FYA FOX has released her new single ‘Like Loving Jesus’.Following a stellar set of releases, sold out Whelans Dublin headliner (Nov 2021), showcased at Ireland’s leading festival for emerging artists Ireland Music Week and selected to play the BBC Introducing Stage at OutPut & Stendhal Festival, FYA is gearing up to play her 1st ever UK festival Live At Leeds (Oct 15th). Gaining major support across Irish national and regional radio stations along with plays on BBC Radio 1, ‘Track of The Week’ features on RTE 2FM, Spin South West and Today FM, to mention a few. To date FYA has gained over 203K Spotify streams with playlisting on ‘New Music Friday’, ‘New Pop UK’, ‘EASY’, ‘Chilled Pop Hits’, ‘New Pop Revolution’, ‘Fresh Finds’ and ‘Fresh Finds Pop’, along with playlisting on BBC Radio Ulster ‘Where Music Matters’.
‘Like Loving Jesus’ is powerful alternative pop at its finest. FYA presents a soul-filled tune brimming with catchy melodies and R&B tones that is a joy to listen to again and again. Melancholic verses brood atop a lamenting piano and ethereal soundscapes before a vibrant punchy chorus kicks in. The track is an emotive-filled banger from start to finish enhanced by gospel elements and lush textures throughout. Produced to perfection with FYA’s compelling vocals at the helm, ‘Like Loving Jesus’ confirms FYA FOX as a true force to be reckoned with.
About the track FYA said: “I wrote this song over zoom with Bill Maybury (Cian Ducrot, Ryan Mac, Lenii & Fia Moon) & Matt Weir during lockdown. I’d been listening to a lot of Noah Cyrus at the time, so I feel like some inspiration for the session came from that”.
Blood Donor has released his new single ‘Lonely Street’. Blood Donor is an alt-pop artist based out of Dublin, Ireland. The solo project of ex-Otherkin frontman Luke Reilly, he has released two singles thus far (the euphoric pop belters ‘Bienvenue’ and ‘Under the Sun’) and is now on the cusp of releasing his debut album (due summer 2023). Blood Donor will debut his new material alongside ‘Lonely Street’ with a 5-piece band in the Workman’s Cellar in Dublin on October 29th and plans on releasing a new single every couple of months in the lead-up to his debut album.
Saturated in hazy nostalgia, ethereal pines on guitar and delicate shimmers on synths, ‘Lonely Street’ is a compelling new tune from Blood Donor. Reilly’s warm vocals soothe atop a country – esque melody while buoyant beats create a soft cushion from the sombre lyrics “A sad sad song, a sad sad scene We waste our time with fever dreams”. The song is a well-crafted tune that reveals many instrumental gems with each subsequent listen; ethereal keys, western-toned guitar and glorious musical embellishments to name a few. The track subtly builds becoming more cinematic as a shredding classic guitar solo leads the song to its lingering fade out. With ripples of delicate ambient soundscapes and rich instrumental moments; ‘Lonely Street’ is a fine display of Blood Donor’s emotive musicianship and deft musical prowess.
About the upcoming album Blood Donor said: ‘’The album has been a long time coming. It was supposed to be out in 2020 but when COVID kicked off I went back to working in medicine. It was a very intense time in my life to be honest, and for the guts of a year and a half I lost all contact with music-making. It was only when I played a gig with some friends in March 2022 that I realised the extent of the void in my life. It was an Indie Covers night with James Vincent McMorrow and other Irish musicians, and it such a cathartic and life-affirming experience for everyone involved. I resolved myself to get the album finished and get back to playing live.’’
Slender Pins have released their new single ‘So Happy (90% Of The Time)’. This blistering tune surges in on sharp guitar hooks, and infectious grooves as Slender Pins flesh out their energetic sound with witty lyrics and dark undertones. With raw rumbling basslines weaving between frantic pop-punk instrumentation, the band create a manic and powerful wall of sound as the lyrics swing from happy to dark thoughts “But then come the long, dark nights, and a voice from the depths of your subconscious cries: ‘what the f*ck am I doing with my life?!'”. With desert- esque guitars adding swagger between crazed vocal yelps while the brisk tempo entices you to dance along; Slender Pins create a fantastic tune ready to blast at full volume.
