Pauric O’Meara has released his latest single ‘Techno or RnB’. Pauric has had a standout year so far, with the ‘Looking forward to Hindsight’, EP gathering 50k streams and being received well with both radio and press.
Another richly melodic tune ‘Techno or RnB’ fleshes out the passionate and charming songwriting of Pauric O’Meara. With a sweet pop melody spread upon a bubbling indie backdrop this catchy number is a fun, infectious ditty reminiscing on the days of love, laughter and the connecting element of Festivals. A sweet radiant guitar glimmers between a steady beat as O’Meara’s emotive vocals coo with a lilt over the hazy melody. ‘Techno or RnB’ displays the emotive and radiant musicianship of Pauric O’Meara as he blends genres to create an engaging and irresistible earworm to listen to.
About the track O’Meara said ”I guess the message of this song is most definitely central to my love for festivals and how when I’m there, I’m not fussy as I’m just consumed by the atmosphere and the buzz from everybody. I also want to get the message across that when things go wrong, just focus on the good around you. In other words, when you get rejected at a festival by the love of your life, just pick yourself up and keep dancing!”
Miles Graham has just released the video for hisbrand new single ‘Give It Up Now’, which has recently been selected for the latest national Bank of Ireland television and radio ads, in addition to him announcing a live London show which will see him play The Grace, London on the 19 November 2020. His EP ‘All The Right Things’ is out now across all digital platforms.
Miles Graham’s latest track ‘Don’t Change’ resulted in him performing the single live on BBC Radio 5 and a stunning version of Dido’s Thank You, and picking up further airplay from BBC Introducing. It accelerated a fresh stage in the Irish singer-songwriter’s career, having previously scored international dance hits alongside Don Diablo and L’Tric, as well as being playlisted on BBC Radio 2 for his breakthrough moment ‘I Can’t Love You Again’.
Fans who admired ‘Don’t Change’ now have more of his creative world to explore as he shares his new EP ‘All The Right Things’, which features the new track ‘Give It Up Now’- a bittersweet piano ballad laced with lush string arrangements and sky reaching vocal harmonies.
About the video Miles said : “The concept for this music video challenges the conscious & unconscious assumptions of the viewer, highlighting equality & the Black lives matter movement. It follows the journey of a man venturing on a jog and the people he encounters along the way. It’s the viewers choice to make their own mind up who is behind the hoodie. It could be anyone.. ‘It could be better for all ya know’.. ‘Give it up now’ . To make things better we sometimes need to challenge our own views and assumptions. There is purposely an air of hope for the future.. Let’s make it reality!”
Australian singer-songwriter Shira has released her latest single ‘Class Clown’. Following in the footsteps of some of her favourite artists, Shira channels her personal experiences and emotions into her music.Her songs deal with mental illness and the effects it can have on your day to day living. Her stage name Shira was inspired by a Studio Ghibli character and incorporates her Ukranian heritage. ‘Class Clown’ will be her second release, with her first single having been released earlier this year. Using honest and frank songwriting to express her experiences coping with anxiety and depression
Shira has created anemotive and powerful single in ‘Class Clown’. There is an elegance and innocence to the song as Shira’s beautifully expressive vocals caress a melancholic pop melody while wispy soundscapes surround the piano-driven accompaniment. The track is meticulously layered to give the feeling of subtle bursts of hope between the sombre heartbreaking moments. Lyrically, ‘Class Clown’ offers a peek behind the mask to see the true Shira that is underneath while the clean production and darker tonalities add icy elements to this raw and moving track.
Fluttertone and dootdoot Records have come together to create an online live music venue, called Virtual using the Zoom platform to host a series of intimate evenings of exclusively live and interactive performances and this week’s Virtual saw Tony Villiers take to the platform for an exclusive performance.
