Author: Zoé Piater

The earworm Anti Valentines anthem ‘Heart First’ by Kyla Belle is out today and already landed a coveted Spin South West Track of The Week, a Stellar Magazine feature and will be 2FM Track of The Week from Monday on Jen Zamparelli’s show.

Kyla Belle is a singer/songwriter spending her time between Dublin & London. She has performed in some amazing venues including The Olympia Theatre, Bord Gais Energy theater and had support from the likes of BBC before even releasing her debut single. Kyla has built up an amazingly engaged and loyal fan base through her social media channels and by busking.

Kyla kicked off 2024 as part of the “Whelan’s Ones To Watch” line-up and has gained support from the likes of 2FM where her debut single “Need Me’ was named Track Of The Week on release. Today FM, Red FM and countless other radio stations also had the track on repeat.

This year has also seen the songstress work with the like of Billy Farrell (The Corrs, Gavin James, Hozier), Liam Geddes (Tiesto, Ryan Mack, Sigala), Roseanna Brown (Jason Derulo) and George Gleeson (SEAL) – the future is looking very bright for Kyla.

RECENT AND UPCOMING GIGS:
Support for Bradley Marshall in The Academy, Dublin.
Whelan’s – Ones To Watch
Headline Show 2024 to be announced.

“Heart First” is a captivating anti-Valentine’s Day anthem that seamlessly blends pop and rock elements. Infused with raw emotion and defiance, this song boldly challenges the typical romantic narratives associated with the holiday. With its infectious melodies and powerful lyrics, “Heart First” takes listeners on a journey of self-empowerment and celebrates the strength of individuality in the face of societal expectations.

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Ireland Music Week announced recently that the festival will take place, once again, in Dublin venues in October. The international-facing showcase and conference, now in its twenty-second year, will take place from October 1st – 4th. The festival is now calling on artists to apply to showcase:

Log onto https://www.irelandmusicweek.com and click on the “Artist” button – applications will be through the artists’ Breaking Tunes profiles. 

Closing date for applications is Monday March 25^th at 17.00

Up to 50 acts will have the chance to play and take part in this internationally-recognised event showcasing Ireland’s best emerging talent. The showcases will take place on the Thursday and Friday of the festival. Tickets are on sale now via Eventbrite here.

Ireland Music Week places a strong focus on export-ready artists with an increased success rate year on year. Bookers, labels, publishers, managers, agents, and many more international professionals have confirmed to attend this annual showcase and conference, which is an essential step in any Irish artists’ development.

Ireland Music Week, as always, strives to achieve at least a 50% representation of women and underrepresented gender minorities in its line-up.

Angela Dorgan, CEO of First Music Contact, comments: “Seeing how brilliantly past IMW showcasing artists have been doing globally over the last few years really shows us how vital a step the showcase can be for an artist’s growth.” 

Some of last year’s successes so far from the festival include YARD, Chubby Cat, The Love Buzz, Holly Munro, Rachael Lavelle, Cruel Sister, Search Results, Morgana, Big Sleep, Problem Patterns, Chalk and more.

Since its inception in 2003, the festival has showcased many of Ireland’s best-known acts including Fontaines D.C., David Keenan, Denise Chaila, Kynsy, CMAT, Ellie O’Neill, Sweetlemondae, Last Apollo, Aoife Nessa Frances, Sprints, M(h)aol, Niamh Regan, Pretty Happy, Pillow Queens, THUMPER, Saint Sister, Wyvern Lingo, Just Mustard, Villagers, Hozier, Gilla Band, Jape, The Coronas, Talos, Le Boom, Loah, Soak, Sinead O’ Brien, Æ Mak, Gurriers, Ailbhe Reddy, MELTS, April, Jyellowl, Somebody’s Child, Junior Brother, Caleb Kunle and many more.

