Music from the Heart

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.

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. 

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.

Strings & Things are a four-piece neo-trad band based in Tipperary with one member in Galway who meld genres of rock, folk, pop, and trad to create their unique sound. They have been entertaining the audiences with energetic live performances, a huge repertoire of traditional music, and thoughtful, innovative original music. Their second album dubbed “The Unsolicited Dance” was released . The band is currently managed by Impact Promotions Ireland.

Fionn Marum is a 23 year old country music singer/songwriter from Portlaoise, Co. Laois. He began writing songs aged 17 and was invited to sing live on Midlands 103 on his 18th birthday. Since then he has performed many shows, supporting many acts, most notably Alabama 3 and Christy Dignam in the Dunamaise Theatre in January 2020.

The Dead Irish [ "dead" as in 'very'] , trad/punk band was formed in Dublin city in summer 2021. They are Dave Linehan (Hooligan) on guitar & vocals, Danny Moffatt on guitar & mandolin, Eoin Page on bass & JP Dear Boy Moonie (The Outcasts)on  drums. The circle was completed when Rachel Lally joined on vocals. The Four Corners of Hell EP is named after a junction in Dublin's Liberties which was famous for having a pub on each corner and was legendary for its after closing hours rowdiness and punch ups.

Veteran Dublin songwriter Keith Burke is Ireland's best kept secret. His imaginative lyrics and charismatic live shows connect him freely to the audience. It is in his engaging singing style and smooth guitar playing that much of his appeal lies. Keith first achieved critical success in 2004 with debut album "The Dancer who Stole your Shoes" receiving the coveted Hotpress "Pick of the fortnight". His songs had national radio play on RTE 1, NewsTalk as well as on local Dublin radio stations. In 2004 his band were invited to play a series of televised concerts in Italy and later three dates in the 2005 Guinness Cork Jazz festival.

Paul Dillon from Portumna, Co. Galway in Ireland is a solo artist professionally known as “pMad”. He is a singer and a songwriter who follows a path of introspection with a unique view of the world & what we are doing to ourselves and the planet. pMad's colorful mix of Gothic Rock, Indie and Post-Punk with a unique and interesting concept, his latest release comes through “Sisters”. The special thing is Paul in bands The Suicidal Dufflecoats to The Greeting & now pMad, records ‘Sisters’ in the middle of a pandemic and it is created in Ireland (self-released on Zedakube Records), in collaboration with Germany (Protonaut Studio) & Mexico (Elith Mastering Labs) without ever being in the same room together.

smythy is the stage name of indie pop artist Andrew Smyth. Hailing from Tipperary and currently based in Galway, smythy is looking to break into the Irish music scene with his uniquely pop inspired indie sound. Having been involved with various musical projects over his 26 years Andrew Smyth has found the solo project of smythy to be the perfect environment to allow him to thrive musically. Taking inspiration from artists such as Dayglow, Real Estate, Hers and Mac Demarco smythy crafts tunes that have a lo-fi indie feel bursting at the seams with catchy pop melodies that will have listeners singing along and eager to hear more.