Mayo born singer-songwriter Tracy Gallagher has released her new single and video ‘Caves’. The song is a collaboration with Belfast based producer Michael Mormecha. Having tried her hand over the years at a number of various careers from teaching French to hypnotherapy, Tracy decided it was finally time to commit fully to music and produce her first studio-recorded work. This ultimately led to converting an old work van into a rustic home on wheels and hitting the road to write and live out her dreams as a wayfaring musician.
‘Caves’ is a wonderful display of musicianship from Tracy Gallagher. Within the track are elements of vulnerability and innocence aptly portrayed by Gallagher’s expressive vocal delivery and enhanced by the raw untamed moments of indie rock in the song’s dynamic soundscapes. The song is well crafted and layered to create a dizzying almost psychedelic effect at times with just Gallaghers soft vocals acting as the listener’s anchor between the constant ebb and flow of instrumentation. Eloquent lyrics depict themes of love, loss and hope while icy keys create an eerie sense of whimsy throughout – Gallagher combines all these aspects to create a compelling listening experience for listeners to enjoy again and again.
About the song Gallagher says “Caves is inspired by the work of Joseph Campbell, American professor of Literature and well known mythologist, credited by George Lucas as having inspired Star Wars. While reading his book ‘The Hero With A Thousand Faces’, I became enamoured with the idea of each individual being the hero in their own story and the trials and tribulations each of us have to face and overcome throughout our human experience in order to grow and develop as human beings. Caves explores the relationship we have to the natural world and simultaneously to the inner self, it is a look at the wild, powerful and sometimes frightening aspects of nature that can act as a metaphor for the unexplored parts of our inner worlds. The wildness of the ‘seven seas’ and the dark unknown of the ‘cave’ represent our innermost fears, that which we try to keep hidden from ourselves and the world at large but this is also the place where the deepest treasures and revelations lie, where personal growth and development happens.”
Bio: Brian Rudkins (lead guitar, vocals), Cian Ferguson (bass,keyboard) and Keelan Gannon (guitar, vocal) are Neverwait – a three piece alternative rock band based in Ireland. The band have released their debut album ‘Blind’ which was recorded and produced by the band themselves.
Track: Blind
Why We Like It: This tight mirage of electronic alternative rock wiggles and creeps with lo-fi tones and hip hop beats to create something organic and truly engaging. The verses tease and slowly seep through creating tension while the taping beat remains the constant behind the vaporous melody and quivering reverb vocals. The track builds superbly to its expressive chorus and dramatic crescendo with horn elements adding a dash of soul. The psychedelic hues flirtatiously meander through the thick electronics adding a dark smudge over this tantalizing number. Well crafted and fantastically layered ‘Blind’ is an utterly captivating and emotive track presented beautifully and majestically by Neverwait.
Bio: Red Sun Alert are an up and coming band from Cork City, Ireland. Since forming in late 2017, the band have been busy making a name for themselves around the country. They have supported artists such as The Altered Hours, Making Monsters, Cherym and many more.
Track: Live Laugh Love
Why We Like It: It’s a gritty riff heavy mammoth that stomps and rampages through with raw jagged guitars and punchy assault on drums. With a rugged bass weaving between the harsh head-bang ready bursts and brisk guitar runs, the track fluctuates between the fluid elasticity of the verses and heavy throbbing chorus. With coarse growl- ish vocals, a scream here and there and a mosh-ready bridge laced in frantic guitar lines this brutish battering assault on the senses is one hell of a track. Don’t let the acute rough lacerations fool you though. There is refinement and swagger within ‘Live Laugh Love’ especially in the suave and precise guitar work. The band’s upcoming EP ‘Red Sun Alert’ is set for release October 3rd – looking forward to it.
When asked about the track Julia Pawlak said:“ While writing the lyrics to this song I was feeling extremely overwhelmed by how it seems that women are still seen as lesser in the music scene. There’s so many wonderful girls in the creative community and simply they’re not getting the notice that they deserve. This song is about acceptance of my gender and what it means. I don’t want to spend my time here complaining and wishing I would get the same treatment as my male friends in bands. I’m going to fight for it and do everything I can to create that space of non-judgement and equal treatment.”
Bio: Mayo born singer songwriter,Tracy Gallagher is one of Ireland’s finest emerging indie folk artists. Tracy is set to release her debut EP ‘The Fallen’ later this year. Her debut single ‘Sit With Me’ received national airplay and praise from well-known Irish radio personalities. Tracy is soon to announce a national tour to coincide with the release of her EP.
Track: The Fallen
Why We Like It: It’s a passionate warm track that flows beautifully into the ears with a melancholic sense of ease as Tracy Gallagher’s emotive and pristine vocals coo over the tender melody. With sultry guitar injections, the song drifts innocently over a sense of mystery. The catchy chorus is sweet as taffy as the steady beat creates the soft backdrop. There is oodles of character portrayed through the delicate jangle and deep rumble on guitar adding a conflicting twist and sublime contrast to Gallagher’s expressive crisp vocals. Wonderful and emotional ‘The Fallen’ is a superb piece of musicianship.
Bio: Kilkenny band The Wha have released the video for their debut single ‘Innocents’ – out via Chess Club. The band have also announced they will play a string of shows in September with Two Door Cinema Club in Dublin and Belfast. ‘Innocents’ has already attracted the attention of BBC Radio 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq, Radio X’s Gordon Smart and Felix White and a host of press tastemakers. All aged just 18-years-old The Wha are dual vocalists and guitarists Finn Cusack and Sam Cullen, joined by Marek Lech (bass) and Abe G. Harris (drums). The video for ‘Innocents’ was shot in Kilkenny by director Conor Dockery at Dock Visual
Track: ‘Innocents’
Why We Like It: It’s a fantastic debut track which thrives on an exhilarating bass while piercing guitars slice and jangle through a punchy beat and carefree punk-hued attitude. With an ethereal catchy melody and vibrant vocals this invigorating number boasts impressive laid back swagger. There is a retro rock ‘n’ roll vibe about this track as the band take their blistering guitar-driven sound, coat it in an infectious melody, slap on a dash of indie and pepper it with a Brit-pop seasoning, and the result is something to shout about. This is a band that you need to know and listen to now.
Bio: LEWIN is an Alternative\Indie music project by Mitchell Lewin. His newly released single ‘Learn To Love/Love To Live’ has been received greatly having multi air-times on worldwide radio stations and local stations such as BBC Introducing in Shropshire.
Track: Learn to Love/Love to Live
Why We Like It: This breezy indie track sails gracefully upon a buoyant vibrant foundation while Lewins’ warm vocals exude emotion and tender tones.It’s a cosy song with luminous guitars glistening with glorious scintillation while the smooth melody coats the track in cosy tones.With a heart-pounding bridge and sing along ready chorus this indie dazzler is ready to warm the soul and comfort the ears. Its catchy and uplifting as Lewin crafts his sound with sweetness, passion and sublime instrumentation.