First Music Contact, who run Ireland Music Week, work with Irish acts by supporting them through their talent pipeline. This annual showcase is an opportunity to offer Irish acts some vital network and showcasing opportunities provided by the stellar mix of influential Irish and international delegates. FMC also run Music From Ireland, the Irish music export office and the music discovery portal Breakingtunes.com. FMC develops, supports and showcases the soundtrack to Irelands’ future.

|| Ireland Music Week is supported by The Arts Council and Culture Ireland ||

|| Ireland Music Week is delighted to welcome back partners Claddagh Records, Sony, Music Ireland, Warner Music Ireland and RAAP; and welcome on board Enterprise Ireland ||  

Twitter: @irlmusicweek | Instagram: @irelandmusicweek |

Discovering The Soundtrack To Ireland’s Future
http://irelandmusicweek.com
http://www.firstmusiccontact.com/
https://www.breakingtunes.com/

Ghost is the new single of dreamy electronic singer / Producer Dorota Konchevska, to be released on the 15th of March.

Dublin based artist Dorota, began her career as a jazz singer and has evolved into a multifaceted electronic music artist & producer, capable of breathtaking fleets  with her ethereal vocals and leftfield electronica.

Music has always been around Dorota, born to a family of musicians; she picked up her dad’s synths at the tender age of four as soon as she could figure out the on and off button and reach the keys.

After finishing her MA in Music technology, She started incorporating electronic sounds and machines to her jazz performances usually collaborating with international jazz savy artists.

Her creations reveal a strong and loving heart beneath, pulsating raw passion and abstract thinking.

 “I always write whenever multitude of new reflections is so overwhelming that its needing to come out.“

Facing continuity of a recent world in disarray Dorota found that the best she can do is stick on a fire, make some food and immerse in music making process and art and wait till the shit storm is over.

The theme of that record is undeniably rooted in her spiritual practice, curious mind and love for nature. Ghost reflects on loss and coming to terms with loss. Its talking about tough situations and giving the music a deeply personal yet totally universal appeal. Dorotas voice – a frail device capable of great emotions lays in air for the intro before the fanciful mix of her electronic beats.

The Video was directed by future Oscar winning Peruvian director Cesar Miranda. Cesar takes us on a heady trip around the historical part of Warsaw and mystical lake. where we meet a young couple engaging in a ritual to see a ghost of a dead friend whom they are trying to help to go to the other realms by engaging in spiritual rituals. The video work is about love and the quest for freedom and truth.

Lyrics :

Why don’t you find some better name for friendship sounds little funny?

Oh why don’t you drop that plastic frame. I liked you before much more than you know. Little tickles on my mind when our love runs in flashes, I belong to someone else and midnights full of trashes.

Previous Shows / Comissions

London Kings Place Concert Hall- Londn, GB
Roma Auuditorium Parco Della Musica- Rome, Italy
La Mama Moves Festival – New York,USA
Performatica, Puebla- Mexico City- Mexico
Re-New Digital arts festival – Denmark, Copenhagen
NIME festival–Carnegie Melon– Pittsburgh, USA
Fringe Festival – Dublin, Ireland

Connect with Dorota
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Evie announces the release of her new single ‘Mighty Boy’ on Friday 16th February 2024. Mighty Boy is the second single from Evie’s much-an:cipated sophomore EP ‘Shiny Things.’ Shiny Things is a 5-track EP, set for release March 2024. The first single ‘Devil’ was released in November 2023.

Mighty Boy is a dazzling exhibi:on of piano, fiddle and acous:c guitar, not to be outdone by the use of unconven:onal percussion and unwavering vocals, that drives the track down an unpredictable, yet addic:ve route. Evie says: “I hope it surprises you where I absolutely surprised myself.” Evie is out on her own with this single. Mighty Boy shines bright as a trademark track in the Evie collec:on. This sound is something we didn’t know we needed in the Irish music scene. Mighty Boy and the Shiny Things EP was recorded in Sun Studios, Dublin, produced by Jack Joyce and mastered by Killian Taylor.

Evie is alt-folk with a twist. Her debut EP ‘Since the Fire,’ earned nods from Nialler9, Hot Press and 2FM. At 22, Evie is happy to be the haunted house of the Irish music scene, drawing on influences such as Radiohead, Lisa Hannigan and Laura Marling.

