Author: Zoé Piater

‘Madonna’ Official Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcO3Achn5tk
‘Madonna’ on streaming platforms https://factionrecords.lnk.to/Madonna

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

Pre-order the album on vinyl and CD
https://irishmusicmarket.com/collections/niamh-regan

+ tour dates in Ireland, UK + EU

Critically acclaimed artist Niamh Regan returns with first single ‘Madonna’, from her upcoming album ‘Come As You Are’ (out May 2024 via Faction Records). Written in a stream of consciousness, ‘Madonna’ focuses on violence often suffered by women. It’s also symbolic of Niamh’s disregard for genre expectations & showcasing her prowess as a singer-songwriter.

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

Since its release, Niamh has embarked on headline tours around Ireland, UK, Australia, and more. Pairing this with many festivals and a variety of support opportunities with artist such as CMAT, Villagers, John Grant, SOAK, Patrick Watson, Sam Amidon, Cormac Begley, Sorcha Richardson, Josh Ritter, and many more, which has led to Niamh’s new-found confidence and joy performing on stage.

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

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

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

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

While ‘Come As You Are’ represents a bold evolution for Niamh, its first single ‘Madonna’ is the song that feels most intrinsically tied to her debut. It’s a raw, one-take live recording of her voice and acoustic guitar which has a hymnal warmth. Niamh offers, “I wanted to start the album kind of as bravely as possible and I think that way is to do it on your own.”

‘Madonna’ by Niamh Regan, is out now (Wednesday 7^th February 2024).

https://factionrecords.lnk.to/Madonna

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

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

Upcoming Live Dates (Solo shows in Ireland, Spain, Switzerland, UK + EU)

SOLO DATES – IRELAND:
Jan 27th – Leitrim, The Dock **SOLD OUT
Feb 2nd – Galway **SOLD OUT
Feb 3rd – Kilkenny **SOLD OUT
Feb 4th – Cork City **SOLD OUT

Feb 8th – Limerick
Feb 9th – Wicklow
Feb 10th – Ballydehob, Co Cork **SOLD OUT
Feb 11th – Kinsale, Co Cork **SOLD OUT
Mar 2nd – Dublin **SOLD OUT

SPAIN
Feb 16^th Jazz Cava, Vic (SP)
Feb 17^th El Club, La Selva del Camp
Feb 18^th Centro Cívico Delicias, Zaragoza (SP)
Feb 19^th Teatre del Raval, Castellón (SP)

SWITZERLAND
March 15^th Brienz **SOLD OUT
March 16^th Brienz **SOLD OUT
March 19^th Cafe Marta

European Dates with CMAT
March 5^th – Vienna, Austria
March 27^th – Munich, Germany
March 28^th – Zurich, Switzerland

UK DOUBLE HEADLINE TOUR – APRIL 2024 – with CHRISTOF VAN DER VEN
April 2^nd – Hug & Pint, Glasgow
April 3^rd – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh
April 4^th – Cardigan Arms, Leeds
April 5^th – The Engine Room, North Shields
April 7^th – The Folklore Rooms, Brighton
April 8^th – Servant Jazz Quarters, London
April 9^th – Gulliver’s, Manchester

Tickets on sale now: https://www.bandsintown.com/a/12851425-niamh-regan

New indie band The Hopeful Kind debuts their first single, ‘Wherever You Go’. The new and anticipated release comes after the bands formation in the summer of 2023. ‘Wherever You Go’ is a lively and energetic masterpiece produced by talented Post-Party frontman, Keelan O’Reilly (Love You Every Day, Wasting Time) and engineered by the brilliant Beardfire Studios (Kate Dineen, AILSHA, Queen Bitch and The Dublin City Rounders).

“Wherever You Go” is a melodic journey that seamlessly blends catchy hooks, shimmering synths, and Meath’s Ruth Teeling’s punchy guitars. Donegal native and lead singer Cara Ward’s infectious vocals paired with the upbeat instrumentation create a sonic experience that will have listeners hitting repeat.

Scheduled for release on February, 23rd 2024, “Wherever You Go” will be available on all popular streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and more. The Hopeful Kind invites fans and music enthusiasts to tune in and join the celebration as they mark their entry into the world of indie pop.

