CeeV – Lonely Night
Trouble sleeping?
CeeV aka Caoimhe McAleavey (top) knows exactly how you feel.
The singer/songwriter from Newry, County Down, is a graduate of Manchester’s BIMM school.
She says:
“The song’s about sleeplessness, overthinking, nights out, basically tired eyes but a racing mind.”
Nick says: Insomnia blues.
Ailbhe Reddy – Time Difference
Things change over long distance.
Stellar Dublin songsmith Ailbhe Reddy hits a sweet spot of melancholy on her new single, the taster for her forthcoming new album.
The video by Ciaran O’Brien and Ailbhe is just as charming.
Nick says: Clock rock.
D Cullen – Rainbow Weather
Colour me pink.
Dublin tunesmith D Cullen teams up with ex-The Bible frontman Boo Hewerdine for this sunny splash of summer.
The quirky video animation is by D Cullen and Sinead McConville.
Cullen explains:
“It’s about taking the sweet things from the bittersweet moments in life…focusing on the rainbow after the rain has poured down. And trying to find pleasure in small things when uncertainty surrounds you.”
Nick says: Pugwashian.
Aine O’Gorman – Desolation
Dublin by drone.
West Cork singer/songwriter Aine (top) has written a memorable song for our time and furnished it with a video looking down on the capital’s lonely lockdowned streets.
Nick says: A star is airborne.
CADA – Junk
Any Aphex Twin fans out there?
Then you’ll appreciate the manic weirdness of Dublin producer and “recovering bass player” CADA.
A robotic internet speech tool adds a whole new level to the phrase spoken word while booming asymmetrical beats wake up the neighbours.
The new album Muloc is available on bandcamp and Spotify.
Nick says: Junk rock.
Jane Willow and Dave McGuinnness – Day Is Done (Nick Drake cover)
Today would have been Nick Drake‘s 72th birthday.
Dublin-based, Netherlands-born singer Jane Willow writes:
Me and [guitarist Dave McGuiness did a version of this song at the Whelan’s ‘I Heart Nick Drake’ gig a while ago. Nick is such a pivotal part of my life. I just love him.
Nick says: Not to be confused with Drake Day.
RA Holmes – I Just Wanna Ask, Y’Know, Can We All Get Along…
An instrumental from the heart.
RA writes:
A depressing lament for the world but with some beauty thrown in. I’m from Dublin. All my own work…
Nick says: Restorative.
Meljoann – O Supervisor
And now for something completely different.
Brighton-based Irish songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Meljoann (top) makes a splash with this single from her forthcoming album HR.
Meljoan says:
“O Supervisor imagines impossible ways to escape the claws of Bosses. Can we re-code this crappy reality? This song uses video game tropes and post-colonial, post-Marxist arguments to win the level.”
Nick says: Enter player one.
The Swedish Railway Orchestra – What’s Going On?
Dancing with tears in my eyes.
Workman’s Club DJ Rob Smith (top) returns with the third single from his eponymous album, due in July.
The video stars actor Paul St Leger communing with nature and is directed by Conor Waters.
Proceeds go to Ireland’s frontline workers.
Nick says: Swede dreams.
Naoise Roo – Sick Girlfriend
Dark enough for you?
Naoise Roo’s spooky new video is the title track of her new EP, which is available on Spotify and Soundcloud.
Directed by Caoimhe Clancy, it’s a gothic horror show that burns itself into your memory, just like the song itself.
Naoise’s band are Fionntan MacCaba, Jamie Hyland and Rian Trench.
The EP is an…
“…exploration of themes surrounding depression, the challenges of the music industry and the oppressive stereotypes that burden women experiencing mental illness.”
A launch gig in Bloody Mary’s, Dublin, is slated for September.
Nick says: Pentagram blues.
