Tag Archives: singer songwriter

Neil Dexter ‘Alpha’


After an exciting 2021, Dublin-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Neil Dexter has released his new single ‘Alpha’.Since releasing his debut single ‘Loving You’ last year, Neil Dexter has been featured on The Point of Everything podcast, 98FM’s Totally Irish hosted by John Barker, The Nova Guestlist presented by Kieran McGuiness and BBC Radio Ulster’s Across The Line, hosted by Gemma Bradley. 

‘Alpha’ ripples with lush sonic embellishments, delicate melodies and soft moments of 80’s pop to create an utterly compelling listening experience. Brooding verses pivot around elastic bass pulses while supple psychedelic tones ebb and flow throughout. Dexter’s vocals are a joy to listen to; his voice oozes warmth and tenderness however at times it is haunting, deep and brooding. This vocal dynamic is greatly enhanced by the soft, intricate textures within the track’s soundscape. ‘Alpha’ is a beautifully expressive tune and an exciting glimpse into the artistic mind of Neil Dexter.

Lyrically, as with his previous releases, growing older and gaining new perspectives on friendships, relationships and life anchor the subject matter of his songwriting. Of ‘Alpha’s’ meaning Dexter says: “When I wrote this song, I was processing a specific time where I felt a great sense of isolation within a social setting. I’d been at a party a few years ago where I didn’t understand the various dynamics and felt completely estranged from the people and the situation. I couldn’t figure out where I fit in the group on that occasion. I think part of getting older sometimes involves becoming detached from or struggling to understand the foundations of certain friendships. Structurally, the verses reflect the paranoia I experienced that night before the tone of the song shifts during the chorus with the soaring falsetto delivering the refrain, “What happened to you?” I wanted to create a tension and release dynamic throughout ‘Alpha’ to convey that feeling of isolation. “

Stream  ‘Alpha’ below 


Author: Danu

A Chat With: Miles Graham

Miles Graham Photo by Colin Gillen


Singer-songwriter Miles Graham has released his new song ‘Yeah We’re Gonna Get Out of It’. The track is the sixth and final song bidding to represent Ireland at Eurovision 2022. Miles is originally from Clondalkin in Dublin and is now based in Co. Sligo. Miles was a guest on Weekend Wogan on BBC Radio 2 in 2015 with the legendary broadcaster Terry Wogan. I caught up with Miles to discuss his new song ahead of The Late Late Show this Friday where the song to represent Ireland will be chosen.

“I had the song written in 2020. There was a few things supposed to happen with it. I’ve been working with a producer Justin Broad in London, and we were working on several different projects and different songs and this was one of the songs where I wrote at home. We were all on a 2k lockdown at the time. Then the kids were singing it here in the background, my young kids at home. They don’t sing all of my songs but they were singing this one. So I decided to record them. They sounded amazing and I just thought I have to record that.Then I had the guts of the song sent over to Justin and he wrote the brass trumpet on it and fully produced it. The song is called Yeah, We’re Gonna Get Out of It and… it’s about the struggles and everything that I was going through and I’m sure a lot of people, musicians, songwriters, people that work in the arts, comedians, you know, that perform on stage, feeling those struggles along with everybody else. I suppose the lyrics lend to all of that. I’ve always had an interest in The Eurovision because it’s a song competition. It’s the biggest song competition in the world. I have always had an interest in Ireland’s entries, the songs and the competition itself. So you know, I would have submitted some songs down through the years. I just thought this song [ would ] be perfect given the concept and the feeling at the time. So I submitted the song back late last year and then I got the call just before Christmas that RTE wanted me to sing it and they wanted me to perform it and they loved the song. Yeah, it was part of the six songs selected to potentially go to the Eurovision in Italy. So here I am.”

Miles’ kid’s sweet voices can be heard in the song as they sing the catchy chorus.

“They’re so excited. We are hip hop fans as well. We like a lot of soul and hip hop stuff and we would basically be all singing different songs going around the house. This is one where we just came together in the moment and recorded it and it was really fun to do. I’m so proud of them. So proud of how everything came out on the track.“

‘Yeah We’re Gonna Get Out of It’ is very different to what people would expect to hear from a Eurovision song entry. It’s an uplifting tune filled with sunny vibes and bouncy keys, jazz moments and a speckle of soul. It’s refreshing to the ears with a fun and positive vibe.

“Yeah, I agree with you. It’s fresh, I mean that for me, if you hear something that’s fresh, that’s something different. I think the competition itself The Eurovision has gotten more diverse in recent years. We had a rock band from Italy [Måneskin] win it last year. You know, there is diversity within the competition now and people would say there are certain Eurovision type songs. But you know, they might not be the ones that are winning it. So I think to have something fresh and something different is very important in a competition to be able to stand out.”

