The X Collective has welcomed new members to their roster including Jess Kav (BARQ), Chloë Agnew, Decarteret, UNQ, Cooks But We’re Chefs, Rob DeBoer and Dena Anuk$a, in addition to existing members Shiv, Tolü Makay, Senita (fka Shookrah), Toshín, Gemma Bradley, Zapho, ELKAE, Shy Mascot, Mutant Vinyl, Brenna Carroll + many more.
With music, collaboration and artistic expression at its core, one of Ireland’s newest music initiatives has been going from strength to strength since its launch in May 2020. The collective hosts many talented Irish artists both at home and abroad, and has grown from hosting 70 artists and creatives, to over 100 in the last year.
Oíche Events and The X Collective welcome their newest additions to The X Collective family – including seasoned artists such as Jess Kav, who’s most acclaimed works include backing vocals on the newest Villagers album, and working with fellow Irish artists Hozier and Kodaline, and Chloë Agnew, who has seen much of her success while travelling the world with the music group Celtic Woman.
Alongside these artists, there are some new kids on the block making waves in the Irish music scene this year. From the 9-piece supergroup Cooks But We’re Chefs, Rob De Boer, Dena Anuk$a, UNQ, to the neo-soul vibes of Clare-born singer Decarteret.
Founded by industry pro’s, Emily Shaw (Oíche Events) and Ele Breslin (ZAPHO), The X Collective is a growing community which benefits from a broad spectrum of music industry skills and expertise including recording, songwriting, producing, PR, videography, event management and much more.
The Collective not only platforms some of Ireland’s finest acts, but also enrols creatives across many disciplines, recent new members include music and theatre director Katie O’Halloran, visual and graphic designer Katelyn Jonah, Sam Hardiman from Quarantine FM, marketing pro Nadine Eccles, dancer Ghalia Conroy, and producers Mark Caplice, Alex O’Keeffe, Seán Montgomery, and Liam Geddes.
The first of its kind in Ireland, The X Collective sees community members working together to optimize creativity and achieve combined success. Collaborations within The X Collective allow independent artists to benefit from higher creativity as well as wider exposure, while receiving much needed support behind the scenes from fellow music industry professionals available to share their expertise.
Since launching a year ago, the Collective has performed with Irish Arts Centre NY, US Embassy Ireland, been awarded the FMC Stimulus where they hosted a covid-safe songwriting camp in Kilkenny, played at Galway 2021, The Soul Tree & Popcycle Festival, released collaborative singles including ‘Collide’ from Tolü Makay and Zapho, and ‘WB’ featuring Chloe Agnew, Zapho, Senita, Toshín and Gemma Bradley. They have recently recorded a mass-collaborative album with over 35 contributors due for release 2022.
New artist video (by Katelyn Jonah)
The X Collective releases include:
Collide – Zapho & Tolü Makay
Stream on all platforms: https://cdbaby.lnk.to/Collide
YouTube – Zapho & Tolü Makay – Collide ft. Jenny Browne (Official Music Video)
WB – Chloe Agnew, Zapho, Toshin, Senita, Gemma Bradley
Stream on all platforms https://found.ee/TheXCollectiveWB
YouTube – Chloë Agnew, Zapho, Senita, Toshín, Gemma Bradley – WB | THE X COLLECTIVE
Upcoming tour dates
Island Edge Launch/Heineken Stage – 3rd September
Popcycle and The Soul Tree Festival – 4th/5th September
Pot Duggans, Ennistimon Co. Clare with Bodytonic – 17th September
Guinness Storehouse Residency – dates TBA
