Month: September 2020

Singer/songwriter Elina Filice and spoken word artist/rapper Claudia Crampton have teamed up for an emotive alternative R&B track, ‘Lying’. 

The song combines a modern hip-hop beat with alternative elements and Elina’s jazz-influenced guitar & bass playing. Claudia’s clever rhymes and quick flow contrasts with Elina’s spoken-word style verse, and the hook features layered harmonies and vintage keys. 

Elina says, “Fascination with the concept of ‘Lying’ inspired the song. So much of our lives, on a small and large scale, with how we relate to ourselves and each other, is based on lies. The lies we tell ourselves to get by, the lies we tell to either harm or protect each other.”

Claudia says, “My verses narrate the story of a relationship that has had its many ups and downs but has ultimately reached its end. The verses reflect the turmoil and hardship that come with an unfaithful partner and the difficulties in coping with the heartache.”

Both queer and female artists, the pair met at at open mic in Dublin and hit it off. While sitting by the Molly Malone statue having the chats, Elina showed Claudia a voice memo she had of the guitar loop, while singing the hook overtop. A few days later Claudia sent over an absolutely fire first verse, and Elina was blown away by her ease of flow and lyrical style. 

The song was recorded, produced and mixed by Kevin Brennan of Wavefarm Productions. It was mastered by Anton Graef-Weber. 

Elina Filice is a rapper/singer/songwriter. Her music is soulful and melodic while being influenced by blues and spoken word. She is known for songs that defy genre and interactive live performances. Born to Canadian parents, Elina spent her formative years in Singapore before moving to Canada to attend University, and has spent the last three years in Dublin. Elina is also the founder of creative consultancy company Red Vine Music. Her previous release and musical video for single ‘Thinking Of You’ was met with widespread acclaim from dozens of outlets and major playlists. 

Claudia Crampton is a rapper/spoken word artist from Greystones, Ireland. Claudia writes about the need for inclusion and diversity the world over. She strives to influence the world in a positive way through her writing. She is known for her quick and clever lyrical style, and has performed across Ireland, including BlueFire Street Fest and The Cúirt International Festival of Literature. 

Connect with Elina: Facebook  Instagram  Twitter  Spotify  Youtube   

Connect with Claudia: Instagram  Twitter  Soundcloud  Youtube 

Femmepop is set to release ‘Tom Dooley’ this Friday 25th September.

”I live alone so lock down was really hard. I was thinking of old songs I used to hear as a child and I remembered a song my Aunt used to sing;  ‘Tom Dooley’. 

I used to imitate my Aunt singing this song, as she used to sing it a lot. So I copied her and even at the age of 4 or 5 I loved the dark story within the lyrics.

I decided to do a cover and see what I would come up with. As previously said, I was drawn to darkness of the song, the line ‘met her on the mountain stabbed her with my knife’ especially interested me as it’s just so stark and poignant. Production wise, this song has the most tracks I have ever used on a song. It contains 28 tracks. I used a lot of ideas for this, I wanted a rich sounding orchestral sound. There’s viola, piano, guitar, and strings on there as well as about 4 different drum tracks and 5 vocal tracks. Getting the drums right was the hardest part. That took quite a while. There are 5 verses in the song and I wanted to bring in the drums at the right point. I wanted to keep the softness of the ballad at the beginning then surprise people with the marching drums that come in and then slowly build to a crescendo at the end, along with the strings and piano. My vocals too emphasise this towards the end as I sing “To die, to die, lay down, lay down.’“

I recorded, performed, produced and mixed it in my flat in London, then I sent it to Platlin Mastering in Hamburg to do the extra mixing and mastering. This song means a lot to me as it reminds me of my childhood but I have brought it into the year 2020 and I don’t think there is another version out there quite like this.”

Sinead McConville’s second release; a self-empowerment & fierce pop track ‘Running From You’.

‘Running From You’ is an anthem of self-love. It is about getting through the final grieving process of a heartbreak, yet everyone around you is still bringing your ex partner up in conversations. To summarize, the catchy track is a product of bubbling apprehension, absolute honesty and ownership over Sinead’s emotional journey.

Sinead McConville worked remotely with head engineer in Grouse Lodge Recording Studio Alex Borwick who turned ‘Running from You’ into a powerful pop anthem.

Sinead McConville released her debut single ‘Doorstep’ in May 2020 which received nationwide praise. The song was played on national radio stations such as Totally Irish with John Barker , 8Radio and Dublin City FM . 