The song features a jubilant brass and trumpet solo which was played by members from Amy Winehouse’s original touring brass ensemble. Miles explained to me how that collaboration came about.

“Yeah, so Justin [Broad] and Paul [Herman] who I was working with, the producers. When they heard the demo that I sent over [with] me and the kids singing here in the house, they were like, we love this track so much and we’d love to do this, we’d love to do that. So they made the call to the guys. Ben Edwards plays the trumpet solo. Yeah, they’ve toured with Amy Winehouse. They’ve got that real soul element to what they do and they obviously bounced off the track really well as well. I’m delighted they [ came ] into the studio in London to record it. That’s one element of the song I really really love, the brass, and trumpet solo.”

Miles will perform the song on The Late Late Show on Friday, February 4th, where a winner will be chosen to progress to Turin, representing Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest. A nerve-wracking performance that unfortunately, won’t feature his kids on stage with him.

“You always get a little bit nervous. I played the Late Late Show before in 2018. So that gives me a little bit of confidence, a bit of an edge, I suppose. I’ve got a little bit of a cold at the moment. So I’m trying to just get past that and I can hopefully, be 100%.  I’m really looking forward to it, you know, just gonna enjoy it as much as I can and hopefully, the song puts a smile on people’s faces and gives that kind of positivity that I had in the room at home when I was writing and recording it with the kids. “

Props and elaborate stage setups are a big thing in The Eurovision. I wondered if Miles found it difficult deciding on what he wanted to do and how he wanted the song visually displayed on stage.

“I had an idea in my head. There are certain challenges that come in when setting up for production to be able to present something in the way you want to present it. But yeah I’m really excited about what we’ve done. I’ll leave the element of surprise for Friday night, but obviously, yeah, with the kids they can’t be on stage because Eurovision rules, they can’t be under the age of 16. There won’t be any kids on stage so we’re trying to, be able to represent them in a different way. “

Along with his bid to represent Ireland in the Eurovision, Miles told me what we can expect from him in the coming months

“ I’ve put out a song with L’Tric a dance track it went out just before Christmas called ‘She Is Gold’. So that’s out on Spotify. That’s actually written about my sister. Keep it all in the family, you know. Yeah, I’m loving that song at the moment. I have a live date in London in The Grace on the sixth of May and I’m hoping to get a couple of gigs here maybe March, April as well. So yeah, we’ll see how things go with the competition, but win or lose on Friday, I just hope people get behind the song. Because I think it’s a special song and it deserves people to hear it and just get the good vibe out there, that’s what we all need”

Miles Graham has been steadily perfecting his craft. The result is a sound that reflects his versatility as an artist. ‘Yeah We’re Gonna Get Out of It’ is a fine example of this and showcases his natural charm and passionate musicianship. 

Miles will be performing ‘Yeah We’re Gonna Get Out of It’ on The Late Late Show this Friday make sure to check it out. Until then you can stream the song below 


Author: Danu

Giorgio De Palo ‘Monster’

Giorgio De Palo is set to release his new single, ‘Monster’ on February 4th. The track has been self-produced over the months of lockdown with the aim to preserve the authenticity of an organic singer-songwriter sound while bringing in electronic elements. Born in Rome, Giorgio released his debut EP ‘First Waves’ in Berlin in 2019. Later, he moved to Lisbon. Living closer to the sun, alongside the nurturing sea, his music took on new tones: soft guitar strums, melancholic melodies and warm vocals. ‘Monster’ is the first single off his upcoming EP ‘A Spirit Will Rise’.

‘Monster’ showcases the passionate and compelling songwriting of Giorgio De Palo through majestic instrumentation and refined, intricate production. Delicate guitar strums create warmth within the track while a rich backdrop of rumbling rhythms build to a haunting chorus as De Palo’s velvety vocals croon the striking lyrics, “I’m on a loop and it won’t stop unless my life does too”. Perhaps one of De Palo’s most compelling and earnest releases to date ‘Monster’ displays this artist’s remarkable depth and poetic musicianship.

About the track, De Palo said: “ ‘Monster’, depicts the labyrinths of the mind, which all of us had to face during this pandemic. Stuck between four walls, our mind feels like our only companion, one day monster, one day friend. The music video develops this concept further, with the medusa, beautiful and scary at the same time, as a metaphor for the mind that wanders uncontrolled through highs and lows.”

