Elaine Mai featuring Ailbhe Reddy – Still Feel

Together in electro dreams.

Elaine (top right) and Ailbhe (left) – Two doyennes of the Irish indie scene – join forces in this live performance of their new single from Trinity College’s Science Gallery on Pearse Street, Dublin 2.

The video was directed, filmed and edited by Ciaran O’Brien.

Elaine says:

“Spaces like The Science Gallery which inspire, educate, and excite are so important. Their ‘Sound Check’ exhibition in 2017 gave me the opportunity to experiment with Moog Sound lab, which was incredible and made me want to explore analog synthesizers in a deeper way. Returning here to play ‘Still Feel’ live using my Moog Grandmother for the first time, therefore feels quite fitting.”

Nick says: Mai the force be with you.

Elaine Mai

Ailbhe Reddy

Tanoki featuring Farah Elle – Let Go

Up in the air.

Stunning visuals accompany the new single from Kilkenny-based virtuoso Paul Mahon (top left) aka Tanoki.

Filmed and edited by Tanoki himself, he also played bass, guitar, keyboards and synth as well as recording, producing and arranging the song, which is taken from the forthcoming album File New.

Libyan/Irish singer Farah Elle (top right) adds her distinctive lyrics, vocals and keyboards.

Farah writes:

“More than coming of age, the song is when you suddenly decide you want to live a life that’s aligned with your values and what you believe in, based on what you see in the world.

“The ‘senses are tingling’ line is when your empathy receptors are turned right up and you can really feel everything, and realizing the potential and power in that.”

Nick says: Tanoki dokey.

Tanoki

T. Cole – Sipping Not Tripping

If don’t mean a thing if don’t have that Afroswing.

Soulful R’n’B newcomer Tunolase Margaret Cole (top) aka T. Cole, from Drogheda, County Louth, impresses with this tale of clubbing, drinking and heartache.

T. Cole writes:

“It’s about missing someone. I wrote it about one of those moments in time. When you’re out with friends, and you think, ‘Oh, this person would love this’, or ‘I wish this person were here right now.’

“It could be a love interest, or a best friend. It’s thinking about how I wish we were enjoying this moment together. Doing this together.”

Nick says: Cole star.

T. Cole

J.F.O – Amnesia

In the midst of life…

Fearless Dublin rapper Jason O’Toole (top) aka J.F.O ponders some heavy themes on his compelling new single, which was produced by Dante.

J.F.O writes:

“It’s a big thing in hip-hop. Death. So I’m trying to navigate that, seeing the complications.”

Check out the 18-year-old’s sophomore mixtape “love the way u hurt me“.

Nick says: Looking for answers from The Great Beyond.

J.F.O

KinetiX – isaidhey

The synths that shake the barley.

Bright-eyed electro-pop gurus Kinetix take it to the next level as brothers Arthur (drums), Ademar (keyboards, synths) and Theodore (vocals) Stones bring the melodies.

KinetiX write:

“We were so lucky to have the studio to give us a creative outlet while in lockdown. We are all in the same household so there was never a fear of not being able to work in close proximity to each other! ”

Nick says: The Stones rose.

KinetiX

Devin Reardon – Ireland Song

We need to talk about Devin.

The honey-voiced Floridian indie folkster (top) crossed the Atlantic just before the first lockdown hit to connect with his family in County Wicklow.

Devin used the time to record a 5-song EP The Untangling Of Things, and the debut single Ireland Song is accompanied by a cleverly shot video with a heartwarming message.

Devin writes:

“This land has a magic in it that I can’t fully explain. Lockdown has kind of switched that up now, and being stuck home, connecting to that has been hard. I had a lot of hard days and night up until 4am just doing nothing again and again. I’ve learned a lot of valuable lessons in this time, and I’m excited to come out on the other side with those things close to my chest.

“I just want to share my own lessons and the joy of discovering positives on the other side with other people. Just giving something to people as we emerge from this mad time. I think music can really help people, and I think this song can do that. I’m happy to share that.

“I just want to make some real art and music out of this madness, and I think this song does just that.”

Amen.

Nick says: Knockin’ on Devin’s door.

Devin Reardon

Ugly Beautiful – Sunrise

A ray of light.

Irish alt.rock trio Ugly Beautiful specialise in shimmering guitars and introspective themes.

The band comprise of Kieran Lane (top left on lead vocals and guitar), Falender (drums) and Galagher (bass).

Kieran writes:

“The song tells the story of two people trying to help each other through this relentless, confusing, distracting world in which we live.”

The video animation by Aaron Wiley is a work of art in itself.

Nick says: Lane sailing.

Ugly Beautiful

Lemonade Marinade – Paradise Bay

Not drowning but swimming.

Lemonade Marinade is the musical project of David Dee Moore, a musician, songwriter and producer based in Clew Bay, County Mayo.

All the proceeds from this single from their forthcoming EP will go to mental health charities.

Paradise Bay tells of the comfort given to those who are addicted to the magic of swimming in the sea even in the cold extremities of Winter.

The band consists of Nick Scott on double bass, Colin Henry (on dobro), Fintan Hanley on electric, Brian McAteer on strings and the folk duo Cathryn Craig and Brian Willoughby on nylon guitar. David Dee Moore plays guitars and piano on the track while Gillian Tuite is the guest vocalist.

Nick says: Come swim the paradise.

Lemonade Marinade

Mia Yermeche – Butterflies

Love is like a butterfly…

Classically trained, Irish r’n’b singer Mia Yermeche (top) announces herself on the scene with her slinky debut single produced by Chris Kabs.

Mia writes:

“It’s about the initial stage of a relationship where you are pretty much head over heels for someone and in your eyes they can simply do no wrong, your basically blinded by the infatuation that you feel for them”.

Nick says: Winging it.

Mia Yermeche

Emma Hynes – Don’t Forget

Let’s make this precious.

Dublin songsmith and writer Emma Hynes knocks it out of the park with her debut single which has just been released across multiple digital platforms. It comes with a sumptuously shot video to boot which features nature in all its glory. The sleeve design (top) is by Donny Keane.

The song was produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Martin Quinn at JAM Studios in Kells, County Meath.

Emma (acoustic guitar and vocals) was joined by Andrew Quinn (drums and percussion) and Martin Quinn (bass guitar, keyboard, electric guitars and string arrangement).

Emma writes:

“As a music fan, my hope is that Don’t Forget resonates with you, for a song that does is a precious thing.”

Nick says: Introducing the Celtic soul sister.

Emma Hynes