Author: Zoé Piater

Evelyn and Declan started working together in the dark Winter of 2020. Now they’ve stepped into the light. They have written and recorded an album together and have had radio success with the first three tracks serviced to radio, ‘Who Has Coloured You Blue’, ‘Make For Joy’, and ‘Half of the Moon’, in the last few months.

A fourth single, ‘Just Like A Child’ will be released on June 7th. ‘Just like a Child’ is about meeting someone older who has a deep philosophical certainty. A wish to walk through the world with a completely trustworthy friend. A youthful dream.

Declan you may well know from his work with Christy Moore, Mary Black, Horslips, Moving Hearts etc. He produces, writes, sings and of course plays guitar with Evelyn.

Evelyn was born on the tropical island of Curaçao, had a music career in the Netherlands and lives in the south-west of Ireland now. She has gone from singing in Les Misérables to touring with an acid Jazz Band and everything in between.

Together they have found a new path through the woods.

Graham Mitchell, the soulful troubadour hailing from Raheny, Dublin, is poised to set the music scene ablaze with the impending release of his debut single, “A Beating Soul,” slated for the end of May. Following an enchanting tour across the verdant landscapes of Ireland, Graham Mitchell emerges as a beacon of musical prowess, leaving audiences spellbound with each resonant chord and heartfelt lyric.

Throughout his journey, Graham has shared stages with luminaries such as Damien Dempsey, The 4 of Us, Aslan, and Ham Sandwich, honing his craft amidst the harmonious tapestry of their collective artistry. These encounters have not only broadened his creative horizons but have also exposed his talents to an ever-expanding legion of fans, eagerly awaiting his next sonic revelation.

At the helm of his burgeoning career, Graham Mitchell’s headline shows at revered Dublin venues like Whelan’s and The Workman’s stand as testament to his meteoric rise within the Irish music scene. Each performance, a resplendent tapestry woven with melodies that linger in the soul, bears witness to Graham’s innate ability to forge connections that transcend the boundaries of space and time.

As the anticipation mounts for the release of “A Beating Soul,” Graham Mitchell stands on the precipice of greatness, poised to etch his name indelibly into the annals of musical history. With a voice that resonates with the depth of his experiences and a passion that ignites the hearts of all who listen, Graham Mitchell is primed to embark on a journey that will captivate audiences far and wide.

“It’s brilliant work!” Gary Clark – Songwriter/Producer – Danny Wilson/Sing Street

“Graham Mitchell is growing his sound and refining his lyrical content superbly” – Indie Buddie

“Graham Mitchell has emerged as one of the most promising singer-songwriters in the country” – Hot Press Magazine

Graham Mitchell is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter from Raheny, Dublin, whose soul-stirring melodies and poignant lyrics have captivated audiences across Ireland. With a penchant for crafting songs that resonate deep within the hearts of listeners, Graham Mitchell stands as a beacon of musical authenticity in an ever-evolving landscape.

Over the West Online Radio was launched on May 18th at The Devlin Hall in Letterkenny, with local artists coming together to celebrate this exciting event. The online station, founded by singer-songwriter Maria McCormack, provides a platform for emerging artists from all over the country. Maria expressed the station’s motto, saying, “If You Create It, We Will Play It.” She explained that the idea for an independent station came about in 2021 because she was frustrated with local musicians not getting their music played on traditional radio stations. After obtaining the necessary licences she set about building the platform and station. Finally the emerging artists of Ireland have a home for their music. J’mok who travelled from Belfast to perform said it was great to know that their music would always be played on Over the West and he said it was wonderful to know that there would be “no more rejections”

During the launch, Maria praised the “family” of 52 artists from different genres and locations in Ireland who have already entrusted their music to her to promote and showcase. The team behind the scenes consists of thirteen DJs mainly of whom are independent artists from all corners of Ireland including Ben McCormack (Galway), Aine Duffy (Cork), Keith Eastwood (Dublin), David Dee Moore (Mayo) all well known to be incredible supporters of Irish talent. Maria also stated that this platform is dedicated to building strong musical relationships with other like minded DJs on other stations to help get the emerging artists music to a wider audience.

