“Ten songs that shaped the music they make”
Bríd Lyons
Bríd Lyons is a Kilkenny-based folk musician whose songwriting blends Celtic roots with contemporary influences like Hozier, Ye Vagabonds, Lisa Hannigan, and Anna Mieke. Her sound ranges from haunting a cappella melodies to layered acoustic arrangements, all while exploring themes of nature and human experience. Having performed at prestigious venues and supported Irish folk legends like Sharon Shannon, Bríd has steadily built her reputation in the Irish music scene.
Naomi Berrill
Naomi Berrill, the internationally acclaimed cellist, composer, and singer from County Galway, now based in Florence Italy, is thrilled to announce her Spring 2024 tour across Ireland. The tour celebrates the release of her latest album, Inish, a deeply evocative collection inspired by the islands of Inishark and Inishbofin off Ireland’s west coast. Alongside the tour announcement, Naomi has released a captivating video for her song "Best Alone", offering an intimate glimpse into the haunting beauty and stories behind her music.
Strand
STRAND, formed in 2018, is a five-member indie-pop band from Finglas, North Dublin. The lineup consists of Dara Clancy (vocals), Shane Aherne (bass), David Solola and JP Roche (guitars), and Jude Finn (drums). Their sound has evolved since their early days as schoolboys, moving from a style similar to the Buzzcocks and Housemartins to a mix of indie-pop, garage-rock revival, and new wave influences.
Huntings
HUNTINGS, the duo of James and Brian Edwards, have garnered attention with singles 'Turn On', 'Doom', and 'Sparks'. Praised by music publications and featured on various radio shows, they're set to release their debut album 'Songs of Last Resort'. Inspired by submarine captains' nuclear attack orders, the 9-track album explores love, loss, relationships, and world despair. It's a retaliation against modern chaos—a potential end-of-the-world soundtrack.
HUNTINGS' sound is stripped-down yet powerful, blending Nirvana's distortion with Joy Division's tension. Their guitar-vocals-drums setup creates an unsettling atmosphere that mirrors the album's themes, evoking a constant sense of impending doom.
Laytha
Irish folk duo Laytha, cousins Niamh and Philana, are becoming best known for their carefully crafted vocal harmonies, their greatest and most unique asset. Their debut album (Nov 22) recorded with producer Declan Legge (SOAK, Jealous Of The Birds) is a reminiscence on the formative times of their shared youth, encompassing themes of daughterhood, womanhood, life in their hometown and the raw rugged landscape of Ireland. Receiving great praise from Tony Clayton-Lea's 'Irish under-the-radar acts' in The Irish Times and supported on RTE Radio 1, BBC Radio Ulster and Hot Press Magazine, their debut body of work has sparked the beginning of an exciting music career for Laytha.
Bantum
Ruairi Lynch, aka Bantum announces the release of his new self titled album, “Bantum” set to drop on October 3rd, 2024. His third album after Legion (2012) and Move (2016) marks a return to his electronic roots while incorporating a diverse range of influences across multiple genres. In anticipation of the album, Bantum will release a single titled "Bamboo" on September 5th, 2024.
Jonathan Baxter
Jonathan Baxter is a Belfast-based alternative artist who crafts his music to the ever-changing sounds of the unforgiving Belfast rain. Originally hailing from Castlederg in West Tyrone, he has found a new abode to hang his hat—or guitar, as he would say.
For Jonathan, making music is about much more than entertainment. It's about expression, challenge, and the perpetual pursuit of emotional truth. Song-writing graces him with an ability to tap into these realms and reveals a vista to his life. To boot, there is a profound joy in knowing that the songs he writes may touch someone’s heart, stir their memories, or inspire them in their own journey. It is this connection that sustains his love for song-writing, guiding him to delve deeper into his craft and seek new ways to articulate the human experience.
Having spent years playing in bands, Jonathan is now transitioning from that chapter to embark on his own solo project. As he had always been the lead songwriter, this shift felt like a natural progression for him. His latest project emerged as part of this evolution in his musical journey, a point where Jonathan felt increasingly confident that his songs were more than good enough to stand on their own.
This belief led him to reconnect with producer Ryan McGroarty, who was already acquainted with Jonathan's song-writing prowess, having mixed tracks for his previous bands. Sharing his vision, Jonathan discussed what he hoped to achieve and the wheels of creativity were soon in motion.
Jonathan sees himself as an artist of depth and true craftsmanship, seamlessly blending vibrant expression with the soul of a genuine singer-songwriter. What sets him apart, giving him that unmistakable "je ne sais quoi," is the authenticity and heartfelt emotion that resonate powerfully through his songs. He brings a unique zest to his music, making every note and lyric a true reflection of his artistic spirit.
Having aspirations to build a dedicated fanbase and create a body of work that will establish a song-writing and musical legacy he can take utmost pride in; time will tell if Jonathan can deliver and if he truly has that “je ne sais quoi”.
