Tag Archives: Mark Hegan

Indie, Indie Quick Picks, New Music

Indie Quick Picks – Featuring My Twisted Heart, Jack Dora, Mark Hegan, VLLNS and Rofi James

My Twisted Heart

Genre : Alternative pop

Bio: My Twisted Heart (MT Heart) the moniker of singer/songwriter and member of the creative collective Outsiders Entertainment, Po Ki Ching. Born and raised in Hong Kong, My Twisted Heart’s music was originally inspired by Asian music genres, namely Canton-Pop, J-Rock and K-Pop. My Twisted Heart developed an interest in singing at an early age and he would perform cover tracks at school talent and singing contests. Later during his College years in Ireland, My Twisted Heart officially became a member of the Outsiders and was introduced to Western music genres such as Hip-Hop, Electronic, R&B etc.

Track: idontneedyou

Why We Like It: This tune draws on elements of hip hop, swirling synths and glimmers of warm indie to create a lush wall of sound. The tight layering and intricate production teamed with kinetic electronic pulses and reverb vocals provides a refreshing and compelling listening experience. The song floats on a sweet melancholic melody and acoustic guitar embellishments that create a buoyant and rich texture within the track. ‘Idontneedyou’ is a compelling and innovative piece of music that marks My Twisted Heart an artist to keep an eye on.

You can follow My Twisted Heart on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/mytwistedheart/

Stream ‘idontneedyou’ below

Jack Dora

Photo Credit: Nicholas O Donnell

Genre : Indie Pop

Bio: Critically acclaimed Indie-pop artist Jack Dora is back with his driving new single ‘Take What You’ve Been Given’.This is the title track from Dora’s upcoming debut EP which will be released sometime early in 2022. Jack wrote, recorded and produced the track in his bedroom in Dublin. It was mixed by Cork musician Yenkee and mastered by Fergal Davis (Muse, Republic of Loose, Sinead O’ Connor).

Track: Take What You’ve Been Given

Why We Like It: It’s a shimmering bite of indie-pop that surges with mouth-watering melodies, 80’s dance-pop soundscapes and upbeat vibes. Doused in effervescent synths and jaunty guitar adornment, the track exudes glittering charm while the driving bassline and slapping beat add an edge to the track. With smooth vocals adding swagger between slick guitar elements, ‘Take What You’ve Been Given’ is a fantastic synth-pop earworm to indulge in.

You can follow Jack Dora on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/JackJDora/

Stream ‘Take What You’ve Been Given’ below

Mark Hegan

Genre : Singer-Songwriter

Bio: Indie singer/songwriter Mark Hegan has released his new single ‘War’. Hegan has garnered industry interest and plays from the likes of BBC Radio 1 (Introducing), BBC Radio 2 and Radio Ulster.

Track: War

Why We Like It: Hegan presents his emotive and compelling songwriting through this beautifully arranged song. With a metronomic beat creating a subtle sense of tension while lush strings flourish between elegant piano, Hegan creates a bittersweet and tear-jerking track for listeners to enjoy. His warm vocals caress the dreamy melody with a tone of melancholy as he fleshes out his ability to create an eloquent and catchy tune filled with emotion and passion. 

You can follow Mark Hegan on Facebook here  https://www.facebook.com/markheganmusic

Stream ‘War’ below 

VLLNS

Genre : Alternative rock

Bio: Dublin’s VLLNS have released their final single of 2021, ‘Black Palm’.Having been awarded a grant as part of the Music Industry Stimulus Package 2020, VLLNS recorded Black Palm in Darklands Audio at the tail end of the COVID 19 restrictions.’Black Palm’ explores the internal struggles we face when we make our way through the bereavement process, trying to process our grief, yearning for a time when we hadn’t truly considered death and the mortality of both our loved ones, and ourselves.

Track: Black Palm

Why We Like It: It’s a dark tune saturated in sharp guitars, rumbling drums and sinister undertones. The foundation of the track is a bristly energetic blend of punk rock and moody grunge with a sweet peppering of indie on top. A punchy drum beat crashes between a resounding rumble on bass while jaunty guitars meander between striking, acute pines and gentle laments. VLLNS have created a concise, energetic and hard-hitting track that is sure to knock your socks off as they build diverse textures throughout to create a thrilling listening experience.

You can follow VLLNS on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/VLLNSOfficial/

Stream ‘Black Palm’ below

Rofi James

Genre : Indie

Bio: After the success of their last single ‘Sorry’, Galway-based band Rofi James return with their latest song ‘Berlin Wall’. The song was written during Ireland’s initial lockdown during the Covid 19 pandemic. Berlin Wall is a song about the desire to escape the monotonous routine and daily troubles of life during a pandemic. The song was written by Ronan Flaherty, Jamie Murray and Joseph Flaherty, and mixed and produced by Dave Skelton. It was then mastered by Fergal Davis (Muse, Republic of Loose, The Divine Comedy).

Track: Berlin Wall

Why We Like It: ‘Berlin Wall’ surges with anthemic indie as Rofi James display their knack with driving melodies and heart-racing instrumentation. Blending jaunty indie guitars with rich pulsing rhythms, washes of electronic dance and shimmering synths the track has a kinetic and energetic wall of sound. With smooth vocals caressing the infectious melody while the soundscapes wisp between the rock peppered guitar moments ‘Berlin Wall’ has an epic backdrop and sing-along quality that is quite impressive.

