Author: Zoé Piater

Keith McLoughlin is a singer/songwriter from Dublin, Ireland. He writes lyrics/melodies and collaborates with other singer/songwriters to create songs. Keith also presents radio on Dublin South FM, does PR for artists helping them get their music played on other radio stations, hosts a music night The Brady’s Sessions and music meet up group The Songwriter Club.

Keith has been writing songs for many years including co-writing with the likes of Chris Short, James Daly, Gillian Tuite and Grace Day who wrote with Keith on his debut singing release “Big Joe” and follow up “My Little Red Eye”. Keith has released songs he has co-written with these artists including getting performers Denise Brennan on “Raise A Glass To New Year” “See You Again”, Olivia Burke on “You’re Alive”, Rachel Greene on “Without You” and Chris Short on “Your Smile”, James Daly on “It’s Killing Me Inside”.

He has a new song coming out on February 16th called “Like You A Little More” for Valentines week. The song is about having friendship with someone and wondering if it could turn into love.

“I wrote the song with Rohan Healy and Al Quiff in Beardfire Studios. I had the lyrics plus melody and the lads made the music for it. It’s an up-tempo song with sound like Daft Punk and Stereophonics. I have been writing songs for a number of years with different musician friends. You can find details at www.keithmcloughlinmusic.com”

‘Saga’, the new song from Pearse McGloughlin is a tale drawn from times of instability. It sings to a cosmic backdrop and of urban odysseys. Its nouvelle vague styled video, shot in Tasmania and directed by Ursula Woods, reflects the inherent dreaminess of the track and channels a cinema vérité aesthetic. It features beautiful strings by Pearse’s long-time collaborator Justin Grounds and drums from Stephen Kiernan.

I wrote this song because I wanted to explore how perspective can help us deal with turbulence and calamity. It was a way of putting sense on a strange historical moment and seeing tragedy up close.

‘Saga’ is taken from Pearse’s sixth studio album ‘Keg’ produced by Julie McLarnon (Jeffrey Lewis, The Vaselines) in the famed Analogue Catalogue studios in Northern Ireland and has been played by BBC6 Music DJ Steve Lamacq amongst others.

The video for ‘Saga’ was directed by Ursula Woods, based in Tasmania. Maria Blackwell who has previously sung on Pearse’s ‘Twine EP’ and ‘In Movement’ appears in the video, lending a hypnotic and faraway mood to the striking visuals.

Director Ursula Woods on ‘Saga’:
”I took an experimental approach to shooting this loose narrative. It was shot (mainly) on a Bolex and also a Canon Scoopic with Kodak double X film, it was DIY hand processed and then digitised in Melbourne. The piece was shot in Kingston Tasmania and features artist Maria Blackwell a mutual friend of mine and Pearse’s. Of course this connection and distance was really the inspiration behind the images as well as the song and lyrics. I was drawn to Saga with its cinematic, dreamy feels”.

The video for Saga will launch on February 16^th 2024 and is available on all digital retailers. pre-save.

a musical artist and wordsmith who crafts songs of exquisite beauty and depth (for Keg)… Nenesbutler

this is pop-folk goldsmithery of the highest order … Between strings as precise as they are loose and vocals as inhabited as they are celestial, the journey is overwhelming… This songwriting is both deeply rooted and profoundly singular, giving it that long-lasting breadth that is so precious (for Keg)…. Le Village Pop

Softly embellished folk songs, often with a softly sweeping cinematic bent, the faint burble of electronics and a sense of the avant-garde – The Irish Times (The Rest)

Songs of autumnal ambience, bringing shades of a serene Sigur Ros or Beach House – The Sunday Times (The Rest)

Saga | Pearse McGloughlin (bandcamp.com)

Elaphi is a Dublin based four-piece band founded in 2021 by songwriter and guitarist Sara Barberio, along with Jacopo Stofler (guitar), Federico Camici (bass), and Grim Nordahl (drums). Elaphi music incorporates moody folk with the subtle enchantment of hushed electronics. Inspired by artists such as Warpaint, Daughter, and Radiohead, Elaphi’s music blends ethereal yet punchy compositions, evoking a sense of introspection and intimacy. The band’s name, inspired by the Greek word “Elaphos,” meaning deer, symbolises both vulnerability and strength, qualities intrinsic to the majestic creature and seamlessly intertwined within the band’s artistic expression. Each member of Elaphi contributes with their unique vision and musical skills, which leads to the creation of their impactful compositions. The sonic elements crafted by Elaphi capture the imperfections and vulnerability that intricately shape the human journey.