‘A total feel good banger that we can’t get out of our heads!’ – Beardfire Studios

Pre-save ‘Wherever You Go’ here: thehopefulkindmusic | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree

F3miii returns with a brand-new dance floor filler.

Dubbed one of the most exciting acts of Our Generation, Dublin-based producer and vocalist F3miii continues to transcend all sonic bounds with ‘LOSTWITHOUTMARIA’, to be released February 9th. Drawing from masters of the game Majid Jordan, Micheal Jackson and Kaytranada, F3miii crafted a sound with a rebel spirit of its own. A twist on 80’s synth pop and dance, LOSTWITHOUTMARIA is laced with magnetic melodies and is a nostalgic 2 min 34 seconds of sonic heaven.

Already receiving a stamp of approval from Grammy award-winning producer Timbaland, when the record was premiered on his Livestream session, where F3miii discussed the track with the mega-producer. Timbaland’s enthusiasm for the record has been backed by thousands of other spectators across TikTok and Instagram eagerly awaiting the release.

Produced, mixed and mastered by the multi-talented F3miii, the record is nothing short of perfection, full of rainbow synth melodies, uptempo break-beats and ’80s rave pianos.

“LOSTWITHOUTMARIA is a track about a feeling lost without something or someone. In my case it was about a person, so that’s where I went. I felt lost without someone who was special to me. I had a bit of an 80’s phase where I’d listen to Michael Jackson and other classic records. So I drew inspiration from that by adding my own alternative spin to it by making it more upbeat and using synths and sounds that you wouldn’t typically hear on an 80’s beat”, F3miii shares.

Initially developing his love for music while in a church gospel choir, F3miii’s career has risen quickly through the ranks of the Irish music scene; putting on some electric live shows and collaborating with lauded Irish acts including Khaki Kid, Jafaris, Hare Squead and Monjola. In a short period of time, the rising artist has already conquered a headline show at the Sound House, an Irish Music Week showcasing, a supporting slot for Kiana Lede, Trinity Ball, Forbidden Fruit festival and The Academy. While his music has been craved by Spotify’s curated playlists: Our Generation, Chilled Pop Hits, Alternative Ireland, Good Energy, Sad Songs and Fresh Finds UK & IE to name a few.

“Listening to F3miii is an experience akin to being on a rollercoaster for the first time” – Hotpress

 “a finger-clicking slice of R&B with inspirations drawn from Kaytranada” – Nialler 9  

Follow F3miii:

Spotify | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter

DUBLIN, Ireland – “Calen Made Me Do It” is the latest single from Dublin’s own Flynn Johnson, released on the 2nd of February. This track marks Flynn’s first release since joining Golden Éire Records and also heralds the start of a momentous year for the label in the Irish Hip-Hop scene.

In an audacious blend of paternal affection and fierce lyrical prowess, “Calen Made Me Do It” redefines the intersection of fatherhood and artistry in Hip-Hop. This track veers from traditional hip-hop formats, eschewing hooks, bridges, and choruses for a relentless stream of sharp, uncompromising verses. The song also features a unique element – the voice of Flynn’s son, Calen, adding a poignant layer to the narrative. “From the moment Calen came into the world, I knew I wanted to create something that lives forever with his toddler voice on it,” shares Flynn Johnson. “Something we could look back on in years to come and laugh at or dance to; my version of an old bound photo album or camcorder videos.”

Far from the clichés of softened perspectives often associated with parenthood, Flynn uses this unique collaboration to sharpen his lyrical teeth, proving that becoming a father has only intensified his hunger for the crown in the competitive world of Hip-Hop. Lyrics like “Bath, bottle, and bed is the motto, plus I hit them with a bat and bottle ‘til their bed’s a coffin” prove his skill in merging life’s tenderness with the tenacity of his artistic persona.

Flynn adds, “I wrote this from a perspective of protecting Calen with my words. My art has kept me safe for as long as I can remember and I’ve always felt like if I can offer my child anything, it’s the knowledge I’ve picked up along the way.”

