Tag Archives: singer songwriter

A Chat With, Indie, Interviews, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

A Chat With: Throatsugar

Brand new electropop artist Throatsugar has released her debut single ‘Ascend’. Throatsugar is a new project from the multi-talented musician Colleen Heavey, a songwriting graduate who holds a master’s degree in Music Technology. I spoke with Colleen about the new single and her plans as she introduces this new project to the world. 

“Basically, I’ve been writing my own music for 10/15 years, a long time. I was doing my degree in music and then I went on to be a teacher and now I’ve finished my master’s degree in production. I’ve been writing the whole time [but] I never released anything. So I got to a stage where I was like, Okay, I need to get over the imposter syndrome and just go for [it] because I had songs recorded and everything just sitting in the Google Drive. In terms of the name I knew I wanted a name that was in some way, visceral I guess would be the word. So I used a random word generator and I came up with a few combinations I really liked and I sent them to a few friends. One of my friends said throat sugar is vile and I loved that reaction so that’s why I chose it.”

Colleen has released her debut single ‘Ascend’. A debut track is a big deal. It announces your sound and musical style to listeners. Colleen told me she has a lot of songs written and we spoke about how she decided ‘Ascend’ was the perfect one to introduce her solo material.

” Ascend is my favourite song that I recorded so I was like, Okay, I’m going to choose the one that I guess gives me the most confidence. So I decided to start with that one because that is the one that for me I feel most comfortable with. I feel like it’s something I would enjoy and I would listen to. When people did ever ask to hear any songs of mine, that would be the one I would play for them. So I decided you know in order to start with even a miniscule degree of confidence, I would choose that.”

Colleen has a career’s worth of accomplishments to her name already. She has toured all over Ireland, the UK and the USA as a member of the band Brass Phantoms, and has performed at major festivals as well as opening for the likes of Delorentos and The Slow Readers Club. Music she has worked on in the past has been featured by the likes of BBC, RTE, and more. Colleen told me how daunting it is establishing her own sound away from the band.

“Yeah, it was terrifying. I never wanted to be the front woman. It’s never my thing, I love collaborating. So yeah, it was really scary for me. I’m really fortunate now because the song was recorded a long time ago with Mick Heffernan and he’s an amazing producer. He helped me a lot with it. One of my bandmates Greg [ Greg Whelan of Brass Phantoms] he is doing an amazing job, just monitoring all my PR and all that stuff. He’s been great, he’s given me a lot of confidence as well and really helped push me along. So yeah, with him it’s been a lot less scary and obviously we’ve worked together musically for so many years that it’s been great working with him. He’s put me at ease a lot which is nice.”

” I wish I had told myself sooner to not be so precious about it. I should have earlier on collaborated and gotten help from people and there’s so many people who want to help and want to be part of things. I lecture in the music college now and I’m always telling my students, if you’re going to release something, get someone to help you with it or maybe you can help release each other’s stuff or get someone to do your social media for you or maybe get a group of you together and make a spreadsheet of what playlists that you want to get on or who you want to contact, essentially just encouraging other people to collaborate because for me collaborating has absolutely got my career to the place it is.”

“I’m very fortunate that I’ve had experience in such a ridiculous array of things – a very quick rundown of my experience, there’s Brass Phantoms a kind of post punk band. Then I’m also a DJ and when I DJ I do everything but my main thing I DJ is metal music. So anything metal I’m really into. I’m also a big fan of math rock, and then especially in my masters I did a lot of compositions. I did electroacoustic composition and I did contemporary minimalist composition and obviously I’m really into production. So a lot of the time I’ll be writing a song and I’ll think okay, no, this is too weird, this is too niche. But it’s been great because I’m in a position where I feel I have a bit of an outsider’s perspective. I can think okay, I would like this but, what would the general public think or what would listeners think or you know, what kind of market am I tapping into and things like that. So yeah, I try not to get too weird when I write music.”

‘Ascend’ is a dynamic electronic pop track that exudes subtle cinematic undertones. It’s well layered and filled with intoxicating beats and dark ethereal electronics. Colleen explained how she crafted the song.

