With the release of her debut album ‘Hemet’ on Black Gate Records one year ago, Galway singer-songwriter Niamh Regan delivered an emotionally rich and sonically textured delight that has effectively put her at the table beside some of the biggest names in Irish folk music.
Despite the challenges in releasing new music during a pandemic, the 26 year old breakthrough artist gained nominations for ‘Best Album’ at both the prestigious RTÉ Choice Awards and the RTÉ Folk Awards; played a series of live stream shows around the country; performed for national television (Other Voices, The Late Late Show); received substantial radio play on national platforms RTÉ Radio 1, BBC NI, BBC 2, RTÉ 2FM; collaborated and performed with singer songwriter David Kitt and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra; and performed her first show abroad, alongside folk troubadour Damien Dempsey.
Marking exactly 1 year since the release of ‘Hemet’, Niamh shares a new video for “Two Seagulls”, a song she co-wrote with her husband. The video was made as part of the First Cut! Youth Film Festival’s Youth Music Video Competition 2021, where young directors are paired with artists and mentored to make their first music video. Niamh was paired with Dublin filmmaker Aisling O’Regan Sargent.
Watch the video for ‘Two Seagulls’ here:
Speaking of the video, Aisling says “From the very first time I heard Two Seagulls I was sucked into the world of this melancholy love song. Niamh’s voice and melody wraps around you, and you want to listen and understand what the story is. After speaking with Niamh, she made it very clear that this was a love story and a song about ‘weathering the challenges’ that most long term relationships face but what brings you together is the foundation of the friendship you share.
The slow pace and repetitive phrases within the song really inspired me to follow the longing that Niamh so distinctively illustrates in Two Seagulls. There had to be space to reflect while watching the video, to allow its audience to feel that longing, using both pacing and visuals.
I wanted to place the couple within a confined space, their home, where they couldn’t escape each other and I suppose they didn’t want to either. The line “I can’t hear what you’re saying” expresses a want to still listen, it reads that they are physically close, but emotionally distant.
This music video doesn’t have a typical romantic story but to me, Niamh wrote a love song about coming out the other side of hardship and making that choice to see each other again.”
‘Hemet’ was released on Black Gate Records, Galway, September 2020. Peadar King, co-director of the Back Gate, says:
“Four and a half years ago, I first heard Niamh sing. Her voice transfixed me. Fused to the spot, I remember thinking that I needed to know who she was – to meet this person that had such a profound and effortless way of moving people with her voice, her words, and her deeply emotive delivery.
After a fairly spontaneous decision to ask Niamh to release her first album on our Label (which didn’t yet exist!), we embarked on a journey that has given me and the Black Gate team more joy and pride than we could have ever hoped for. Today, on the first anniversary of the release of Hemet, I would like to say thank you to everyone who got behind the album, everyone who bought it, everyone who made it what it is, and mostly to Niamh, who has been a beacon of joy and creativity for so many of us over the past year.”
Niamh adds “I’m not sure how to put the past year into words. The reception to ‘Hemet’ has been overwhelming in the most positive way. I have so many people to thank who made the journey and record possible and thanks to everyone who has listened, shared and supported me to this point. Wouldn’t be writing this without all you’ve done. I look forward to making and sharing more music with you all soon.”
Niamh was recently awarded the Elevate Bursary from Galway International Arts Festival, which will see her releasing a new EP “In The Meantime” in October. The first single, ‘Happy Again’ is out now https://niamhregan.bandcamp.com/track/happy-again
New limited edition ‘Hemet’ tote bags and t-shirts, designed by Lauren Varian, are on sale on now Niamh’s Bandcamp: https://niamhregan.bandcamp.com/merch
See Niamh perform live at the following venues and festivals:
Weds 8th Sept – Autumn Air Festival, Mitchelstown (with Stephanie Rainey)
Thurs 8th Sept – Autumn Air Festival, Mitchelstown (with Hermitage Green)
Sun 12th Sept – The Whale Theatre, Greystones, Wicklow (FULL BAND SHOW)
Sat 18th Sept – Doolin Folk Festival
Fri 24th Sept – Mountshannon Arts Festival
Tues 21st Sept – The Set Theatre,Kilkenny (FULL BAND SHOW)
5th – 8th Oct – Ireland Music Week (online)
Sat 13th Nov: Róisín Dubh, Galway
Sun 14th Nov: DeBarra’s, Clonakilty
Mon 15th Nov: Levis’ Corner House, Ballydehob. Email for tickets leviscornerhouse@nullgmail.com
Tues 16th Nov: Coughlan’s, Cork
Wed 17th Nov: Dolan’s (Upstairs), Limerick
Thurs 18th Nov: Whelan’s, Dublin (Presented by Singular Artists)
Fri 19th Nov: The Duncairn, Belfast
Sat 20th Nov: Spirit Store, Dundalk
Wed 24th Nov: The Green Note in London, UK