Monster’ is set for release on the 4th of February. For more, you can follow Giorgio De Palo on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/giorgiodepalomusic


Author: Danu

Jack West ‘Montreal’

Jack West is set to release his new single ‘Montreal’ on February 25th. Doused in washes of synths, bouncy keys and a heartfelt melody ‘Montreal’ is a sublime glimpse into a more electronic facet to West’s sound. Smooth vocals are dipped in moments of auto-tune while sticky beats and jazz speckled keys create a sonically intriguing backdrop. With fuzz laced electronics fleshing out the tracks ethereal soundscape, ‘Montreal’ is an enticing and earnest bop from Jack West. It’s interesting and always a joy to hear this artist experiment and express his diverse musicianship and style. He creates such fresh and exciting tunes with each release and ‘Montreal’ is a fine addition to the singer’s repertoire. 

About the track, West said: “I started writing Montreal In September of 2020 in NYC with a few band members. I remember writing the lyrics, walking along the Hudson River looking at Manhattan …. It was a great feeling, writing this new music, in NYC, with people who are great at what they do ( Matt Bent and Abe Nouri). The main picture I guess of the song is running back to someone, and trying to get back what we had …”

‘Montreal’ is set for release on February 25th. For more follow Jack West on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/jackwest32/


Author: Danu

Cade Hoppe ‘Hurts’

After closing out last year with his debut EP ‘Tell Me How It’s Worth It,’ emerging indie-pop artist Cade Hoppe is back with his new single, ‘Hurts’.Originally hailing from Sacramento, CA and now based in New York, Cade originally moved to the East Coast to pursue academic and athletic opportunities. He’d been writing songs and playing piano, guitar, bass and saxophone since childhood, but it wasn’t until 2020 that he started to explore the possibility of recording and releasing his own songs to prioritize his true passion. After putting out a few experimental releases with his stepbrother, Nick Adams, Cade connected with producer Harper James — one half of Eighty Ninety — and began to develop his indie-pop sound.

‘Hurts’ is a fine example of Hoppe’s cinematic and luxuriant dream-pop sound. Filled with intricate electronics, soft twinkling keys and an intense bubbling beat the track pulses with moments of suspense throughout while Hoppe’s warm vocals almost whisper over the bittersweet melody. The song broods and simmers within a state of nostalgia enhanced by warm guitar tones that glimmer through the dense electronic backdrop while Hoppe croons “ I would do anything to have you here to see if I still love you”. Well crafted and deftly produced, ‘Hurts’ is a catchy and emotive new single from Cade Hoppe.

 Written from the point of view of someone who has recently broken up with their significant other, “Hurts” grapples with feeling the weight of their absence. Cade elaborates on the track: “‘Hurts’ is about experiencing that strange post-relationship purgatory for the first time and realizing that anyone you love is going to hurt to lose, whether you were both meant to be or not. The thesis of this song is: ‘It’s not easy losing somebody, it always hurts.’ I think we all have to learn that lesson at some point in our lives and this song is about when I learned it for myself.”

Stream ‘Hurts’ below 


Author: Danu

Eoin Devereux ‘Set My Eyes On You’

Waterford musician Eoin Devereux has released his new single, ‘Set My Eyes On You’.

This alternative bedroom pop tune is a fine example of Devereux’s edgy, immersive musicianship. In true Devereux manner, the track balances a myriad of rich tones and sounds to create a brooding slow bop saturated in guitar distortion and swirling electronics. His melancholic vocals hold an air of nonchalance, creating an enticing contrast to the psychedelic hued alternative pop backdrop. Boasting irresistible guitar melodies, poignant lyrics and a catchy chorus, ‘Set My Eyes On You’ is a soothing, sombre and well-crafted tune that is a joy to listen to again and again.

About the track Eoin Devereux said: “It is about how we obsess over someone we like and end up loving them more than we love ourself. It’s really a truthful love song that doesn’t have a happy ending.”

Stream ‘Set My Eyes On You’ below


Author: Danu

Megan O’Neill ‘Wildfire’

Irish born singer-songwriter Megan O’Neill has released her highly anticipated new single ‘Wildfire’.Megan O’Neill’s songs have received great attention over the past year – including her recent single ‘Ireland’, which hit over 400,000 views on social media during release month. The video was also picked up and shared by none other than Olivia Newton-John as well as being added to the RTE Radio 1 playlist for three weeks running. Megan O’Neill released her second full-length studio album last year (March 12th, 2021) – titled ‘Getting Comfortable with Uncertainty’. This much-anticipated album follows her last release, ‘Ghost of You’ (June 2018) which hit #1 on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts in the UK and Ireland, and two EP’s previous to this (‘Coming Home’, 2015 and ‘Stories to Tell’, 2017).

