Emma Langford – Free To Fall
An adorable pooch is a man’s best friend.
That’s the message from this beautifully made video for the latest single by Limerick nu-folk songsmith Emma Langford (top) from her excellent second album Sowing Acorns.
The promo was written, produced and directed by Laura O’Shea who also stars in it alongside Tony Doyle and Bryony Flatman. Not forgetting Doug the dog.
Hi-fives all round.
Nick says:Who’s a good boy?
Wyvern Lingo – Rapture
We’ll always have Berlin…
Wyvern Lingo decamped to the German capital to record their second album Awake You Lie. The video for the song Rapture was shot by Aodhagan O’Flaherty and Sierra Graves and features the band – Caoimhe Barry, Karen Crowley and Saoirse Duane – making their way around Berlin.
The trio from Bray, County Wicklow, toured as Hozier’s backing singers and support act and most recently featured on the Women In Harmony cover of The Cranberries’ Dreams.
The band write:
“A recurring image during this album writing process was light, the lack thereof, and wanting to see things more clearly, for ourselves and others. We called the album “Awake You Lie” because it evokes an image of night-time when someone should be sleeping but can’t, due to restlessness or worry. Things are always clearer in the light of day.”
Nick says: Bray of light.
Kojaque – No Hands
Is it too real for ya?
Cabra rapper Kevin Smith (top) aka Kojaque delivers a raw gut-punch of a single that lays it all on the line.
The self-directed video – starring Oscar Nolan as the kid, Karen Connell as the mother and James Smith as the dad – also hits home hard and leaves us in no doubt we’re dealing with a serious homegrown talent here.
To quote one YouTube commenter:
“The best thing to come out of Dublin since Paul McGrath.”
The good news is there’s an album round the corner.
Nick says: Who loves ya, baby?
EMR – Underdog
Every pooch has its day.
EMR aka Eimear O’Sullivan (top) from Skerries, north County Dublin, explores new sonic territories on her new single, with electronic sounds to the fore.
She’s only getting started.
Nick says: Don’t be afraid of the bark.
The Jonah Medal – Septembering
I’ve got a peaceful easy feeling.
The Jonah Medal is the new project by former La Rocca singer Bjorn Baillie (top).
The Wicklow-born musician recorded it in the legendary Laurel Canyon in the Hollywood hills in LA as well Nick Cave‘s studio in Brighton, UK.
And it has that free-wheeling Crosby, Stills & Nash vibe.
Bjorn writes:
“The song is about being in the middle of the mid-life storm. You’re pulled every which way by the younger who need and rely on you, and the older who need you for a whole other set of reasons.
“I like the word September as a metaphor for middle-age. You’re no longer in your Spring-youth. So being in your 40s is Septembering. The things that have come along in your life, the people who have become part of your family, and define who you are now. The responsibility and weight of those relationships is reflected in this song.”
Nick says: A star is Bjorn again.
Peter Doran – Nothing New Under The Sun
Paradise in the picturehouse.
Peter Doran‘s new promo is an object lesson in how you don’t need a mega budget to make a memorable and affecting music video.
The singer/songwriter (top) from Mullingar, County Westmeath, has a new album Voices due later this year. You can hear echoes of The Blue Nile and Radiohead in his soulful voice.
The video was directed by Lucy Jones and John Hennessy of Kerbute Productions.
Peter writes:
“One small idea led to another until before I knew it I was standing in the cavernous space of an unused cinema in my Mullingar hometown with the camera rolling.
“I was a boy the Ritz cinema was coming to the end of its era but I did catch a few blockbusters there in my time. Before my time, my parents courted in the glow of the enormous screen. I’m told that space was used regularly for live music too and that in the ’50s and ’60s there was a stipulation that there had to be an interval in every feature where musicians would take to the stage and perform. I believe the great Joe Dolan was a regular performer here.
“All this is to say that the building is filled with a great history of film, music, community and young love.”
Nick says: Lights, camera, music!
Denise Chaila featuring Jafaris – Anseo
Regular, mature readers will know that we feature every genre under the sun – from folk to dance to hip-hop and everything in between – in this column, posting over 250 Irish music videos a year.
A case in point is Zambian-born, Limerick-based rapper Denise Chaila (top), who we proudly championed when she burst onto the scene last year.
Now Denise’s star is about to go into orbit after winning the prestigious RTÉ Choice Prize last week for her album Go Bravely.
The most recent single Anseo features guest vocals from Jafaris with a memorable video shot in Dromoland Castle and directed by Stephen Hall.
Nick says: Go Denise.
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.
Fya Fox – Body
Alt.pop in the name of love.
Irish newcomer Fya Fox (top) enraptures us with her moody, intense take on R&B on the follow-up to last year’s debut single White Lies.
A classically trained vocalist, Fya cites London Grammar and Lana Del Rey as influences.
Nick says: Fantastic Ms Fox.
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.