Evie’s live performances include sold out Dublin shows, performances at the CCI Paris, the Ruby Sessions, support for Lao Noah and an appearance at the Sligo Arts Fes:val. Evie featured in Hot Press’ Young and Emerging Ar:st Series 2023. Evie is named ‘Hot for 2024’ by Hot Press Magazine and dubbed ‘One to Watch 2024’ by Whelan’s, Dublin. Television appearances include Tradfest’s ‘The Fingal Sessions’ 2024 alongside Wallis Bird, presented by Hot House Flowers’ Fiachna Ó Braonáin.

Evie’s 5-track sophomore EP, ‘Shiny Things,’ comes out spring 2024. The first single ‘Devil’ and second single ‘Mighty Boy’ earned acclaim from Hot Press, Tradfest, She Said So, John Barker Tilt and Nialler9. As Hot Press writes: “Seeing an artist know herself and her sound this early on was remarkable to watch.”

Evie (eviemusicdublin.com)
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Tim V. Smyth has been an active participant in the Irish music scene for many years under a variety of different monikers. His most recent musical endeavour was Hidden Highways a dark and minimal folk/alt-country outfit inspired as much by The Hired Hand and Return To Oz as it was by Townes van Zandt and Gillian Welch. Unsurprisingly then, the songs he penned for that project found their way into a number of film soundtracks.

However despite his love for Americana he has recently moved away from his alt country roots to explore a darker, more glutinous sound in his latest self-produced work. This new body of work features a wide range of influences, from the solo guitar pieces of Loren Connors to the lo-fi electronica of John Maus with Tim utilising a variety of tools, toys and techniques to create a unique and textured sound. Hear test equipment, botched guitars, dictaphone vocals, broken bass synths and wonky tape float together around lyrics dealing with the age-old stuff; life, death and love.

Tim’s first song of 2024 Ruby for a Pearl will be available digitally on the 14th February.

Ruby started as an acoustic song about 7 years ago. The lyric is about dementia-more specifically a man talking about his wife, their love, their fear, their moments where they know something is terribly wrong. I had read somewhere about rubies being a talisman to protect the mind and Margaret, being his wife’s name, is anglicized Latin for Pearl – hence “Ruby For A Pearl“. It’s a love song by proxy I guess.

It all started with a drum sample but I can’t remember what machine it came from. It might even have been from one of the Yamaha organs. I crushed and filtered it with a Bruel and Kjaer 1613 filter- which is not subtle. At first I ran a dry drum track and a filtered one in parallel but liked the filtered one so much I kept that instead. That choice kinda informed the rest of the track. The bass is from the much maligned Akai Timbre Wolf- I wanted a long sustained bass like in Bjork‘s “Hyperballad” and this did a great job. The strings are from the Korg SP80 which is an undiscovered gem of a keyboard- its not really a string machine but it has the strings of a much pricier machine kinda tacked on. The Korg Poly 800 takes the main ghostly pad – its run through the ubiquitous Zoom MS70CDR. The hand claps are a bit Kim Cairnes but I make no apology for that- I love hand claps.

As per usual there was no judgement on my lo-fi methodology from Shayne at Ragged Company Recordings where it was mixed and mastered.

Perfect Havoc release the energetic club track ‘Touch My Body’ by Irish producer Kyle Meehan. A pumping and infectious club tune with a catchy hook, the track has already gone down a storm on Soundcloud, with 276k plays and chart entries in the Dance chart (#31) and the Irish Dance chart (#5 ). It has also started to go viral on TikTok with 750k views  in a very short amount of time and 170x organic creations. A popular track with Morgan Seatree, Chantelle Kavanagh,  Jazzy, Belters Only,  Camrin Watsin , Dave Treacy in their sets, Touch My Body is on the rise, getting support from Spotify in their Irish Dance playlist, and is now at leading dance music label Perfect Havoc.

Kyle Meehan is a young Irish producer who in a very short amount of time has managed to be included in the forefront of Ireland and Northern Irelands dance music scene. Going the organic route, Kyle’s productions and remixes have reached huge support on Soundcloud, getting into the overall top 10 charts without any outside backing and smashed past millions of streams. This has led to support from fellow Irish hit producer duo Belters Only, who have had Kyle support them at shows in prestigious Irish venues Telegraph Building (Belfast) and Academy in Dublin. Belters Only also included Kyle on their Best of Irish compilation album ‘Irish Only’. Along with further gigging around Ireland and abroad in Mallorca, Kyle’s production flair was discovered by dance heavyweight labels D4 Dance and Sony B1 Recordings, signing tracks that have received support from RTE 2, Jess Bays and gone up to #3 in the Upfront club charts.