New single ‘All I Ask’ reflects the essence of a fleeting moment, akin to a memory that gradually fades away like footprints in the sand. The ambience of the song is primarily shaped by the resounding bass and drums, lending it a truly unique and distinctive composition. Despite the song’s energetic progression, its lyrics and overall atmosphere evoke a profound sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of bygone days that slowly vanish, just like the impressions left behind on the shoreline.

“I think they are absolutely fantastic”
– John Kennedy, Radio X

“A band I definitely want to hear more from”
– Dan Hegarty, 2FM

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Over the last twenty years, Dublin-born and Berlin-based artist David Hedderman has cultivated an impressive career as a visual artist with his vibrant style of portraits which often feature beautifully textured and captivating backdrops for his figures to exist within. Hedderman’s striking idiosyncratic style seamlessly translates in his songwriting, as demonstrated in his dynamic and deft debut album, Pulling at The Briars, out today (9^th February) on Grönland Records.

These ten multi-faceted compositions are sensitively layered with sumptuous and sweeping instrumentation. Its tonal palette is enhanced by a rich palette of emotive guitar melodies, soft percussion, and wistful flourishes of pedal steel, piano and violin. These beautiful soundscapes are endlessly inviting, each return drawing audiences closer towards the many aspects of his artistry.

Following on from the release of the first singles ‘Blue Jeans’ in September, and ‘Permanent Blush’ in October, instrumental track ‘In Your Own Way’ in December, then ‘Pokerface’ last month, Hedderman introduces a new lead track and shares a new video:

‘Leaves’ official video: https://youtu.be/8tGwAgtOCrI?si=_0PvGrSUQqwxikC4

Speaking on the new song, Hedderman says “This is the one of the oldest songs from the album…. about 15 years. 

It`s about going up and then going down and been reminded by the seasons that it always goes round and around.”

ABOUT ‘PULLING AT THE BRIARS’

Written over a 15-year period, Pulling At The Briars captures a transitional period for Hedderman during which he relocated to Berlin, Germany from Dublin, Ireland in the mid-2000s. The initial months and years were shaped by intensive periods creating art whilst cultivating a community of like-minded creatives in Berlin. With regards to the latter, Hedderman engaged in regular music sessions, eventually inviting musicians to his Kreuzberg studio to play together. This ritual not only served as an invigorating social outlet but through playing music, Hedderman was able to process several informative events that occurred throughout his twenties and thirties.

Recorded live over five-days with Brendan Jenkinson (Aoife Nessa Frances, John Francis Flynn, Villagers) in Sonic Studios, Dublin, Ireland, Pulling At The Briars was produced by Conor O’Brien (Villagers), Hedderman’s close childhood friend and former bandmate in The Immediate. The atmosphere conjured during the recording sessions was amplified by the potent cast of collaborators featuring Peter Broderick, David A. Tapley (Tandem Felix), Corey Blair, and Aidan Gorman, each of whom add rich flourishes to the expansive material.

Hedderman explains the significance of the album’s title and how it reflects the overall narrative of this deeply personal and resonating work. “It came from a trip I made to the West coast of Ireland making portraits of people. I was also doing some work outdoors with my friend and we were told we had to pull briars out of some walls in the lashing rain. Afterwards, I remember it being a very heightened memory after that trip of it being very cathartic and symbolic. The act was quite literally doing something in the pursuit of clearing, unclogging. I’ve often seen that as how I’ve treated music in a cathartic way, as a form of therapy. Holding the guitar and singing is my way of getting things out. The album’s title is a lyric in one of the songs and I think it nicely umbrellas the whole album in how it addresses the ways that I try to untangle life.”

‘Pulling At The Briars’ by David Hedderman is available on vinyl:

https://www.groenland.com/en/product/david-hedderman-pulling-at-the-briars-lp/

Website: http://davidhedderman.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidHedderman

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/david_hedderman/

Calum Agnew has put his stamp on the Dublin and Irish Music scene as a unique pop-fused Soul and R&B band to watch out for. Currently preparing for his Headline show in Whelan’s Main room on March 5th, Calum’s intricately catchy melodies make his music instantly recognizable and have been showcased across many gigs on the Dublin and London Music scene to date, including his first sold-out headline gig in the Beehive Bow, London last February, as well as gigs in the Grand Social and Workman’s main room.