Produced by seasoned music veteran and Flynn’s long-time collaborator, ROC (formerly Bitter Rocc), the beat features snappy drums, a warbling 808 bassline, and a soulful vocal sample. This powerful production style complements Flynn’s storytelling, creating a dynamic soundscape that echoes the raw energy and emotion of his lyrics.

Following the critical success of “Born in a Barn” which was featured on Spotify’s Best of Fresh Éire 2023 playlist, Flynn continues to solidify his unique voice in the genre. “Calen Made Me Do It” is an evolution of Flynn Johnson as an artist and father and embodies Golden Éire Records’ commitment to fostering innovative and boundary-pushing creativity. Flynn humorously warns, “If you feel a type of way after hearing it, don’t point fingers at me… blame Calen.”

Get ready for an electrifying night of music as The Sound House proudly presents Irish sensation VJ Jaxson live in concert on March 15th. Known for his high-energy performances and engaging music, VJ Jaxson promises to deliver an unforgettable experience that will leave you buzzing with excitement.

Hailing from Tallaght, Dublin, VJ Jaxson is quickly making a name for himself in the music industry with his dynamic stage presence and immersive artistry. Drawing inspiration from his Irish roots, his music captures the essence of modern Ireland while offering a fresh and contemporary sound that resonates with audiences of all ages.

With his infectious energy and relatable lyrics, VJ Jaxson creates a connection with his audience that is both uplifting and unforgettable. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering his music for the first time, this is an experience that will leave you wanting more.

For those visiting Dublin over St. Patrick’s weekend and looking to experience the best of emerging Irish music, this is one show not to be missed. VJ Jaxson’s performance promises to be a highlight of the weekend, offering a taste of the vibrant music scene that Dublin has to offer.

Don’t miss your chance to witness VJ Jaxson live at The Sound House on March 15th. Tickets are on sale now and selling fast. Join us for a night of music, energy, and celebration as VJ Jaxson takes the stage and leaves his mark on the Dublin music scene.

Event Details:

• Date: March 15th
• Time: Doors open at [7:30], Show starts at [8pm]
• Venue: The Sound House
• Address: [1^st Floor, 28 Eden Quay, North City, Dublin 1, D01 DE44]
• Ticket Price: [€15]

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://thesoundhouse.ie/tc-events/vj-jaxson-presents-changes/ or contact The Sound House box office at [0858342005]

Dunluvly’s ‘The Spire’ is their first single of 2024, a year that has looked very promising for the band so far. This, the second single from their upcoming debut album, comes off the back of some noteworthy appearances in December and January.

They performed to a packed out Whelan’s on the 27th of December 2023, teasing some of the new record that is set for a release in Autumn. On the back of this success, lead singer Shane ventured into the RTE studios in January 2024. Here he played one of the new singles live on air and discussed the band’s plans for 2024 on ‘Tea With Toshín’.

They rounded off January with a performance at ‘Ones To Watch Extra 2024’ on the Whelan’s Main Stage.

From the band’s first international tour to the release of their debut album, 2024 is setting up to be a big year for Dunluvly.

‘With Karen Garvey (flute) and Aisling Fitzgerald (fiddle) joining the band, we’ve brought the folk and traditional Irish elements of our songs to life. It’s a huge component in the new record and it’s exactly what’s been missing from the old stuff’ – Shane

Dunluvly’s single ‘Too Late’ was used by Surfline in their short film ‘Out Front – Ireland’ as a soundtrack to showcase Ireland’s most prevalent professional surfers. Additionally, Shane produced the original soundtrack for the film ‘Where Will We Go’ that will screen at the Disappear Here Film Fest and Inheritance – The Environmental Festival. They played at Whelan’s ‘Ones To Watch’ festival at the beginning of the year, played their first national tour and then played at Electric Picnic’s Trailer Park in September of 2023.

International man of mystery George Ivanovich ignites the new year with an enchanting new release titled ‘Embassy of Spring’. On a backdrop of minimal basslines and hypnotic composition, Ivanovich delivers mesmerising vocals combined making a strangely well-suited blend of futuristic pop. The track inaugurates a new moment in his career, departing from a more true-to-self and genuine source material, letting his commitment to authenticity shine through his artistry.

