Niamh Keane is a singer-songwriter, violinist, guitarist and pianist from Clondalkin, Co. Dublin. Her original music is folky, sometimes dream-like and always spotlights her voice. Keane’s earliest musical memories are as a young violinist and going to youth orchestra on a Saturday morning after an Irish trad session on a Friday night. Burning the candle at both ends lit an enthusiasm for group music-making experiences that has grown with her as a songwriter and producer of her own music. Her favourite live performances now are with her ever-evolving band of friends who play cello, piano, flute and electric guitar.
2022’s live performances included a double headline folk concert with legendary songwriter John Spillane for the Dublin Simon Community and a live television performance as a session violinist for U2’s Bono and the Edge. Awarded funding by South Dublin County Council’s Local Live Performance Scheme, she has established herself as a musical force in her own community by gathering local people together in libraries and cafes for music performances. She was invited to play support slots for Emma Langford, and new Irish trad band Wickerlight. To date, she has been nominated as a finalist in the National Christie Hennessy Songwriting Contest among 400 applicants and received 2nd place in the Pan Celtic National Song Contest. She also performed at the Ruby Sessions, Electric Picnic and WeBloom.
Imprints is a new release by Niamh Keane, an Irish songwriter, vocalist, violinist, guitarist, pianist and arranger. Keane’s single ‘Imprints’ is a composition that intentionally introduces melodic instruments throughout. Interwoven with Keane’s vocal, the track builds into a tapestry of sound that’s both haunting and impactful.
The songs defining sound was inspired by two contrasting chord progressions, first plucked out on a battered old Spanish guitar belonging to her brother that had been hanging on the sitting room wall of Keane’s family home for a very long time. The solo guitar plucking makes space for Keane’s voice and lyrics to breathe, setting the scene for a story of unconditional love and grief.
Then, the main melodic riff announces a powerful chorus with Irish flute, the twanging electric guitar slide and a flowing piano part all working together. With the lyrics telling the story of love and loss, its overall composition evokes Leonard Cohen and Laura Marling.
The song tells the story of losing her grandmother and the immediate shock waves that hit Keane’s family. “Imprints is essentially a tribute to that unconditional love that you are so lucky to feel from a grandparent or a parent. When that person is gone so quickly, you reel from shock. But you will always have that shared connection with them and the people who loved them too”.
Imprints was recorded in Solitaire Studios in August 2022 with renowned Irish sound engineer Alan Whelan. Accompanying Niamh on this musical journey were super talented musicians Ailbhe Kehoe (piano and backing vocals), her brother Darren Keane (backing vocals), Rob Campbell (cello), Mike Mansfield (mandolin) and James Mahon (flute, whistle and bodhran).
