” stands as a testament to Soare’s unwavering commitment to artistic authenticity and emotional resonance.

“I hope this song reminds anyone who listens that’s its ok to not have things figured out , because rarely anyone does. So be nice to yourself.” – Abe Soare

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Rollercoaster Records label is delighted to release ‘Bridget Cruise’, the second glimpse into the upcoming full-length album ‘Cuimhne Ghlinn: Explorations in Irish Music for Pedal Steel Guitar’ by Irish session-musician, producer, and multi-instrumentalist David Murphy.

In this expressive take on the well-known 17th century traditional Irish harp tune ‘Bridget Cruise’, the pedal steel guitar weaves its way through the spell-binding melody, joined by an ensemble of cello, violin, harp, double bass, rhythmic piano and electronics to conjure up the vivid sentiments of this age-old composition from the Gaelic tradition.

Tulough O’Carolan composed four airs in honour of his childhood friend and first love, Bridget Cruise. Throughout his life, O’Carolan recalled Bridget with great affection. The story has it that years later when O’Carolan was blind, the pair met again by chance at Lough Derg – when Bridget reached out to help the blind man, Carolan instantly recognised her by the touch of her hand.

Irish fiddle maestro Steve Wickham (The Waterboys / U2/ Sinead O’Connor) joins Murphy in the poignant telling of a connection between friends, spinning and intertwining violin tones in unison with the glissando, swells and harmonics of the pedal steel guitar. Laura McFadden’s moving cello and Graham Heaney’s grounding double bass propel the tune forward on a bed of rhythmic felt-piano and electronics, while Aisling Urwin’s elegant and graceful harp alludes to love in an ancient Ireland, from whence this composition first came.

David explains the inspiration for the new arrangement of this traditional tune:
“Stories of friendship and unrequited longing are eternal themes. O’Carolan’s ability to inspire beyond the 400-year divide is a testament to the strength and beauty of his compositions. In this arrangement – one of two O’Carolan tunes on the album – I wanted to present it in a contemporary setting, demonstrating how a 17th century piece still has a power to flow ever-forward, to evolve and transform into something new, yet can convey the same sentiments of melancholy and lost love that the writer had intended, way back through the mists of time”.

The release is accompanied by a video by Dublin-based film-maker and artist Gavin O’Brien whose visuals poignantly reflect the passage of time:

David Murphy – Bridget Cruise (Official Video)

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David Murphy’s all-instrumental debut album recasts ancient Irish harp tunes and historic airs by O’Carolan, O’Riada et al into the 21^st century, voiced by the mysterious, emotive and swelling sound of the pedal steel guitar. Supported by an all-star cast of musicians from across contemporary, modern-classical and folk worlds, the pedal steel ably takes its place within an ensemble featuring cello, violin, piano, harp, uilleann pipes, and lush electronic textures and synths. Across 40 minutes, the album conjures a palette of sparse, dreamlike, atmospheric soundscapes and stirring, cinematic takes of these culturally significant compositions and melodies from Ireland’s great harpers, composers and song collectors.

The album promises to be a must-listen for fans of pedal steel guitar, atmospheric soundtracks, traditional Irish music, contemporary experimental, ambient and modern-classical music. It features a diverse cast of supporting musicians including Peter Broderick (Strings), Steve Wickham (Fiddle), Laura McFadden (Cello), Aisling Urwin and Alannah Thornburgh (Harp), Rory McCarthy (Piano), Mark McCausland (Guitar), Anthony Ruby (Uilleann Pipes), Cory Gray (Trumpet) amongst others.

Set for release on 19^th April 2024 on Rollercoaster Records presented visually with stunning artwork by Irish artist Craig Carry, it will be available on 180-gram Vinyl, CD and Digital from all major platforms and retailers. Pre-order the album on LP / CD / Digital via Bandcamp: https://davidmurphymusic.bandcamp.com/album/cuimhne-ghlinn-explorations-in-irish-music-for-pedal-steel-guitar

LIVE SHOWS:

David will celebrate the launch of the album at

• 18th April: Coughlan’s, Cork – SOLD OUT
• 19th April: Rollercoaster Records (Instore), Kilkenny
• 20th April: Plugd Records (Instore), Cork
• 16th June: Doolin Folk Festival
• 09th August: Kilkenny Arts Festival

FOR MORE INFORMATION

davidmurphymusic.com

instagram.com/steelydave83/

facebook.com/davidmurphysteelguitar/

Becky McNeice and T.Tokz merge styles and push the boundaries of Afro and Pop music in their new collaboration

The singer-songwriter and producer Becky McNeice and the producer T.Tokz welcome the release of their new track “Melting”, set to drop on 28th March. With Becky on the vocals and T.Tokz on the beats, this infused Afro-Pop masterpiece is a statement of their outstanding individual artistry and collective creativity.

