Author: Zoé Piater

Coming 1st March 2024
Pre-order today + receive a bonus track
HERE
First single ‘Like Rain’ out today (16.02.24)
Official Video
ALBUM LAUNCH EVENT– MARCH 1st
Fumbally Stables 8pm
Tickets HERE

Following on from the success of ‘Into Air’, the highly anticipated second album release by critically acclaimed musician/curator Mary Barnecutt, under moniker ‘Mary & The Pigeons’, hits the soundwaves on the 1st March 2024.

Mary & The Pigeons share the first track today, ‘Like Rain’ – a pulsing strings and harp-based song about lust and floods.

The lyrics describe forms of uncontrollable water: floods, burst riverbanks, leaking roofs as a metaphor for unruly desire. Speaking on the song, Mary explains, “we used some unconventional vocal harmonies (inspired by Caroline Shaw) to create a sense of unease and added harp and glock for sparkle. There’s a string quartet thrown in there too.” Official video: https://youtu.be/Ig-NV0SlqwY

Like Rain features Mary Barnecutt on vocals/cello/glock/keyboards; Leonie Curtin on violin; Aisling Ennis on Irish harp; Ber Quinn on bass guitar, and Brian Walsh on drums.

The song is the first taster to be shared of Mary & The Pigeons upcoming album ‘Like Water’, coming March 1^st.

‘Like Water’ is series of cello and atmospheric-based laments; including songs about traffic, lakes, rain and laundry. Drawing from her experience as a musician and creative writer Mary has imagined a vast and varied soundscape from piano and orchestral string arrangements to samples of page-turning and her hoover.

Working with Ber Quinn in Sonic Studios in Stoneybatter they have created a soundworld reminiscent of Julia Houlter, Katie Kim, Nico, Owen Pallet, Liz Frazer, Hildur Gudnadottir and PJ Harvey.

Mary & The Pigeons celebrate an album launch show at the Fumbally Stables, 8pm, 1^st March. Tickets on sale now via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/mary-the-pigeons-album-launch-tickets-807612289097

Pre-order Mary & The Pigeons new album ‘Like Water’ on Bandcamp and receive a bonus track:

https://maryandthepigeons.bandcamp.com/album/like-water

New single ‘No Pushover’ now on streaming platforms:

https://songwhip.com/houseplants/no-pushover
Bandcamp
Official Video on Youtube

+ LIVE DATES ADDED – Clare, Galway, Dublin, Limerick, Cork

Tickets on sale now www.houseplants.band

HousePlants is the exciting full-fledged creative vision of two of Ireland’s most respected artists – Bell X1 frontman Paul Noonan, and innovative atmospheric producer Daithí. Following their 2021 Choice Prize nominated album ‘Dry Goods’, and 2022 EP ‘Seaglass’, the duo return, suited and booted, with a new album coming later this year.

They share the first taste of what’s to come, ‘No Pushover’:

“No Pushover, lyrically, is the tale of an outsider, a wannabe insider. I was taken with a story about how Elon Musk and his brother like to talk about The Simulation Argument (that we’re all in a simulation) in the hot tub, and thought – is this the ultimate inner sanctum??” explains Paul.

Official Video – https://youtu.be/7Uf3p3MVvTs?feature=shared

Streaming: https://songwhip.com/houseplants/no-pushover

Paul reflects, “The first record was made in the strangeness of deep dark lockdown, with Daithí and I pinging parts to each other from our respective caves. From this remove I can see how essential an outlet it was for my creativity, my sense of self through that time. There was no long game, we were making the thing for the instant gratification!

So to have toured the record with a great bunch of people and make it work in that way was an unexpected joy, and we want to keep doing that. This time we’ve been in the room together, Daithí and I, flinging paint and making decisions in real time…and a lot of it is informed by the live experience – what we think works and why.”

Daithí adds, “Houseplants has always been about reaching out and connecting, there’s an honesty and rawness to the lyrics, production, and visuals. I think that’s what both the band and the audience really connect to, and you see it in full force when we get to play to an audience, There’s nothing like it.”

HousePlants will embark on a Spring tour this April. See them perform at the Attica, Doolin (March 30^th), Róisín Dubh, Galway (April 12^th), Button Factory, Dublin (April 26^th), Dolan’s, Limerick (April 27^th), and Cyprus Avenue, Cork (May 24^th).