There’s a fizz in the air at Perfect Havoc HQ which can be heard in every track laid out in its 2024 release schedule. With a bigger sound and bigger energy than ever before, an exciting year lies ahead for the independent label. Now in its 9th year, Perfect Havoc continues to define crossover house music and to build on over 10 billion global streams , six UK Top 20 singles  and multiple platinum, gold, and silver awards .

Follow Perfect Havoc

https://www.facebook.com/perfecthavocmusic
https://www.twitter.com/perfecthavoc
https://www.instagram.com/perfecthavoc
https://open.spotify.com/user/perfecthavoc

Follow Kyle Meehan
https://www.instagram.com/kylemeehan.km/
https://soundcloud.com/kyle-meehan
https://www.facebook.com/KyleMeehanMusic98/
https://www.tiktok.com/@kylemeehan.km

Coming from the picturesque landscapes of a small farm in rural Ireland, singer-songwriter Kevin Quigley is set to release his latest single, “Soul Sold,” on February 16th, 2023. With a career dedicated to crafting poignant and soul-stirring music, Kevin Quigley has steadily garnered acclaim and a devoted following through his years of performing in esteemed venues across Ireland.

Hailing from a humble background, Kevin Quigley made a life-altering choice early on—to devote himself entirely to the art of songwriting and performance. His journey has taken him through acclaimed venues such as Cyprus Avenue, Coughlans, Kavanaghs, and The Whitehorse, sharing stages with acts like Hermitage Green, The Pale, Corner Boy, and The Shoos.

Whether performing as a solo act or fronting his band ‘Kevin Quigley & The Great Ideas,’ Kevin’s music resonates with a unique blend of intimate folk and rock influences, drawing inspiration from the likes of Bob Dylan, Glen Hansard, The Cure, The Smiths, and R.E.M. His compositions take listeners on a captivating journey, shifting from raw emotional solo performances to foot-stomping rock supported by his band.

“Soul Sold” is Kevin Quigley’s latest offering—a self-produced and written labor of love that reflects his unwavering commitment to authenticity. The song, set to release on February 16th, is a powerful anthem that espouses the belief that individuals should never compromise their true selves to conform to societal expectations or authority figures. In a world where people are often belittled or pressured to conform, “Soul Sold” stands as a reminder that everyone deserves the freedom to be true to themselves.

Kevin recorded the track in his apartment in Cork City, utilising live instruments to capture the raw energy and emotion behind the lyrics. The single is a testament to Kevin’s prowess as both a songwriter and producer, showcasing his ability to create music that speaks directly to the human experience.

Having self-recorded and produced many of his tracks over the past year, Kevin Quigley looks to captivate audiences once again with “Soul Sold” which is scheduled for release on February 16th, 2023. Listeners can expect an experience that delves into the complexities of the human spirit and the pursuit of self-discovery.

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The traditional music series Geantraí served as a cornerstone in TG4’s music programming for 17 years from 1996 until 2013 and the iconic series is making a comeback in January 2024! In this new thirteen-part series acclaimed singer and musician Ciarán Ó Gealbháin takes the helm as series presenter where he travels the length and breadth of the country to celebrate Ireland’s vibrant music session tradition.

Geantraí captures Irish traditional arts and folk music in a relaxed session setting, highlighting the vital connection between performers and listeners. The series encapsulates the essence of sessions as cultural linchpins and social spaces, documenting Irish traditional and folk musicians in their natural and often preferred environment – the session.

Geantraí serves as a platform for both distinguished and emerging artists rooted in Ireland’s music tradition, as well as paying tribute to the musicians and publicans that have helped to keep traditional arts and sessions alive to this day. This promises a distinctive and exciting night of music from each pub with musicians from the region featured in each episode. From Timoleague in West Cork to Dunkineely in Donegal, across to Ballisodare, County Sligo and to the village of Hollywood in Wicklow, the series covers music from across the entire island of Ireland.