Sun Mahshene
Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, Sun Mahshene emerged in 2018, breathing new life into the Indie and Shoegaze scenes. Comprising six diverse members from Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Poland, Sun Mahshene provides a musical journey that transcends genres. ‘Post-Shoegaze’ for the masses.
In 2020, the band unleashed the "Contradictions & Tales of Fiction" EP, a sonic exploration that left audiences craving more. Following the EP's success, including track “Leave This City” (42k Spotify streams), next single “The Righteous One” was accompanied by a mind-bending music video, directed by award-winning visual artist Ste Murray.
Sun Mahshene next released a special LP titled "Space Echoes: The EPs", a compilation of tracks from their previously released EPs. The limited-edition vinyl sold out in one day, a testament to the band's dedicated fanbase and the allure of their music.
Darren Doherty
Darren Doherty has been an active recording and performing artist for the last 20 plus years. Despite being the primary songwriter in a variety of successful projects, it’s only now as he moves to produce, record and release music under his own name that he feels this is the most authentic representation and expression of himself. This can be felt in every choice of lyric, chord or production element that makes up the four tracks on his first EP ‘Darksides’. The EP acts as chrysalis that rebirths Darren in a new light. Four tracks that run the gamut of the human psyche always galloping toward the single sliver of hope at the end of the tunnel. Blending the disparate elements of rock, singer songwriter, experimental music and EDM to provide the vocabulary for his singular voice, Darksides feels and sounds like a battle fought and won.
Lavine
Lavine (rhyming with 'twine') is a multifaceted singer-songwriter originating from Northern Ireland. Lavine has always been focused on atmospheric storytelling through music, leaning into folk, Americana, indie and pop influences. Her debut EP 'Edge of the World' was released in 2021, and most recently she was involved in @ellasthelabel female focussed mixtape release in 2023, which was featured on BBC News Northern Ireland.
Lavine blends interpretive lyrics with comforting vocals, allowing the listener to connect to her music in a meaningful way. Having gained supporters from across the world and with ongoing exciting opportunities, her musical journey is one to watch.
Now turning her attention towards her next body of work, Lavine proudly presents to you 'Stay'- an unapologetic, indulgent love song utilising atmospheric piano sounds with a cinematic effect combined with raw, honest lyrics to convey the emotion of true love.
Anemoia
Anemoia began on a bedroom floor in 2019, started by 16-year-old Gerald Higgins in Co. Mayo. Taking early inspiration from artists like A.R Kane, My Bloody Valentine & Current Joys, The band released their debut album ‘Driving Songs’, a necessary Shoegaze portfolio of Roland TR-505 loops & ethereal looped guitar pieces; all created between 2019-2021. An amateur approach of scaling their sound and stamping a presence before developing further.
After garnering a niche success on Soundcloud the soundscape developed as it turned into a 4-Piece band in October of 2022, residing in Dublin. Selling out their debut show in the Workman’s Cellar that very month, they have gone on to support many reputable Dublin acts and have had the honour of headlining venues across the city, featuring at ‘2024 Whelan’s One to Watch’ and selling out their previous show at the same location. With their latest single ‘crutch’ released in November of 2023, Anemoia has more planned for 2024, redirecting their Wall-of-Sound, integrating Slacker & Noise Rock qualities, with lyrical inspiration from film, poetry, tales of grief and the human condition.
Arrow in the Sky
Arrow In The Sky, the dynamic Irish duo of multi-instrumentalists Conor McCauley and Brian Murphy, have released two acclaimed mini-albums and are known for their captivating performances and innovative style. Their previous singles ‘Fire’ and ‘My Sunshine’ have gained significant Spotify streams, making them a duo to watch. Their next release, ‘Time Of Need’, from their highly anticipated upcoming album, Was released on June 7th. The track explores themes of salvation and redemption with a distinctive sound blend, featuring a national guitar, a bottleneck slide, a harmonica, and a resurrected church organ. Fans can look forward to experiencing this live at their upcoming gig in Clarke’s Mullingar on July 19th.
- aaron everything
- ali comerford
- amy ellen
- amy katt
- BALTHVS
- bantum
- bri
- chris conroy
- ciara lawless
- cormac looby
- daithi
- dee fitz
- dollface
- drew makes noise
- elbe
- emileo
- fenix
- ferna
- galia arad
- guestlist
- holly munro
- huntings
- iann brennan
- jaek
- john blek
- jonathan baxter
- just alice
- kill em charlie
- lavine
- leila jane
- midnight wayne
- Naomi Berrill
- nicha
- not that we know
- orwells 84
- peco
- peter vogelaar
- plastic cowboys
- raggedcast
- revue
- sam wickens
- shaun finn
- shaun hennessy
- sona blue
- spacing
- static vision
- susie blue
- telekura
- tim v smyth
- zach james douglas