Author: Zoé Piater

Hawk Jupiter has released a compelling new music video for his new collaborative single with Galway based singer Lauren Davis, ‘Dodging Arrows’.

Shot on location in Ireland with a full cast and crew, the narrative-led music video reimagines the ancient Irish mythological tale ‘Deirdre of the Sorrows’ and brings it to life in modern times.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/FJceLYTEsLU

Starring Siobhán Matshazi as Deirdre and Mark Agar as Naoise and with a stellar support cast including Fearghal Geraghty, David Wrest, Clement Chigaru, Kate Moon and Kristýna Kubicová, the video reflects themes of freedom and resilience explored in the ancient Irish tale.

The warriors in the original mythological tale are reimagined as gang members, brought to life with intriguing character make-up by award-winning Irish Make-up Artist Chiara O’Dwyer, who also stars in the video.

The music video was produced and directed by Hawk Jupiter with Konstantin Antipenko as Director of Photography. The concept for the reimagining of an Irish myth came about during a songwriting camp supported by the Irish Arts Council, during which time Hawk Jupiter co-wrote the song with fellow songwriter Helen Agnes D.

The unveiling of the video follows last week’s launch of the single ‘Dodging Arrows’, which has sing received airplay on Today FM, 2XM, KCLR FM, Over the West and more.

The official music video for ‘Dodging Arrows’ by Hawk Jupiter ft. Lauren Davis is available to stream now.

Dublin, Ireland [14th June 2024], two of Ireland’s most exciting electro-pop artists Dashoda and Lux Alma come together as co-creators of new single, ‘Sun Stop’, out now.

The track is a collaboration from start to finish, co-written by the pair, produced by Dashoda (Gavin MacDermott) with vocal production by Lux Alma (Alma Kelliher). The video to accompany the song was directed by Dashoda with Lux Alma as co-creator. The pair have a real creative affinity, both leaning towards an 80s synth-flecked sound in their work, with nods to the filmic and the nostalgic throughout.

“I met Gavin in 2022, playing keys in the live videos for his debut EP. We had an instant connection both musically and as friends. I really love his sound and the place where our musical worlds collide feels really natural and right.” says Alma.

Says Dashoda “I focused a little bit more on the sonics and the production, the main hook was something I had written a few years ago and I had Alma in mind to share it with after we performed together last year. When we were working on the lyrics it was a thoughtful, almost meditative, process teasing out the words and the imagery to then build the song.”

The song centres around the exploration of loss and grief, following the sudden death of Alma’s brother Bruce, just over two years ago. Alma explains, 

“I actually met Gavin for the first time the night before my brother died so he’s inextricably linked to that moment of shock and life-altering news. He’s been a really good friend to me since then and so he was exactly the right person to collaborate with on a song about that sense of loss. I think it would have been a very different song, had I attempted it alone.”

‘Sun Stop’ is the literal translation of Grianstad which is the Irish for solstice; the moment in the year where the light begins to triumph over the dark. The name for the song was inspired by the audiovisual piece Grianstad by Una Mullally.

The song is accompanied by a striking music video, also released today which was shot and directed by Dashoda on a mix of 35mm and Polaroid cameras. He remarks “you don’t know for sure what images you’ve captured until after you get the film back from the lab. The polaroids, on the other hand, are instant. Both are exciting. I was really inspired by the film Aftersun, by the sensitivity of the storytelling with the visual aesthetics of polaroids and DV footage. Sometimes images can feel more profound than the moment they capture, that could be the fault of nostalgia. In the end though, whatever camera you use, the photo is whatever you put in the frame.”

Connect with Dashoda
Instagram | Spotify | YouTube | TikTok | Bandcamp | Soundcloud 

Connect with Lux Alma 
Instagram | Spotify | YouTube | Bandcamp | Soundcloud  

Ireland Music Week is delighted to announce the 50 new and emerging Irish artists that will showcase at IMW24 in October.

Artist lineup, via https://www.irelandmusicweek.com/imw-showcase-artists-2024, and listed below:

The festival made the annual call for applications in February, in order to give the 50 showcasing artists and attending international delegates a longer lead-in time to prepare. Almost 750 acts applied via First Music Contact’s artist and industry platform Breaking Tunes. The acts were then chosen independently by an external panel of international and Irish industry professionals. 

