Author Archives: Nick Kelly

Pa Sheehy – Roisin

Each man kills the thing he loves.

Former Walking On Cars frontman Pa Sheehy (top) delivers one from the heart on this new single from his EP The Art Of Disappearing, out next month.

Pa writes:

“When I went to college I had it all: captain of the local soccer team, I had a little car and a beautiful girlfriend… Róisín. Fast forward 18 months. I didn’t play sport, dropped out of college and I had made it impossible for Róisín to stay. Why? Alcohol. I loved what it gave me and I put it before everything and everyone.

“I never labelled myself an alcoholic, but after going to a bunch of counsellors it became obvious that I was. A reluctant me did everything I could to keep tabs on it but after spending my rent money on a piss-up and couch-surfing around Cork I finally asked for help. Everything I had was gone.

“I spent a month in a Rehabilitation centre. The first one to visit me was Róisín. I stayed sober for a while but in the end we had decided to call it quits, not because of a lack of love but I couldn’t put her through this again. I was lost; so was she. This song is a gift to her. Some people deserve to have their name sung from a stage.”

Pa plays Tuesday September 28, Cyprus Avenue, Cork; Wed 29 Sept, Whelan’s, Dublin: Fri 1st October, Roisin Dubh, Galway; Sat 2nd Oct, St James’ Church, Dingle, Kerry.

Nick says: It’s alright, Pa, I’m only bleeding.

Pa Sheehy

Thank Fechin it’s Friday.

Never mind the keyboard wars, it’s the weekend! So let’s have another music competition.

This week the theme again comes courtesy of Andy Pipkin who suggests your favourite song or lyric mentioning a family member: son, daughter, brother, sister, father, mother etc.

Here’s mine.

Reply below to be in with a chance of bagging yourself a €25 Golden Discs voucher redeemable in any Golden Discs store.

The winner will be chosen by my genealogist.

Please include video link where possible.

Lines Must close at 6.25pm Saturday 3pm!

Last week’s winner: AMC!

Golden Discs

Orla Gartland – You’re Not Special, Babe

“If you could see yourself from the outside in…”

Dublin-born, London-based alt.pop star Orla Gartland (top) has already clocked up nearly a quarter of a million views of her latest video.

Directed by Orla and Greta Isaac, the impressive choreography gives off Kate Bush vibes.

The single is from her debut album Woman On The Internet, due later this month.

Nick says: G Special.

Orla Gartland

The results are in.

Last week, from a suggestion by Andy Pipkin and with a €50 Golden Discs voucher redeemable in any Golden Discs store on offer, I asked for your favourite song or lyric mentioning a specific year.

You answered in your dozens.

But there could be only one winner.

Third Place:

In The Year 2525 by Zager And Evans

Slightly Bemused writes:

“Is it cheating to add several years? In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans. They through a few more years in for good measure: 3535; 4545; 5555; 6565; 7510; 8510. Great tune, even if a little apocalyptic.”

Runner-up:

A Life (1895 – 1915) by Mark Hollis

Otis Blue writes:

“Released just over 20 years before his untimely death, Mark Hollis’ eponymous, solo 1998 album remains a fitting swansong to his genius. It’s a beguiling mix of pastoral folk, jazz and ambient music and brimful of hushed, haunted hymnals, the centerpiece of which is A Life (1895-1915), believed to be a tribute to a fallen soldier in WW1.”

Winner:

1952 Vincent Black Lightning by Richard Thompson

AMC writes:

“A tale as old as time – boy meets girl, boy blown to pieces during attempted armed robbery, girl gets free motorbike.”

Nick says: Well done AMC and thanks all.

Last week: Win Nick’s Golden Voucher

Jacqui Sharkey – The Light

There is a light that never goes out.

Donegal-based singer/songwriter Jacqui Sharkey (top) shares her first single since she signed with Peer Music.

The scenic video was shot at the Inishtrahull Light Fanad Lighthouse near Malin Head.

Jacqui writes:

“I am really excited to share this video with everyone. We are blessed to be surrounded by beauty here in Donegal, and the spectacular lighthouse on the Fanad Peninsula seemed like the perfect location for it. ‘The Light’ shone bright for us at the perfect time on a very cloudy day, so I hope that is a good sign!”

Nick says: To the lighthouse.

Jacqui Sharkey


Ward – ChildsPlay

Summer days drifting away…

Waterford singer, multi-instrumentalist and producer Sean Ward (18) introduces himself as a real talent to watch out for on his new single from his EP, Strawberry Jam, due August 20 on Egg Twelve Records.

The press blurb says:

“The lyrical content addresses the vicious cycle of repeating the same mistakes over and over in a relationship to the point where it becomes comical to both parties involved, where the relationship itself becomes as trivial as child’s play.”

Nick says: Ward stories.

Ward