Geantraí was the original showcase for traditional music on TG4 and the name and reputation of the series remains synonymous with traditional music, a reputation that will live on for future decades. The series carries an enormous legacy due to the quality of the series in days gone by and under the program’s previous stewardship by Tony and Joe McCarthy (Forefront Productions). With Paschal Cassidy at the helm of the new Geantraí programmes and with acclaimed music series such as Hup and Cúltír (TG4) and most recently Seisiún (RTÉ), Cassidy’s skill as a director will bring a new flare and style to Geantraí that promises not only a treat for devoted fans but also a captivating introduction for new audiences who might like to experience traditional music brought to their screens at home.

The series kicked off with a re-showing of last year’s Geantraí na Nollag which featured acts such as North Cregg, The Whileaways, Frankie Gavin and Conor Connolly, and many more. The new series began on Sunday, 7 January at 10.30p.m., and Geantraí airs every Sunday at the same time (see the full list of venues below). Don’t miss your chance to enjoy the very best of Irish traditional and folk music from the comfort of your home with Geantraí!

Ciarán Ó Gealbháin

“Geantraí was a pioneering series which presented Ireland’s traditional music in its most natural setting in recent times – the pub! It’s a wonderful thing that a new series of programmes will be back on the air again this Spring, giving a platform for traditional artists young and old. It’s an honour and a privilege for me to be part of this story’.

Presenter Bio

Ciarán Ó Gealbháin is the series presenter and is a highly acclaimed singer and musician from An Sean Phobal in the Déise Gaeltacht of Co. Waterford. Having toured extensively with the band Danú and performed and recorded with artists such as Liam Clancy, The Chieftains and many more, Ciarán continues to perform at festivals and concerts across the world and at home. A lecturer in Béaloideas (Folklore) in Univeristy College Cork, Ciarán’s wealth of knowledge of and familiarity with the Irish traditional arts and the Irish language is of immense value to the production of Geantraí.

Programmes in the Series – Sundays at 10.30p.m. on TG4 or TG4 Player

Please see list of artists beneath each episode.

Presenter Ciarán Ó Gealbháin features across the series.

**Special Programme – 25/12/2023 @ 10.25p.m. – Geantraí na Nollag

1. 07/01/2024 – Tigh Uí Chéilleachair, Cill Fhíonáin (Luimneach)

Derek Hickey, Liam Flanagan, Claire O’Loughlin, Ciara Flanagan, María Ryan, Lucia McPartlin, Anita Bennis, Donie Nolan, Macdara Ó Faoláin, Seán Ó Fearghaíl.

2. 14/01/2024 – Tigh Uí Chonchúir, Baile Easa Dara (Sligeach)

PJ Ó hIarnáin, Philip Duffy, Noelle Carroll, Seán Carroll,

Brian McDonagh, Ruth Clinton, Sinéad Johnston, Kate Gavin, Aaron Glancy, Leonard Barry, Andy Morrow.

3. 21/01/2024 – Jim of the Mills, An Teampall Uachtarach (Tiobrad Árann)

Cáit Ní Riain, Jim Ryan, Ned Kelly, Claire Quinn, Fergal O’Neill, JP Reynolds, Síofra Thornton, Stephen Kennedy, Orla O’Brien, Eileen O’Brien, Áine Gleeson, Aidan O’Donnell, William Holmes, Ciarán Slattery.

4. 28/01/2024 – Tigh Mhac an tSaoir, Dún Cionnaola (Dún na nGall)

Eugene McKenna, Ciarán McKenna, Peter McKenna, Lauren O’Neill, Matt McGranaghan, Jim Byrne, Síle Friel, Peter Campbell, Máirin Kerrigan, Bernard Kelly, Martin McGinley, Kevin O’Donnell.

5. 04/02/2024 – Tigh Uí Mhaonaigh, An Rinn (Port Láirge)

Caoimhín Ó Fearghaíl, Paddy Tutty, Dónal Clancy, Seán Mac Craith, Karen Dolan, Jeremy Saich, Noel Clancy, Joseph Mannion, Clara Mannion, Rebecca McCarthy-Kent, Edel Fox, Neill Byrne, Lía Byrne, Macdara Ó Faoláin.

