Keeley – To A London Sunrise
England’s dreaming.
Dublin indie pop rising star Keeley continues her powerful musical tribute to the ill-fated German teenager Inga Maria Hauser.
To A London Sunrise is the first glimpse of Keeley’s second EP Echo Everywhere, released by Dimple Discs, and produced by Alan Maguire.
The video was produced and edited by Keeley.
Nick says: Special K.
SJ Talbot – Millisecond
Pop in the name of love.
A graduate of the BIMM Dublin music college, Clontarf’s SJ Talbot (top) has worked as a session singer and keyboardist for various acts over the last four years. In 2017, she began producing her own music, and developing her individual sound.
Her latest single is a heart-tugging break-up song with pristine pop production values.
The lyric video is by MotionGraphic.
Nick says: Talbot street chronicles.
The Whileaways – Toss The Bobbin
This women’s work.
Galway neo-folk trio The Whileaways (Noelie McDonnell, Noriana Kennedy and Nicola Joyce) enchant with the new single from their forthcoming album, due next month.
To quote the press blurb:
“This evocative song tells the story of the 18th Century lacemaking women of Headford in County Galway, where The Whileaways are based and where Nicola grew up.
“Toss the Bobbin imagines the story of four of these women, who survived poverty and famine through bobbin lacemaking, and pieces together the little detail that exists of their lives. It tells of their resilience and the sisterhood that existed between them in the toughest of times as they turned their hands to this intricate work: lace made by the poor and worn only by the rich.”
Their nationwide tour begins in Tuam, County Galway, on June 4.
Nick says: Where angels fear to thread.
Ryan McMullan – Static
Falling for a dancer.
The star of the County Down (Portaferry, to be precise), Ryan McMullan (top) leads us on a merry dance on the new single from his forthcoming album Redesign, due in September.
Ryan writes:
“Written in the Scottish Highlands with the incredible Foy Vance, Static came from a conversation about finding yourself in something before you’d even come to terms with it. And in turn, coming to terms with it mid-conversation. Ready or not; the heart wants.”
The process of recording the album was shown in the documentary Debut which was directed by Brendan J. Byrne and shown last year at Galway Film Fleadh and on the BBC. The film centres around a four-day recording and listening session in Cruit Island, County Donegal, at the end of 2019.
Ryan plays Custom House Square, Belfast, on August 27.
Nick says: Hotsteppers assemble.
Eoghan Moylan – Dark Disco
This ain’t no disco…
Galway singer/songwriter Eoghan Moylan (top) knocks it out of the park with his debut single.
To quote the press blurb:
“The song is about a man who meets a woman to capture the fun, life, and thrills before it’s too late. Yet the whole tale is navigated with wordplay that is charmingly winsome and witty.”
Eoghan writes:
“I wrote it while isolated, in my old estate in Galway City. But I recorded it a year later, out of a spare bedroom, while I had the chance to travel around Granada.”
Nick says: The Dark is rising.
Vale – Warning Sign
Sign o’ the times.
Tipperary electro-pop pioneer Eoin Hally (top) aka Vale is on top form on the new single from his six-song EP Aftertouch.
Eoin writes:
“Some of it is rooted in darkness, more of it is questioning our place here. It can sound in places, cold, careless or maybe even hurtful… but it’s quietly hopeful, moving along, step by step.”
Nick says: Hally’s comet,
James Vincent McMorrow & The Theodora Byrne Ensemble – The Less I Knew
Will you still love me, McMorrow?
The prolific James Vincent McMorrow (top) is releasing two albums this year. The first – The Less I Knew – is out on Faction Records on June 24.
On this intense live video performance of the title track he is joined by the Theodora Byrne Ensemble.
James writes:
“Making music, playing music, living my life in a way that is honest and candid. I’m trying to go easier on myself. I’m trying to make music that lets people know they should go easier on themselves too.
“Because the world is exhausting, and we are not well built for it, we tell ourselves that the toxic parts of it that grow up around us are just something we have to deal with. And sometimes that’s true, some things are beyond our control.
“But in the parts we can control, we should be easier with ourselves, I am trying to create work that allows people to be easier with themselves and with others, to know that most of us don’t have our shit together and never will, and that is ok, in fact it’s better than ok it’s great because it’s life and if you don’t appreciate it at the time, if you’re always trying to change it and bend it to your will, then you’ll miss it and it’ll be gone and you can’t get it back.
“We’ve all missed a lot, personally I do not want to miss any more of it.”
Nick says: Amen.
Pic: Emma McMorrow
Paul Woodfull – A Covid Kiss
A case of you.
“A love song about a man willing to risk getting Covid in pursuit of one sweet kiss.”
The inimitable Paul Woodfull (top) serenades his paramour with a romantic tune for the times we are living in.
Nick says: Ill communication.
Van Morrison – Dangerous
“I must be getting close to the truth.”
Funny how the same people who used to laud Van The Man as a unique musical genius turned on him the minute he went off-message about Covid lockdowns.
It was of course Robin Swann, Northern Ireland’s Health Minister, who dubbed Van “dangerous” for daring to air his views on the pandemic policies of the government.
Now the outspoken godfather of Celtic Soul answers back on his new single. What will the 77th Brigade make of it all? I’d say we’re about to find out.
To quote one of the commenters under the YouTube video:
“In times of mass deception, telling the truth is truly revolutionary. Very few entertainment celebrities tell the truth. Van puts to shame those celebrities who know the truth but do not speak it for fear of being cancelled.”
FIGHT!
Nick says: Swann song.
Thank Fanny it’s Friday.
Are you all sitting comfortably? Then, let’s begin.
This week, the theme of our voucher-less music watercooler convo is stars. So what’s your favourite song about or mentioning stars in the lyrics/title?
Here’s mine.
Please include video links if possible.
Lines close on Saturday at Middnight
Nick says: Good luck!
Last week, thanks to a suggestion by Andy Pipkin, I asked you what song you’d like played at your funeral.
You all gave really great answers so it was very hard to pick a winner.
However, Fergalito won my esteem with this solemnly naughty entry.
Smog – Dress Sexy at my Funeral
Fergalito writes:
“Death is not something I tend to dwell on much any more, though when my thoughts are taken with it, I find I’m consumed more with the idea of losing love rather than countenancing the void. It’s almost too much to bear sometimes. Grief is the contraction of love as someone very dear to me once said.”
Nick says: Well done Fergalito, and thanks to everyone who wrote in.
Last week: Win Nick’s Esteem
Pic: Bunker Vinyl, Cork