“Despite the many, complex challenges facing artists today, Ireland continues to outdo itself with the sheer volume of undeniably excellent talent making music here. With a record number of almost 750 applications for Ireland Music Week 2024, the panel of both international and Irish music industry professionals certainly had their work cut out for them. This year’s lineup of 50 showcasing acts is testament to the ever-increasing amount of export-ready musicians, across an increasingly diverse variety of genres, on this small island. We are truly so excited to showcase these stellar acts to music-lovers and international music industry alike across stages in Dublin city this October” – Ireland Music Week Team

Sharon Barry, Director of Culture Ireland, comments: “Culture Ireland’s mission is to promote Irish artists internationally and one of the ways we achieve this is through strategic partnerships such as that with FMC. Culture Ireland funds FMC to deliver IMW and the Music from Ireland programme, both of which provide key platforms for Irish artists to present their work to international programmers, festivals, labels, agents and more. Ireland Music Week has gone from strength to strength and the 50 artists selected to showcase at IMW 2024 will have an unrivalled opportunity to engage with the international music industry. We look forward to another week of the best that Irish music has to offer and to sharing that with our international delegates”

The festival returns with the international-facing showcases and conference in October 2024. The conference elements will take place across the four days, with the music showcases taking place on Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th. The showcases will take place across six stages in The Grand Social, The Workman’s Club and The Button Factory. Lost Lane will once again be the festival hub and location for the conference during the day. 

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, which can be an essential step in any Irish artists’ development. Many of the IMW acts each year go on to showcase at international festivals such as ESNS, The Great Escape, Primavera Pro, c/o pop and more. Ireland Music Week are excited to launch daytime showcases alongside the regular night shows

The festival will, once again, achieve a gender-balanced lineup.

Listen to the 50 artists here: https://spoti.fi/45r9Cu8 

Tickets are on sale now via https://bit.ly/3Vw0Wz0 

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

|| Ireland Music Week 2024 festival partners include Claddagh Records, Enterprise Ireland, IMRO, RAAP, Revelland, Sony Music Ireland and Warner Music Ireland ||  

Twitter: @irlmusicweek | Instagram: @irelandmusicweek | Facebook: @irelandmusicweek

Discovering The Soundtrack To Ireland’s Future

http://irelandmusicweek.com

https://www.breakingtunes.com/ 

https://www.musicfromireland.org/ 

Ireland’s RnB innovator Monjola shares his brand new 8 Track EP ‘It’s Not That Deep’ via Chamomile Club.

The EP lands alongside the lead single, ‘SPEND SOME TIME’, a cut that channels Outkast’s outsider energy on the chorus and sees MJ catching feelings over a stripped back instrumental.

Hailing from Ireland, this rising alt R&B artist takes listeners on a journey of self-exploration and vulnerability, inviting them to join him in opening up about mental health. With his younger brother MOIO by his side, Monjola leads the charge from their Dublin-based label and creative hub, Chamomile Club. Their mission goes beyond music; it’s about fostering a community where diversity thrives and emerging talents are celebrated.

Speaking on the EP, Monjola says “The project is called iTs NoT tHaT DeEP…In this world where things can get complicated very quickly I found myself questioning and overthinking things and scenarios I’ve been in. The project is a journey that takes the audience through my thought process in a diary format. And at the end of that journey what I come to realise is ‘iTs NoT THaT DeEP’.”

Having toyed with releases on soundcloud during school, MJ’s artistic vision began to crystallize during lockdown when he, Moio and Aby Coulibaly spent their time making music before starting Chamomile Club. It’s quickly become one of Ireland’s most exciting DIY outfits and a home for the inseparable soup of soul, hip hop, RNB, pop and jazz that make up their releases.

This sound has propelled Monjola to tours with Kid Cudi and Genesis Owusu. However, the label co-founder has kept his feet firmly on the ground with his jam sessions in his DIY studio that bring Dublin’s Rnb, soul and pop scene together while his Chamomile Club nights are some of the most exciting in the city and often sell out within a day of release.