” I spent way too much time just layering it and stuff. I’m sure I made it on Logic Pro X, but I’m sure I still have the actual session somewhere. But even when I brought it to Mick [Heffernan], I don’t know how many different tracks or different layers were involved with it but it was a very long, painful, slow process. But it was great. It’s great working with someone like Mick Heffernan because he’s able to take what I have and build off of it. He doesn’t try to start his own thing he basically just tries to expand what I have and just refine the vocals because where I live it’s a bit noisy and the microphone is picking up a lot of things. But yeah, a huge amount of time. I recorded quite a long time ago, I feel like if I did it now I’d probably get through a little bit quicker. But yeah, when I was in my early stages of learning to record and produce at home, it was a long experimental process I guess.”

The lyrics within the song are beautifully evocative, eloquent and poetic and display another facet to Colleen as an artist, “Fill my blood with bitter warm sweet love. The colours in your mouth The feathers in my breath”. I wondered if she wrote the lyrics in a stream of consciousness.

“Yeah, I love what you say about stream of consciousness it’s definitely part of it for sure. One thing that inspired me was the poem “Night Piece” by James Joyce. I had read that recently and I knew I wanted the song to use that whole poem as a theme. As far as a narrative I don’t want to reveal too much about the meaning behind it but yeah I think the word stream of consciousness is absolutely right. It’s telling a story and I want to tell it in an abstract way so that people can derive their own meaning of it, which I think is important. I don’t want anyone to be like this is what the song is about and you’re not allowed interpret in your own way. I want it to be interpreted in whatever way the listener feels applies to them most.”

The artwork for the single is beautiful and adds a lovely dimension to the track. We discussed the concept behind the artwork.

“I was incredibly fortunate with the artwork. I didn’t know much in terms of visual art. Basically I’m not good at visuals at all. I knew what colors I wanted, and that was really about it. So I went onto Fiverr which is a freelance website and I found this incredible guy from Slovenia. He’s called ‘topcreativemind’. I messaged him and I explained what I was looking for and he was amazing. I couldn’t believe how many times he got back to me and he gave his opinion on what he thought was best and he just gave me loads of different options. We talked through what we didn’t like, and he listened to the song and it was cool to work with someone who actually did have a visual mind which I don’t have. He gave some insight as to what he thought was the best thing for the song and I love what he chose. He gave us loads of different options and combined all the things that I liked. So yeah, it was weird for me to use Fiverr but I would definitely recommend, we’ll definitely be using it again.”

People experience and consume music differently and it’s only when you are speaking in-depth with someone about songs and crafting them that you become aware that people enjoy music in different ways. Colleen and I discussed how people’s senses affect how they experience music.

“Yeah, I studied a little bit of synesthesia when I did my masters which is the whole, your senses crossing over and I’ve never had visual synesthesia, which is like conjuring up pictures in your brain but music for me, especially when it’s played through decent quality headphones I get a very euphoric brain tickling sensation. When I DJ and the music is blasting, I find myself just smiling uncontrollably. I just feel a lot of euphoria with music, whether it’s happy or sad. It just tickles my brain in that right way. It doesn’t necessarily matter what the music is, pretty much anything of any quality even if it’s just a phone recording can often hit me in the right spot, which is pretty cool. I know a lot of other people have that as well so it’s a nice thing to experience.”

Throatsugar is an exciting project with a sound full of invigorating textures and melodies that would be fantastic to hear in a live setting. Colleen told me what she has planned for the project in the coming months and if we can expect any live shows. 

“That’s a great question. My answer has always been no because I want to be just a digital artist. Now, I would say I wouldn’t rule anything out. But at the minute like I said I’m not crazy being a frontwoman. I love everything behind the scenes. I love producing I’m happy to sing when recording and everything like that. I can sit for hours mixing and stuff. But yeah, I’m not going to rule it out is all I’ll say.”

“I have another single, which I have recorded. It’s actually pretty old. But I did a mini release of it many years ago and I got great feedback. It’s very different. It’s a lot more like pop. It’s different. But yeah, I think it’s a really fun kind of song. That’ll be ready to go I guess whenever the right time is, so I’ll definitely keep you updated.”

‘Ascend’ is an emotive tune dripping in ethereal tones and first-rate musicianship. The track boasts expressive soundscapes filled with pulsing beats, smooth vocals accompanied by soft R&B tones, and shimmering keys throughout. “Ascend” is an invigorating, immersive tune from Throatsugar that beckons repeat plays. Looking forward to hearing more from Throatsugar.