Together with his band ‘The Villains’, Tony Villiers has released three studio albums, receiving ‘Honourable Mentions’ in The International Song Writing Competition, judged by Tom Waits, Robert Smith, Jerry Lee Lewis and Black Francis amongst others as well as a ‘Daily Discovery’ feature by American Songwriter Magazine. On the road with ‘The Villains’ he has played many festivals in Ireland including Kilkenny Roots, Electric Picnic and Stendhal as well as radio plays by Ricky Ross on BBC Radio Scotland, Fiachna Ó Braonáin on RTE Radio and BBC Radio Ulster with Ralph McLean. With an artist like Villier this week’s Virtual was sure to be one heck of a show.
Villiers’ soothing vocals delight the swaying viewers as his warm croons drift through enigmatic tracks like ‘Mexico’. He dedicates songs to friends as he banters about The “Old” American Bar in Belfast, reminiscing on a time someone bravely danced barefoot there as well as discussing the memories he has of jamming with his band.
Accompanied by his trusty old Spanish guitar ( which was made in 1983 and Villiers claims is “temperamental, doesn’t like the Irish weather” ) teamed with his busted harmonica the show is relaxed and effortlessly fun. Villiers is a passionate and professional performer. His buoyant blues-hued folk songs will charm your foot to tap along or entice you to get up and sway around the room. He bewitches with his smooth melodies, witty lyrics and majestic musical display. Once Villiers begins to play, a cloak of good times nostalgia hides and covers everything hectic that could have happened that day and leaves you in a state of elated jubilation.
With blues elements coupled with indie folk undertones and country twangs along with glorious blasts on harmonica he provides a wonderful and relaxed atmosphere. There is something enthralling about his performance style; maybe it’s the uplifting cruising tunes or the laid back soundscapes of his acoustic set up but Villiers set was a special moment for sure.
He occasionally sips red wine as he greets and gives shout-outs to the viewers while playing recently written tracks such as ‘The End of The World Blues’ and old favourites ‘Rock Salt’ as well as a smashing rendition of Bob Dylans ‘Dream’.
Villiers has a knack for presenting relatable themes through his charming songwriting however it’s his likable character and effortless persona which ignites his tracks and makes them so enjoyable. The new music he is jamming and working on at the moment is an exciting glimpse of what is next from Tony Villiers.
An intimate Q&A follows the performance with Villiers talking about his biggest obstacles, his new album and how he got through lockdown as well as some wonderful anecdotes about his life. This is an invaluable aspect of Virtual, for fans to get to talk to the artist and have a personal chat in a relaxed environment. Virtual is proving to be an excellent opportunity for both fans and artists alike.
Fluttertone and Dublin Concerts have come together to present LIVE. A special interactive intimate show on the zoom platform. Dublin singer-songwriter and busker Saibh Skelly headlined last night’s show. Blending sensitive acoustic vibes and irresistible melodies with sweet passionate songwriting along with a healthy sprinkling of covers, it was a tight and enjoyable set. She performs pristine covers of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Best Part of Me’, ‘Tenerife Sea’ and a hair-raising rendition of Miley Cyrus’ ‘The Climb’, however, it’s the mesmerising effect of Skelly’s warm emotive vocals and calm persona which catches the audiences attention.
Last night we witnessed a budding artist’s growth as Skelly performed her original songs and even some she has not fully finished or named yet. Her own songs are of course the highlight of the show. Skelly displays maturity and tenderness with ease through her charming lyrics and wispy ballads, ‘Be Mine’ a new “mom approved” song and ‘What If’ all flow with grace and subtle pop sensibilities.
At such a young age she is quite the impressive artist. Displaying such confidence, charm and knack with ear worm melodies, it’s easy to imagine Skelly’s songs bellowed back by a swaying arena crowd as she holds the same melodic prowess and emotion as one of her influences, Ed Sheeran. Her tunes are a hit among the viewers, they comment with praise and adoration for her and her songs. Some said they could listen to her all night and that “someday when she is playing stadiums we will be able to say we were fans when she was performing on zoom” and “ we were fans even when she had a pink guitar”.