6. 11/02/2024 – J.J. Hough’s, Beannchar (Uíbh Fháilí)

BackWest, Michaela Keenaghan, Sharon Carroll, Ciara McKeogh, Jamie McKeogh, James Hogan, Pádraig Kinsella, Séamus Kinsella, David Kinsella, Richard Kennedy, Ciara Callanan-Ryan, Seán Ryan.

7. 18/02/2024 – Monk’s Lane, Tigh Molaige (Corcaigh)

Lily Munday, John Munday, Kate Ní Shé, Meadhbh Ní Shé, Eoin Ó Riabhaigh, Johnny McCarthy, Cormac McCarthy, Eimear Buckley, Méabh Buckley, Clodagh Buckley, Diarmuid O’Brien, Mairéad Ní Chathasaigh, Carol Leader, Richard Lucey, Jim Murray, John Herbert, William Hammond, Gemma Magner, Linda Quinlan.

8. 25/02/2024 – Cleere’s, Cill Chainnigh

Dave Sheridan, Michelle Powderley, Eric de Buitléar, Tommy Fitzharris, Tommy Lannigan, Nell Ní Chróinín, Áine Donohoe, Brian Murphy, Megan McDonald, Mick Foley, Derek Morrissey, Brian Mooney, Eimer Casey, Robbie Walshe.

9. 03/03/2024 – Dowling’s, An Chorrchoill (Cill Dara)

Aisling Ní Choisdealbha, Damian O’Brien, Adrian Scahill, John Fitzgerald, Ciarán Fitzgerald, Áine Fitzgerald, Eithne Ní Chatháin, Phil Clarke, Dan Gurney, Seán Marshall, Colm Ó Caoimh, Ryan Molloy, Seána Davey.

10. 10/03/2024 – Boland’s, Mullach na Síodh (Ros Comáin)

Dylan Carlos, John Carlos, Shane Carlos, John Wynne, Liz Wynne, John McCartin

Lisa Ward, Sarah Ward, Niamh Ward, Fionnuala Maxwell, Patsy Hanly, Brian Duke, Tommy Guihan, James Donoghue, Joe Donoghue, Éamonn Donoghue, Seán Donoghue, Séamus Donoghue.

**Special Programme – 17/03/2024 – Geantraí Lá Fhéile Phádraig

11. 24/03/2024 – McCague’s, An Bhoth (Muíneachán)

Méabh Smyth, Marty Barry, Pádraig McGovern, Dave Sheridan, Bláithín Mhic Cana, Piaras Ó Lorcáin, Seána McCague, Dónal McCague, Seán McElwain, Seán McCague.

12. 31/03/2024 – Tutty’s, Cillín Chaoimhín (Cill Mhantáin)

Kevin Conneff, Michelle O’Brien, Peter Browne, Cillian Doheny, Paul Meehan, Colm Broderick, Meadhbh Broderick, Rosa Carroll, Ann Healy, Eileen Healy, María Healy, Joe McHugh, Mick Crowe, Eimer Casey, Barry Carroll.

13. 07/04/2024 – P. Clarke’s, An Uaimh (An Mhí)

Aidan Connolly, Pádraic Keane, Fergus McGorman, Ruairí McGorman, Geraldine Smith, Áine Ní Chróinín, Patrick O’Loughlin, John Daly, Paddy McEvoy, Ruairí Summers, Ciarán Hesnan, Brian Carolan, Tom Darby, Saoirse Nic Aogáin.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram: @geantraitg4 | Facebook: @Geantraí

Twitter: @geantraitg4 | YouTube: @geantraitg4

TikTok: @geantraitg4

“Brian Dillon pushes the boundaries of electronic music, with off-the-wall, unpredictable, and imaginative compositions” – The Irish Times

The Line is the pseudonym of Brian Dillon, musician, sound artist, and member of Meltybrains? who shares a new single, ‘Sacrifice is so Passé’, via Strange Brew: https://lnk.to/SacrificeIsSoPasse

Speaking of the new single, Dillon says: “Sacrifice Is So Passé is a reflection on some of the problems of contemporary life and the fact that many of those problems are disguised as positives. Modern technology has given us the opportunity to see anything we want to see, any time we want to see it. It also provides us with the option to have more or less anything we want, delivered to our doorstep at the touch of a screen. Yet, throughout human history, various forms of wisdom have always taught us that the things that we want are not necessarily the same as those that we need. Unfortunately, wisdom, much like sacrifice, seems to be a concept which is now considered to be old-fashioned or outdated, by many. Sacrifice Is So Passé is a suggestion that not everything from the past needs to be rejected.”

