CD Reviews
James Daly - Killing Me Inside (single)
James Daly is a singer/songwriter from Dublin. His new single is called Killing Me Inside covers the story line of liking someone, but you can’t ask them out because they’re already taken. The song takes on a Country/Blues/Americana direction and was co-written by James and Keith McLoughlin. It was recorded at Beardfire Studio giving the full sound of guitars, bass, drums. James has been performing for many years on the Dublin singer-songwriter scene at the likes of The Brady’s Sessions etc.
Mairéad Carroll - Can I Say I Love You One More Time? (single)
Mairéad Carroll is a singer, songwriter, musician, storyteller and poet from Co. Kildare, Ireland. "Can I Say I Love You One More Time?" is her debut single. Mairéad has recently performed with Pete Kavanagh as well as supporting him at the Moat Theatre in November 2021 and more recently as part of the June Fest performing at The Riverbank Theatre in Newbridge, Co. Kildare. She is currently showcasing her music in the Dublin singer/songwriter and creative circles.
Sarah Buckley - Magic Powers (single)
A beguiling vocalist with a storytelling approach to songwriting, Sarah Buckley captured an immediate audience with the release of her debut single ‘You’ve Got Me’. With a national TV performance, national airplay (1.3 million radio impressions), festival appearances and growing industry interest, it was no surprise when she was nominated for the title of Best Newcomer by Pure M magazine, and was listed as a One To Watch by legendary venue Whelans. 'On the move a lot at the time, Magic Powers is about meeting someone that made you feel you could stand still following a restless period. It talks about how the company of the right person can make the mundane seem special and the tricky parts of life more manageable.’
CloudyaH - Last One Standing (single)
CloudyaH is the new project of Claudia Heidegger, songstress, multi-instrumentalist and acclaimed “virtuoso of the quiet tones'' (as she was dubbed by Austrian national broadcaster ORF Radio Tirol), pushing her long standing career as a delicately enchanting folk-songstress into a new direction. From a classical background via early Singer Songwriter Folk Projects in London and performing as a violinist with Irish folk band Shane Ó Fearghail & the Host, she appears to have found her true self and sound as a songwriter and producer.
Morning Midnight - Talk (single)
UK/Irish duo Morning Midnight release their new song 'Paradise'. A juxtaposition that makes sense from the jump, the bedroom-pop duo have created a sound where you constantly feel like you’re falling whilst being held. Made up of singer/ songwriter Jordan Scott, whose personal lyrics and soaring vocals captivate, and Jess Pascal whose background in production, piano playing and synthesis both ground and illuminate the group’s sound.
Willos' - From Now On
Willos’ started in Siena (Italy) in January 2001 with a repertoire of Irish and Scottish folk music . Over the years and nearly 600 gigs in Ireland, Italy, France and Switzerland the band has continued to produce their own style and today it is interpreting, composing and producing their own fresh unique sound. In 2020, before all live music events were cancelled, the band was booked to tour for the first time in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Poland. However, by the end of 2021 the band was able to perform more than 30 in person gigs all over Italy and started some great relationships with pipers Massimo Giuntini and Martino Vacca from the band FULL SET. In September 2021 the band started working on a new full album “From Now On” that was released in May 2022 with great international feedback.
Lonnieclaire - Flock o'Fakes (single)
Debuting back in the 90's with a 4-song cassette demo, Lonnieclaire from New York, USA, continues to refine their sound and make spirited choices in tonality, structure and texture. With the perfect combination of grit, driving guitar and gutsy songwriting, the band hasn’t given up the conviction that rock can spur the spirit.
SJ McArdle - Old Ghosts in the Water
SJ McArdle is songwriter and musician from Drogheda, Ireland, known for his previous work in award-winning Irish folk band Kern and his career as a singer-songwriter in Nashville and Germany, which produced 2014’s critically-acclaimed Blood and Bones album. SJ is also one third of Long Woman’s Grave, featuring Nuala Kennedy and Trevor Hutchinson. SJ’s songs and performances have been featured in radio, film and television and he has toured and recorded extensively in Ireland, Europe and North America, gathering a loyal following and critical accolades along the way.
Krea - September Sun (single)
No stranger to the Irish music scene having released two no. 1 albums as one third of indie band Wyvern Lingo, and collaborated with household Irish names such as Denise Chaila and Hozier on his debut album duet, ‘In A Week’, Karen Cowley now presents her first solo project under the moniker, Krea (pronounced 'Kree-ah'). Her first offering, September Sun, is a warm, piano and harp lead track. With heavy nods to the Carole King’s Tapestry, September Sun places the songwriting and intimate vocals at the forefront.
Herald K - Wandering Aengus (single)
How best describe Herald K as a musical artist? A Folk Noir singer/songwriter might just capture it. Born in Bergen, Norway, into a family of sailors, he soon set out for other shores, and has since lived in England, Sweden and Austria. His current centre of gravity: Vienna. While his lyrics may allude to ancient poets, they're often conveyed trough a simple 3-chord composition. Traces of Americana are there, yet it has a European feel too. If Leonard Cohen is an influence, Hank Williams and Ovid would have to be mentioned also. Herald K's uniqueness is his way of combining sources of inspiration such as these.