‘It’s Not That Deep’ pulls together the power of this community and explores Monjola and MOIO’s experiences of navigating a new culture from a young age. In sharing their story, the two brothers invite others to do the same. From the music to the visuals, every aspect of this EP is a testament to the creativity and unity found within the Chamomile Club. Join Monjola as he creates a safe space for expression and invites you to be a part of something bigger than just music. ‘IT’S NOT THAT DEEP’ isn’t just an EP—it’s a movement towards openness, understanding, and empowerment.

‘It’s Not That Deep’ was produced by Moio, co-produced by Chris Bubenzer, mixed by Joseph Hartwell Jones (FKA Twigs, Olivia Deane, Adele) and Mastered by Gregg Janman.

The Irish-Nigerian singer’s sound has already earned praise from Notion, Wonderland, The Line of Best Fit, District Magazine and enjoyed airplay from BBC 1xtra. While he was also named as part of RTÉ 2FM Rising’s 2021 edition.

‘It’s Not That Deep’ is out now.

Tracklist

1. ON MY MIND (FT. MOIO)
2. GO WRONG
3. SAME OLD
4. OFTEN
5. PIGGIE IN THE MIDDLE
6. EXTROVERT
7. SPEND SOME TIME
8. WHATEVER I DO

Follow Monjola
Instagram / TikTok

Irish acclaimed artist Áine Duffy is set to release the first single, “Tits Up,” from her eagerly awaited album “Keep Her Lit” on Friday, June 14, 2024. Known for her dynamic performances and vibrant personality, Áine’s new track promises to be a catchy, banging, and humorous anthem that captures her distinctive style and unyielding spirit.

After recently being covered in the likes of The Irish Times, RTE 1, The Irish Examiner, Virgin Media, BBC and more, as well as multiple TV appearances, this one is truly ‘highly anticipated’.

Áine Duffy’s vision extends beyond music. After a successful project during the pandemic brought music to the public with a converted old donkey box to stage/camper called the DUFFBOX. She is revolutionizing the touring experience with a plan to convert a van into a multi-functional mobile music unit. A new Duffbox for the people of the Irish music industry.  To bring the Craic back. 

 This innovative vehicle will offer accommodation, cooking facilities, and a built-in stage, reducing the overheads associated with touring and bringing live music to communities at an affordable cost. She also self-built her own tiny passive home 

Speaking about the inspiration behind the track, she says:

“Tits up was written from the frustration of flakiness in a humorous way.”

Scheduled for release later this year, album “Keep Her Lit“, set for release on September 13th, showcases Áine’s extensive vocal range and exceptional guitar skills. The album reflects her experiences and the diverse influences gathered from her international travels and collaborations.

BIO

Born in Bandon, Cork, Áine Duffy’s journey in music began at the tender age of 15. Her career took flight as she studied Music Management and Sound, leading her to perform across the globe in cities like New York, LA, London, Toronto, and many more. Her talent was recognized in Switzerland, where she was gifted two Patrick Eggle guitars and invited to perform at the Patrick Eggle factory in Birmingham. 

Áine’s unique sound and dedication to her Irish roots earned her opportunities to record with Roger Greenawalt (known for his work with Bruce Springsteen,the pierces and Sophie B. Hawkins) in NYC. Her music has been featured in TV, film, and animation, and she has collaborated with notable artists such as Philippe Cohan Solal (Gotan Project) DJ Dirty Freud and Grammy-winning engineer Emily Lazar (SIA).

INSTAGRAM
YOUTUBE
FACEBOOK
WEBSITE

Homegrown pop star Pastiche leans into escapism with her euphoric new single ‘Dizzy’ , out today . Inspired by a wild night out, ‘Dizzy’ captures the exhilarating feeling of losing yourself on the dancefloor.

Pastiche says of the track: “Music is my escape from the world and the things I’m dealing with, just like how going out can be a way to let yourself lose control. It’s so freeing to be wild just for one night to feel something, meet new people, dance with strangers. ‘Dizzy’ is all about leaving your day to day behind and allowing yourself to be caught up in a whirlwind.”

Dublin-born Pastiche burst onto the Irish scene at the end of 2020, bringing her fresh pop sensibilities. Brazen, fiery and memorable, she is an artist to sit up and take notice of. With BBC’s Gemma Bradley noting that Pastiche has “a promising future ahead,” she has been hailed as “Ireland’s fastest rising pop star”( Hot Press ).

