Ryan O’Shaughnessy – Lucky One
Remember being able to freely travel the world?
Eurovision star Ryan O’Shaughnessy’s new video reminds us of the pre-Covid world as he cuts a swathe through South America, having a blast.
Ryan (top) says:
“The song reflects on the importance of acknowledging each experience that life puts in front of you and remembering to be grateful for the good and accepting of the bad.”
Nick says: He’s got the luck.
Eimear Quinn – The Watchman
Our Eurovision queen returns with a new album Ériu (top), named after the mother-goddess of Ireland.
This windswept video is for Eimear’s collaboration with lyricist Brendan Graham and the arrangement is by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
Eimear says:
“This collection of songs comes from my heart, with immense joy and gratitude, tracing the musical landscape that I have had the great fortune to gradually inhabit over my career so far.”
Nick says: The mighty Quinn.
Foot Squeaker – No Connection
Fancy going for a jog through the deserted streets of a post-lockdown town?
Then may I present the new video by Foot Squeaker from Gorey, County Wexford. Singer/guitarist Diarmuid Comerford and bassist Mick Byrne are a chip off the rock of ages.
The video was directed by Mike Lynch with studio footage by Cein O’Dowd.
Nick says: Squeaker’s corner.
Marty Mone – Hit The Diff 2020
He’s got a brand new combine harvester…
Marty Mone has updated and re-recorded his 2014 YouTube sensation which put industrial farming machinery on the rock’n’roll map.
It’s a blast.
Nick says: How’s she cuttin’?
Cu Ulaid – The Swashbuckler
Fancy walking the plank?
Donegal’s premier exponent of “Buccaneer folk punk” has a message for you:
“Ahoy ye scurvy landlubbers! The good ship Cú Ulaid has sailed intay port, if ye don’t like it, ye can go shiver yer timbers!”
Also check out his other band The Pox Men.
Historical footage edited by “Bill Hazzard”
Nick says: Fill your boots.
James Vincent McMorrow – Headlights
Never mind the lockdown, here’s James Vincent McMorrow inviting us in to his world for his new video directed by Tom Speers.
James says:
“When it became impossible to create our original idea for the Headlights video, we embraced the chaos. No grand plans or aspirations, simply capture life in as natural and unforced a way as possible.
“For people who might think me opaque, you know my music but you might not know me or what I am, this video is for you.”
Nick says: Homely.
Sinéad White – The World Stops Spinning
Kildare singer/songwriter Sinead White (top) channels Fiona Apple and Radiohead with a meditation on our post-covid times in her first new material in five years.
The video is by Sara Lovic.
Nick says: White light.
Pic: Ruth Medjber
The Wha – Blue For You
Do you like guitars that go jangle?
Then you will love the new single by Kilkenny indie kids The Wha, which was recorded by legendary Smiths producer Stephen Street.
The video animation by Cameron West is a ray of sunshine too.
Singer Finn Cusack says:
“We were inspired by The Beatles ‘Yellow Submarine’ but wanted to put our own twist on it. Initially it started off as just a lyric video and then we got a bit carried away and then we ended up as cartoons.
“Abe from the band is a great illustrator and some of his sketches of the band made it into the video among locations from our hometown of Kilkenny.”
Nick says: Young Marble City giants.
Paddy Goodwin and the Holy Ghosts – Jesus Is My Vaccine
A bluesy meditation on the strange times we are living in.
Paddy says:
“Plague Doctors played a significant part in spreading, not curing , the plague during the Middle Ages. Certainty in Ignorance was a significant problem both then and now…”
Video by Enda Whyte and artwork by Conor Casby.
Nick says: A religious experience.
Cormac O Caoimh – Swim Crawl Walk Run Ride Drive Fly
Bright and breezy is the title track from Cork singer/songwriter Cormac O Caiomh’s new album, with echoes of Simon & Garfunkel and Nick Drake.
Here’s a talent that deserves much wider exposure.
Nick says: Going swimmingly.
