23-year-old Irish songwriter Papa Rua has released his new single ‘G.B.T.M’.Starting out as a Dublin busker, Papa Rua diverges from the Glen Hansard / Dermot Kennedy sound, identifying more with the burgeoning grassroot Irish hip hop / Drill / Afrobeat scene, with Papa Rua holding the torch for Soul and R&B. His past two releases ‘Lorna’s Song’ and ‘Not In My Name’ were released as part of live sessions, earning Papa Rua a growing dedicated online and local fanbase. His debut EP ‘103’ is expected to drop later this year. Written spontaneously during a session for his upcoming EP ‘103’, ‘G.B.T.M’ portrays male vulnerability with sincerity and care. Finding the market saturated with hyper-masculinity, Papa Rua wanted to shine a light on real experiences that contradict this narrative.
‘G.B.T.M.’ is a tune that displays the soulful sound of Papa Rua. This charming track flows with mellow soundscapes to create a dreamy laid back listening experience. Papa Rua layers the song superbly as he creates supple textures through luxuriant melodies and infectious grooves, while the elastic bassline, intricate percussion, and beats add a gritty edge to the song’s soundscape. ‘G.B.T.M.’ showcases Papa Rua’s impressive, mature and irresistible soulful sound and marks him as an artist to keep an eye on.
Bronagh Gallagher has released her brand new single ‘Truth or Dare’ today. Gallagher is considered one of Ireland’s leading actors and voices of soul music and is deeply respected for both the quality of her song writing and her stellar live performances. From the beginning of her acting career at age 17 as Bernie, one of the backing singers in Alan Parker’s The Commitments, Bronagh has appeared in countless films including Pulp Fiction, Star Wars, Sherlock Holmes, and award-winning TV dramas such as Jimmy Mc Govern’s The Street, and The Accused. She has also appeared in London’s West End, and Broadway Theatre Productions including Complicité’s Street of Crocodiles,the National Theatre’s Warhorse,and most recently Bob Dylan & Conor Mc Pherson’s award-winning musical Girl from The North Country. Alongside her acting career, Bronagh writes and produces her own music and runs her own independent label, Salty Dog Records. She has released three albums to date and past collaborators include Brian Eno, Maria Mc Kee, and Gary Lightbody.
Bronagh Gallagher presents her timeless retro sound with oodles of passion and gusto in new single ‘Truth or Dare’. Gallagher’s soulful vocals have a velvety texture as she uses the power in her voice to surge emotion and depth into her track. With warm brass elements, steamy guitars and elastic bass grooves the track oozes swag without losing sight of its smooth, funky, soul- filled core. The steady beat and meaty rhythms seduce and entice as the dreamy, supple melody melts into the listeners ears with tantalizing ease. Oozing emotion, rich instrumentation and catchy hooks teamed with a powerful crescendo, vaporous guitar pines and sass ‘Truth or Dare’ is another smooth as silk number from Bronagh Gallagher.
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.
Miles Graham has announced the title of the new single ‘Give It Up Now’ which is set for release on 10th July, along with his EP ‘All the Right Things’. 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’.
‘Give it up now’ showcases Miles Graham’s rich soulful sound as he uses passionate emotive songwriting, intricate arrangements and crisp production to create a hair raising listening experience. It’s an earnest piano led ballad as Graham’s velvety soulful vocals melt upon an elegant backdrop of R&B beats and timeless retro tones. It’s a bittersweet number complete with lush harmonies and graceful laments on strings while the strength, emotion and drive is provided by the wonderfully sweet and soothing tones of Graham’s vocals.
Graham builds the song superbly offering his retro soul pop with oodles of power and gusto however he is by no means overpowering. Graham weaves subtle layers within this track to create intrigue. Each verse provides movement and a sultry fluidity that takes this ballad to more dynamic and powerful heights. A great listen.