Calum first established himself as an artist to watch out for after releasing ‘Crazy’, his first independent single that he self-produced from his bedroom during the Covid-19 lockdown which was placed number one on the Irish iTunes Charts.

Following the success of his Irish festival debut at Electric Picnic, he’s set to release his next single ‘Never’ on March 8th mixed and produced by Philip Magee. In the meantime, Calum has been performing in venues around Dublin including the Whelan’s ‘Ones to watch’ festival and a sold-out show in Workman’s Cellar in January.

Calum’s Vocal style has been compared to the likes of Amy Winehouse following the release of his second single  “Don’t Think About It”. The release of his single ‘Never’ will uniquely establish Calum as a Soul-Pop artist to watch out for on the Irish and wider music scene.

Calum Agnew is an independent singer-songwriter based in Dublin, Ireland. Pop-Soul Artist releasing music in both the Irish and English Languages. Calum’s mesmerizing stage presence and infectious choruses with irresistible beat keep the audience very much engaged throughout any of his performances.

Instagram: @calumagnewmusic

Black Pope, the artist behind acclaimed EP “Music for Girls Vol. 1,” released a romantic goth ballad, “Black Love,” on February 7th, 2024.

Breaking away from his usual manic energy and fuzzed-up guitars, “Black Love” introduces a softer side to the artist, featuring heartfelt vocals, dark twangy guitars and a touch of self-deprecating humour. The accompanying music video was shot in Black Pope’s apartment with a small team, adding a cozy intimacy to the love song.

Based between Ireland and Berlin, the artist’s past successes have included an appearance at Ireland Music Week, an opening slot for Fontaines DC, and the premiere of a self-directed video for “Werewolf, Man” at Berlin’s Rollberg Kino. The artist’s debut EP, “Music for Girls Vol. 1,” has garnered acclaim from Hot Press Magazine, Visions.de, and Psychedelic Baby Mag.

The journey continues with a “Black Love” release show at Urban Spree, Berlin, promising a sanctuary for romantics who are as comfortable embracing their dark side as one another.

The artist’s debut album, “White Smoke,” produced by Grammy winner Cian Riordan (St. Vincent, Lana Del Rey), will be released in late 2024.

Black Pope’s music has been described by Mojo Magazine as a “neo-rock’n’roll soundtrack of surf guitar rumble”. With a collection of personal songs that play like a horror anthology, Black Pope’s music borrows from classic and contemporary rock’n’roll to take you back to an era that never existed.

Based between Ireland and Berlin, the artist’s past successes have included an appearance at Ireland Music Week, an opening slot for Fontaines DC, and the premiere of a self-directed video for “Werewolf, Man” at Berlin’s Rollberg Kino. The artist’s debut EP, “Music for Girls Vol. 1” has garnered acclaim from Hot Press Magazine, Visions.de, and Psychedelic Baby Mag. He is currently gearing up to release his debut album, “White Smoke,” which was produced by Grammy winner Cian Riordan (known for his work with St. Vincent and Lana Del Rey).

Audiences are drawn to Black Pope’s explosive stage presence, infectious charisma and an insatiable appetite for all things dark and mysterious. For many, this is the end of civilization as we know it. For Black Pope, it’s just another full moon.

Listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1670842/14463750 

Borderline is a two day event supported by IMRO, held in the Workman’s Club on the 15th and 16th of February showcasing forward-facing music from Ireland and abroad.

The inaugural event is being organised by the promoters Singular Artists, and ahead of the two day showcase Danny Carroll spoke with some of the people involved.

Coming up we have interviews with Joe McVeigh from the Belfast noise-punk quartet Enola Gay, we will be speaking with the Dublin based indie-pop artist EFÉ, and before all that we have a chat with Simon Merriman from Singular Artists.

Simon spoke about curating the bill for this event, some of the logistical challenges involved and also his excitement for the current state of Irish music

Since 2020, EFÉ has released two EPs of distinctive, dayglo bedroom pop, marked by a strong visual aesthetic and playful music videos. We caught up just before Christmas to reflect on 2023 and hear about plans for the year ahead including her new single Truth Truth.