Pastiche’s 2024 single ‘Forfeit Control’ reached no. 3 on the Irish Radio Breakers Chart and has amassed 4.3 million radio impacts . The song and Pastiche’s own story drew attention from the Irish Times Women’s Podcast , Catch Up with Louise McSharry , The Sunday Times , Nialler9 , Real Hot Girl Podcast and many others. Showcasing online at the remote Ireland Music Week 2021 , each single release from Pastiche’s debut EP Freak Show Symphony has garnered millions of radio impacts, hundreds of thousands of streams, tens of thousands of radio plays, as well as landing New Music Friday , New Pop UK and other massive Spotify editorial playlists. She has an impressive 450,000+ Spotify streams under her belt as a fully independent artist.

Pastiche sold out her 2021 debut headline show at Whelans in 72 hours, causing media to rave about her and the Irish Examiner to name her an “Irish act to watch out for”. She made her debut at Primavera Pro in 2022 and dazzled audiences at leading Irish music festivals Sea Sessions , Indiependence , SoFFt Nights and Dublin’s Pride Festival . 2023 was a banner year for Pastiche, who was featured as a Keychange artist and played the massive stages at The 3Olympia , Collins Barracks and Iceland Airwaves . This year, she’s already opened for legendary electronic artist Alice Glass at Opium in Dublin, with plenty more in store for fans.

Connect with Pastiche

SPOTIFY | IG | TWITTER | TIKTOK

“That’s what we’re aiming for: Music that can only be experienced.”

Music that can only be experienced live at Music Current: an annual contemporary music festival produced by Dublin Sound Lab. The festival showcases contemporary Irish and new international electronic music and facilitates workshops, professional development classes and public panel discussions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      In a new episode of our IMRO Podcast, Danny Carroll is speaking with festival director Fergal Dowling, the Irish sound artist and performer Lara Gallagher, and Pieter Mathhynssens, co-artistic director of Nadar Ensemble, a Belgian contemporary music ensemble.

The IMRO Podcast is available on all major streaming platforms. Find out what makes this festival so unique and tune in!

0:00 – Danny Carroll intro

1:18 – Fergal Dowling Interview

7:40 – Lara Gallagher Interview

15:45 – Nadar Ensemble rehearsal and interview with Pieter Mathhynssens

Featured music:

Tak Ensemble – Mouthpiece 28 (composed by Erin Gee) and featured on the Oor:

Eryk Salvaggio – Flowers Blooming Backwards Into Noise:

Lara Gallagher – Leap Of Foals

Nadar Ensemble – Drie (rehearsal audio) – composed by Serge Verstockt

Lara Gallagher – https://laragallagher.art/
Nadar Ensemble – https://nadarensemble.be/
Music Current – https://www.musiccurrent.ie/2024/

On Saturday 29^th June, The Trailblazery will welcome celebrated Mexican artists AWARË to Ireland for the first time in the midst of their extraordinary European tour, along with special guest Ajeet, for a special performance in Wicklow’s historic Killruddery House.

AWARË weave a magnetic sonic atmosphere with a blend of rich and soulful instruments anchored by crafted electronic environments and heart-touching vocal timbre. As vivacious rhythms begin to gradual y awaken the senses, energy rises into a cheerful dance that serves as a powerful catalyst to step into a realm of oneness, where hearts unite and spirits soar.

FROM SILENCE – AWARË DOCUMENTARY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPSKO6d7vOA

Ajeet’s music is similarly described as healing, transporting ~ offering a moment of peace in a fast-moving world. With her trademark soaring yet meditative folk-tinged offerings, Ajeet’s textured melodies and poetic lyrics make for an entrancing musical experience.

On the night, ticketholders will arrive at the heritage yard to enjoy restorative delights from Killruddery House’s seasonal menu of food and drinks impeccably sourced from local produce. Doors will open at 8pm to the grain store, where you are invited to dance the night away with the stars above your head and flowers below your feet.

