Tag Archives: singer songwriter

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

A Chat With : Miles Graham

Miles Graham Photo by Colin Gillen

I caught up with Dublin singer songwriter Miles Graham to talk about his new EP ‘All The Right Things’. We discussed how he wrote the EP, his break in 2018 and how much he is missing gigging.

Miles Graham released his new EP ‘All The Right Things’ via Peer Music on the 10th of July.The EP was recorded in London with producer Paul Herman(Emeli Sandé, Dido, Corinne Bailey Rae), with string arrangements from the renowned Sally Herbert(Plan B, Usher, Duffy,Ellie Goulding, Florence + The Machine).The EP showcases his soul-baring songwriting and top-quality sound: a genre-blurring blend of retro-soul and fresh yet timeless pop.When I spoke to Graham last, he expressed he was nervous for the release and having the EP out there now is still quite a scary thing.

“ yeah it’s still terrifying, since the last time I was talking to you nothing has changed. I’m excited about it. When you release music it can take a while for things to pick up, nothing happens overnight. It’s really busy at the moment with promo and there’s not a lot we can do gigs-wise so I’m still missing that dynamic of going out and getting energy from gigs and connecting with people, so it’s a weird balance. It’s like you’re stood still but kind of promoting this body of work but you’re not getting that energy back at you from the crowd which is a bit strange.It’s just missing something but I think we are all missing something no matter what you are up to theses days.

It’s all very surreal especially in the music industry and in the entertainment industry and any entertainment that gathers crowds it’s just all uncertain.For single people who are meeting up, how does that work now?. It’s just creating a bit of distrust with people and you don’t know their background and where they are coming from or whether they have covid 19 or not and they probably don’t even know themselves. I don’t like the way it creates that distance. Before, people greeted each other with a hug whereas we came from you know a good few years ago it was just a hand shake. You know you’d have no more than a hand shake now and that will be that and then we became more friendly with a hug and we have gone from that to no, you can’t do that.“

‘All The Right Things’ is a soulful EP with deep grooves, intricate soundscapes and mellow guitar lines. Each track warrants its own space on the EP and has a special timeless quality. It’s difficult to pick a favourite and Graham is proud of them all but Sunbeam, the intricately textured and heart-melting tribute to his daughter is a special track for him. 

“ I’m proud of all the tracks on it. It’s very hard to pick one. It’s like if you have young kids you can’t pick your favourite one, they are just all the same, but I suppose I love the groove in ‘Sunbeam’, I love the vibe in ‘Sunbeam’ and there is a nice dynamic there. It has some surprises in it with the vocal dynamic and the guitar solo and stuff. I just love the vibe and the change in melodies as the song progresses, but that’s just me being a music nerd, but then again the single ‘Give It Up Now’ I love the strings that Sally Herbert arranged and I just loved the intimacy of it. I love ballads that reach out to people as well in a different way. But yeah I vibe off ‘Sunbeam’.

When I wrote Sunbeam it was just a moment I had. I was going through a tough time in the form of a break up and my daughter, she was like my sunshine, my sunbeam and helped keep me positive and I just had a moment, I can visualise it now. My daughter hugged me in my living room and there was that Sunday morning sun just coming in the window and the curtains were barely open and you know that kind of dust that settles in the air and that sunbeam through the curtains. It was just a beautiful moment. I suppose the whole kind of vibe in that song is in the verses basically just saying that everything is going to be ok as long as we have that sunshine in our lives. She’s a twin to my son and now he’s a bit jealous. He wants me to write a song about him so I’ll have to get working on that.”

The EP as a whole flows smoothly and is perfect for relaxing to. This wasn’t Graham’s intention but just what appears to happen when he writes

“ I’ve been into that vibe. I’m not sure whether it’s my voice or not, maybe it is. I actually just got an email from a label I was working with in Australia, a dance label and they said we’d love that smooth vibe on this track and I was thinking does everyone just want to fall asleep to my music or what’s the story? It’s all the laid back type of vibe but I think there is a lot of soul in it. When I say soul I mean from the heart. Especially in the EP there is more of a connection, but no I don’t aim to be that way I think that’s probably the way I am.”