Skelly has established herself as a intelligent storyteller. ‘Do You Love Me’ in particular broods with a wistful melody while the raw emotion in Skelly’s vocals hits the listener to their core. There is innocence and maturity within this simple acoustic performance as Skelly holds herself without fuss or fanfare, allowing her songs and voice to speak for her. Skelly planned to close her set with ’Mistakes We Make’ however the viewers had other plans, they surge the comment section with requests for “one more tune!” so she sweetly obliges with another not yet finished, un-named and heartbreaking original track. This un-named and not yet finished gem is a wonderful example of Skelly evolving her craft and songwriting into something very special. Last night Saibh Skelly proved she is an artist to keep an eye on.
An exclusive Q&A followed the performance where viewers could purchase VIP tickets to enter another zoom session after the show to ask questions and have a chat with Saibh Skelly. She answers the questions with ease, from when did she start playing music to how she subtly encrypts her songs so it’s not obvious who they are written about. She explains how helpful and valuable her parents are to her as well as how often she practices for busking. It is through this special Q&A we get a glimpse of her bubbly character and persona. In my opinion this part of the show is a great way to get to know the artist performing on the platform. Topics such as overcoming writer’s block, dealing with nerves as well as the honest details about getting songs on Spotify all come up on the Q&A making it an invaluable platform and community for both fans and artists alike.
To get an idea of how talented Saibh Skelly is check out her track ‘Do You Love Her’ below
Following the success of his recent single ‘Platinum’, Irish singer/songwriter Fintan McKahey returns with his new single ‘Goodbye’. The song was written and recorded in McKahey’s home studio in West Cork, where he is continuing the family legacy as the son of Stump drummer, Rob McKahey and the nephew of Cousteau singer, Liam McKahey. Fintan started playing and writing music at a young age, and has been releasing music since 2016. An artist and producer, he is proficient across several instruments. His EP “God Games” received critical acclaim from national radio and press, as did his 2020 single “Platinum.” He has performed in major venues across the country, including support slots for the likes of The Scratch, Junior Brother, and Roisin O.
‘Goodbye’ is a vaporous lo-fi pop number which smoulders and broods through rich acoustic guitar, laid back beats and hazy mellow elements. McKahey has created a groove-filled number set for candlelit evenings. The track simmers through sultry tones and melancholic moods as the lyrics observe the struggle at the end of a relationship, when both sides are clinging on, in hope of salvation. Light guitars weave a zesty sting between the rich smooth tones while the sticky beat and R&B elements create a humid atmosphere within the track. ‘Goodbye’ douses intoxicating bedroom pop and soft twinkling keys in night-time tones to create a chilled and absorbing gem to listen to. Irish singer Ava Archbold provides a sweet and lush contrast to McKahey’s smoky tone as precise guitar lines ooze heartfelt passion between the tracks rooted groove. ‘Goodbye’ is a wonderful, intimate, ambient track and another sublime example of Fintan McKahey’s deft songwriting ability.
Up and coming unsigned Irish singer-songwriter Jack Joyce has released his new single ‘56 Roadster’. Jack first embarked on his music career at the age of sixteen when he began performing and booking gigs in local pubs and clubs. Jack released his debut demo EP, Get Down, in October 2018 and spent the summer of 2019 busking through Europe. Following his return he sold out The Vintage Room in the Workman’s Club and the Whale Theatre. He followed this by opening for Cassia in Whelan’s and playing a slot at the New Year’s Festival in Dublin. ‘56 Roadster’ is taken from his upcoming EP ‘Big Sexy EP which is set for release early September.
Joyce has a knack for writing catchy melodies and witty tunes. His vocals ooze warmth and a charming persona while his mature songwriting makes him an artist to keep an eye on. He is one not to be missed.
Jack Joyce has just released his new single ‘56 Roadster’ check it out below
I spoke to Chris Breheny aka Moncrieff last week about his new single ‘PLAYLOUD’. Breheny’s cheery persona and charm set the conversation alight as we banter about the differences since we last spoke a few months earlier – from the craziness in the world at the moment to his new sound. He quizzes me as to my thoughts on the single and we discuss how this budding artist is pushing and removing the boundaries of genre.
“We spoke in the library last year in December didn’t we? Back in much different times.