The event was a lively celebration of the supportive community, with over 24 acts from allover the country taking the stage and showcasing the incredible talent featured on the station. It was also showcased on the RTE Nuacht on Saturday evening. MC John Muldowney highlighted the abundance of unsigned talent that often goes unnoticed and credited Maria for giving them the recognition they deserve. Odyssey, a young band from Donegal comprised of Dylan Gallagher, Finlay Sheridan, Odhran McGinley, and Tony Gallagher, had the honor of switching on the ‘On Air’ sign and opening the showcase. A special tribute was also paid to the late Paul Mooney, who played a significant role in the station’s inception. Paul, a talented musician, producer, and friend, tragically passed away in a road accident in December. Maria shared that they had great plans for the future and expressed her love for Paul, whose jingle can now be heard on the station every day.

Listeners can now download the Over the West Radio app to start enjoying and supporting the diverse range of music available. Maria encourages everyone to “start the ripple effect today and start making big waves.” For more information, visit: [linktr.ee/overthewestonlineradio](https://linktr.ee/overthewestonlineradio).

“Within Iann Brennan’s soaring anthemic melodies are lots of wise lines between the cracking hooks, if he’s playing near you do yourself a favour and try to get to him, he’s the bomb.”
–    Damien Dempsey

“A pleasure to be part of Iann’s debut album. He just rocks it.”
–     Tony McGuinness – Aslan

Iann Brennan is an Irish Indie Rock artist from Dublin, Ireland. He began his musical journey by learning to play the guitar at the age of 12, soon after he learnt his first four chords he started writing songs.  After being part of various bands, Ian decided to pursue a solo career. One of his early solo performances was as a support act for the well-known Irish band Aslan. It was during this performance that Ian met Vinny Lawlor, who is now Ian’s manager. 

After his old band split up in 2015, Iann initially had no plans to continue making music. However, when his friend asked him to fill in as the support act for a gig after the original act dropped out at the last minute, Iann performed four songs.

These songs were originally intended to be the next batch of his old band’s songs. This experience reignited his passion for music, prompting him to reach out to Vinny for potential support slots. Vinny helped Iann secure a few shows and subsequently introduced him to Irish producer Ray Traynor, with whom Iann has been collaborating ever since.

Since then, Iann has gone on to write a collection of anthemic, melodic, catchy, heartfelt songs which are influenced by Iann’s heroes such as Oasis, Kings of Leon, Arctic Monkeys and Stereophonics. His unique brand of entertainment fuses anthemic melodic songs and driving guitar lines with energetic and witty stage banter that will make you want to sing and get lost in the music.

Notable past performances include opening for Damien Dempsey, Aslan, Declan O’Rourke, Mary Coghlan, Hazel O’Connor, Eddi Reader and Lisa Hannigan and has played in iconic venues and festivals such as Electric Picnic, 3Olympia Theatre, Vicar St. and Cork Opera House.

Iann was surprised to learn that his music had caught the attention of the German label AGR Television Records. He signed with the label in 2023 and is preparing to release his new album on November 24th.  Iann is now set to release his second single “Getaway” in May and is planning an Irish tour for late 2024.

ABOUT THE TRACK

Irish artist Iann Brennan has made quite the impression around the Irish music scene over the years with his energetic and captivating live performances. Now, after 7 years of gigging all around Ireland, he is set to release the second single “Getaway” from his debut album entitled “Start As You Mean To Go On”. 

“Getaway” was written in late 2017 and has become a fan favourite when played live. Iann collaborated with musician Kenneth Rice to compose the string arrangement for both ‘Getaway’ and the album.

“‘The song was inspired by me seeking escapism from the reality of life with that special someone. That’s all anyone wants really, a stress-free life with the person you love. The piano riff came accidentally from my Keys player Del. We were sitting in a rehearsal room and we were going through a different song and he accidentally played that riff or something very similar. It’s probably my favourite song on the record” 

Iann Brennan

The song was written sometime after Iann left his full-time job in early 2016. The song was inspired by his experience of wanting to escape from the overwhelming pressures of reality and stress with that special someone. It was produced and mastered by Ray Traynor in Jopheil Studios.

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Niamh Regan has achieved soaring success following the release of her second album ‘Come As You Are’ on May 31st, 2024, via Faction Records. With the album climbing the charts, today (Thursday, June 6th) is the important date to pick up a copy before the chart week cut-off this evening.