The multi-talented enigma first earned fame for his stunning visual art display in his music after collaborating with the Warsaw Film Academy to release a series of compelling music videos for his debut project ‘Dance and Sing Along’. This led to a collaboration with Tango Natural which resulted in a TV debut on Serbian CNN for the single ‘Like Love’. This spiral of events propelled Ivanovich to set on tour across Serbia, Poland, Germany, Croatia, China and Ireland. Having enchanted audiences under the banner of Lampshade Media in Belgrade (Serbia) and Bentley Records in New York (US), now casts his musical spells from the enchanting city of Dublin.

In the enchanting realm of Balkan, Ivanovich has weaved musical tales alongside luminaries like the illustrious Serbian trumpeter Dejan Petrovic, the soulful Serbian folk singer Nikola Rokvic, and the versatile Dragan Micanovic, also known as Victor from Guy Ritchie‘s cinematic masterpiece, Rocknrolla. Collaborating with the charismatic Lidija Vukicevic, a Yugoslavian ’90s cinematography icon, and his wife, the captivating Croatian actress Iva Kevra (recognised as Krista from the popular US Amazon Prime TV show Black Sun).

Follow George Ivanovich:

Spotify | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok 

Ahead of her debut trip to Australia Kerry songwriter Lorraine Nash follows up the 2023 release of album All That I Can Be with her first single of 2024, ‘February Snow’, set for release February 9, 2024.

As she prepares to embark on a double headline Irish tour with Australian folk singer Ernest Aines Lyreacrompane native Lorraine Nash releases a brand new single ‘February Snow’ from her back catalogue. Long-time fans may recall the single from Lorraine’s early presence on YouTube which also features on her debut album All That I Can Be. Speaking of the song Lorraine says she wrote it following a bad snowstorm in 2018. “It was a way of thinking through climate anxiety as there was so much talk about how no one had seen this kind of weather in Ireland before.” She explains. More broadly, ‘February Snow’ is about how as much as we think we are in control more often than not we are at the mercy of something else. ‘February Snow’ explores the conflicting sense of holding onto control and the sensation of surrendering this control. Lorraine cites Ben Howard as an influence experimenting with the guitar tunings he uses on his first album. “February Snow’ is also reminiscent of Jose Gonzalez and The Paper Kites as she emulates the hypnotic fingerpicking rhythm synonymous with both artists.

Lorraine released her eagerly awaited debut album All That I Can Be in 2023 accompanied by a sold-out Coughlan’s launch show. The album’s release saw comparisons being drawn between Lorraine and Neil Young “If Neil Young was the master at writing songs that get to the heart of the human condition, the same can be said of Nash’s from-the-heart compositions”, as well as Mary Black. “Nash Is very much her own musician, but her robustly penned songs are redolent of Mary Black around the time of No Frontiers. That was the album that made Black a star….” writes John Meagher in The Irish Independent. The album also got an Australian release in June 2023 to rave reviews and Lorraine is due to tour extensively down under in 2024.

Lorraine Nash has been steadily building her audience since the release of her debut EP ‘Wildflower’ in 2020 which saw Lorraine featured in publications like The Irish Examiner (“a bright young vocal talent and versatile multi-instrumentalist”), Hot Press Magazine (“The release marks the 21 – year -old multi-instrumentalist as a compelling new presence in Ireland’s thriving scene”).  Nialler9, The Thin Air, and The Last Mixed Tape.

At the core of Lorraine’s songwriting is a blend of trad, folk and blues traditions. Drawing on a background of traditional singing, the multi-instrumentalist incorporates the traditional lilt into her live show. Taking inspiration from songwriting legends Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan and Carole King – fused with contemporary influences like Norah Jones, Gillian Welsh, Billie Marten, Lucy Rose, Gabrielle Aplin and Laura Marling – Lorraine creates stunning, image-laden songs.

Lorraine has received huge support from Irish radio with her singles ‘Wolves’, ‘Sing With Her’, ‘Winter Sun’, and ‘Changing Tides’ spending many weeks on RTE Radio 1’s weekly Recommends Playlist, reaching audiences of 1.5 million listeners. According to the Gender Disparity Data Report compiled by WhyNotHer, Lorraine was one of the most played female artists on RTÉ Radio 1 in 2020.