The song is out so I’m very happy about that. I’m glad that my story is moving forward. During this shit show of a year. What are your thoughts? Be honest. It’s a big move from ‘Early Hurts’. I’m not sure whether I told you at the time but when I was releasing ‘The Early Hurts’ a lot of the songs they’re an early kind of diary for my songwriting but all the while I was kind of writing songs that were like PLAYLOUD and they were down that vein and I was like how the fuck am I going to change it over, it’s just got to be a big switch.”
‘PLAYLOUD’ takes Moncrieff’s sound to a different level boasting deft production and electronic soundscapes blended beneath R&B and pop elements. Even his voice for this track is different. It’s more rebellious with less of that soulful smooth tone that we have come to know him for. I wondered had he been experimenting with his vocals and how he wanted to sing.
“Yeah, I guess it just kind of came out that way. It was one of those days where everything just kind of aligned, the song was written, in like an hour. And then we spent a day just kind of messing around with the production and we knew it sounded different than something we’ve done before, but it was something really exciting and, I think, has to be sung that way in order to get people to wake up to the message of the song. I mean that’s where I want my music to go. I want to be fluent, to kind of talk about and express whatever I’m feeling in whatever way. Obviously I’m not going to go and do some, like Himalayan singing and shit but that’s just the way the song had to be sung. Do you know what I mean?”
He’s fully committed to his new style; he has even dyed his hair blue.
“It is. It all kind of feeds into that, into the kind of.. the ethos. The story of the song is the most important thing for me and so I want everything I do to reflect, where I’m at. So, right now PLAYLOUD is about being frustrated and feeling alienated as a young person in the world that you live. We’re talking Donald Trump is going for re-election and shit and the whole world is going crazy so I kind of want to be a visual. I want my visuals and my own visual persona to line up with what I’m talking about. I don’t want to have blue hair forever, but I think it helps tell the story of the music”
Last time we spoke, Breheny said that his EP ‘The Early Hurts’ is a summary of all the most significant people, places and events that happened to him from moving to London until the age of 22 and PLAYLOUD is the start of a collection of songs telling the next chapter of stories from his life
“I guess so I mean The Early Hurts was a record of how I started, where I came from. This is definitely like the next chapter, It’s definitely not as autobiographical, it’s how I’ve developed and how my voice has developed as to what I want to say. I feel like I obviously want to talk about the stuff I’ve been talking about in PLAYLOUD and I have another track coming out, the track that we’ll be following up on this, is just as loud and it’s quite commentary. But the next chapter also does talk about a lot of personal stuff as well, but it’s just an ongoing story of growing up and coming into adulthood. It never ends.”
Breheny’s debut body of work ‘The Early Hurts’ EP featured lead track ‘Like I Do’, this debut radio single (released in Sept 2019) received extensive airplay across national radio racking up nearly 12 million audience impressions and 5 million streams. The success of the single and EP led to Breheny selling out his first headline show in Dublin in less than 3 hours. However this success didn’t make him feel pressured to create something to match that success
“Obviously you want it to go well, like you want people to like it. At some point, you don’t want everyone to hate it. I knew that releasing this new body of work that I had, I wanted to make a statement that I’m a dynamic artist. I’m not as bound down to genre and stuff. But, yeah, so I was maybe a bit nervous for that but I really like the songs and I’m ready to put out so that kind of superseded that.I think the songs are good. I’m happy to shout about my tunes I got loads of shit songs, like so many. I just trawl through the shit until I find one and I’m like ok this is good, I know this is good.”
A music video for ‘PLAYLOUD’ is something I have been looking forward to and boy it sounds like its going to be wild.
” I think it’s coming out next week.I really like the video. The video is mad, I don’t know how long it’s gonna stay up on YouTube and that’s genuinely a fact. It’s just a series of ridiculous things. I’m not gonna spoil it for you, but I’m really looking forward to getting it out.”