Produced by Tommy McLaughlin at Attica Studios, the album has garnered extensive critical acclaim at home and abroad:

“A powerful second album…Come As You Are’ is a delightful album full of delicate vocals, subtle hooks and exquisite instrumentation.” CLASH Magazine

“A beautiful, breathtakingly candid indie folk record of self-acceptance, Niamh Regan’s ‘Come As You Are’ is an intimate, emotionally charged invitation to embrace ourselves for who we are and lean into our light – even when it’s dark outside.” Atwood Magazine

“There’s a touch of Laura Marling in her voice, something of John Martyn in her intonation and Nick Drake in her guitar picking, the influence of everyone from Jeff Tweedy to Josh Ritter in her crafted storytelling…”

8/10 UNCUT Magazine

“…one of the most formidable forces in the Irish indie-folk scene… a pristine record which deals with faltering relationships, self-doubt, and love with exactitude and fearless candour.” 9/10 Hot Press

“There’s hypnotic late-night deep synths, plus a woozy, bespangled hidden track. In all, intelligent and beautifully idiosyncratic” 4/5 Mojo Magazine

“Come As You Are is a brutally authentic work from a songwriter of the highest order.”- KLOF Mag

‘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.

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’: the rousing, string-assisted majesty of ‘Waves’, subtle electro-pop beats dancing at the base of the mix in ‘Nice’, the dreamy Petty-esque melancholic swirl of ‘Blame’, and standout track ‘Music’, which, if not for the expressive feminine elegance of her voice, could feel like a lost classic from Jeff Tweedy and co.

The album closes with a bonus track, ‘Record’, featuring the vocals of SOAK (Bridie Monds Watson).

Expressing her gratitude, Niamh says, “I’m so delighted to have this album out in the world. I’m simply blown away by all the support it’s received so far. I can’t wait to bring these songs out on the road this summer.”

 ‘Come As You Are’, is available on vinyl, CD, and digital via Faction Records.
https://factionrecords.lnk.to/ComeAsYouAre

VIDEOS:
Waves – https://youtu.be/zVkoyqgA2YI
Madonna – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcO3Achn5tk
Belly – https://youtu.be/xH_c8H3HTHU?si=20Xsk0rhrcNeC28X
Music – https://youtu.be/jsEBqmx5AKA?si=Bf3Uz3SIGBfypoPQ

TOUR DATES:
UK (SOLO)
9th June – Metronome, Nottingham | (supporting Memorial)
10th June – Portland Arms, Cambridge | (supporting Memorial)
11th June – Paperdress Vintage, London | (supporting Memorial)
12th June – The Wight Bear, Bournemouth | (supporting Memorial)

IE TOUR DATES 2024
13^th June – Windmill Live Show w/James Vincent McMorrow, Dublin (solo)
16^th June – Doolin Folk Festival (full band)
16^th July – Galway International Arts Festival (full band)
25^th July – Song Room, Wexford (solo)
2^nd August – All Together Now
12^th August – Kilkenny Arts Festival (solo)
17^th August – Electric Picnic (solo)
14^th November – Cyprus Avenue, Cork (full band – presented by In Bloom Agency)
15^th November – Liberty Hall Theatre, Dublin (full band – presented by Foggy Notions)

+ more to be announced

For more music, merch, and gig tickets, visit: https://shor.by/zC6c

Follow Niamh on:
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The Wishing Tree is the latest single to be released by singer/songwriter Martin Moran. Having been kept busy with a number of projects currently in the pipeline, Moran has found time to release his first single of 2024. The song marks a change in sound for the County Meath native which he puts down mainly to his guitar playing on the track.

“There’s kind of a lot of chords in the song but the the lead guitar doesn’t really play straight chords. It’s always playing either a melody, a counter melody or some moving progression behind the actual tune of the song”, says Moran. “Also, instead of doing two separate harmony parts, I played it on multiple strings of the one guitar at the same time. I found it gave a nice distortion and a cool kind of feedback that blended into the sound of the song.”