Lorraine has performed alongside David Keenan, Stephanie Rainey, John Spillane, Jack O’Rourke, Paddy Dennehy and The Lost Brothers. She has wowed audiences at Cork Opera House, Ruby Sessions, Live at St. Luke’s, Irish music industry events, Music Cork, Autumn Air festival and Your Roots Are Showing, as well as Tradfest and Galway Folk Festival. Lorraine has made several TV appearances since impressing on national Irish TV’s Today Show, with her breakout single ‘Winter Sun’.

“Quietly establishing herself as a serious one-to-watch over the last few years, the Kerry singer-songwriter finally releases her long-awaited debut album, All That I Can Be, this month. Combining classic songwriting influences and a deeply authenitic approach to her craft, it features the radio ready closing track ‘I Don’t Care’ among its stand-outs.”

– Hotpress Magazine

“Lorraine Nash is a skilled musician and talented lyricist who is developing her voice but deserves your attention now. As she sings on ‘Breathe’: “I threw stones in the ocean, set the water in motion.” She could be describing what will hopefully be the start of something special for her.”

— Americana UK

Tour dates

Feb 2   Coughlan’s, Cork
Feb 3   Monroe’s, Galway
Feb 4   School Yard Theatre [Sli Eile Fundraiser], Charleville, Cork.
Feb 8   Little Whelan’s, Dublin
Feb 10 The American Bar, Belfast. Nthn Ireland.
Feb 11 Cleere’s, Kilkenny

“You can so often feel ashamed about certain thoughts or feelings – It’s so hard to say those things, but writing it down and then a few months later people being like ‘oh that’s what you’re saying’, is far less terrifying…”

Julie from NewDad talks about songwriting as therapy and much more alongside drummer Fiachra on the IMRO Podcast.

NewDad are a quartet originally from Galway, now based in London, that have just released their debut album Madra to much acclaim. Just before the album dropped last week, they spoke to Danny Carroll all about it – topics include working with producer Chris W. Ryan, the influence of bands such as Broadcast and Just Mustard, the unlikely trad connection for the group and the very early days of the band, performing at the Irish Youth Music Awards back in 2017.

The #IMROPodcast is available now through all the usual streaming platforms 🎧🎶

The IMRO Podcast (buzzsprout.com) ⬅

Audrey Bridgeman, the talented Dublin artist has released her new single on January 27th. Following on from her successful debut album “Fire in Your Soul” in 2021 an eleven track mix of original material with roots in blues, funk, rock and world music, Audrey has co-written her new release “Come Away With Me” with guitarist Gerry Hendrick. Gerry is well known for playing and recording with Blues Harmonica player Don Baker, and other well known artists such as Sinead O’Connor, Glen Hansard, Vonda Shepard and Dan Akroyd. The song was also produced by Gerry Hendrick in Sonic Recording Studios in Dublin and engineered by Al Cowan.

Audrey is the daughter of the late great Noel Bridgeman , the legendary drummer who played with Skid Row and The Waterboys among other leading outfits. Last year Audrey co-produced a sold-out show in the Olympia honouring her father and the night had a host of Irish stars including The Waterboys, Colm Wilkinson, Mary Black, Mary Coughlan, Sharon Shannon, Mary Stokes and many more. – but Audrey has a pretty formidable resume of her own. The Dublin based musician is known for her work with a diverse range of acts including Celtic Thunder, The Pale, Havana Che, Mik Pyro and Pucho and His Latin Soul Brothers.

About the single: “The song is based on an Afro groove and also features Zeenie Summers and Nono Size Madolo. The song is ultimately about love and the importance of connection with others. The message of the song is a reminder that we all deserve a safe haven to express ourselves freely and pursue our dreams and happiness. We are more alike than different in striving for and wanting the same things: happiness, peace, freedom, equality and love.”

Listen to ‘Come Away With Me’ on YouTube here:

https://youtu.be/MC5XRHqa9d4?si=CM_wiImpuA7Vvywt

Bandcamp:

Come Away With Me | Audrey Bridgeman (bandcamp.com)