Rowlette has released her third release of 2022, ‘Perfect’.The song explores the relationship with one’s body and our tendency to chastise it, despite all the amazing things it enables us to do. The song was produced by Dave Skelton and mastered by Aidan Foley. Rowlette, currently based in London, has been busy since the world of live music has returned. She recently hosted a packed-out headliner in the British capital with fellow musician Faraway Martin. As well, she’s back in Dublin frequently, performing at venues such as Workman’s and The Soundhouse. As a solo performer with an acoustic guitar, Rowlette is recognised for her powerful vocals, inspirational lyrics and captivating performances. Hailing from Co. Mayo, she has a distinctive writing style, known for her storytelling ability. Rowlette’s tracks have received radio play across Irish radio stations and abroad and were added to several Spotify editorial playlists.
‘Perfect’ is a tender ballad that displays Rowlette’s eloquent songwriting over delicate yet cinematic soundscapes. With swooning strings and warm bass sweeping over folk-esque acoustic guitar and elegant piano, Rowlette creates a well-crafted backdrop for her soothing vocal delivery. Her voice caresses the soothing melody with a sense of comfort and uplifting earnestness as the song ventures into its cinematic crescendo with a grace and elegance that is to be admired. Filled with warm tones and ethereal orchestral elements ‘Perfect’ is an emotive gem from Rowlette.
… on the Fly has released his new single ‘Another Day’….on the Fly is an American rock artist who has channelled the four hardships of the ‘ugly business’ of cancer into a musical career. Music acted as a sonic escape from the controlling grasp of normal life in a nation he has ‘lost his faith in’ as a loving father of three and ‘the epitome of the Silver Bullet Scheme’. It enabled …on the Fly to unlock a creative songwriting genius previously unbeknownst to him.
‘Another Day’ is laced in crisp production, pop punk and rock bravado. Featuring shredding guitar riffs that bounce off pounding drums and dynamic bass grooves the track is an instant shot of adrenaline. With brisk vocal quips discussing living your days without purpose or direction while the jagged guitars slice through the rhythmically rich backdrop ‘Another Day’ is an energetic new single from … on the Fly
Cold Comforts have released their new single, ‘All Wrong’. The song is the second single from the band’s upcoming sophomore album, ‘I Need It’. Cold Comforts are an alternative rock trio. In their three years together, the band have already, Self released their debut album ‘Living in Relative Obscurity’, been on a 9-date tour of the UK, longlisted for Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent Competition and played support slots for artists including Thumper and Mother’s Cake.
Riding in on a mammoth assault of razor-sharp guitar and pummeling drums ‘All Wrong’ is a thrilling beast of a tune from Cold Comforts. The band masterfully capture a manic sense of frenzy as they harness the best elements of rock and grunge with subtle pop elements softening the abrasive instrumentation while gravelly vocals scream atop the frenetic soundscape. The track is exhilarating to listen to and one for blasting loud from the speakers.
Dylan Flynn and The Dead Poets have released their new single ‘Running Away’.In the last year the Indie up-and-comers have amassed over 40,000 streams on Spotify, secured support slots with NewDad and Milk., embarked on their first Irish tour and played a number of sold-out headline shows. The band all met while at college in Limerick, Ireland, and use their music to delve into themes of loss, relationships and mental health. The Indie-Rock outfit have been quickly gaining recognition in the Irish music scene for their energetic live shows, and self-produced releases. Their music has also been heard across major Irish stations such as Today FM, RTE 2XM, and SPIN SW.
Surging with passionate indie rock, ‘Running Away’ is a fantastic new track from Dylan Flynn and The Dead Poets. The band take a driving rhythm and wrap it in soaring melodies, dynamic guitars and saxophone embellishments to create a lush and wholesome sound. This upbeat tune is brimming with passion as the band drift a heartfelt melody over the bubbling instrumentation to create a tune that sparks hope and acts like an instant shot of adrenaline. With moving lyrics that discuss themes of love, loss and guilt ‘Running Away’ is a powerful and well-crafted new tune from Dylan Flynn and The Dead Poets.