About the track Graham explains, “’Give it up now’ is about being free of the turmoil that comes with antagonism. It has conversational lyrics that give a fly on the wall incite to break-up, the EP is an emotional narrative within my very dynamic journey . The freedom of letting go ‘It could be better for all you know..’ is perhaps a teasing lyric in the song to some kind of better life ahead, but is ironically ambiguous in it’s positive/negative balance. “
‘Give It Up Now’ is set for release on 10th July, along with his EP ‘All the Right Things’. For more you can follow Miles Graham on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/MilesGrahammusic/
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Fiona Harte
With over a million streams on debut single ‘White Picket Fence’, Northern Irish award winning singer songwriter Fiona Harte returns with soulful new single ‘Sugar Coating’ ahead of her four track debut EP titled ‘Home Recordings’.
With its soft twinkling charm ‘Sugar Coating’ is a sweet and soulful gem from Fiona Harte. Her warm subtle smoky toned vocals caress the dreamy melody with whispered lulls and honeyed coos.There is a magical atmosphere throughout the track as Harte uses her refined and majestic song writing to create a swoony romantic delight without too much embellishment. Her striped back approach floods the track with an effortless ethereal quality creating a lush velvety listening experience with soulful glows and R&B hues as Harte uses her sublime voice to portray emotion, depth, power and richness.
About the track Harte says “Inspired by these trying times I decided to start a project during the isolation period writing and recording songs from my bedroom, no studio, no band, just me. It’s tracks I have written and recorded at home during this period where we can’t get out to studios. The project is DIY and has a live feel.”
Miles Graham has just released his brand new single ‘Don’t Change’. The Irish singer-songwriter Miles Graham has been establishing his reputation, first hitting BBC Radio 2’s playlist with ‘I Can’t Love You Again’ and then with high profile Billboard Dance hits with Don Diablo and L’Tric. During that time, Graham has focused upon honing his music, the first release of which comes with his brand new single ‘Don’t Change’.
‘Don’t Change’ struts with a funky retro soul sheen while Graham spreads infectious pop over his charming and sleek musicianship. The catchy backing vocals coo between a jaunty guitar stride and twinkling keys while the shuffling beat and danceable bass groove wiggles its way into your mind. The foot tapping rhythm and clean production makes this sparkling pop number crisp while the indie soul elements smother the track in panache and chic gloss. With Graham’s smooth velvety vocals caressing the creamy melody this vibrant ditty oozes with sweet encouragements and uplifting vibrancy through a classic timeless soundscape.
About the track Graham said “Breakup can be dark or colourful depending on your perspective. The choice is always yours , ‘Don’t Change’ I hope is a colourful moment captured within all the turmoil” explains Graham.”
James Cramer has released his new single ‘Simple Man’.The multi-instrumentalist performer and songwriter has been co-writing with some of Ireland’s chart toppers for many years, including Hermitage Green, Luan Parle and Eleanor McEvoy. He also fronts the alt-folk band Tupelo. With three albums of original music written entirely by Cramer, Tupelo have played sold out tours in Denmark and Holland, played festivals and shows in Ireland, UK, France, Belgium, Norway, Russia and the USA. Cramer’s solo music has already captured attention including ‘My World Again’, with it’s impacting honest recital and piano led refrain, which featured in Canadian reality TV series ‘Hello Goodbye’. Another of James’ songs, ‘The Road to Kinawley’, will feature in the BBC television adaptation of Irish author Sally Rooney’s Man Booker Prize-shortlisted book, ‘Normal People’, directed by Lenny Abrahamson.
‘Simple Man’ is a powerful soul infused pop number that surges with the passionate and spirited songwriting of James Cramer. The track pulses with a thumping drum beat and driving bass line while the piano chords and strident guitars adorn the backdrop. Cramer builds the track superbly with haunting backing coos and richly layered textures to create a powerful, well-crafted soul pop belter. With a big chorus, smooth vocals and oodles of gusto, ‘Simple Man’ is a clean radio ready number and fine new single from Cramer.
About the track James Cramer says: “I wrote this song on the piano and then we finalised it in the studio. Between myself and Eirik we played all the parts because I wanted his musical input too. We got into the studio in Norway and we were just jumping at it! He played bass and piano, then I played guitar, then he played drums and I played percussion… we’re two very like-minded musicians and it was a great way to work.”
Watch the video for ‘Simple Man’ below
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