Stream ‘Ascend’ below 


Author: Danu

Indie, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

James Wilde-O’Connor ‘The Curse (Help Myself)’

James Wilde-O’Connor has released his new single ‘The Curse (Help Myself)’. James Wilde-O’Connor is an Irish artist based in London. Off the back of his debut release ‘So Sweet’ in November 2021, James has been on tour around the U.K. & Ireland with Irish artist Sion Hill, garnering significant attention after performing to a sold-out crowd in The Workman’s Club in Dublin.

Filled with indie/blues tones and subtle pop flirtations, ‘The Curse (Help Myself)’ is an exquisite track that boasts the refined and luring sound of James Wilde- O’Connor. The track simmers on seductive grooves and thick electronic flourishes while vaporous pines on guitar inject blues undertones throughout. The artist’s warm vocals melt over the intoxicating soundscape before slipping into a sweet falsetto as the instrumentation encases the lyrics in longing tones. The track is a joy to listen to. Wilde-O’Connor’s meticulous layering and exquisite vocal displays mark this artist as one to keep an eye on. ‘The Curse (Help Myself)’ is a bewitching, solid single from James Wilde-O’Connor.

About the track, James Wilde-O’Connor said: “I think my music has appeal for the weird kids, cool kids, and anyone in between. To me, it’s important to reflect the issues relevant today, themes of mental illness, isolation and general unrest.”

Stream ‘The Curse (Help Myself)’ below


Author: Danu

Indie, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Sam Wickens ‘The Devils With Me Now’

Sam Wickens has released his new single, ‘The Devils With Me Now’. In 2017 Wickens worked with legendary American record producer Tony Visconti (producer of scores of albums by major artists including: David Bowie, T.Rex, Paul McCartney, Damon Albarn, Moody Blues, Marc Almond, Kaiser Chiefs, etc) as a featured artist on a Sky Arts documentary about Tony’s amazing life and career ‘Tony Visconti’s Unsigned Heroes’. This led to Wickens working closely with music icons including Stuart Copeland, Nitin Sawhney, and Imelda May, and performing live at Union Chapel, London supported by legendary saxophonist Howie Casey (Paul McCartney) and top afro-urban band the Compozers.

‘The Devils With Me Now’ is a wonderful anthem from Sam Wickens. With just guitar accompaniment, subtle piano twinkles and warm delicate soundscapes encasing his voice, the track highlights Wickens’ ability to convey emotion through evocative minimalist arrangements. Wickens has become known for creating meaningful and emotive music and ‘The Devils With Me Now’ follows this trend superbly; the song surges with refined musicianship and poignant songwriting. His velvety vocals croon earnest lyrics, “I hate all that I wanna be. My life keeps bringing me down. I’m helpless but at best I just keep pushing things around“ over a jubilant guitar strum that chugs along with a foot-tapping groove while the rich tones within his voice soothe and provide comfort from the hard-hitting lyrics. An interesting aspect of the song is the vibrant folk tone that runs throughout the soundscape of the track. This radiant element contrasts the track’s lyrical content and exudes a carefree vibe that is sure to lift listener’s spirits. ‘The Devils With Me Now’ is an exciting glimpse into the many facets of Wickens’ sound while at the same time giving listeners a catchy little ditty to indulge in. 

Stream ‘The Devils With Me Now’ below 


Author: Danu

Indie, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Taylor Byrne ‘Flashback Polaroid’

Taylor Byrne has released his new single, ‘Flashback Polaroid’. Taylor Byrne is a multi-instrumental singer/songwriter based in Dublin, Ireland. He has spent the last year honing his craft on Grafton Street in the tradition of buskers such as Glen Hansard and Damien Rice. Drawing inspiration from a vast tapestry of influences, the single speaks to the universal pangs of love, loss, and longing in an intimate, vulnerable fashion.