About the track, Dylan Flynn said: “The song’s upbeat feel is contrasted by the lyrics, which I wrote last year while my grandfather was dying. The song covers themes of love and guilt while trying to process losing someone who was so close to me. We wrote, recorded and produced the song from our small studio space in Limerick City, with help from Mike Gavin (Windings). Mike co-produced and mixed the track, while Richard Dowling mastered it.”
Stoke-on-Trent band Old Glory & The Black Riviera have released their new EP ‘Subtle Reminder of Somewhere’. The band create a blazing wall of sound within this EP filled with swaggering riffs, blues-soaked bravado and oodles of energy. From the stomping drums and shredding guitar embellishments of ‘Had It All’ to the sulky ‘Waiting for You (To Come Home)’ each song showcases the band’s refined musicianship as they lace catchy melodies in steamy blues tones while rock-dipped guitars and pounding drums provide a gritty edge throughout. Old Glory & The Black Riviera meticulously craft each track to create a thrilling listening experience that is a joy to listen to from start to finish.
Having performed with Adele and impressed greats like Elton John and Avicii with his songwriting, Moncrieff is back with his new EP ‘Warm’ via German label energie. I caught up with Chris Breheny aka Moncrieff to talk about the EP, playing the main stage at Electric Picnic and how he lays all his raw emotions bare through his intimate and powerful songwriting.
‘Warm’ is an emotive EP that takes a different approach to Moncrieff’s music. His previous release ‘Class Of 2020’ was angst-riddled with powerful punk/pop elements while the earnest emotion pouring from ‘Warm’ showcases a more tender side to Moncrieff’s sound.
“Well, to be honest, I’ve always struggled to stay inside a box because I get bored of myself very often. I think with the ‘Class of 2020’ I was just very influenced by how crazy the world was seeming to get and Yeah, songs like ‘Playloud’ and ‘America’ spoke about that and I don’t know, even within ‘My Room’. I just felt even the sort of soundscape of that EP, portrayed how I felt really about that year. It’s a big mix of craziness. But after the sort of two years it was pretty hard in those two years with the pandemic. I had a time where I was thinking, should I keep going at this? Or should I call it quits? and I think what made me realize that I wanted to keep going was the fact that I hadn’t done something super personal. I ended up making these songs along those lines that are just trying to be as personal and as honest as possible and I think that’s what it’s come back down to.”
The lyrics within the EP are very raw and honest. Lines such as, “If I don’t believe in God who can I call? Maybe it’s easier to end it all” from ‘Talk’ see Breheny re-imagine difficult moments in his life through powerfully evocative songwriting and the singer-songwriter explained to me how cathartic the writing process was for him.
“I think it was definitely quite cathartic. ‘Warm’ is quite a positive song, ‘Ruin’ is kind of a positive song. ‘Talk’ itself is kind of sad, but I think the overall theme across the EP is Hope and that’s the thread that brings it together. So yeah it was like anything when you’re trying to make something super personal, you’re gonna have some challenges, but I feel it definitely was more cathartic than anything.”
‘Talk’ is a heartbreaking but beautifully presented gem. Breheny recounts the first time he opened up about having suicidal thoughts. His soulful vocals sincerely pour out lyrics of pain while the music delivers this song with a ray of hope. It’s as if the artist gives strength to the listener to push through whatever they are going through. That’s quite a special impact.
“Yeah, it kind of came together on the piano. I was just sitting down one day and usually, it doesn’t happen, where it just comes together so easily. But the song just fell out and I don’t know I feel maybe it’s the chords that are kind of reassuring. Because it keeps coming back to that major root chord and that gives it that reassuring vibe, that sense of hope within me and hopefully for other people. But yeah, it wasn’t done, really on purpose. It just came out that way.”