You can follow Rofi James on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/RofiJamesMusic/

Stream ‘Berlin Wall’ below 

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Author: Danu

Indie, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Mark Hegan ‘Another Kind of Blood’

Indie singer/songwriter Mark Hegan has released his new single ‘Another Kind of Blood’. Hegan has garnered industry interest and plays from the likes of BBC Radio 1 (Introducing), BBC Radio 2 and Radio Ulster.

‘Another Kind of Blood’ is a driving infectious indie number locked and loaded with Mark Hegan’s polished, feel good songwriting. His passion flourishes through the track with a relentless upbeat radiance while the heart pounding drum beat, dynamic guitar and powerful chorus are an instant shot of adrenaline. This stirring anthem has a moving velvety melody. Hegan’s wholesome vocals add warmth and tenderness to the track as it builds to its compelling crescendo. With a sax solo and foot-tapping beat on drums this kinetic tune showcases Hegan’s earnest musicianship while turning it into something quite anthemic and powerful. 

Stream ‘Another Kind of Blood’ below 


Author : Danu

Indie, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Mark Hegan ‘North Star’

Mark Hegan has released his new single ‘North Star’ exclusively to Band Camp, three weeks before it will be made available on streaming services.  Hegan is doing this in order to raise funds for The Samaritans, a charity that aims to reduce the amount of lives lost through suicide in the UK.  The price of the single will be £1 and all earnings will be donated to the charity.  Following this, ‘North Star’ will be officially released on streaming services 28/5/20.

With ethereal soundscapes, delicate piano twinkles and warm vocal embraces, ‘North Star’ is a sublime example of Mark Hegan’s tender songwriting. The soft subtle electronics pulse and flutter behind pristine piano while Hegan’s emotive vocals caress the soft sweet melody.The song builds superbly creating an uplifting and heart racing crescendo as the beat intensifies and Hegan rushes passionate adrenaline through his atmospheric and heart felt soundscapes. This wonderfully crafted track is packed with oodles of passion and wispy touching melodies that are sure to ignite bittersweet emotions and memories of nostalgia, joy and melancholia. 

About the track Hegan said:  ‘‘North Star is a stripped back song about separation from those you love.  The song was penned during this period of lockdown and inspired by the new world we are all reluctantly living in.”

You can download ‘North Star’ here https://markhegan.bandcamp.com/track/north-star?fbclid=IwAR3EnsOpOog6MGZDxbFJJxQy-E7hVXs30Z7eza_-dUZDYjIGO7vguzqoL8k


Author : Danu

Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Mark Hegan ‘Love, Wait for Me’

Indie singer/songwriter Mark Hegan has released his new single ‘Love, Wait for Me’. Hegan has garnered industry interest and plays from the likes of BBC Radio 1 (Introducing), BBC Radio 2 and Radio Ulster.

 ‘Love, Wait for Me’ is a sweet melodic number. Hegan creates a majestic and beautiful backdrop for his tender honest track. With wispy soundscapes of chiming guitars and ethereal twinklings the track builds becoming more dynamic and heart rushing. As the track progresses Hegan holds your heart in his hand allowing the instrumental backdrop blossom, becoming more hopeful and heartwarming. With a honeyed delicate melody caressed by Hegan’s passionate vocals and the earnest pulsing beat -this sincere and utterly emotive track drifts with elevating intensity and warmth. 

About the track Hegan says : “ I intended to write ‘Love, Wait for Me’  about losing one’s sense of place in the world, which is a pretty common theme for me. However, as time passed, the song took on a slightly more specific direction I didn’t expect, and ended up being more about approaching adulthood and the challenges that poses to one’s identity.  It’s probably the most brutally honest song I’ve ever written (getting older and gaining responsibility scares the shit out of me) and for that alone I’m deeply proud of it. The photo that features on the cover art was taken around the turn of the millennium on the North West coast of Ireland, and the man in the picture is my Dad.  The photo made perfect sense to me in relation to the song; here was a man at the head of a large family taking an isolated moment on the beach, one of very few moments he would have for just himself and his thoughts. I’m beyond lucky to have an example such as my father, and I guess this song is one for him and me. When adult life and all its hardship comes knocking, how do you do justice to yourself and those you love? “

 ‘Love, Wait for Me’ will be released tomorrow 13th February – for more check out Mark Hegan on Facebook here  https://www.facebook.com/markheganmusic/


Author : Danu

Indie, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Mark Hegan ‘Every Minute After Midnight’

Indie singer/songwriter Mark Hegan has released his new single ‘Every Minute After Midnight’. Hegan has garnered industry interest and plays from the likes of BBC Radio 1 (Introducing), BBC Radio 2 and Radio Ulster.

‘Every Minute After Midnight’ is a glistening uplifting track laced in Mark Hegan’s warm and rich musicianship. Vibrant twinkles of guitar flood the track with bright scintillation. A dynamic beat and sparkling soundscape rush adrenaline and heart racing emotion into the song. With lyrics about coming to terms with the self-destructive parts of your personality and learning to live with them, this track is empathetic while also remaining light and catchy. Hegans’ velvety vocals soothe through the soft melody with tender emotion as the vivid soundscapes swirl and rush around. The track follows Mark Hegan’s sublime passionate debut ‘Skyward’ fleshing out the emotive and lush sound that he is building. 

Stream ‘Every Minute After Midnight’ below 


Author : Danu