Breheny has been keeping busy during this crazy COVID-19 time. He has turned his energy to creating some amazing limited edition merch which should be available soon
“Bits and bobs. It’s not as easy to just pick up a pen and just start writing when like nothing has happened. I mean I could write about being anxious about the fucking world that I’m in at the minute, I could write so many songs about that but that probably wouldn’t be good for me to constantly feed into that but I’ve written a bit, I’ve been working on other shit.I’ve been working on a clothing line which is coming soon but it takes a lot of time. I’m working on that, I’ve put this video together myself and I’ve been working on new songs as they come. It’s fun. I’m gonna put some pictures up soon. I make them all myself. I’ve been making weird designs from weird things I found on the internet and printing them and stuff. But, yeah, I’m doing it myself. It’s just weird clothes. I’ve just been doing it myself for the last little while. It takes so much time. When you’re doing it yourself there’s a lot of trial and error. A lot of T-shirts get sacrificed, I’ve got two pieces that I think are sick. And then once I’ve like five or six I’ll put them up, and I want every piece to be, super sick and not make a lot of it. I want merch you will wear and that has an interesting story . Every piece will be a once off. Every piece I will probably have made or painted myself. So yeah it’s probably gonna be extremely time consuming, but at least when people buy it, it’s gonna be like, well, there is no other t-shirt like this.“
Breheny is missing live shows and I can imagine with the release of ‘PLAYLOUD’ the live shows he would be doing now would be epic.
“Yeah, big time. A live gig is where I feel I translate best or I can get my message across. And it can make sense to people immediately, live. It’s like I live for playing live.The live version of PLAYLOUD would be such a vibe. Like break it down at the end, everyone’s singing it! .”
So what has Breheny got planned for the coming months.
” More music. I’ve gotta get on a mission to get all these songs out. I’ve got like six songs.
I don’t know whether it’s an EP, but it’s definitely a body of work, PLAYLOUD is the first statement. So I want to try and get at least another three or four out before the years out, and then do some live gigs next year, for the love of God! “
Moncrieff has a tour coming up in September so fingers crossed Breheny can perform ‘PLAYLOUD’ live soon because when he does it’s going to be insane.
Until then check out ‘PLAYLOUD’ on spotify here and keep an eye out for the video which will be released soon!
Robert O’Connor has released his new single, ‘Over (Before It’s Begun)’.The track is the third in a series of collaborations with EDM artist Skynem GT, who won a competition to remix Robert’s single “Real Good Fight” in 2019. The pair went on to enjoy streaming success with “Older ‘20”, which proved a slow burn hit, landing on Spotify playlists and receiving steady radio play.
Glazed in summer soundscapes ‘Over (Before It’s Begun)’ is a bittersweet electronic number from Robert O’Connor. A soft acoustic intro blossoms into a lush electronic jam as tropical synths shimmer around ethereal soundscapes and danceable beats to create a laid back radio ready track. O’Connor’s vocals exude a velvety tone while a soft tender melody bubbles in the backdrop. ‘Over (Before It’s Begun)’ is another emotive and full bodied track from Robert O’Connor.
Up and coming unsigned Irish singer-songwriter Jack Joyce has released his new single ‘56 Roadster’. Jack first embarked on his music career at the age of sixteen when he began performing and booking gigs in local pubs and clubs. Jack released his debut demo EP, Get Down, in October 2018 and spent the summer of 2019 busking through Europe. Following his return he sold out The Vintage Room in the Workman’s Club and the Whale Theatre. He followed this by opening for Cassia in Whelan’s and playing a slot at the New Year’s Festival in Dublin. ‘56 Roadster’ is taken from his upcoming EP ‘Big Sexy EP which is set for release early September.
Laced in rock swagger and witty charm ‘56 Roadster’ is a fun and infectious display from Jack Joyce. With a catchy chorus, jangly guitar and steady beat this smooth charmer bops in brimming with radiance while a country hue twinkles over the indie rock backdrop. The lyrics roll with effortless fluidity onto a melty pop melody allowing Jack’s warm voice to add quirky lilts and ooze character into the track. ‘56 Roadster’ is a sweet laid back cheeky track that displays Jack’s ability to distil and refine his songwriting into something enjoyable and yet overflowing with texture and vibrancy. ‘56 Roadster’ is a sleek beauty designed for summer weather and good times and a sublime earworm from Jack Joyce.
Stream ‘56 Roadster’ below
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