The arrangements throughout the EP are simply outstanding; Graham delicately blends bubbling rhythms with subtle explosions of melodic counterpoints to create a cohesive and charming body of work. Graham likes to be precise with his production but still manages to capture emotion within his tracks.

“Thanks very much, that’s a lovely description. I’m not sure whether it was purposely done but I do focus a lot on the dynamic within a song. From its first lyric to bringing people on a journey and in the production of a song and the lyrics and melody.I do focus on that journey and I’m conscious of that when I write, that the first line has to get people interested. It’s like writing a novel or a book, I am conscious of that and also the build up in the production.I would be quite finicky with that kind of stuff you know it has to have the right dynamic and have the feeling and accomplish the hairs on the back of the neck moment. For me that’s what music is about.”

Graham took time out to focus on family in 2018 – which was a brave decision. When you get into something like the music industry it’s easy to develop a mindset that makes you want to keep reminding people you are there for fear of them losing interest.I wondered if he was worried about this when he made his decision to take a break.

“No I didn’t worry about that.It was just something I had to do at the time and I had the right reasons obviously. I had a young family and that’s my priority and music is always second to that.Family is first.That was always the case even when I started out on my music career. I work really hard even when the kids were really young, you know changing nappies at two in the morning and sending emails at three for the next day and that’s just how it works.

It is a different thing when you have a young family and are trying to work a music career. I remember the late Terry Wogan saying that to me. I had some success in the UK in 2015 and he said Miles that’s a tough challenge and I wish you all the best with it. He knew that I had a young family and at the time I thought ‘ah he’s a nice man saying that’ but it was the years that followed that made me realise that he was very right. For me it’s worked. If you’re out touring, if you’re hugely successful and you’re out touring for months it’s different.Whereas I was going out and I was doing, like I did a tour in the UK and it was 2 weeks and I played loads of lovely venues and then I was back home again and that was fine.In 2018 it all just built up to a certain point and I went through a relationship breakup and I just had to re-focus. It’s a huge change in anybody’s life so I just needed time to re-calibrate myself and focus on family.

So I wasn’t worried about what the industry was doing, that didn’t come into my head.It was just focus on the family and then I started writing again after a few months just as therapy and I’ve learnt a lot about myself as well and how music is apart of me no matter what. Even if I don’t release music. I mean I probably have about 3 or 4 albums worth of songs that haven’t been released, that I hope to release someday but I don’t see the point unless there is a reason to put music out. I’m happy to be putting music out now. It feels right.”

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.I wondered is all that support a comforting confirmation he was doing something right with his tunes

“ Totally consider myself very fortunate to get any airplay or backing from radio play from Laura Whitmore or people that like the music but it’s a really difficult business.It doesn’t come easy. It comes from hard work.Those radio plays they come from hard work from promoting and even creating the music from scratch. There is so much good music out there as well and even with lockdown, you mentioned BBC Introducing I think had like thirty or forty thousand songs uploaded to their system within lockdown and their policy is they listen to everything and perhaps they might get played on local BBC radio or whatever so you can imagine the influx of that they are getting as well so to get any plays amongst the bunches is definitely great. It is a little bit luck of the draw as well you know. No matter how good you are there is that element of luck there. You always hear musicians saying you know I consider myself very lucky but I know for a fact they work really hard.”

Graham’s plans for the rest of the year are unsure however there is a gig that will hopefully go ahead and some surprises to keep an eye out for.

“EP is out I want to promote it as best I can. There have been really positive vibes back about it so far. It’s hard to plan really but I have one gig booked in London for the 19th November and fingers crossed that will go ahead.It would be great to get out and gig the songs live.Thats the best way to experience them I think.It’s a different experience for people to come and see me live with the band and I’d love to give people that experience.For one thing I’m really tall. I’m like six foot four so that would be the first thing ‘oh he’s really tall’. I love performing so hopeful a few gigs will come about.There are things happening in the background with the music that you might hear very soon.That I just can’t say at the moment.I’m also shooting a music video this weekend in Dublin for the single ‘Give It Up Now’. We are shooting it around Merrion Square so that should be good. “

Miles Graham’s new EP ‘All The Right Things’ is a timeless collection of tracks. His delicate and emotive vocals, lush harmonies and raw tender moments build in to the tracks groove infested underbelly making each song an engaging and spell-binding listening experience. He is a rare talent and the EP is a must listen.