Her first headline show was one of the first live gigs back in Dublin on July 4th in The Wild Duck in association with Ex Oh Promotions. The gig was a huge success and ended with a standing ovation & encore. 

Furthermore, she performs as a session musician with upcoming Irish artists and has performed on The Late Late Show with D. Cullen , Irish Music Week & The X Collective Showcase with ELKAE and TiLT in The Button Factory with Munky . Radio performances include RTE Radio 1 (Today with Sean O’Rourke and The Ray D’Arcy Show), BBC Radio Ulster (Gerry Kelly), SPIN 1038 (Plan B with Sarina Bellissimo) and East Coast FM (The Morning Show with Declan Meehan).

Gavin Murphy has just released ‘They’ll Always Let You Down’.

The single is taken from Gavin’s debut album, “45RPM (Replay Past Memories)” – RTE’s Album of the Week in June 2020.  This song has flavours of New Order, Crowded House, Arcade Fire, The Smiths.

Living on Ireland’s north west coast, Gavin Murphy hails from Dublin’s North Side. The album was recorded and produced by Gavin in his home studio in Sligo. 

The three other singles from the album received airplay in Ireland – including, significantly, RTE Radio 1. Each one was made Ocean FM’s Song of the Week at the time of release and, internationally, got airplay in the USA and Switzerland.

Gavin has performed live on Ocean FM and was interviewed live on Shannonside FM and The Acoustic Yard radio show.

Website: https://www.gavinmurphysongs.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gavinmurphysongs/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gavinmurphysongs/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GavinSongs
Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/user/gav1murphy/videos

Sorcha Richardson will join Denise Chaila, God Knows and MuRli for their NCH Livestream performance on Sunday 27^th September at 8pm. 

Singer-songwriter Sorcha was nominated for the Choice Music Prize for her stunning debut album ‘First Prize Bravery’ and her music has been included films such as Emma Roberts’ In A Relationship and Josh Hutcherson’s Tragedy Girls. Sorcha brings extra sparkle to what already promises to be a magical Imagining Ireland experience. 

Additionally, this Friday sees the release of ‘Out The Gaff’, a track featuring an all-star cast of Irish talent including Denise Chaila, God Knows, MuRli, Sorcha Richardson, Conor Adams (All Tvvins), Mark Prendergast (Kodaline) and Cormac Butler (Producer – The Academic). The track was written and recorded during a session hosted by James Vincent McMorrow. 

Recognising the important role collaboration plays in musicians’ lives, McMorrow invited the participants to a Dublin studio when lockdown ended. The result is the uplifting hip-hop, alt-pop and R&B crossover anthem ‘Out The Gaff’. 

The Imagining Ireland series also features performances by Jennifer Walshe (26^th September) Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and Cormac Begley (30^thSeptember) and Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi (3^rd October). 

Tickets for Imagining Ireland from €7. Available exclusively via DICE.fm. On Sale Now.  

(The concerts will be available to tickets holders for 24 hours following the performance). 

Supported by Davy as Innovation Partner. ‘Imagining Ireland’ is a partnership collaboration between NCH, Culture Ireland and Serious. Supported by The Irish Times and Newstalk and media partners. 

Alternative pop artist ELLYD returns with her new melodic sing-a-long anthem ‘On My Way’ on September 25th.

Following on from the success of her last single, ‘Ghosts‘, which reached number 7 in the iTunes charts, the Dublin native’s latest release is a more upbeat offering which builds towards a mesmeric finale. 

Speaking about the new single, ELLYD said the song is about working through internal conflicts. 

She said: “There are times I bury my head in the sand ignoring important things that I shouldn’t and expect that they’ll just magically sort themselves out.

“This song is about that and also about hoping that the world will wait for me until I drag my head out and catch up.” 

She added: “It’s been a while since I released anything so I’m really excited about putting this new single out.

The support I’ve received over the last few years has been really heart-warming and I hope people like this one too.” 

ELLYD (Elaine Doyle), is a songwriter and alternative pop artist from West Dublin. She has toured throughout Ireland and Europe playing various festivals including Electric Picnic and Indiependence as well as other venues across the country including Vicar Street, The Olympia and Whelan’s to name a few.  

Having previously released two successful EP’s and multiple singles, ELLYD is gearing up to release her brand-new track ‘On My Way’ this autumn.  

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N.O.A.H. have announced the release of their debut single ‘Shine’ on Friday 25 September across all streaming platforms.

