Beloved Irish indie artist Maria Kelly returns with ‘Drive’, her first single since releasing her debut album The Sum of the In-Between in 2021. Out toda y via Veta Records , ‘Drive’ is about longing for closure, and grappling with the reality that it may never come. It’s a rose-tinted story of ‘what-ifs’, fuelled by the desire for forgiveness, and the need for permission to finally move on.
To celebrate the release of ‘Drive’, Maria is hosting a ‘Night of New Things’ at Bello Bar in Dublin on Thursday, 6 June . Tickets are €15 + fees and can be purchased here . Maria will also play the Ruby Sessions on 28th May , a secret Belfast location on 22nd June , and with Ezra Williams at the Róisín Dubh on 17th July .
Maria says of the track: “I wrote ‘Drive’ as a sort of comforting daydream as I looked back on my past relationships. I’ve always struggled with the fact that people who once meant so much to you can suddenly become a stranger again. I know that growing apart is natural, but I’ve never been able to move through that loss with ease – especially when so much is left unsaid at the end of it. ‘Drive’ is a yearning to go find them now, explain, and have them ease the guilt – and an attempt at accepting that it won’t ever happen.”
Produced by her creative-collaborator Matt Harris (Veta, HAVVK), and mixed/mastered by Rocky O’Reilly (Start Together, Oppenheimer), ‘Drive’ has already gained international attention; the single is featured in the trailer for the film Ezra , starring Bobby Cannavale , Rose Byrne , Whoopi Goldberg , and Robert De Niro .
MARIA KELLY BIO
Nestled somewhere along the Irish coast, Maria Kelly is writing songs for sensitivities.
Galvanised by the likes of Daughter, Laura Marling and Lucy Rose, Maria has crafted her own world of delicately woven indie-folk with a sincerity that cuts to the bone.
This sincerity is what captivated a dedicated audience for her 2021 debut album The Sum of the In-Between . Detailing the intricacies of her own mental health journey, the record quickly found its home, amassing millions of Spotify streams, leading to performances alongside Kodaline , Orla Gartland , and James Vincent McMorrow , and soundtracking RTÉ’s trailer for Conversations With Friends .
In 2023, Maria focused her efforts on growing a grassroots community while she finished her next offering. Craving more authentic artist-listener connection, Maria embarked on a DIY ‘Living Room Tour’ ; rooms of 40-50 strangers, huddled around the fire, sharing stories, songs, and vulnerabilities. So far, these dates have spanned Ireland, the UK, and the Netherlands, cultivating a close-knit audience that have not only found a connection to Maria’s music, but also to each other.
Prepare for more music from Maria that packs a punch and soothes like a balm, promising to be her most affecting work to date.
Connect with Maria Kelly:
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