Stream ‘All The Right Things’ below 


Author : Danu

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

Nicha ‘Devices’

Nicha has released her new single ‘Devices’.Nicha is a 22 year old singer/songwriter from Holywood, Northern Ireland. Having grown up listening to Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan and Bob Marley her music and writing is heavily influenced by these legends but more recently inspiration stems from hip hop, pop and electronic influences drawing on artists such as Loyle Carner, Jack Johnson, Tash Sultana, Moloko and Bonobo.

‘Devices’ is a vibrant bop, laced in the charming and mellow musicianship of Nicha. The track is sonically laid-back and easy going as Nicha douses a smooth melody over tropical beats and ethereal wisps on electronics with reggae elements and glimpses of R&B flickering throughout. Her warm rasped and soulful vocals melt elegantly upon the tracks bubbling backdrop with a sweet lulling tone as the song drifts between the balmy chorus and dazed verses. There are psychedelic hues rebounding off the warm guitar melodies and fluctuant rhythmic foundation while Nicha lilts through the chorus with a catchy vocal refrain.

The song reflects the feeling and freedom of detaching ourselves from the chaos of social media. Nicha expresses this perfectly through this breezy, pacifying sun kissed gem. A fine debut, ‘Devices’ escapes the tethers of genre as Nicha blends pop, folk, reggae, indie and electronic to create a satisfying and musically rich track. 

Stream ‘Devices’ below


Author : Danu

Live Music, Live Music Review, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Brian Houston Live on Virtual

AER Music, Fluttertone and dootdoot Records have come together to create live streams on the Zoom platform and last night was another outstanding evening of music as they hosted Belfast singer songwriter Brian Houston.

Deciding to play his new unreleased album Brian Houston provided a night of relaxed country rock. His warm, rasped vocals reverb with a velvety soothing quality. He could sing anything and it would comfort and soothe your soul.This glimpse into the new album was a real treat and showcased just how good a singer songwriter Houston is. The lamenting guitar accompaniment in ‘I Let Her Go’, ‘Good News Junkie’ and ‘The Angel On The Corner’ is emotive and powerful yet delicate and tender all at once.

Houston puts on a full and consuming show. His anecdotes and stories between tracks about opening for Elvis Costello, how he wrote his songs and even a rendition on Mandolin of Happy Birthday for one of his friends was a joy to listen to. They provided some light hearted relief from the emotional heavy hitting tracks. Houston has a wonderful ability to break your heart and stir emotion within the listener and the striped back acoustic version of his songs last night cut deep with passion and thrived within the live acoustic setting. Oozing spellbinding and spine-tingling charm Houston sings about religion, love and the people he has met through the years. His witty lyrics and calming tone lulled us into a world of folk/country rock.

For me the bright and charming ‘She Got That From Me’ was a highlight in the set along with Houston’s sweet falsetto in the delicate ballad ‘If’. However it is ‘Spanish’ which is the pinnacle moment of the show. Houston’s harmonica slices through a haze of melancholia while the lyrics depict the lives and sorrow of the people who lived in residential schools in towns such as Spanish, Ontario, Canada. It’s a beautiful, touching and melodically magnificent number which stirs hopelessness, fear and sorrowful remorse in the hearts of anyone who hears this song. The wonderful advantage of these Virtual shows is the audience’s silence. The silence allows songs like ‘Spanish’ to really hit home as you can hear every emotive word with such piercing clarity. 

A Q&A follows the show with Houston answering questions about how he writes his songs, what he is doing in lockdown and what a ghillie weeper bird is ( ‘a wee bird that at the end of its life cycle goes round and round in ever decreasing circles until it disappears up its own backside’ ). 