Breheny has a knack for writing powerful and uplifting melodies. He explained to me how melody drives his songwriting process.
“The melody comes first generally. Or it’s maybe a little phrase or something. But melody is the main thing that really inspires me and then that will influence where the lyric goes.”
The title track ‘Warm’ was an instant hit when it was released. It went to the top 10 in Irish Radio and was performed live on Germany’s ARD Network (“Frühstücksfernsehen”).
“Yeah, considering ‘Warm’ was the first track off the EP that I wrote and that was in, I think November 2021. I was like, wow, this is really, really good, not like patting myself on the back but it made me feel something. I wrote it with a couple of friends and I was like, this feels like something special. So seeing people react the way they did, considering it was written at a point where I was at my lowest, feeling the lowest in terms of where I felt in my career. Seeing then the next song be like the biggest received song in Ireland that I’ve ever done is crazy.”
Breheny also provides the listener with a little treat on the EP in the form of a time-stopping version of Avril Lavigne’s ‘I’m With You’. I wondered what sparked his decision to cover that song.
“ I think I wanted to make something for the tour that I was doing. I wanted to make a cover for the tour and I think I did it towards the end of 2021. I produced it myself. I was bored in my room and I was like, this sounds really good and I wasn’t really planning on releasing it. Then I was like, Why the hell not? I mean, what’s the point in having another mp3 sitting on my laptop? So yeah, I just put it out and because I made a little video to go with it back when I was on tour in Limerick we did this one-shot video where we do like a transition and I walk out onto the stage. I was like, that’s a cool video, its a cool song, people would enjoy it if I put it out. So that’s why I did it.”
This year Breheny was moved up to play The Electric Picnic main stage last minute and we discussed the excitement and anxiety that came with the news.
“Yes, I did. That was amazing, it was super special. I was very worried, to be honest because I wasn’t supposed to be on the main stage and then Thursday morning came around and my manager gave me a call and said we’ve been asked to move up to the main stage which is obviously such an amazing privilege to have. But I was a bit worried at the same time, what if it’s raining, and it’s like pretty much second on Sunday, like what if nobody shows up and all this stuff. Luckily, it was really good weather and luckily it was really busy, so many more people turned up than I thought would. So yeah, all in all, it was something I’m not going to forget for a long time.”
Moncrieff has announced a headline show in The Olympia in December which has since our interview sold out.
“ The Olympia is something for the bucket list really. So yeah, hopefully, we can get it sold out and move forward, I can’t wait for it. We’ve got also Belfast in November, and London in November and two shows in Germany as well which can be my first ever two shows in Germany and show in Amsterdam as well.”
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Moncrieff is a passionate musician and an exceptional songwriter. Within ‘Warm’ EP he provides moments of heightened emotion while the depth in the lyrics will take your breath away. He is a musical wizard who can break your heart in an instant with one gripping line while his refined and uplifting music comforts your soul. It’s quite a masterful display of musicianship that Moncrieff finds effortless. He is an artist to treasure and the songs within ‘Warm’ are a fine example of this musician’s boundless talent.
22-year-old artist-songwriter, Bradley Marshall has released his new single ‘Hurts The Most’. Bradley Marshall co-wrote the song with TikTok music stars and highly talented artists in their own right, Ryan Mack and Rob Grace. The duo also produced the song along with Jimmy Rainsford of Picture This.
Wrapped in swooning melodies and ethereal soundscapes ‘Hurts The Most’ superbly continues Marshall’s run of tender tear jerkers. Piano-driven and cinematic, the track glides gracefully on a melancholic melody while wispy electronics and pulsing beats adorn the backdrop in lush dramatic builds. With his warm crooning vocals at the helm ‘Hurts The Most’ is an emotive tune that boasts Marshall’s knack for heart-wrenching earnest songwriting.
Speaking about the song Bradley Marshall said: “‘Hurts The Most’ tells a story about how everything can feel and seem so good with someone but you are still not convinced that you are good enough for them”
Stream ‘Hurts The Most’ below
Author: Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