Saturated in emotive pop melodies and cinematic soundscapes ‘Wildfire’ boasts the heartfelt songwriting of Megan O’Neill. She blends folk moments with indie tones and electronic embellishments to create a sound filled with vibrancy and gusto. As the track builds to its anthemic chorus, a twinkling piano exudes a sweet sense of innocence within the brooding verses, pulsing beats and adrenaline-filled tension. It’s a powerful burst of musicianship that radiates with passion, emotive vocals, uplifting tones and a freeing sense of euphoria. O’Neill’s music is a joy to listen to and ‘Wildfire’ is a fine display of just how diverse and exciting this artist is.

Speaking of the new single Megan O’Neill said “For me, Wildfire feels like the beginning of the next phase of my career – merging my folk, storytelling roots with more pop and electronic elements. The past two years have been a really creative time for me thankfully, despite what’s been going on! I’ve immersed myself in new music, new styles and new sounds and I’ve been working with many different songwriters and producers in varying genres, as well as improving my own skills as a producer, writer and musician. All of that exploration and work has led me here – to this new sonic direction. It feels very authentically me and I’m excited for people to hear it.”

Stream ‘Wildfire’ below 


Author: Danu

Moncrieff ‘Warm’

Photo Credit: Luca Rapisarda

Having performed with Adele and impressed greats like Elton John and Avicii with his songwriting, Irish-born singer/songwriter Moncrieff has just signed to German label Energie Musik and has released his new single ‘Warm’, ahead of his new EP which is set for release in Spring 2022.

Beginning as a piano-led stripped-back ballad, ‘Warm’ highlights Moncrieff’s eloquent musicianship and deft lyrical prowess. It’s an immaculately blended tune that introduces pulsing beats and ethereal soundscapes to create wonderful suspense before the anthemic chorus kicks in with a choir providing lush backing vocals. A heartwarming piano melts into the cinematic crescendo as the radiant vocal melodies and clap along rhythm lift the song to exhilarating heights. The tracks heartfelt lyrics,“I remember everything, the picnic in the park, how the rain played on the roof that night” surge with earnestness as Moncrieff’s soothing, soul lathered voice croons the sweet, moving melody with ease. ‘Warm’ is a compelling new single and passionate delight from Moncrieff. Press play and enjoy.

Speaking of the single Moncrieff says “Nobody’s perfect. This song is about being that person, and that rare moment in life when you find that person that truly sees you for you, your imperfections, flaws and scars as well as your good traits and loves you for them. It’s a really comforting and happy feeling to just know that all you have to do is be yourself.” 

Stream ‘Warm’ below 


Author: Danu

Tarney Haussler ‘Jono’

Written for a friend who passed away when he was young, ‘Jono’ is the heartfelt and emotive new folk single from Tarney Haussler. An aviator by day and a songwriter and musician by night, Tarney Haussler cut her chops performing in talent and Rotary competitions from the age of 17, playing with famous Irish and Scottish musicians.

‘Jono’ boasts the compelling Celtic infused sound of Tarney Haussler. With glistening harp weaved between shadowy piano chords, Haussler creates a dark and brooding soundscape for her haunting vocals as she tells the story of a “man who loved so vastly it sometimes overwhelmed”.Her vocals croon with a Sean-nós – esque quality while the folk sprinkled melody wanders between the majestic instrumental backdrop. Raw and earnest, ‘Jono is a stripped back and enchanting tune from Tarney Haussler.

Stream ‘Jono’ below


Author: Danu

Hallie ‘Impact’

Photo Credit: @peterohanlonphotography

Irish singer-songwriter and recording artist Hallie has released her new single ‘Impact’. Hallie emerged in May 2020 with her debut single ‘Familiar Place’. Since then she has released three more singles to critical acclaim, with rotation on multiple national/worldwide radio stations. Hallie has made the ‘RTE Recommends Playlist’ with all her singles to date. Hallie is an avid mental health and chronic pain advocate living with chronic illnesses. She wants to use her platform to advocate and remind others who’ve struggled that they’re never alone. She began writing poems and songs as a personal release to soothe and channel her lifelong battle with depression, anxiety and chronic pain. Hallie won the first Golden Discs Golden Busker Competition ’19 & Best Original Song in the Guinness Singing & Swinging Awards. With her Golden Disc’s prize she recorded her music professionally for the first time at The Orchard Recording Studio.

‘Impact’ is a fine display of Hallie’s emotive musicianship. The song reflects on “a past turbulent relationship, with a plea for understanding and acceptance, following a breakup without closure and wounds that never seem to heal.” Hallie expresses this perfectly as she strips back her alternative pop sound to create a raw, earnest tune that highlights the warm depth of her vocals as well as the pain and emotion within the song perfectly “you hurt me like a stranger. I took beatings from your words”. The spacious soundscape, delicate piano accompaniment and emotional sting within the lyrical content make ‘Impact’ a compelling listen from start to finish. Looking forward to hearing more from this exciting artist.

Stream ‘Impact’ below 


Author: Danu