Tickets are on sale now at www.houseplants.band

HOUSEPLANTS SPRING TOUR

Saturday 30^th March – The Attic, Doolin
Friday 12^th April – Galway, Róisín Dubh
Friday 26^th April – Dublin, Button Factory
Sat 27^th April – Limerick, Dolan’s
Fri 24^th May – Cork, Cyprus Avenue

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Whistle This is a monthly music showcase/platform which has been running now in Thurles for over 7 years. With the support of appreciative audiences, and of course the wonderful musicians and writers that channel the magic into shared moments with a new song or performance.

With the help and support of IMRO, Whistle This has been able to continue, post Covid, to provide a space and platform for all genres of contemporary songwriting and bands. both experienced, and those who need to gain that experience in a positive and supportive way. It’s a joy to watch new, young writers grow in confidence and in the art and craft of songwriting.

Connect with Whistle This on Facebook here: Whistle This Promotions

Irish pop sensation LYRA drops her latest lascivious tinged record ‘Drink Me Up’ on release next Friday February 23rd.

‘Drink Me Up’  evolved out of an encounter of debauchery, a wild one night stand!  

LYRA recalls:  “simply put, it’s about having wild drunk sex and taking from the night what you want from it, when two people come together for the same thing.”

To coincide with the launch of ‘Drink Me Up, LYRA will embark on her first leg of her Irish headline tour commencing today Thursday, February 15^th.

This latest record  from the Cork native is a dark and sultry piano based pop melody, which carries LYRA’s  vibrant vocals in this almost tango-led,  up tempo track.

The song is intertwined with LYRA’s signature drum beats, and her commanding voice that effortlessly plays wavers between lightness and depth, and fragility and strength, which immediately enriches the emotion in her words.

Produced by  Swedish household name Nicki Adamsson, who has worked with Charli XCX and  Zara Larsson, the record is seductive, strong and invites the listener in to play.

“I only take what I need babe, make love, then run away. Diamond in the rough, me”

“Drink Me Up” resonates with LYRA about female empowerment and being able to have a one night stand without being judged for it,  a theme that is carried within her lyrics and her music throughout.

“Drink Me Up”  is on release next Friday February 23rd, 2024 from all platforms.

PRE- SAVE LINK HERE.

TICKETS FOR 2024 IRISH & UK TOUR ON SALE NOW TICKETS  (HERE)

INCLUDES SIX ADDITIONAL DATES DUE TO PHENOMENAL DEMAND,
INCLUDING EXTRA DATE 24^th, FEBRUARY AT 3OLYMPIA THEATRE DUBLIN

Griff, Kae Tempest, Yard Act, CMAT, Villagers, Gurriers, ØXN, Julie Byrne,  and more to feature in Other Voices Series 22 this Spring

RTÉ2 & RTÉ Player | Thursdays from 29 February | 11.00pm/11.30pm

Other Voices, Ireland’s lauded televised music show, returns to RTÉ this February with a series of extraordinary performances and conversations filmed in Dingle, Cork and West Wales.

Presented by veteran BBC Broadcasters Annie Macmanus, Huw Stephens as well and Fight Like Apes frontwoman and longstanding Other Voices host MayKay, the brand new six-part series will showcase the trailblazing talents of some of the most thrilling Irish and international artists on the current music scene; with exclusive intimate performances by Griff, Kae Tempest, The Murder Capital, Villagers, BC Camplight, Catrin Finch & Aoife Ní Bhriain, CMAT, ØXN, Gurriers, Mick Flannery, Julie Byrne, The Joy, KhakiKid, Niamh Bury, Qbanaa and Lucy McWilliams.

Ahead of her 3Olympia Theatre headline show on March 26th this year, UK pop sensation Griff delivers an unmissable set during her first visit to Dingle. After visiting Curran’s Pub for chats with Annie Macmanus, the 23-year-old star had St James’ Church captivated with hits like ‘Black Hole’, ‘Vertigo’ and an emotional rendition of her latest single ‘Astronaut’.

Another international highlight comes from revered poet, rapper, and playwright Kae Tempest, who finally makes it to Dingle after 13 years of the Other Voices team knocking at their door. “It feels like I’ve arrived at the perfect time,” the Londoner told St James’ Church, before delivering a breathtaking performance that West Kerry will surely never forget.

On 29 February, the series kicks off with a storming performance by BRIT Award nominee and reigning RTÉ Choice Music Prize winner CMAT, who brings her boundless star presence to the Church for the very first time after performing at Other Voices twice previously. Also in episode one we will see highlights from Cork songsmith Mick Flannery who joins us to play songs from his excellent eighth album Goodtime Charlie, Dublin-born, London-based singer-songwriter on the rise Lucy McWilliams and mesmerising vocal group The Joy who made the pilgrimage all the way from South Africa.