Then there are nice support parts dropping in and out from piano, acoustic guitar and some melodic bass guitar parts. Not to mention a heavy presence of vocal harmonies to the four or five melody changes of the song. And of course there’s a strong storytelling element too which this particular songwriter always enjoys incorporating into his songs. Overall, a big indie rock song with 4 minutes 20 seconds on the clock, it gives plenty of bang for your buck.

The Wishing Tree is available on all streaming platforms now and can be downloaded for free at martinmoran.bandcamp.com.

Follow Martin Moran on social media at the links below for further information and updates on more single release dates.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soy.martino
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soy.martino
Bandcamp: martinmoran.bandcamp.com

In a bold move to spark conversation and raise awareness about mental health, McNamara unveils their latest single, “Black Dog.” With poignant lyrics and a haunting melody, “Black Dog” offers a raw and introspective look into the depths of mental illness.

Inspired by personal experiences and a desire to shed light on a topic often shrouded in stigma, Tiz fearlessly confronts the metaphorical “black dog” that many individuals face daily. Through the power of music, aiming to foster empathy, understanding, and solidarity among listeners who may be grappling with similar challenges.

“Black Dog” is not merely a song; it’s a rallying cry for compassion and support. Its evocative lyrics paint a vivid picture of the struggles associated with mental health issues, while its soul-stirring melody invites listeners to join in the journey towards healing and resilience.

With its hauntingly beautiful composition and deeply personal narrative, “Black Dog” promises to resonate with audiences far and wide. The song features a spoken word piece from Pat Divilly which takes our conscious mind to new depths.

McNamara hopes that by sharing their own experiences through music, they can spark meaningful conversations, break down barriers, and ultimately inspire hope in those who may feel overwhelmed by their own “black dogs.”

All proceeds from the release are going towards funding aid packages for Palestinian families suffering from genocide currently.

“Black Dog” is available now on all major streaming platforms. For more information visit www.tizmcnamaramusic.com

Bandcamp: https://tizmcnamara1.bandcamp.com/

Any purchases, streams or donations will be forwarded to Aclai Palestine for aid packages for families.
Donations can be made through Paypal on the Spotify profile:

FULL ACCESS & SHOWCASE-ONLY TICKETS FROM HERE

The Workman’s Club & Cellar, June 9th  
Doors for the Conference: 4 pm
Doors Gigs Cellar (Nancy Kate, Navya Sharma, anna leah, Emileo): 7 pm
Doors Gigs Main Room (The Amniotics, Elaphi, modernlove.): 8 pm

The highly anticipated Music & Mental Health Festival is set to return for its second consecutive year at The Workman’s Club on June 9th. This year’s event will feature two interactive panels and a workshop, focused on live events and touring, designed to engage and inspire attendees to join the conversation about mental health in the music industry.  

Aiming to foster an open and supportive conversation about mental health, MMHF brings together artists, music industry professionals, music psychotherapists and fans to explore the intersection of music and mental well-being. The focus of the first panel: the impact of touring and live events on the mental health of artists and their teams, with speakers including Post-Party’s Keelan O’Reilly, Ann Marie Shields (Minding Creative Minds), Julie Cooper (Dolittle Presents), and Jessica Harris (Music Therapist, Mind Music).

For Panel 2, attendees will gain insight into the effect that live music events have on concert goers, and how artists and their teams can support fans with mental health challenges. The panel will be led by Irish artist Maria Kelly, who will be accompanied by Aileen Brophy (Tour Manager), Tara Hurley (Hot Press Student Ambassador) and Lyndsey Connolly (Music Therapist, inSync). Alicia Raye (artist and founder of ALAYEX MGMT) will close the conference with an interactive workshop, aiming to nurture holistic well-being, promote sustainable practices, and empower individuals within the music ecosystem.

“We are thrilled to present the panels and workshop, which will be led by experts in a variety of fields, including artists, tour managers, and music psychotherapists. By providing a safe space for musicians, music industry professionals, and fans to share their experiences, we hope to help normalise conversations about mental health in the music industry while also providing information on available support.” – Festival Organisers Zoé Piater & Yana Kirkovska

During the evening showcases, attendees will have the opportunity to see some of the most exciting up-and-coming artists in Ireland across The Workman’s two stages, such as indie rockers modernlove., Italian-Swedish outfit Elaphi, rising punk band The Amniotics, Berlin-born electronic act Emileo, indie-pop songwriter anna leah and more. 

