Clare Sands & Liam O’Maonlai – Teacht An Fhomhair

On a Clare day…

Bilingual singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentslist Clare Sands joins forces with Hothouse Flowers frontman Liam O’Maonlai for the fourth and final instalment of her project marking the seasons while collaborating with some of our finest musicians in scenic locations around the country.

Clare writes:

“It is said that ‘Samhain’ (Celtic festival) is a time when the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest, where the earthly world of the living becomes entangled with the world of the dead… We are one with our ancestors and all who have passed, from solas an lae, night ‘till day.”

The atmospheric video was shot by visual artists and twin sisters Kasia Kaminska and Liadain Ni Bhraonain in Inistoige, County Kilkenny, “capturing this world and the otherworld, the darkness and the light.”

Nick says: Fire walk with me.

Clare Sands

Celtic Woman – The Dawning Of The Day

Sing an Irish song.

The globe-conquering ensemble Celtic Woman returns with a new album Postcards From Ireland that is sure to tickle our wide diaspora pink.

In fairness, In fairness, this is a pretty impressive take on the auld ballad that was so beautifully reimagined by Luke Kelly and Patrick Kavanagh as Raglan Road.

The press blurb says:

“We welcome back Chloë Agnew (top second right) for a stunning version of Angel, Megan Walsh (top left) & Tara McNeill (top right) duet on The Lakes of Pontchartrain, and Susan McFadden (not pictured) performs the haunting May It Be. The album also introduces newest member Muirgen O’Mahony (top second left), and includes a performance by British folk group The Longest Johns who join Celtic Woman on a version of Richard Thompson’s Beeswing.

“Following the album release, PBS will air the accompanying TV Special in North America across 60+ PBS local stations- filmed in 14 beautiful and iconic locations around the island of Ireland.”

Nick says: It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, and I’m feeling good.

Celtic Women

Barry McCormack – Staring Down At Your Shoes

Going down?

Treasured Dublin songsmith Barry McCormack (top) wishes he’d taken the stairs in the Kafkaesque new video for this song from his highly recommended album Mean Time.

Barry writes:

“I made this video with Linda Lilian in a vintage ‘birdcage’ lift in Helsinki. Many thanks to our fellow elevator riders for their patience during the gruelling three-month shoot.”

Nick says: Not suitable for claustrophobics.

Barry McCormack

Andrew Patterson – Hope Will Find Its Way

“I’d give it all for somebody who knows my heart like you.”

Introducing Belfast songsmith Andrew Patterson (top) who knows a killer line when he writes one.

Recorded with regular producer and collaborator Michael McCluskey at Zero Hour Studios and mastered by Pete Maher alongside studio contributions from Matt Evans (Keys) and Jim McNally (Cello).

Andrew writes:

“Music doesn’t conform to one genre; it seamlessly flows with space to grow. I like the sense of intrigue and surprise that comes with that as an artist.”

Nick says: A Northern light.

Andrew Patterson

EMR – Sun Arise

In your bright ray.

Skerries songsmith Eimear O’Sullivan (top) aka EMR has uploaded a bunch of new tunes to her YouTube channel, including this anthemic gem written during lockdown.

EMR says:

“I hope that this song brings light to all who listen.”

Nick says: Solar power.

EMR

Lisa Hannigan featuring The Theodora Byrne Ensemble – We, The Drowned

Other voices.

Fresh from being honoured by An Post with her own stamp, Lisa Hannigan (top) gives a first class delivery of her single with the help of ace musician and arranger Theodora Byrne and her amazing virtual choir.

Theodora writes:

“Thank you to the 34 wonderful singers who contributed their talents to this recording, it couldn’t happen without you, and thank you Lisa for a little piece of magic.

“Arranged by me, recorded by Joe Furlong and Oisin Clarke, and mixed by Joe Furlong.

“Featuring the voices of Alma Kelliher, Amy Ellen, Caoimhe Barrett, Catherine Smyth, Ciara O’Connor, Colleen Heavey, Cormac Curran, Dearbhaile Maclean, Eithne MacSweeny, Eppie Claffey, Evelyn Finnerty, Fiona Harte, Hannah Hoban, Helen Murray, Jane Patterson, Jay Rankin, Joe Furlong, Julie Murphy, Katie Ryan, Laura O’Sullivan, Lisa Gorry, Lisa McCabe, Natalia Laguens, Natalie Turner, Nile St. James, Niamh Hinchy, Raphaelle Smyth, Rosie Timmon, Saoirse Kavanagh, Shane Gough, Stephen Bishop, Steven O’Brien, Theodora Byrne and Wendy Glennon.”

Nick says: Reaching to the choir.

Lisa Hannigan

Chosta – Late Night Jazz Radio

Requiem for a scene.

A powerful meditation on the demise of the Dublin club scene which combines old clips of sweaty delirious clubbers in now vanished venues with a cyclist mournfully visiting the husks of the capital’s dwindling culture.

Jack Martin‘s video for the new single by Dublin producer Conor Kelly aka Chosta is a marvel.

Chosta is known for his mix of genres from electronica, downtempo, IDM and outsider house and Late Night Jazz Radio is memorably atmospheric.

Nick says: Slow fade.

Chosta

Neolithic – Sick (At All)

“I haven’t been sober since I was sixteen
And that’s when I first found my weed
Then alcohol came to keep with the ease
Apart from when it didn’t keep up the peace.”

Hip-hop hipster Neo Morake (top) aka Neolithic wears his heart on his sleeve on his confessional new single which sees the former Nobody’s Heroes singer go solo.

The video directed by Douglas Miller is also a work of art. Shout out to Johnny Rush’s bar too.

Nick says: Neo word order.

Neolithic

Fia Moon – Simple

“I pack my bags to leave again.”

Irish pop princess Fia Moon (top) explores the end of the affair on her recent single with a photogenic lyric video shot by Fiona Louise.

Fia collaborated remotely with ace songwriters/producers Billy Maybury and Austin Ward.

Fia explains:

“Writing over Zoom can definitely be challenging but somehow we all managed to make it work despite us all being across the world – with me in Dublin, Billy in Cork and Austin in the US. I have admired their work for some time so I was excited we could all work together, despite the restrictions.”

Nick says: Good Moon rising.

Fia Moon

Georgia G – Are You Single?

Happy International Singles Day.

It comes around so fast.

When you’re completely alone in the world.

With NO ONE.

Anywho, for the day that’s in it, Georgia G (top), a 20 year old singer/songwriter from Malahide currently studying at BIMM Dublin, celebrates her fellow unattached with this slick, lonely-heart club busting pop banger.

Georgia describes ‘Are You Single?’ as…

‘…a post lockdown bop for all those singletons who wanna meet people in person!

Nick says: Single of the week.

Georgia G