• Time: 6.30pm
• Date: Saturday, June 29
• Location: Killruddery House, Wicklow
• Event info page: https://www.thetrailblazery.com/aware-ajeet-killruddery
• Event tickets page: https://killruddery.rezgo.com/details/363900/an-evening-with-awar-special-guest-ajeet

Artist bios:

::  Ancient :: Wisdom :: Availing :: Resonant :: Equilibrium ::

Born from the creative synergy of dear friends Bogdan and Matias, AWARË is a musical odyssey that transcends the conventional boundaries of sound. As vivacious rhythms begin to gradually awaken the senses, energy rises into a cheerful dance that culminates in the collective celebration of the universal language of music. AWARË´s music serves as a powerful catalyst to step into a realm of oneness, where hearts unite and spirits soar.

Instagram: @aware.musica | https://www.awaremusic.art/

Ajeet is a world music artist weaving inspiration from traditional folk to meditative soundscapes. Many experience Ajeet’s music as healing, rejuvenating, and a place of deep connection. Collaboration is central in her work, and some of her collaborators include Trevor Hall, Aisling Urwin, Sukhmani Rayat, Rising Appalachia, Snatam Kaur, Seamus Egan and Peia. Her creative process extends beyond live performance to her recording studio, where she produces and engineers her own work and others. Celebrated as #1 on the iTunes World Chart and Billboard Top 10 New Age Chart, Ajeet’s music continues to be embraced by communities across the globe.

Connect: @ajeetmusic | https://ajeetmusic.com/

Electronic artist ALAN! (Alan Doyle) is set to release his new single ‘Tubular Wah’ on Thursday, 13th June, 2024. Known for his energetic blend of breakcore and jungle music, ALAN! draws inspiration from early 2000s video-game music and the XBox 360.

Creating ‘Tubular Wah’ began with ALAN! experimenting with an old toy from a fun fair, breaking it apart to produce unique sounds. He then layered in guitar and drums, transforming his initial idea into a vibrant and dynamic track. 

Reflecting on the process, ALAN! says, “I was playing with an old toy from a fun fair and broke it apart to make weird sounds with it. I started making the song, added guitar and drums, and developed it. Influenced by early 2000s video-game music, I transformed a spark of an idea into vibrant energy.”

This single is a teaser for ALAN!’s debut EP, “Rushes,” which will be released on 11th July, 2024. The EP will introduce listeners to his innovative approach to music-making, where he starts with a spark of inspiration and develops it into something far greater.

ALAN!, based in Ennistymon, County Clare, is a 19-year-old blacksmith renowned for crafting iron using ancient Irish techniques. Despite his expertise in smelting, his passion for music is equally prominent. He aims to create music that others enjoy as much as he enjoys making it, blending his love for nature and creativity in his work.

To promote ‘Tubular Wah’, ALAN! will share behind-the-scenes content, original artwork he photographed, and collaborate with influencers. He has secured local radio play and plans to pitch to relevant blogs and communities within the gamer and breakcore/jungle scenes.

Over the past year, ALAN! has apprenticed with Enda Gallery in Kilfenora, County Clare, who praises his rapid development and incredible talent. Enda says, “I’m blown away by how quickly he develops. He has an incredible mind for music and he’s an incredible talent. He can be a generational artist in this space.”

The single ‘Tubular Wah’ will be available on 13th June, 2024, and will be part of the upcoming EP “Rushes,” releasing on 11th July, 2024.

Imagine a conversation with your younger self. The temptation of giving advice would be strong. Would that younger self even listen? Should they even listen? How much can wisdom be passed on and how much needs to be experienced?

FOOT SQUEAKER – PASS IT ON

OUT JUNE 13TH

Bursting into Summer fresh off their Ubh Bhriste Irish tour and the March release of their single ‘Friends Like These’, Foot Squeaker strike while the sun is hot with their new single, ‘Pass It On’.

The song was written two years ago as Diarmuid’s eldest son turned eighteen. The idea of writing a song giving advice to your younger self brought ‘Pass It On’ to life very quickly. Simple effective advice; be yourself, stand tall, be kind, watch out for the disingenuous.

From a delicate beginning of acoustic guitar (recorded in the house toilet for ultimate natural reverb) to the anthemic big chorus “Eyes on the prize. Grá mór inside”, ‘Pass It On’ is sure to lift the hearts and feet of audiences this Summer.

Mixed by Daniel Fox (Gilla Band)
Mastered by Darragh Nolan (Astakalapa)

UPCOMING SHOWS
Dún Laoghaire Summer Fest

Indie Night Headline
The Lighthouse – July 11th
Toales
Dundalk – August 16th