Our final interview on today’s episode, is with Joe from the band Enola Gay. Formed in Belfast in 2019, Enola Gay have become known for their outspoken lyrics, and genre bending approach to punk. Joe spoke about how the band formed, their early influences and what we can expect from them in 2024.

Visit – https://www.borderlinefestival.com/ to find out more about the event and tickets.

You can watch the video for EFÉ’s new single here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U20gpE-e4LU

You can stream/purchase Enola Gay’s latest EP here – https://enolagay1.bandcamp.com/album/casement-ep

Dominda (pronounced doh-mind-dah) are an upcoming Dublin based five-piece Indie rock band consisting of Ruaidhrí Whelan, Stephen Curtis, Luke Cunningham, Sean Curtis and Barry Lysaght.

All five attended secondary school together, and have been playing music in various configurations since they were teenagers. They have played as duos, in orchestras, as members of other bands, and even as embryonic versions of what would later become Dominda, which finally formed in 2022. The band formed out of the immediate context of the lockdown, after two years of being unable to play live they were all burning to finally pick up their instruments and play again, and from that flurry of excitement and creativity, Dominda was born.

They have been turning heads around the Dublin music scene with their deliciously smooth brand of neo-funk rock and roll and raucous live shows.
The band blends elements of classic rock with neo-soul and hip-hop, with no shortage of ripping drum solos and crowd sing-a-longs. Their sound has fully matured into an instantly recognisable groove that their fans have come to love.

With their new semi-eponymous EP ‘Don’t Mind That’ releasing at the end of February, Dominda are ready to be unleashed to the masses and create an even bigger name for themselves in the music world.

They hope to make a big splash on the festival scene this summer and have plans to tour across Ireland and the UK in coming months.
They also have a headline show in Dublin’s Workman’s cellar set for March 30^th, mark it in your calendars because this is a show that is not to be missed!

TICKETS HERE

Don’t Mind That –  was recorded with the full five-piece band and produced by Cian Synnott in The Clinic recording studio.

“The EP is about our attempts to deal with life, love and the seeming apocalypse. It is about being catapulted towards our late twenties without much of a chance to fully appreciate what came before. Taking this into account, we run the gamut of emotions in all of the tracks. Some of the songs come from a place of idealism and expectation, others are about hopeful loneliness, while others are about simply having a good time and shooting the shit with your mates. Most of the songs were written originally as solo pieces by Luke and Ruaidhrí but the band have allowed them to rise to a whole new level that we are very proud of.” – Dominda on their Debut EP.

While the band is very much an alternative rock band, this EP has a lot going on, with plenty of funk, hip-hop and neo-soul influences thrown in for good measure! The band’s main focus is always having a bitta craic and we think this shines through in the tracks.

“People should listen to the EP because it is electrifying from start to finish, oozing musicality and character.  All of our energy and excitement was poured into every track and yet we did not lose sight of our sense of humour throughout. This EP is for anyone who wants to laugh, cry or anything in between.”

Singles from the EP:

Meet Me in the Morning kicks off the EP at an electrifying pace and sets the tone for the emotional rollercoaster to come. Gritty guitar tones, high-energy drumming and vocal powerhouse Ruaidhrí Whelan combine to encapsulate the classic indie rock sound, reminiscent of Kings of Leon or Sam Fender. Locking you in from the start, the song builds pressure releasing only for the chorus before pulling you back in, demanding your focus. It will find a way into some back alley of your brain and stay there for days to come, or your money back.

You Never Told Me About Him acts as the centre point of the EP, marrying together Dominda’s R&B and Funk influences with the driving Rock groove their fans have come to love them for. The song came about from a chord progression Luke wrote, and the lyrics and shape of the tune were then developed over the course of several jam sessions with the full band.

Dominda’s vocalists Luke Cunningham and Ruaidhrí Whelan weave an intricate story of competing for affection and the emotional turmoil that comes hand in hand with this.

The object of their affections becomes second to the more important question ‘who the fuck is this prick?’. Ultimately it is a heightened and facetious account of a real world story, but as my mother says, never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

The EP comes out February 23^rd with the second single ‘You Never Told Me About Him’ dropping February 9^th.