“Melting” started in an exchange of beats between T.Tokz and Becky McNeice.  Drawn to the Afro and Amapiano style of T.Tokz’s beats, Becky added her soulful vocals with vibrant Pop chords, creating a remarkable sound to the mix. This collaboration between uptempo beats and sensitive vocals resulted in the creation of “Melting”.

In merging their distinct styles, T.Tokz’s energetic beats and Becky’s emotive lyricism, they found a unique synergy. Drawing inspiration from the emotional depth of Afro beats, the duo embarked on a journey to infuse Becky’s heartfelt sentiments into T.Tokz’s infectious rhythm of Afro and Amapiano.

From a lyrical perspective, “Melting” explores the complexities of family expectations coexisting with the journey of self-discovery. Becky McNeice approaches the pressures of conforming to predefined roles within family dynamics and how it affects our seeking for freedom and authenticity. The lyrics reflect on the resilience to fight those expectations and remain true to yourself despite the overwhelming desire to please the ones you love the most.

About the fusion of the styles and the meaning of the lyrics behind “Melting”, McNeice shares:

“In ‘Melting’ I explore the dynamics of family relationships and the pressure to conform. The song touches on the struggle of not meeting familial expectations and how this generates an internal conflict: maintaining your individuality versus succumbing to societal norms. Personally, I love listening to emotional Afrobeats and I thought it would be interesting to experiment the contrast of uptempo Afro beats in a melancholic song”.

The collaborative masterpiece “Melting” is an anthem of empowerment expressed through a rhythmic fusion of Afro/Amapiano and melancholic Pop music. T.Tokz and Becky invite listeners to embark on a new musical experiment, where music serves as a vehicle for authenticity, self-expression, and collaborative artistry.

“Melting” is available on all major streaming platforms today.

‘DON’T TAKE IT ALL’ – Nestor’s new unique blend of soulful storytelling and sonic exploration.

The track showcases the artist’s growth and evolution, marking his first release of 2024 and a glimpse into the next chapter of his musical journey.

This song has the intimacy of acoustic folk music with added dynamic energy from the use of electronic elements in the studio, which have helped make ‘DON’T TAKE IT ALL’ a fresh and enjoyable listen.

Nestor’s latest release comes after a few years of exploration and reflection showing growth and maturity in his music. The artist’s unique ability to blend genres and create a sound that is distinctly his own sets ‘DON’T TAKE IT ALL’ apart in the contemporary music landscape.

As Nestor embarks on his exciting new musical journey “Don’t Take It All” promises to be a cornerstone in his discography and a testament to the artist’s commitment to creative exploration.

“Don’t Take It All” will be available on all major streaming platforms March 29^th 2024.

Join Aaron Nestor on this musical adventure and immerse yourself in the compelling narrative woven through the acoustic/folk and electronic tapestry of his latest release.

Stay connected with Aaron here: aaron_nestor | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree

Nigel is from a musical background, his parents had a band and he started playing music when he was 15.

He has achieved a lot in his years of music including playing drums , like your good self, with Daniel O’Donnell.

Once Finalist in The Voice of Ireland Nigel is one of those musical talents that right now is flying somewhat under the radar, yet he gets on stage and sings classical music with an orchestra or rocks the house down with his rock band and is a natural with country music and folk.

His vocal talents shine when you hear him sing his own creations in an acoustic session and tell the story behind the lyrics.

When you talk to him you start to realise that this is what he really wants and his dream is to be the best and move between genres so Nigel’s audiences will be taken on a musical rollercoaster through his life.

He has held himself back until now because as a solo artist he did not fit neatly into any one musical genre and now I believe Nigel is saying – “what the hell” I am going to be that solo artist who will potentially confuse the critics but I will delight my fans.

Nigel also performs as the voice of Don Henley in a stunning celebration to The Eagles called “Take it to the Limit“ .

Or if you like U2 performing with a full orchestra Nigel takes the lead role as Bono in an epic tribute to The Joshua Tree album with “Beyond the Music” .

www.nigelconnell.com
Nigel Connell is also performing in these projects
www.beyondthemusic.ie
www.takeittothelimit.ie

Papa Boyle is a Retro Indie artist based out of Dublin, Ireland. From an early age, he was given exposure to a wide range of music that spanned multiple decades and genres which fuelled the fire to become a songwriter and performer.

Taking inspiration from the retro sounds of the ’50s and 60’s Rock n Roll era (ie Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, The Everly Brothers) with a tinge of modern Indie (ie Father John Misty, Angel Olsen, Kings Of Leon, Orville Peck) Papa Boyle croons over an ambient landscape filled with rousing melodies and pondering punchlines.

The resulting hooks transport the listener to diners of old, bars of new, and crossroads that feel familiar yet unknown at the same time. With aspirations of 2024 being a breakout year with releases and gigs across Ireland, ‘Between Two Fools’ will be the first single from Papa Boyle which will be released on Friday, April 5th 2024. His sound brings something fresh and unique to the music scene, watch this space!