Brian Houston performed an outstanding set last night. His clear, deep vocals provide moments of sweet tenderness alongside subtle gravel-hued coos and sweet highs which evoke raw passion and emotion. There is no fuss or extravagance with Houston’s set – its honest, pure good tunes. Last night featured another knockout performance on Virtual. I have to hand it to AER Music, Fluttertone and dootdoot Records, these guys are highlighting some serious talent every week. 

Stream Brian Houston’s ‘Good News Junkie’ below 


Author : Danu

Indie, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

BECAH ‘Forget’

BECAH has released her new single ‘Forget’. BECAH is a 25 year old singer/songwriter from Lurgan, Northern Ireland.Having cultivated her art playing the local scene for the last number of years, BECAH is proving herself to be quite the emerging artist of note. Within that time she has secured support slots for renowned acts including that of Aslan, The Four of Us, and Brian Kennedy, and most recently played on the same bill as Brian Houston, Sam Wickens and Amy Montgomery. To date BECAH has recorded an EP ‘At Ease’ (2018) with the Oh Yeah Music Centre, Belfast, along with two singles ‘Butterflies’ (2018), and ‘Yours’ (2019), both recorded by producer Matthew Greene in Greene Noise Audio, Lurgan. Her music releases have led to an array of significant competitive successes behind her – a finalist in both the Panarts Young Songwriter of the Year and the AER Solo Artist Award, as well as finishing 3rd place in the Dawson’s Singer/Songwriter Competition. Her upcoming single release ‘Forget’ was recorded with producer Michael Mormecha.

Stunningly moving and powerful BECAH takes a simple approach with ‘Forget’. With innocent twinkling on piano wandering through a pulsing beat backdrop the track presents an intimate and passionate account of a messy break-up. The song unfolds delicately adding lush backing harmonies and warm glimmers on guitar as it fleshes out its ethereal soundscapes. BECAH has a diverse and talented voice as she drifts into R&B elements at times while her warm rasp and velvety manner captures a pure sense of sorrow. There is a sweet innocence and heartbreaking undertone throughout the song. BECAH has an ability to capture emotions in a time loop allowing the listener to ruminate on her lyrics providing a slow motion impact of bitter/sweet pain. ‘Forget’ is an emotive and heart breaking track that displays BECAH’s rich, vulnerable and compelling musicianship.

About the track BECAH said : “Using my lyrics almost in a diary-like fashion as ever, Forget tells the story of a messy break-up. It reflects on how one person in the relationship can be left still loving the other, whilst having to accept it’s bitter end and making that difficult return back to the strangers you once were. Like all my songs, it speaks of very personal things, and it’s my hope in that brutal honesty with Forget that the listeners find they can relate and recognise they are not alone in these complicated matters we can find ourselves stuck in.”

Stream ‘Forget’ below


Author : Danu

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

Lav ‘The Girls Before Me’

Photo Credit: Joshua Min

Lav has released her new single ‘The Girls Before Me’. The track follows bedroom anthem ‘Wavvy’ and Billie Eilish co-signed lo fi garage-band cut ‘From Me The Moon’.The song is accompanied by a low-fi, 90’s VHS style video by Marielle Boland which captures an avant-garde picnic scene packed full of toys and scandal.

‘The Girls Before Me’ luxuriates in the hazy space between dream and reality as Lav delicately sprawls her soft vocals over a sweet melancholic melody and wispy soundscape. The entire song absorbs you in an endless and vast world of sombre longing as ethereal guitar twinkles through a lo fi soundscape while a pulsing beat grounds the track. The supple percussive taps and twinkles submerge the track in an almost magical innocence yet at the same time lament with a sorrowful undertone. Lav has created an enjoyable track filled with raw and honest vulnerability. ‘The Girls Before Me’ is a fantastic listen.

On the theme of the track Lav notes the song “was written out of a deep insecurity of constantly comparing myself to past loves. Always wondering if when they look at you, they’re recalling just staring into a paper mache they’ve built up of a before lover. Most of the time it’s all in our heads, and in this case it definitely was, however that didn’t make it any less real or painful to feel.”