Remaining tickets are available from here, starting from €12,90 for showcase-only tickets, and €15,90 for full access (showcases + conferences). 

The Music & Mental Health Festival is kindly supported by IMRO, Minding Creative Minds and Ex Oh Promotions. 

MMHF Instagram | MMHF TikTok | MMHF Facebook | MMHF LinkedIn | MMHF X

Arrow In The Sky are a dynamic duo of multi-instrumentalists, Conor McCauley and Brian Murphy, hailing from the heart of Ireland. Known for their unique sound, they have previously released two acclaimed mini-albums: Do What Thou Wilt (2009) and Winter’s Requiem (2011). Their songwriting partnership creates a distinct world of rapture and sorrow, blending traditional instruments with an unconventional approach.

Arrow In The Sky’s live performances are as captivating as their studio work, featuring looping guitars, blazing mandolins, and a suitcase turned bass drum. This innovative style has made them a favourite opening act for renowned Irish bands like Villagers, The Stunning, and Duke Special.

Their previous singles such as ‘Fire’ which has nearly 9k streams on Spotify, picked up support in the likes of Hot Press, Rolling Stone Spain and more and their single ‘My Sunshine’ has gathered nearly 16k streams on Spotify making the duo a hot one to watch!

‘Time Of Need’ is next release from their upcoming highly anticipated  album, the single is set for release June 7^th and the band hops to gather more press and radio support to continue building their momentum.

Fans can also experience the song live as Arrow in the Sky at their upcoming gig in Clarke’s Mullingar on the 19th July.

Alt-folk duo band Arrow in the Sky proudly announces the release of their latest single, “Time Of Need,” a track that delves deep into themes of salvation, faith, and the human struggle with sin. The 3rd single from their forthcoming album showcases the band’s signature blend of lyrical depth and haunting melodies.

“Time Of Need” features a distinctive soundscape: a shimmering silver national guitar and bottleneck slide, resonating glass on steel through a busted up speaker cabinet, a wailing harmonica through a bullet mic.

The bassline, conjured from the foot pedals of a resurrected church organ, completes the unique musical experience known as Arrow in the Sky’s ‘bog-blues’. This foot-stomping track is reminiscent of the ‘Hill top Blues’ of Junior Kimbrough or R.L Burnside – perhaps if lost and wandering through a crossroads of Westmeath.

Conor McCauley, the band’s lead singer and a self-proclaimed atheist, clarifies that “Time Of Need” is not religious in its connotation but still explores themes of salvation and the possibility of redemption. McCauley emphasises that if redemption does exist then that in itself is a solace.

The band has once again collaborated with their friend Jason Cooper (The Cure/My Life Story). “We just let him rip,” says Brian Murphy. “He captured the vibe immediately. Initially, we thought it was a bit too Bonham, but then we decided, why not let him do his thing? And it was perfect” Brian laughs.

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‘Brand New’ is the third single from Donegal singer-songwriter Shauna Scanlon. It follows the massive commercial success of her last single ‘If I Knew’ which received national airplay on 2FM. Shauna was chosen as the Grassroots Pick of the Week on Beta Da Silva’s New Music Show on the station which introduced her to a whole new audience. ‘Brand New’ is the last single to be released from her upcoming EP which will be released later on in the summer.

The song follows someone coming home from work on a Fiday, excited to get out to the pub, have a few drinks and let their cares fade away. ‘Brand New’ is a perfect summer tune, ideal for lounging on the beach or in a beer garden with an Aperol Spritz in hand. The chilled vibes of the track are provided by Shauna’s soulful, RnB vocals accompanied by the funky bassline of PJ Deery. Percussion was added by producer Callum ‘Gordo’ Gordon who tied all elements together to give the tune a retro feel. ‘Brand New’ also features a cameo appearance from Pat Bonner, owner of Bonner’s Corner Bar, the inspiration for the song.

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https://www.instagram.com/rshaunascanlonmusic
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https://www.facebook.com/shaunascanlonmusic
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https://open.spotify.com/artist/2eIWOmLUOKR4Xg7zUtzuce