‘Flashback Polaroid’ is a mellow, laid back tune that uses minimalist arrangements to create a heart-gripping listening experience. A warm guitar and wispy soundscapes create a summer afternoon vibe while honest lyrics express themes of love, lust and longing; “bad sex to fill the void come down before you get too high, Swipe right on vanity desperate for clarity, wings clipped before we reach the sky….“I want you, you want me”. The song is a joy to listen to and a fine example of Byrne’s blossoming sound and expressive songwriting. Well crafted, catchy and wonderfully emotive, ‘Flashback Polaroid’ is an impressive new single from Taylor Byrne

Stream ‘Flashback Polaroid’ below 


Author: Danu

Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

SODAPOP ‘Kevin’s Famous Chili’

SODAPOP has released his new single ‘Kevin’s Famous Chili’. This luscious indie-pop ditty is a glorious example of SODAPOP’s sweet and charming sound. He coats a candied melody in hazy sun-kissed vibes to create a bright atmosphere while a light spritz on guitar injects a dash of zest into the song’s opulent soundscape. The ethereal and dreamy effect SODAPOP’s songs have is mesmerising, he has a talent for creating songs that flood with smooth melodies backed by expressive instrumentation making each release absolute manna to the ears. Filled with bouncy rhythms, smooth vocals and an upbeat atmosphere ‘Kevin’s Famous Chili’ is a magnificent example of this. 

About the track SODAPOP said: “This song is a homage to the scene from The Office where Kevin spills his Kevin’s Famous Chili and desperately tries to scoop it back into the pot with loose papers. It’s simultaneously hilarious and depressing, which is how I feel about my life a good portion of the time. A while back I used Spotify’s Listen Alike feature and found me and Kevin’s actor’s listening habits are apparently 85% similar. So I can relate to him in many ways lol. My goal with this song is for Kev to hear it and be like ‘nice.’”

Stream ‘Kevin’s Famous Chili’ below 


Author: Danu

Indie, Indie Psychedelic, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Cabin ‘Whatever You Have’

Dublin Producer, Songwriter & Multi-Instrumentalist, Cabin has released his new single ‘Whatever You Have’. The fourth single to be released under Cabin, ‘Whatever You Have’, completes the collection of four tracks conceived and produced within a particular time, that ultimately led to the inception of Cabin as a musical project. Cabin (aka Adam McCabe) began crafting his songwriting and production skills as part of post-punk outfit Brass Phantoms. He has had his music featured on the likes of BBC Radio 6 with Steve Lamacq, Spotify’s Hot New Bands and more.

‘Whatever You Have’ delves deep into Cabin’s expressive psychedelic pop sound. The track is a wonderfully emotive listening experience and doused in pristine soundscapes of twinkling keys, intense electronic pulses and driving rhythms. Soul-infused vocals ripple throughout, gently guiding the listener through the track’s rich instrumental bed before the song dissolves into its powerful psychedelic finale. The track is a joy to listen to and is a mesmerising example of Cabin’s writing and production skills. 

On the track, Cabin says; “This is a piece that embodies how I look at and approach creating music as an individual. That we now have the ability to create something far larger than ourselves, we should strive towards that.”

Stream ‘Whatever You Have’ below

 


Author: Danu

A Chat With, Interviews, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

A Chat With: Bradley Marshall

Dublin based artist-songwriter Bradley Marshall has released his first official single ‘Make Believe’.The song is a cinematic tune that surges with earnest lyrics and lush textures and is anchored by an elegant piano melody that exudes tender emotion throughout. I caught up with Marshall to chat about the single, what inspired him to write it and how the artist is crafting his sound.

“It was a song that came from my own personal views and perspectives. I wanted to write something that a lot of people would relate to, and I think a lot of people have gone through something of love that was never really reciprocated back to themselves. So what I tried to do was, write that from my own perspective of my personal experiences, but also try to make it as relatable as possible for other people and yeah, it worked out really well that way”

“ The song was written on the piano. I did it with a few people because I can’t really play [piano] that well. So I didn’t do the piano part but yeah, the song was written on piano because we felt that it makes it more emotional.”

Through eloquently crafted lyrics Marshall creates a song that is moving and relatable. We discussed how he crafted the lyrics and whether they came to him in a flow of inspiration or if it was something he spent a lot of time creating.

“Yeah, it was a mix of both. It was the inspiration of what happened but with melody and with writing, it kind of just flows. I don’t really think too much about it. Just whatever I’m feeling inside, I just write down on a page.”

‘Make Believe’ is Marshall’s first official single. The song introduces Marshall as a heartfelt songwriter with an ear for melody and rich compositional arrangements. He explained to me his decision on releasing this song as his first release and how the song is only a glimpse into his diverse sound.

