‘Into The Sea’ is the stunning breakthrough debut album from Lahinch-based County Limerick-born singer, songwriter, and musician Susan Quirke, out now [Friday 23rd April 2021]. Recorded alongside some of Ireland’s finest musicians, it features elements of indie-rock and folk, with an ethereal sound that announces this as an album of great depth and beauty.
Susan has released five tracks to date and her music has been played on RTÉ 1’s The John Creedon Show, Late Date, The Ray D’Arcy Show, and also BBC Radio. Susan has performed at the Electric Picnic and Body&Soul music festivals, played for figures such as the Dalai Lama and President Higgins, and she has been featured in Hot Press, The Irish Times, and The Sunday Independent.
‘Into The Sea’ features Irish music luminaries Colm Mac Con Iomaire on violin (solo artist, The Frames, The Swell Season), Colm Quearney on guitar (The Square Pegs, Lír), Robbie Malone on bass (David Gray, Lír), Justin Carroll on piano (The Frames, Iron and Wine), and Graham Hopkins on drums (Therapy, The Frames, The Swell Season). The album was recorded in Dublin (The Qube studio) and Wicklow (The Meadows). It was engineered by Ruth Kennington and Rían Trench and mixed and mastered in France by Grammy award winner David Odlum. It was co-produced by Susan Quirke and Colm Quearney.
The songs on ‘Into The Sea’ were written by the ocean at locations in County Clare, Dublin, and in northern California. ‘Into The Sea’ is a concept album that plays upon the metaphor of the sea as a sea of consciousness. The songs draw upon aspects of reclamation of personal power, healing, transformation, and holding on in hard times. Other songs speak to the power of community, our interconnectedness, the global refugee crisis, connection with nature, cultivating peace of mind, and alchemising fear into love. This is a grower of an album, bringing the listener into a deeper richer experience with every listen.
Particular album highlights include the high-powered indie anthem ‘The Embrace’ (exploring a powerful moment of forgiveness), the upbeat ‘I Like The Way’ (a catchy alternative love song), ‘Let Us Love’ (an ode to intimacy and love), and ‘To The Bone’ (a timely uplifting reminder of our inner strength). Other songs such as ‘Follow Rivers Way’ are stripped back and make for more mellow listening. Susan has written a deeply personal blog about her 10 year journey of making this album which you can read on her website here.
Susan is also an award-winning social entrepreneur for her work in the field of mental health and wellbeing. She is well-known as a meditation teacher and has taught people all over the world to meditate. She has worked with the Irish rugby team and previously led a meditation for over 6000 people during the #StandForTruth social justice event in Dublin.
Susan Quirke’s much anticipated debut record is OUT NOW [April 23rd, 2021].
Order on CD or digital via Bandcamp: https://susanquirke.bandcamp.com/
Susan’s online launch celebration with songs, stories, and guests, is tonight, Friday 23rd April, 8pm-9.30pm, and all are welcome to join. Link to register is www.bit.ly/SQcelebration
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/25n2H5iLp0C5yRBKoUWieL?si=y6SU3k3IQdaDbSx0iMWZoQ
Bandcamp: https://susanquirke.bandcamp.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvNJxqga3_nGxhyHBYhxcoQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanQuirkeLoves/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SusanQuirke / @susanquirke
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanquirkeloves/