Later in the series, Other Voices will share highlights from Other Voices Cardigan 2023, including captivating sets from Mercury Prize nominees Yard Act, pioneering Scottish folk artist King Creosote, history-making Welsh rock four-piece Adwaith, extraordinary triple harpist Cerys Hafana and more. Yard Act’s anticipated new album Where’s My Utopia will land on March 1 via Republic, with the band debuting fresh tracks on Other Voices.

We’ll also see a jaw-dropping performance from BRIT’s Rising Star 2024 nominee Sekou filmed in Cork. The soulful 19-year-old released his debut EP ‘Out Of Mind’ last year, featuring breakout hit ‘Better Man’ – which scored him a slot on Jools Holland following his Other Voices debut. Incredible sets from Picture This, Bricknasty, Niamh Regan, Cardinals and Wallis Bird were also captured at Other Voices UCC in Cork. 

Throughout the series, Other Voices continues to celebrate what’s about to happen, with some of Ireland’s brightest new voices including Dublin alt-rap sensation KhakiKid, Claddagh Records’ folk star Niamh Bury, hypnotic singer-songwriter Lucy McWilliams and Dublin-based Cuban neo-soul artist Qbanaa taking to the IMRO Other Room stage, which was filmed in immersive venue WAVE Dingle for the first time.

Other Voices Founder Philip King, heaped praise on this year’s performers, saying: “Some of the best music I have ever heard is being made and minted in these Islands right now. The music collapses distance and brings us together.  If you want a sense of what it feels like to be living in these times of change and turbulence, listen to these remarkable Other Voices who write and sing from their lived experience and share their joys and sorrows in a series of emotional and passionate performances.”

Co-host and fellow musician MayKay added: “I always think that we’ve seen the best season of OV and then the next year it gets better. Kae Tempest with Colm Mac Con Iomaire, The Joy & Gurriers were pinch-me moments from Dingle and UCC is becoming our second home. Always more magic.”

Other Voices begins on Thursday 29 February at 11pm on RTÉ2 and will be available worldwide on the RTÉ Player.

Other Voices 2023 was made possible thanks to the support of Reed, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, RTÉ, Kerry County Council and IMRO Ireland.

Isobel Livermore Atkinson, or ILA, is an aspiring singer/songwriter from Wicklow, Ireland. Her songs are big and bold, with none of her last four singles being alike. She focuses on diversity in her music, never staying the same. 

She was diving into country, indie and Lofi, to name a few in her forst years.A third-year applied psychology student, Isobel shines through with her wit and catchy melodies, and yet again, she has pushed her boundaries wide open with her newest single, Game Boy.

Game Boy is a rush of energy, a 1950s poker night player losing his charm at his hand; when his ego gets the best, he loses everything. Its smooth, sexy jazz/rock feel engulfs the senses to feel powerful, a song to be repeated for days. Its catchy from chorus to verses, its just what you need to feel like the main character in Isobel’s love language. With her dark vision of betrayal and desire, it is bound to get stuck in your body and soul.

ILA only covered songs in her bedroom in 2020 until Beardfire Music found her and helped her create something breathtaking with Never Be Me, a classic pop county feel-good song that was made for the heartbroken but not broken for long.

ILA came centre stage with her heartbreak anthem, Layna. Bringing to light the emotions of lost in who you are, and not knowing who to trust. Her rock-pop feel was her first time pushing her writing ability and stood by with her first music video.

Thunderclouds was ILA’s first ballad, showing off a slower and softer route with her songwriting shining through , her lyrics sinking in the image of a lonely bride being left at the altar. This first-person approach made the song a favourite among her fans.

It was magical in mid-2023; she finally saw her musical ability reaching over 33,000 streams for her lo-fi, dreamy love song centred on opposites attract Blue Skies currently the song that put her on the map. Her first gig of 2023 was her first performance with other mazing up and coming irish arotsts, Blue skies opened the doors for ILA to bring a new feel to the music.

ILA is compared to the Cranberries with her soft vocals and captivating lyrics. Others include Taylor Swift, Groove Armada, Keane, Cee Lo Green and Amy McDonald, to say a few. 