“Yeah, definitely. I have a good few that I could have brought out but I felt ‘Make Believe’ was the most powerful, and emotionally [the] one to start with because it’s probably the most relatable to a lot of people too. “

“Make Believe gives a lot of what I’m about but I’m also very versatile in what I do so I have a lot of more upbeat [songs].. but yeah, I’m definitely going to change it up. When people hear that [Make Believe] they probably think that’s what I’m about, but I’ll probably bring out something completely different next time. So we don’t know yet.”

Marshall has recently released a black and white live performance video for the song. How a performance is presented can make all the difference to an audience and his visually minimal approach is beautiful and wonderfully impactful.

“Yeah, we wanted it to be as real as possible. So we actually decided with the video to do just a live vocal. So that was actually a live vocal performance. I just felt it’d be more powerful and more real. I didn’t want to mime it or anything like that because I know the song is so powerful to me, so I wanted to sing it and yeah, we found a setting that’s really nice. We decided to put it black and white because we think it matches the theme of the song so yeah, that was our decision to do that.”

Marshall has a warm, confident, easy on the ears voice. It appears effortless when he sings. I wondered if he was always a confident singer.

“Yeah since I was a kid, I’ve always been a confident singer. I reckon in the late teens, you know, sixteen/ seventeen I stopped for a while, I cared too much what people think. But, I definitely don’t anymore. I’m glad that I got back at it”

“Even in school and stuff, it was difficult [singing] you know, I don’t know some people just think different of it but you’ll never get anywhere in life if you care [what] people think”

Marshall has garnered a big following across social media by posting heartfelt, soulful videos singing a mix of both covers and self-penned songs. Navigating through social media channels and keeping up with creating content can be a daunting task for artists but Marshall appears to have the ability to not become overwhelmed with the task.

“To be honest, lately, I haven’t really been posting as much on TiKTok and stuff but I don’t stress about it, you know….I don’t think people should really feel stressed to post things. It’s not easy to keep posting things every day because you have to come up with things and songs to sing and things to cover and all that kind of stuff. So it’s not as easy as it looks.”

Having recently performed in the Academy to his biggest audience to date. Marshall is making a name for himself as an artist to keep an eye on. He explained to me how surreal and exciting the experience was.

“Yeah, that was amazing. I went on the Tuesday and it was basically sold out. I think there was only like 30 tickets left. I haven’t done a proper gig like that. Ever. So it’s my first time in front of five/ six hundred people or whatever it was there. It was just an amazing feeling – people singing back to you and holding flashlights up and some people crying and stuff like that. It was a really surreal experience.”

Bradley Marshall has been honing his songwriting skills to create tunes that are earnest and irresistible and ‘Make Believe’ is the perfect example of this. It’s a well crafted musical gem filled with beautiful melodies, heart rushing emotion and moving vocals. There are plenty of exciting times ahead for this budding artist and Marshall intends to work hard to ensure he has diverse and enjoyable tunes ready for listeners to indulge in for the coming months. 

“I’m just gonna put my head down and keep writing songs. I have a few already that we’re planning to release maybe one song in June or something around that time and it’s going to be a different song to ‘Make Believe’, but I really love the song that we’re going to bring out. So yeah, I’m just going to keep working hard, keep writing, keep getting in with people and keep socializing and all that stuff. “

Stream ‘Make Believe’ Below


Author: Danu

A Chat With, Indie, Interviews, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

A Chat With: AJ Wander

London singer/songwriter AJ Wander has released his new single ‘When You Say I Love You’. I caught up with him to discuss the new single, what we can expect from his upcoming EP as well as the anxiety that comes with releasing new music.

“I don’t think I do. There’s a little bit of nervous excitement, I’d say, more of a relief to finally get them out in the world because I’ve heard them so many times. By the time they get released it’s a relief to finally not be the only one that’s listening to them. Because I have to listen to them so much in the process of creating them and getting them to the point where I feel I’m happy for them to be released and shown to the world that I’m mildly sick of them by the time they come out. So it’s definitely a bit of selfish relief, in that sense. But I mean, in terms of nervousness, in terms of how they’re going to be received, it’s so hard to put yourself in other people’s minds and work out what other people are gonna like.So I just find what’s right for myself and if it clicks with people, great if it doesn’t, then Que Será, Será, I’ll move on to the next one [song] .”