The song is a duet between The Line and the Japanese Vocaloid vocal synthesizer, focused on an uncanny-valley discussion between an average smartphone user and their phone. This discussion is reinforced by a slow, churning, kick-drum groove, and soft, luxurious synth pads. It is influenced by K-Pop and J-Pop, as well as Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, and contemporary American pop songwriters SZA and Frank Ocean.

UPCOMING SHOWS:

Selective Memory presents The Line, plus very special guests, at The Workman’s Cellar, Dublin, Thursday 22^nd February.

Tech Amergin presents The Line at Tech Amergin Community Education and Arts Centre, Waterford, Saturday 9^th March.

For live show tickets, visit: https://linktr.ee/briantheline

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Renowned for her ethereal and meditative song writing Polly Barrett is set to release her first single of 2024 with ‘Sparrow’ on February 23, 2024.

Like its namesake, ‘Sparrow’, has a lightness of touch and is imbued with an innate rhythm reminiscent of a Sparrow’s flight. Meditative in nature the single features mandolin, cello, and tongue drum with a soft bodhrán gently moving the single along. This is the fourth single off her critically acclaimed third album Sapling be…and displays Polly’s love for traditional Irish music. ‘Sparrow’ will speak to those who have felt meaning in those small encounters with nature. To the buried wild spirit inside the modern human who yearns to reconnect with the wilderness.

With two studio albums to her credit West Cork songwriter Polly Barrett is no stranger to the creative process of writing and recording albums. However, it took the birth of her son and her rebirth as an artist for Polly to find her authentic truth. Recorded in her home in West Cork Sapling be… is fully dedicated to her son who came up with the name itself as he strummed the guitar as a toddler. Saturated in Polly’s new home life the record is imbued with her struggles as writer’s block got its angry claws into her and the ethereal, meditative peace she found and made for herself in West Cork as she navigates the path of motherhood. Initially used as a tool for meditation, the tongue drum found a place in Polly’s song writing opening her up to fully embody the music. Ethereal and rhythmic Polly plays most of the instruments on this album which include acoustic guitar, tongue drum, bodhrán, tin whistle, low whistle, bass guitar and piano.

Recent singles ‘Huge Mistake’ and ‘Sapling Be’ introduced fans to Polly’s journey through motherhood. Of ‘Sapling Be’ Polly says “The song is like a wish for my son that he grows strong and tall like a great oak tree, and with his roots firmly in the ground. That he never forgets his connection to nature.” ‘Huge Mistake’ is an ode to finding beauty and one’s peace in an unexpected place. Both singles saw Polly earn support from RTE Radio 1’s Louise Duffy, Today FM/98FM’s Claire Beck, Lyric FM’s Marty Whelan, Dublin City FM’s John Barker and Newstalk’s Sean Moncrieff. Sapling be… was mixed by Grammy-nominated producer Chris O’Brien (Clannad, Aslan, and Emma Langford) and mastered by Richard Dowling at WAV Mastering, Limerick.

Polly Barrett is a well-known name on the Irish folk scene. After releasing 2 albums, 2011’s Mr Bookshop and Probably Me in 2014 she took a break from music to focus on family. During the Covid-19 pandemic Polly quietly recorded and released “Dark Garden”, an EP of four new songs, one of which, ‘Thinking About You’ was chosen for a Discover Ireland Campaign for West Cork. Polly performed an Official Showcase at Folk Alliance in the US in 2022 and performed at Milwaukee Irish Fest in the US alongside the Coronas, Wallis Bird and a host of other Irish acts.