The feedback ILA has received is already out of this world 
“With her latest single Game Boy ILA Music is bringing the goods to the table. Her previous
singles Blue Skies and Layna were laced with Avant Garde tones and pop bliss respectively, and
Game Boy continues this trend with a guitar driven, harmony woven – melodic golden richness, with
a positively moody vibe, enchanting horns tinged with blues, and a definitive strong tale of a young
person not backing down to lost love.

ILA is vocally strong and is writing terrific pop songs with defining hooks, strong melodies, and
winning stories with thoughtful lyrical wonderment. ILA Music is a continuing talent on the rise and
is certainly one to watch. With Game Boy ILA Music is adding vastly to her repertoire and I for one
cant wait for what is to come both live and on record.” – Sean coyle – Urban Smooth FM 

“A strong and crafty lyrical output of vocals delicately delivered on a well balanced support of percussion with just the right amount of unique guitar solo to encapsulate a well sculpted song. 
Excellently delivered track with vocals from clever lyricist depicting a heart full of revenge on a most unwanted past lover, showing a creative flow of words whilst backed with the right amount of percussive and unique string presence.
have you both falling in love and feeling broken by her variety and range.”- Leanne’s Lounge Podcast 

Game Boy was recorded, mixed, and mastered at Beardfire Studio, Dublin, by veteran producer David.
Virgin and his sons Rohan and Al. In their collective six decades in music, they’ve worked in the studio or on stage with the likes of Nick Cave, INXS, Cat Power, Billy Bragg, Leslie Dowdall and John Cooper Clark. Recent productions include All the Queens Horses (International Songwriting Competition Winners), Patricia Lalor (now with Atlantic Records) and alt-pop icon RUNAH.

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPnKwUq2JBsg5sqdGpb_gFw 

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ila_music002/?hl=en

“That’s why I like music – ’cause it allows me to extend my creativity beyond just lyrics and chords and production.”

Music videos are what inspired Dublin based indie-pop artist EFÉ to make music. Marked by a strong visual aesthetic and playful music videos, EFÉ has released two EPs of distinctive, dayglo bedroom pop since 2020. We caught up just before Christmas to reflect on 2023 and hear about plans for the year ahead including her new single Truth Truth.

Her music is a sunny slice of bedroom pop, evoking images of blue skies on a summer’s day using shimmering synth pads and funky, modulated guitar tones.

EFÉ will be performing at the upcoming Borderline Festival in the Workman’s Club Cellar THIS Friday, February 16th, from 8:45 – 9:15 pm.

On the latest episode of our #IMROPodcast, we caught up with EFÉ, Belfast noise-punk quartet Enola Gay and Singular Artist’s Simon Merriman.

Listen to the IMRO Podcast here: The IMRO Podcast (buzzsprout.com)

We’re delighted to announce that Irish-Italian outfit Big Sleep will be taking the stage at this year’s IMRO Live Music Venue Awards!

2023 saw the release of their EP ‘Isn’t That Sweet’, the latest infectious indie guitar bops from Dublin’s Big Sleep. Including singles ‘Easy’, ‘Maccy D’s’, ‘All Of The Pretty Things’ and ‘Shivering’, all of which picked up great radio support. The band have finished their second EP with producer Chris Ryan (NewDad, Just Mustard, CHALK) and are about to engage in their next release cycle.

It’s been a busy year for the quartet. In the last 12 months since their Debut EP release, they’ve toured with Somebody’s Child, received international radio play (BBC R1, Radio X, RTÉ 2FM) with features on major Spotify editorials (New Music Friday, Hot New Bands, All New Rock) and toured internationally across Europe.

With recent supports in Dublin for CVC and Do Nothing, as well as Sold Out headliners in Dublin’s Grand Social and London’s Seabright Arms, as well as Berlin and Italy. They’ve played all the key Irish festivals, including Electric Picnic, All Together Now and Indiependance as well as a packed Ireland Music Week showcase, it’s fair to say Big Sleep are having a very busy time of it.

Big Sleep have just been named as one of the 2FM Rising Artists for 2024, and have been nominated for the Ticketmaster ‘Irish Rising Star Award’ for 2024. The Irish-Italian/Spanish outfit partly met at school and others later joined after meeting through the city’s live music scene. With indie-pop qualities that blend alternative rock and soul sounds, Big Sleep cite artists like Big Thief, JJ Cale, Jamiroquai and The Cure as influences.

➡ To attend this year’s Venue Awards, please email events@nullimro.ie to secure your spot on the guest list.