Instagram  TikTok  Spotify Twitter

Joe’ is well worth the wait as Leila shows how much she has grown as a songwriter. The new song combines her otherworldly vocals with a melodic bassline and crunching guitar chords.”
– Ciaran Brennan, Hotpress

“Songs such as Look So Sweet (the B-side to her new single, Little Lady Blues), I Hope You’ll Be Wanting To See Me Again and I Got Feeling are strong compositions and Leila Jane performs them with passion and attention to detail.”
– GoldenPlec

‘’We heard new Irish talent; Leila Jane is her name and the song was called ‘Look So Sweet’; one to watch me thinks.’’
– Cathal Murray, RTE Radio 1

“’Dance with Me’ marks a stylistically compelling step from Leila Jane as the indie inflections of the track melt with the artist’s folk inspirations to create something that moves things forward”
– The Last Mixed Tape

Leila Jane is an Alternative Pop singer-songwriter based in Dublin whose song writing takes on the spirit of her early blues influences. Imelda May believed Leila’s music had a unique sense of heart and therefore chose her to be the recipient of the ‘Imelda May Scholarship’ at BIMM Institute Dublin.

Leila has been singing and fronting her own bands for over ten years. She has played at festivals such as Electric Picnic, Glastonbury and Body & Soul.

Videos of her busking on Grafton Street are often featured on Dublin City Today’s Youtube channel.

Her most recent releases include an EP called Revolve Evolve which Nialler 9 acknowledged as ‘’showing her affinity for 60s alt-folk and classic harmonic sounds’’, her single ‘‘Wild’’ which was shortlisted to represent Ireland in last year’s Eurovision and her recent remix of ‘’Poison’’, which N Magazine described as capturing ‘’the rage of an abused angel in a realm without justice’’. Her upcoming single ‘’Love Will Come Rushing’’ is set to be released on 14th February 2024.

Love Will Come Rushing is a song about knowing your worth and holding out for the love that you deserve. Leila Jane co-produced the track with Sam Stevenson (Still Searching), blending a thumping bass with world music sounds for a hard-hitting otherworldly vibe. MP3 Hugger described it as having ‘’both an elegance and an urgency’’ with an ‘’ethereal vocal amid a loose beat manifesto’’.

Connect with Leila Jane via Social Media:
Twitter     Instagram    Facebook   Spotify

Gaining a reputation on the live circuit for their high octane performances, WvHs are an anarchic mix of drums, bodhrán, whistles, punk poetry, songs and beats, featuring punk poet, drummer and guitarist Carl Antony Plover and singer, bodhrán and whistle player Linda Plover.

A sonic assault, no subject is out of bounds; from celebrity presidents, celebrity culture, cheap meat, consumerism, social media trolling to inner city violence.

WvHs’ new single ‘Price you Pay’ is an ode to existential crisis; a depiction of life in the rat race, caught in the rut that is ruled by money, social standing and the realisation that you are yet another lemming in the cog.

Working on this theme, WvHs decided to produce a double single with two versions of the same song. The ‘A’ side captures a 90’s vibe, reminiscent of Everything But The Girl, with the overall feel, a juxtaposition to the song’s commentary and featuring stunning harp from collaborator Mairead Kelly.

The ‘B’ side is a more urgent affair, with indie pop inflections, distortion, drums and effects, to produce a warped, grungy undertone, reflecting the discord and sentiment within the lyrics.

In a previous incarnation, the husband and wife duo performed under the name Chunky Planet, releasing a number of tracks and receiving ‘Pick of the Fortnight’ in Hot Press magazine for their single ‘Pensioners Watch TV’ in 2004.

Initially a solo project, WvHs punk poet/drummer, Carl Antony Plover has shared the stage with some of Ireland’s and UK’s well-regarded performers and lyrical geniuses, including John Cooper Clarke, Christy Moore, Whipping boy, Jinx Lennon, Scroobius Pip and a daring opening set for The Fall. As a musician, he has released an album and single with 80’s Avant Garde band 4,000,000 Telephones, with critical acclaim in the UK national press and making the playlist on BBC radio’s John Peel show.

Having partnered up again with musician wife Linda Plover, WvHs have honed a distinctive punk/folk sound over the last year and adding to their melting pot, are joined by Irish harpist, Mairead Kelly.

Wasps vs Humans will launch their new single ‘Price You Pay’ with a special pre-release gig at the Crane Lane Theatre in Cork on Thursday February 29th, with the new single being available to download through the WvHs’ bandcamp page from Friday March 1, as well the usual online platforms.

Connect with Wasps vs Humans:
Facebook/ Bandcamp