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
