Tag Archives: Nick Kelly

Susan Quirke – To The Bone

Keep on keeping on.

That’s the message of resilience in the new single by Limerick-born, Clare-based singer/songwriter Susan Quirke (top).

Look out for her debut album In The Sea, due on April 23, and featuring members of The Frames and Lir as special guests: Colm Quearney (guitars); Colm Mac Con Iomaire (violin); Robbie Malone (bass); Graham Hopkins (drums); and Justin Carroll (piano).

And read the inspiring thread on how Susan became a recording artist here

Susan writes:

“Many people are experiencing deep pain, grief, loneliness and isolation as a result of the pandemic. In many ways suffering is part of the human journey, as is the tremendous courage, resilience and strength people can often demonstrate during tough times.

“I wrote this song for someone in my life who was going through a difficult time. It was written as an invocation for them, calling on them to remember their power and strength. It’s also written as a balm to soothe people’s hearts and minds.

“It starts off quietly and then builds and builds to a full band sound, creating a call to the vast strength that lies deep within us all. It contains a blessing encoded in the lyrics that sings to the elements of nature that we can receive healing from: earth, wind, fire, water.

“In moments of pain and grief, there is an ancient well we can draw on inside us… To the bone is a reminder of something we sometimes forget – that we’re strong to the bone.”

Nick says: A marrow escape.

Susan Quirke

Lee Rogers – The House

Thanks for the memories.

Carrickfergus songsmith Lee Rogers (top) follows last year’s Gameblood album with a highly personal new single and video.

Lee explains:

“I wrote The House after driving past where I lived as a kid. For a long time I subdued any memories of the place. Not because they were bad memories. The opposite: they were amazing memories. Both of my parents are gone. My mum passed when she was probably about the age I am now, and my dad a few years ago. I think I dodged having to think about them for a long time.

“I was finding it hard to connect my own children to their legacy. I found myself writing a song that forced me to look through old photos (which I have never liked to do), and found the song as a connection between my folks and my children. And probably to myself as well.

“The line ‘still got some songs in the walls’ was a nod to my parents’ legacy. Their stories aren’t over yet while I’m here, while all their grandchildren are here. It stung a little….well, more than a little, but I needed it. I needed to feel them again.

“It’s been a year of loss, for everyone. But I gained something I wasn’t expecting from this song. A little bit of peace inside.”

Nick says: Amen.

Lee Rogers


Carrie Baxter – Pray

Star quality.

That’s what Waterford-born, London-based R&B singer Carrie Baxter has in spades. Her single Pray was a big radio hit that Amy Winehouse would have been proud of, and comes with a seductive, atmospheric video.

Now Carrie has teamed up with rapper Nealo and producer edbl for latest single Without You.

Carrie says:

“If I had made a video for this, it definitely would have included me walking away down a long street in a pair of high heels with my suitcases!”

Nick says: Carrie on Carrie.

Carrie Baxter

Bobbi Arlo – Feel It

Pop in the name of love.

The new single by rising Irish newcomer Bobbi Arlo (top) is an infectious blast of pure pop with pristine production by Adam Shanahan and Alex O’Keeffe.

Bobbi says:

“Feel It is an infectious feel-good anthem for anyone who remembers the feeling of falling in love unexpectedly. When writing the song, I wanted to portray how it felt to fall in love with someone I never thought I would fall for. When I hear the song, it reminds me of how amazing that feeling really is.”

The lyric video comes courtesy of Cyrus Scenes Visual.

Nick says: Bobbi on the beat.

Bobbi Arlo

Fears – vines

And for her next trick…

Budding indie-tronica artist Constance Keane (top) aka Fears goes from strength to strength on the new single from her forthcoming debut album Oiche, out on May 7.

The video features the megalithic portal dolmen at Ballybrack, south county Dublin.

Fears says:

“This track was written before a breakdown. It chronicles a stage where one blames themselves and sees that it is only them that is the problem in a situation. Listening back, I hear myself drowning in confusion as to why I can’t control my feelings and want to shed those thought patterns.”

Nick says: Cheers for Fears.

Fears


New Pagans – Yellow Room

The North will rise again.

Belfast-based New Pagans have a fresh, edgy sound that makes their debut album The Seed, The Vessel, The Roots And All highly anticipated.

Released on the Big Scary Monsters label on March 19, the album features new single Harbour as well as the video featured above.

The group are: Lyndsey McDougall (vocals), Cahir Doherty (guitar), Claire Miskimmin (bass), Conor McAuley (drums) and Allan McGreevey (guitar).

Nick says: Ulster says yes.

New Pagans

Strand – Stole A Train

Can you hear that lonesome whistle blow?

This polished gem of a song can be found on Strand’s album Can’t Trust The Rain and features Niall F Toner (vocals, guitar), Duncan Maitland (guitar and vocals), Ger Kiely (guitar), Les Keye (bass, vocals and production duties), Kevin Malone (drums) and Darragh O Ceallaigh (keyboards).

The video by Liam Grant features archive footage of Buster Keaton and pleasing geometric shapes.

Nick says: The right side of the tracks.

Strand

Sun Mashene – The Righteous One

They’re bringing shoegazing back.

A wondrous wall of sound envelops Sun Mashene’s new single commenting on cancel culture.
It comes with a quirky and unsettling video directed by Ste Murray and featuring Annie Ryan (top) and Alana Horgan Smyth in a sort of Kubrick nightmare shot in Kilfane House, Kilkenny.

Great work all round.

Nick says: Sun worshipper.

Sun Mashene

John Spillane – We Come In The Wind

Sail away with me.

Cork’s finest, John Spillane (top), is back with a fine new single from his new album 100 Snow White Horses, due on April 2.

The atmospheric ballad features ethereal backing vocals from Pauline Scanlon and was produced by John Reynolds.

The press blurb says:

“We Come In The Wind’ is based on the 3 Imramma or Wonder Voyages of Irish literature: The Voyage of Bran; The Voyage of Maeldun; and The Voyage of St. Brendan. It’s a fairytale dream journey inspired by some of John’s favourite old Irish stories.”

Nick says: A mighty wind.

John Spillane