Between Two Fools’ was forged from outside observation of how things can pan out when a big decision is made in a relationship, Papa Boyle put himself in the shoes of the people who went through this and mulled over the thoughts or situations they may find themselves in, taken the role of the narrator in this instance.

Musically the track has a disposition that swirls and flows with the guitar and vocals throughout the song, the rhythm section is influenced by beats such as Roy Orbison’s ‘Crying’ or The Ronettes’s ‘Be My Baby’.

 “I found these older songs had a lovely simplicity to them that allowed the vocal and instruments to have their moment in the spotlight and this is something I wanted to try and achieve in my song.”

“At the time of writing the song I found myself listening to some more country-leaning music ie “Chris Stapleton and Orville Peck” This inspired me to track some lap steel guitar on this record which was my first time to do so, the acoustic and electric guitar have a mixture of tones old and new which I think gives the track a Retro Indie feel.”

Papa Boyle is excited about making his debut and unleashing his first release to new listeners. He hopes it is an enjoyable experience that leaves them wanting more!

All instruments were tracked and recorded over a few sessions with engineer Stephen Dunne in Portobello, Dublin, the track was then mastered by Ivan Jackman.

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Fox is the brand-new single by rising Cavan band Marcus Magee & The Hollaw Men. It is the second release from the band’s eagerly awaited forthcoming debut album Rising from the Hollaw, which will be launched at a sold-out show at The Sugar Club in Dublin next month.

Fox follows the success of their debut single’ Mac Dee’, a powerful reflection on frontman Magee’s cancer journey, released last month to critical acclaim. The track has been receiving national airplay and has attracted international fans after being selected by the Spotify Release Radar. “A beautiful and poignant piece of work” – Fiachna Ó Braonáin, RTÉ Radio 1.

Fox is a blues-rock-inspired song combining folk sensibility with an easy-listening melody injected with powerful lead guitar. It conjures up a sense of mystery and intrigue with a touch of malice while humanising the life of a fox at nighttime. Fox was born after lead singer Magee found himself thinking about the life of a fox following an attack on the lambs he keeps at his rural organic homestead near Cootehill, County Cavan.

“I was away on a whitewater kayaking trip in Slovenia, and my wife sent word from home that a fox had killed two of our lambs which were only two days old. At first I found myself enraged and cursing the fox but as I paddled down the river, I found myself reflecting on the life of the fox and taking a more compassionate view. I realised that he’s trying to survive, as we all are. He’s doing what’s natural to him, and in a world where natural habitats are being destroyed by humans at a phenomenal rate, it’s hard for animals to survive in the wild. I thought about the lonely nighttime life of the fox and I kind of felt sorry for him. I felt sorry for the lambs too and guilty that I wasn’t there to protect! The experience then led me to thinking about this in the human context, of certain humans living on the edge of society or outside of the mainstream, sometimes contending with anxiety, loneliness, isolation, and depression, or for others, it’s a choice to not fit in, to go their own way, which I respect. So fox is an exploration of all this. It was one of those songs I connected deeply with, and in the emotion of it all, wrote it very quickly in the one setting. We love performing it live, it has real passion in it.”

Once dubbed ‘one of Ireland’s most thrilling emerging songwriters’ by Hot Press magazine, Tadhg Williams returns with his first single after nearly three years. ‘Nixer’ is a fast-paced folk track with a catchy hook and dynamic production, and acts as a commentary on how the cost of living crisis has affected Ireland’s youth over the last couple of years and is set to be released on April 19th.

“I suppose when you’re trying to support yourself in a city as expensive as Dublin, and you see your friends and colleagues trying to do the same, you realise why so many people are emigrating again. ‘Nixer’ is very much that story – of a city that’s being stripped of its culture and identity in favour of hotels and office blocks, and its people barely being able to afford to live in it anymore.”

The artwork for this track is a photograph taken by Edward O’Farrell, of Chipperfield’s Circus arriving into Waterford over Redmond Bridge in 1956, very kindly permitted for use by his son Paul O’Farrell.

In those three years, Tadhg has worked to develop his stage craft, supporting a variety of acts from Mary Black and The Stunning to Kingfishr and Niamh Regan. He has also completed an undergraduate degree in history, which has been a huge source of inspiration for his songwriting. In 2023, a small Irish tour road-tested these songs alongside a band, before going into the studio with producer, Geoff Warner-Clayton (Gavin James, Kingfishr, Driven Snow), to further develop and record some of these tracks.

‘Nixer’ marks the first of a number of acoustic releases planned in 2024.

NOTE: The term ‘Nixer’ refers to extra or additional work, often undeclared to avoid taxation.

“Tadhg is a poet who conjures songs both humorous and moving, rich in humanity.” – Junior Brother
“A man with many artistic pots on the boil. He is a man on the path, walk on brother” – David Keenan