J.F.O – Amnesia
In the midst of life…
Fearless Dublin rapper Jason O’Toole (top) aka J.F.O ponders some heavy themes on his compelling new single, which was produced by Dante.
J.F.O writes:
“It’s a big thing in hip-hop. Death. So I’m trying to navigate that, seeing the complications.”
Check out the 18-year-old’s sophomore mixtape “love the way u hurt me“.
Nick says: Looking for answers from The Great Beyond.
KinetiX – isaidhey
The synths that shake the barley.
Bright-eyed electro-pop gurus Kinetix take it to the next level as brothers Arthur (drums), Ademar (keyboards, synths) and Theodore (vocals) Stones bring the melodies.
KinetiX write:
“We were so lucky to have the studio to give us a creative outlet while in lockdown. We are all in the same household so there was never a fear of not being able to work in close proximity to each other! ”
Nick says: The Stones rose.
Devin Reardon – Ireland Song
We need to talk about Devin.
The honey-voiced Floridian indie folkster (top) crossed the Atlantic just before the first lockdown hit to connect with his family in County Wicklow.
Devin used the time to record a 5-song EP The Untangling Of Things, and the debut single Ireland Song is accompanied by a cleverly shot video with a heartwarming message.
Devin writes:
“This land has a magic in it that I can’t fully explain. Lockdown has kind of switched that up now, and being stuck home, connecting to that has been hard. I had a lot of hard days and night up until 4am just doing nothing again and again. I’ve learned a lot of valuable lessons in this time, and I’m excited to come out on the other side with those things close to my chest.
“I just want to share my own lessons and the joy of discovering positives on the other side with other people. Just giving something to people as we emerge from this mad time. I think music can really help people, and I think this song can do that. I’m happy to share that.
“I just want to make some real art and music out of this madness, and I think this song does just that.”
Amen.
Nick says: Knockin’ on Devin’s door.
Ugly Beautiful – Sunrise
A ray of light.
Irish alt.rock trio Ugly Beautiful specialise in shimmering guitars and introspective themes.
The band comprise of Kieran Lane (top left on lead vocals and guitar), Falender (drums) and Galagher (bass).
Kieran writes:
“The song tells the story of two people trying to help each other through this relentless, confusing, distracting world in which we live.”
The video animation by Aaron Wiley is a work of art in itself.
Nick says: Lane sailing.
Lemonade Marinade – Paradise Bay
Not drowning but swimming.
Lemonade Marinade is the musical project of David Dee Moore, a musician, songwriter and producer based in Clew Bay, County Mayo.
All the proceeds from this single from their forthcoming EP will go to mental health charities.
Paradise Bay tells of the comfort given to those who are addicted to the magic of swimming in the sea even in the cold extremities of Winter.
The band consists of Nick Scott on double bass, Colin Henry (on dobro), Fintan Hanley on electric, Brian McAteer on strings and the folk duo Cathryn Craig and Brian Willoughby on nylon guitar. David Dee Moore plays guitars and piano on the track while Gillian Tuite is the guest vocalist.
Nick says: Come swim the paradise.
Mia Yermeche – Butterflies
Love is like a butterfly…
Classically trained, Irish r’n’b singer Mia Yermeche (top) announces herself on the scene with her slinky debut single produced by Chris Kabs.
Mia writes:
“It’s about the initial stage of a relationship where you are pretty much head over heels for someone and in your eyes they can simply do no wrong, your basically blinded by the infatuation that you feel for them”.
Nick says: Winging it.
Emma Hynes – Don’t Forget
Let’s make this precious.
Dublin songsmith and writer Emma Hynes knocks it out of the park with her debut single which has just been released across multiple digital platforms. It comes with a sumptuously shot video to boot which features nature in all its glory. The sleeve design (top) is by Donny Keane.
The song was produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Martin Quinn at JAM Studios in Kells, County Meath.
Emma (acoustic guitar and vocals) was joined by Andrew Quinn (drums and percussion) and Martin Quinn (bass guitar, keyboard, electric guitars and string arrangement).
Emma writes:
“As a music fan, my hope is that Don’t Forget resonates with you, for a song that does is a precious thing.”
Nick says: Introducing the Celtic soul sister.
Hook – Best Days
Those were the days?
Hook are a Dublin-based New Wave ensemble featuring Eoin O’Donnell (vocals, guitar), Morgan O’Brien (drums) and Danny Spelman (bass, vocals). Their new single was self-recorded in the band’s home studio.
Eoin writes:
“The song is an autobiographical account of being a young person or in college. For some, it’s a very lonely and isolating time. Everyone is telling you that these are the best days and years of your life, but more often than not it doesn’t feel that way. There’s so many expectations to be social and interesting, but most people in fact have trouble making friends or feeling accepted.”
Nick says: Nobody told me there’d be days like these.
Adrian Crowley – A Shut-In’s Lament
The eyes have it.
Vera Graziadei (actor, writer, director and poet) stars in the mesemerising new video for the third single from Adrian Crowley’s new album The Watchful Eye Of The Stars, out now on Chemikal Underground Records.
The vid was directed by Adrian and Trevor Murphy.
Adrian (top) writes:
“I felt the entire story could be told by just Vera’s eyes alone. When Vera stepped into the frame, I knew we were able to capture some magic.”
Nick says: The stars are underground.
Moxie – Is Ainm Dom
It’s trad, Jim, but not as we know it.
Fancy a bit of Irish and Arabic cross-cultural pollination? Of course you do. Moxie put a modern spin on traditional Irish music and are led by the charismatic Julia Spanu (top centre), who was born in Carthage, Tunisia.
The sweeping video for this single was directed by Ted Kelly and Michael Fitzpatrick and Julia was the artistic director.
Look out for the forthcoming album The Dawn Of Motion, produced by Jake Birch.
Nick says: Moxie music.