An album lost in time. A lost treasure for the archives, Twin Headed Wolf’s album ‘Altarwise’ illustrates the first creative impulse of Branwen and Julie Kavanagh. Indeed it is the first album they ever made. All of their dreams, ideals, and ideas are contained within the ritual worlds of each song. They will share it with the world February 29^th, 2024.

Following the announcement of the album and first single ‘The Black Keys’ last month, the twins share the second taster ‘The Rain’. Official video: https://youtu.be/SI_9EFQiUX0?si=bXZjZv4NghUcBS3s

Written in Branwen’s first impulse towards automatic writing while in art school, they say this song “came from experiencing the radio frequency of other people’s heartbreak through the walls of thin houses.”

The Rain – Lyrics

You locked us up in here and threw the key to chance
You knew we’d wind up here and now it’s even hands
Oh now it’s tangled word and tangled limb
This sea is dark at heart and no I cannot swim

And though you knew it would hurt you did it all the same
There is no instant cure to save you from your pain
And the rain will wash us both away

You stare at me from there your body like a grave
My mind is parched my heart is what your body craves
And in your eyes survives the flotsam from the storm
When will you realise you love is like a swarm of be

And I was not for you and you were not for me
You like my disease and I was like your queen
The thoughts pile up where my dreams lay down to die
In voice in vice you were the web and I was the fly

Twin Headed Wolf have been experimenting for many years with Time Travel. They trained in their late teens and early twenties by attempting to create music outside of the boundaries of time and bleeding into the otherworld. They played with timelessness, incorporating forgotten worlds into their music and inventing contexts of their very own, outside of timely reference points.

Being twice once and once twice as twins they seemed to have an untamed grasp on the fabric of time, and it began to behave erratically.  Ergo, an album that they began in 2013 was balanced too delicately on the threshold of years and kept disappearing and reappearing with just enough time to work on it up until 2017. Once the masters were finalised it was sent to 29/2/2024, 11 years after its birth.

The album is a collection of windows into the worlds of songs. The themes surround experimental darkness lifted by ethereal blood harmonies and a host of sounds and whirring experiments that cannot be discerned or divorced from the ritual of each song.  Indeed, one might think they hear anything from bones to bicycles to saws to clay pots or strange objects that have been given a musical voice, but all are effortlessly woven into the greater whole of the song.

‘Altarwise’ is about coming to terms with humanness and material reality when this experience does not match that of two beings who were raised in the heart of a dreamscape. They have learned how to hold hands with the muses and walk a strange path that takes them closer to the dream while reckoning with the darkness and managing to be being playful and light-hearted as they go. These songs are about spirit and the hot fire of its refinement.

The twins were once described as two little girls being playful about dark things. This is a place where their twin spirits gave the most of themselves. It is their favourite thing. ‘Altarwise’ is and will be the only official Twin Headed Wolf album. They hope you enjoy it.

250 limited edition ‘Altarwise’ vinyl will be available February 29^th.

Pre-order on Bandcamp: https://twinheadedwolf.bandcamp.com/

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February 23^rd, 2024, see’s Lea Heart release her powerful new single ‘If I Did What You Did’. 

‘If I Did What You Did’ marks a significant milestone in Lea’s career, as she steps into the most confident and powerful version of herself to date.

This fast-paced pop-rock track delves into the dynamics of betrayal, challenging societal norms by questioning whether such behaviour would be tolerated if the roles were reversed. Through rhetorical questions and a defiant spirit, Lea asserts her worth and takes back her power.

‘If I Did What You Did’ is a declaration of independence and strength,” says Lea Heart. “It’s about recognising your own value and refusing to settle for anything less than you deserve. It highlights someone’s bad behaviour by calling them out and holding them accountable for their actions. It’s also about singing along REALLY loudly to a new liberating anthem”.

With captivating lyrics and uplifting, tension-filled production, “If I Did What You Did” confronts the listener with a powerful message about standing up to unacceptable behaviour. Lea’s strong and mocking tone in the verses reflects a sense of defiance and the refusal to tolerate mistreatment any longer.

And it is in this tone that we see a newly assertive, alluring, and fierce Lea Heart emerge.

Known for her captivating vocals and dynamic stage presence, Lea Heart quickly garnered attention in the music industry for her unique blend of upbeat pop music and her endearing relatability.

But it is in 2024 we see a fearless energy from Lea, with a focus on empowerment, inspired by the multitude of talented women winning across TV, Film and Music, especially in Ireland.

With 5 top 5 singles on Irish Radio and an impressive 7 top ten hits in her catalogue Lea Heart is the fastest emerging female popstar in Ireland.

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