‘When You Say I Love You’ is an honest song with a heartfelt melody at it’s core. Wander explained to me how he crafted the song and what sparked him to write it.

“It was witnessing a friend’s relationship and them confiding in me about what’s going on in their situation that his girlfriend had fallen for him too fast. He’s like, Oh, shit, what’s going on? I didn’t quite expect things to move so quickly. He’d been pretending to sort of have the same level of feelings towards her as she did to him and that went on for a little while. Ultimately, he realized it wasn’t healthy. So then its him realizing that he has to be honest about his reservations and wanting to slow things down and speculating about how things are gonna go when he does actually tell her that he in fact, isn’t in love with her yet, but just wants to put the brakes on a little bit.”

At times the lyrics of the song are quite harsh “I could try to pretend but it hurts me to use you/ I’m having a ball and your having a blast I didn’t expect you to fall”. Wander’s warm vocal delivery shelters the listener from the full impact of these lyrics, perfectly highlighting the confusion and oftentimes panic that can occur when someone is honest in how they feel. I wondered if he found it difficult to decide how he would deliver this message in order to be respectful and tender lyrically.

“I didn’t really consider it to be honest. I guess it is a bit harsh. I wrote it pretty late at night and we were just sort of selfish about my friend’s perspective and not considering how she might have actually felt about fessing up that he’d been sort of pretending to feel something when he hadn’t, which obviously, it’s not a very good thing to do. So it wasn’t a conscious consideration, but I’m relieved to hear that you don’t think it’s too harsh. I think it’s a cliche, but the truth hurts sometimes, and I guess sometimes you just got to rip the band-aid off and say it. That’s the whole sentiment of the song, that even though it’s hard for you personally, you can’t just hide the truth from someone because you selfishly are going to find the conversation hard to have. So the song wears its heart on its sleeve and it doesn’t want to hide what it’s trying to say behind anything, that’s the whole point of the song is finally being completely transparent and honest.”

The song is one of several tracks recorded in London and Barcelona with producer Brad Mair (Dean Lewis, Jamie Cullum, Kygo). Mair is such a diverse producer and seems to bring out the best in the artists he works with and Wander explained to me how important working with a producer is for an artist.

“100% and it goes the same with writing as well. It’s always good to have outside influence. It jogs your mind into thinking in a different way or looking at things with a different perspective. I think it’s very much a collaborative process and we bounce off of each other to be honest in the room, and we also had Gethin [Williams] the guy that I wrote it with, sort of weighed in on the prod as well. So it was a three-way creative process. We will bounce off of each other and add our own little flavours to the track.”

Wander released a live video of him performing his previous single ‘Take It All’ in an old paper mill in Wembley. It’s a passionate performance that highlights the range and warmth of Wander’s voice while also giving a glimpse into the live full-band style of Wander.

“It’s great fun. There are lots of creepy mannequins dotted around, a few of them had some pretty tasty looking outfits, to be fair, I was a bit jealous. It was like walking through a horror-themed vintage store. It was great fun. It’s was just a quick sort of in and out. Those days go so quickly, filming days are just pretty relentless. People prodding you and seeing if your hair looks the least crap it could be. The band were great. I was very lucky to work with a bunch of great friends that happen to be great musicians. Yeah, it’s all good fun. I just recorded a live stripped version for ‘When You Say I Love You’ and there’s more video graphic content being made as well for some upcoming singles which is very exciting and I feel very lucky to be able to do because it’s expensive. It is crazy how much money you can spend on lights and stuff and smoke machines”

‘When You Say I Love You’ is a taster of Wander’s first EP due in late 2022 and the singer told me what we can expect from the upcoming EP.

“That is a very good question. If I was to sum up the lyrical topics of the EP it’s ‘intoxicated love’. Not necessarily all self-reflective but yeah, that seems to be the theme and it’s definitely a stepping stone from the sound that I have now into what’s coming next. I mean, the EP, beyond the next EP that’s coming out is already ready to go. So it definitely feels like a stepping stone towards where I’m headed sonically as an artist.”

Wander has an ability to write songs about other people’s life experiences giving him more scope to venture into themes and topics that are not necessarily about him and his life. This limitless songwriting inspiration gives Wander’s writing more diversity and relatability.