Lav commented also on the video for the track saying “I love working with Marielle because she really helps my campy visions come to life. The video is a lot less emotional than the mood I got into while writing, and I think that makes the whole image more palatable, but also I loved to dress up and have a picnic with a bear and some snails.”

Watch the video for ‘The Girls Before Me’ below 


Author : Danu

EP Review, Indie, Indie Soul, New Music, Soul

Miles Graham ‘All The Right Things’ EP

Miles Graham is set to release his new EP ‘All The Right Things’ via Peer Music on the 10th July. 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’.The ‘All The Right Things’ EP was recorded in London with producer Paul Herman(Emeli Sandé, Dido, Corinne Bailey Rae), with string arrangements from renowned Sally Herbert (Plan B, Usher, Duffy,Ellie Goulding, Florence + The Machine).

‘All The Right Things’ is a pop and retro-soul filled EP boasting Graham’s refined and passionate musicianship. Miles Graham uses deep grooves, intricate soundscapes and mellow guitar lines to create a unique collection of tracks. From title track ‘All The Right Things’ to the vibrant ‘Don’t Change’ through to the lush coos of the velvety ‘Sunbeam’, Graham adorns each track with warm hooks and peppy twinkles on keys while sprinkling R&B elements on top.

The arrangements throughout are simply outstanding; he delicately blends bubbling rhythms with subtle explosions of melodic counterpoints to create a cohesive and charming body of work. The musical components slowly build upon this and meld into an intricately textured soundscape as Graham utilizes vaporous guitar and laid back tones to add richness to his tracks. This is most evident in the heart-melting tribute to his young daughter, ‘Sunbeam’. Graham soulfully croons in spectacular fashion – while slipping into his sweet falsetto, his velvety tones drift over the sweet melodies with passion and tenderness.

Lyrically ‘All The Right Things’ EP is powerful, profound and deeply personal as Graham ruminates on past experience of the turmoils of a breakup. However Graham is breaking free from the turmoil that comes with hostility on the piano ballad, ‘Give It Up’. Through conversational lyrics which gives a fly on the wall insight to break-up he provides a motivational tune with oodles of passion and gusto. 

The softer moments within the EP is where Graham excels, his delicate and emotive vocals, lush harmonies and raw tender moments build in to the tracks groove infested underbelly making each song an engaging and spell-binding listening experience. This is a rare talent and not easy to achieve consistently yet this technique flows effortlessly through Graham’s work marking him as quite the master songwriter. Miles Graham and his intriguing take of music is getting better and better with each release, keep an eye on this artist. 

‘All The Right Things’ is set for release this Friday 10th July. For more you can follow Miles Graham on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/MilesGrahammusic/


Author : Danu

Acoustic Set, Event News, Live Music, New Music, Singer/Songwriter, Takeover

Event News – Grant Kilpatrick Takeover

Grant Kilpatrick will takeover our Instagram for a live stream on Thursday 9th July at 7.30 pm

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/indie_buddie/

Based just outside of Edinburgh Scotland, Grant Kilpatrick is a songwriter with an edge. With introspective lyrics draped over a backdrop of raw angular guitar music, Kilpatrick displays his wide range of influences through his tunes.

Grant Kilpatrick’s edgy indie rock and smooth vocals makes for an engaging and thrilling listening experience and I’m sure his live stream is going to be entertaining for all.

Stream Grant Kilpatrick’s new single ‘Out My Mind’ below


Author : Danu

New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Dagny ‘Somebody’ Acoustic Video

Presse bilder til det nye Dagny albumet / januar 2020

Norwegian cult pop icon Dagny has just released the acoustic video for her brand new single ‘Somebody’ – the second track to be lifted from her debut album. Dagny’s long-awaited debut is split into two parts, with the first 6 tracks ‘Side A’ available for streaming now and the full album (Side B) to arrive later this year. 

Dagny takes the vibrant dance floor ‘Somebody’ and strips it back to a sweet piano adorned gem for her new acoustic video. The soft piano lightly twinkles in the backdrop allowing Dagny’s beautifully expressive and warm vocals highlight the sweet and infectious melody. This version focuses on the rich quality of Dagny’s melodies and lyrical content as she unfolds the track to its bare organic beginnings. This simple and graceful arrangement showcases Dagny’s ability as a musician – it is a joy to watch this artist grow, can’t wait for Side B of her debut album.

