Silver Branch
Silver Branch is an Alternative Indie/ folk act based in Dublin, Ireland. Formed in early 2023, Silver Branch is the new project of singer/songwriter and Kerry native Kieran Mulvihill. Silver Branch plays acoustic and electric guitar with drum machines and synth accompaniment. He also performs with a cello player as a duo and a full band for bigger shows. He writes songs from the perspective of an old heart, questioning our experiences, our connections to the past and the unruly bodies we inhabit. Delivering music in its most unadulterated form, light and shade run through his songs with an urgency and tenderness that often reflects the Jekyll and Hyde world we inhabit.
Upcoming Tour
April 26th- Pembroke Club D’art (Carlow)
May 3rd - The Clock Tavern (Westport)
May 10th - Anseo bar (Dublin)
Ma7 17th - Mchugh’s (Drogheda)
Mark Kozeleck - Riff Raff
This song is actually an AC/DC cover. The entire album feels like the warmth of an old friend and it's been played on nearly every long journey I’ve taken over the last few years. The lyrics are a little different to the original to fit a new melody I suppose. It just blew my mind that AC/DC songs could work so well acoustically.
Ought - Beautiful Blue Sky
This was the first song I heard by Ought. Instead of the usual “Punk” approach to things i.e telling people how wrong or shit things are, Ought presented it’s despair with a wry sense of humour that circumvents the world’s dysfunctions, because what other choice do we have sometimes only to laugh or dance in the face of it all. Sonically its descending bass line and metronomic drums, stabbing guitar and synth are the perfect foundation for Tim Darcy’s lyrics and sardonic vocal approach. It’s my favourite punk song. The music video is also beautiful.
Nick Drake - Place to be
I’ve felt a deep connection or more like an obsession with Nick Drake's music for a long time. I think every acoustic songwriter in the Country has at least heard the name Nick Drake in passing. His life, music and approach to songwriting has undoubtedly had an impact on my songwriting. Place to be is beautiful in its simplicity. However Nick Drake felt while writing the song, I think its themes are universal.
Death Grips - You might think he loves you for your money but I know what he really loves you for, it's your new leopard skin pillbox hat.
I love Death Grips! Who knew industrial hip hop could be this good! I get a lot of catharsis from their music and wish I was in the band...
Elliot Smith/Heatmiser - Christian Brothers
There are too many Elliot Smith songs to include so I’ll just pick one! The band version of this song was only released 10 years after Elliot's death in 2003. It's a deceptively difficult song to play just like most of Elliot’s music. The song's dynamics and crunch guitar hit you like a kick in the gut on the Chorus. I love the sense of tension and release on this song and it's something I've been trying to capture with my own music.
Silver Jews - Trains across the sea
David Berman's lyrics and approach to songwriting has impacted me a lot in recent years. He was the artist I was looking for when I was writing my album. “In 27 years I’ve drank fifty thousand beers and they wash against me like the sea into a pier”
Desertshore - Light Flowers
Mainly an instrumental band but most notably collaborating with Mark Kozeleck. I love the sound of their records. Light flowers is a beautiful track amongst many.
Sun Kil Moon - Song for Richard Collopy
Sun Kil Moon songs have been a constant in my life for many years. There are too many to choose from! This song is an example of a perfect short story song in my opinion. You’d be left heartbroken for someone you never knew.
Aldous Harding - Imagining my man
I think Aldous Harding could sing the phonebook and I’d go to see it. Her vocals on this track are so commanding as they are on all her tracks, limited/sparse instrumentation is something that works so well to achieve this.
Mic christopher - Heyday
An important song for me when I started writing and singing at the age of 20. There was so much hope and joy in it that I couldn't help but feel inspired. It took me on a path of becoming a solo artist and I’m forever grateful for that.