“Yeah, well, the thing is, my life is just a bit too boring to only write about my own life. I wish it wasn’t. I ran out of things to write about my own life when I was about 22. So I’ve been forced to improvise since then sort of seeking out other people’s drama. I’ve just been a massive gossip. Basically. I just hang out in hair salons, reading OK Magazine, Hello. OK, you know, all the classics, just seeking out song topics.”

Wander has been back performing live shows and we discussed how thrilling it feels to perform on stage. I also asked if there is the potential for a show in Ireland.

“It feels bloody good. I just wish I was doing more. I really want to go on the road that’s why I do it I think. I just want to be out in front of people, connecting with strangers through the songs I’ve written and seeing how people react in real-time. Touring the world, not even the world just touring the UK, touring London, touring even just my street. Just pop into my neighbour’s houses would suffice, but yeah, just to get on the road of some description would be great.

“There aren’t yet, there are conversations happening is what I’ll say. I’ve had Irish sort of touring slash Irish trips, planned a few times over the past few years, and they’ve all been cancelled because of COVID. So I’m really hoping to get over there as soon as possible. Fingers crossed it happens before the years out. That’s my aim.”

AJ Wander is an artist who is developing and refining his sound beautifully and his new single ‘When You Say I Love You’ is a delight to the ears. His piano anchored sound is flourishing as he adds catchy pop elements and cinematic undertones into the mix to create a compelling and moving listening experience. Each of his releases have been vibrant earworms and his knack for sweet melodies make his tracks dangerously addictive. If his velvety tone and earnest songwriting alone doesn’t pique your interest then his rich musicianship and irresistible melodies will get you for sure. 

Stream ‘When You Say I Love You’ below 


Author: Danu

Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

SAL ‘Bullet in the Heart’

Cork-based singer-songwriter SAL has released her new single, ‘Bullet in the Heart’.‘Bullet in the Heart’ was co-written by SAL with the late Scott English (writer of ‘Mandy’). It is the first release under the SAL pseudonym, as well as the first release since SAL signed a publishing deal with prestigious West Cork-based publishing company, AtSongs, and a management deal with London-based Charlie B Management. Having unveiled a host of new material at Liverpool Irish Festival in 2021, SAL is ready to perform her new songs, with live shows in Ireland (Whelan’s, Dublin 5th May; and Cyprus Avenue, Cork 2nd June) as well as opening for Mica Paris at Woolwich Works, London on 23rd April, and a 12-date tour of Germany through May.

‘Bullet in the Heart’ is a sweet 80’s infused alternative pop tune that surges with rich musicianship and irresistible melodies. SAL drifts her supple vocals over a dreamy melody while punctuated beats and shimmering synths flesh out the glittering backdrop. There is a soft sun-kissed atmosphere within the track as SAL uses rich electronic textures, warm guitar embellishments and R&B tones throughout – highlighting SAL’s deft musical prowess and emotive songwriting. Boasting glorious soundscapes ‘Bullet in the Heart’ is a joy to listen to and a sublime new single from SAL. 

About the track, SAL said: “It’s a song about resilience in the face of loneliness and being in love…while still being fearless of all that life throws at you in the midst of chaos”. 

Stream ‘Bullet in the Heart’ below 


Author: Danu

New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Bradley Marshall ‘Make Believe’

Bradley Marshall has released his first official single ‘Make Believe’. Dublin based artist-songwriter Bradley Marshall has garnered a big following across social media by posting heartfelt, soulful videos singing a mix of both covers and self-penned songs. 

‘Make Believe’ surges with cinematic melodies as Bradley Marshall displays his earnest songwriting in all its glory. This emotive ballad exudes passion, tenderness and a sweet piano melody as Marshall tenderly croons “So just hold me like you know me, like I was part of your story, are you scared of being lonely just like me“ over a building backdrop of ambient soundscapes and pulsing beats. The track is a musical treat that is a joy to listen to and beckons repeat plays. ‘Make Believe’ is a compelling single from Marshall. Looking forward to hearing more from this artist.

Speaking of the track Marshall said: “I can’t wait to show people what I can do. I wanted to write a song that people could relate to, and I think I did that with ‘Make Believe’. Connecting with people through my music is important to me. I feel this is the ideal way to start my journey”

Stream ‘Make Believe’ below 


Author:Danu