A song written with a goal of conveying the ultimate “in-love” experience, Dagny said about the track: “It’s the all-consuming and exciting feeling when everything is still new. I’ve been lucky to experience it. I find that when I’m in love I feel everything ten times more than usual. With ‘Somebody’ for me it’s not just the lyrics but the whole vibe of the song that represents that: when I listen to it I get a lot of positive energy and I just wanna throw myself into something new and exciting.”

Watch the acoustic video for ‘Somebody’ below 


Author : Danu

Live Music, Live Music Review, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Rachel Grace Live On Virtual

Virtual is a series of intimate evenings with exclusive live performances from the best emerging and established artists initiated by AER Music, Fluttertone and dootdoot Records

Last night’s show was a special treat featuring the mesmerising Rachel Grace ( nicknamed by one fan as “The Beanie Queen”). Grace is a diverse and engaging performer as she blends genres to suit her wonderful emotive style. Guitars adorn the wall behind her as she sits with a yellow beanie on her head ready to blow us away with her immaculate performance. The beanie becomes a hot topic of discussion – one viewer comments “the beanie is the only way to contain her talent from getting too much for us to handle“. From the upbeat pop gem ‘To Love Somebody Else’ to the warm cosy ‘Home’ and sassy, powerful upcoming single ‘Cry Me an Ocean’ she cruises through her set with a cheerful stride and soulful flair.

Her sterling voice and empathic songwriting are far beyond her years ( she has just turned 18 ). Whether she is singing about the pain of heartbreak, sweet love or a wistful lullaby, Grace beautifully translates those feelings into intimate moments of soulful tones and tender dreamy melodies. Time stops when Grace sings as the viewers are swept up in her luxuriant tones swaying and singing along. The comments section fills with compliments for the young starlet almost instantly as she shyly thanks the viewers and chats between tracks.

Grace could make the most brawny man weep like a baby with just one simple vocal coo but its the power and emotion within her songwriting in tracks such as ‘Love Will Come’ that will summon ocean-sized water wells in your eyes. There are R&B elements glimmering through the soulful and jazzy- like tunes even within the more attitude soaked ‘Quite Like You’ and bluesy country ‘Nice Knowin’ Ya’ as Grace’s delivery holds a professional entrancing poise. The simple setting of Virtual allows the viewers to truly appreciate the breathtaking ability of this singer songwriter

Rachel Grace put on a sensational passionate performance. Her impressive evocative voice is a joy to listen to and the perfect accompaniment to her emotive songwriting. I can’t wait to see more of this artist.

Stream ‘You Don’t Know’ below


Author : Danu

New Music, Singer/Songwriter

April and the Drift ‘Garbage Rules’

Songwriter April and the Drift releases her satirical new single ‘Garbage Rules’. Based in Australia, Copenhhagen’s April and the Drift is a singer-songwriter whose debut album ‘Shorelines’ came out in 2019 to much acclaim, with her most recent single ‘In a Prayer’ amassing over 29,000 streams on Spotify. 

With wispy haunting tones drifting through a misty lo fi pop background and a creepy fairground soundscape, ‘Garbage Rules’ showcases April and the Drift’s eerie ambient musicianship. Whispered vocals coo over the floaty mysterious melody while ska rhythms and jaunty guitar add buoyancy. The songs rhythmic backbone bounces with reggae-like beats providing a cheery underbelly to the songs chilling exterior. Beautifully haunting breathy vocals add an ominous contrast while the lyrics question the priorities of modern society.

Written in a day ‘Garbage Rules’ is a thoughtful and satirical reflection of consumer culture which April and the Drift could see having a negative impact on their surroundings and environment. The way the haunting elements pivot around the cheery beats is masterful. ‘Garbage Rules’ is a lulling and eerie new single from April and the Drift.

Stream ‘Garbage Rules’ below


Author : Danu