New single ‘Shine’ tells the tale of a journey, one which we must all have to make at one point or another in our lifetime. This essential travel is by no means easy and is hard fought. Sometimes we do not know where we are going, but ultimately, deep down, we know something greater and more powerful is guiding our way. 

N.O.A.H is comprised of three lifelong friends, Ryan Hill: Lead Vocalists and Guitarist: Adam Rooney: Bass Guitarist and Ronan Hynes: Drummer. Immersing themselves in Music – all members have been formally educated through third level in several music related degrees, some of which include BIMM Dublin.

Overthe past 7 months, the band have been locked away writing, rehearsing and recording new music. As a result the band’s most recent songs are heavily informed by the ongoing pandemic. Some of the themes include, isolation, escapism, and togetherness.

The band have taken inspiration in its naming, from the biblical story of ‘Noah and the Ark’, which is centralised around the theme of new beginnings – an idea that is fundamental to the band’s vision and core values.

N.O.A.H will be what they intend to be.

http://www.noahofficialband.com/
https://www.facebook.com/NoahBandIrl
https://www.instagram.com/noah_official_music/
@_NOAH_music

BITCH FALCON are a name you will not forget, and a band who will not let you forget them. ‘Martyr’, is the 3rd single taken from their forthcoming album ‘Staring at Clocks’ set for release 6th November 2020.

In the words of frontwoman Lizzie Fitzpatrick: “When writing this song, we wanted to achieve a post punk vibe to it, but with modern influences. Nigel’s drumming reminds me of Warpaint in this, it has such a bounce to it. I tried to span my vocals from soft to cord ripping, a bid to show the aggression in the song.“

Pre-order Staring At Clocks here: https://www.get.smallpondrec.co.uk/gaslight 

Slightly grungy, slightly dreamy, the rockers have made great waves over the last few years, with acclaim from Dublin Inquirer, Irish Times, The Guardian, Paste Magazine and many more. The trio has played with Girl Band, Fontaines DC, Torche, Black Peaks, Pussy Riot and display touches of St Vincent, 2:54, My Bloody Valentine, The Pixies and Bjork all in one scintillating package.

BITCH FALCON were formed by frontwoman Lizzie Fitzpatrick in Dublin in 2014, and are mainstays of the festival circuit in both Ireland and abroad (packing out rooms in the US, Canada and Europe). Since these freshman days, the lineup has galvanised around the rhythm section of Barry O’Sullivan on Bass and Nigel Kenny on Drums.

From the early days of their first single, ‘Wolfstooth’ to their most recent release ‘Damp Breath’, an evolution in sound can be heard as the group perfect and refine their raw, fuzz-laced offerings over six singles and one EP.

There are few things conventional about BITCH FALCON, a band for whom otherworldly is a very fitting adjective – at least on record. The trio’s live show must be seen to get a true appreciation for what this band can do, from the high-pitched wails and infinite feedback of Lizzie’s guitar and soaring vocals, to the interplay between shattering bass and thunderous drums – there is very little left of any stage untouched. It’s a rare group who manage to be so ethereal and devastatingly heavy simultaneously – but then again, BITCH FALCON are an unforgettable name.

The artwork was created by Lizzie Fitzpatrick; mixed by Grammy-nominated engineer Alex Newport (At The Drive-In, The Mars Volta, Death Cab for Cutie, The Melvins, Frank Turner) and mastered by Magnus Lindberg.

‘Martyr’ follows the release of BITCH FALCON’s previous single ‘Test Trip’

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Set for release on September 25th, ‘Haunted’ is Jafaris’ second single of 2020 following June’s ‘Glue‘, both of which are inspired by the break-up of the same long-term relationship. 

“The process of my break up was a huge chapter in my life and a lot of my close friends can attest to this,” Jafaris explains. “It was very much a life-changing experience to say the least but it brought about a lot of music that I actually got so tired of making. It had to come out of me though and I took it as my step to find closure.” 

Known for his dynamic wordsmith and punching flows, Jafaris has switched his usual animated and explosive approach for something a little more blissful this time around – a true testament to his undeniable talent. Harnessed with an up-lifting and cinematic backdrop, courtesy of LA-based beat-smith Wynne Bennett (Janelle Monae, Twin Shadow, Tayla Parx), ‘Haunted’ is an awakened vessel of sound that explores Jafaris’s harmonious and infectious vocals, as he weaves in and out of the anthem-esque beat, detailing his frustration surrounding his ex-partner.

Speaking on the concept behind ‘Haunted’, the rising star speaks about a trip to LA he made in the aftermath of the break-up. “This was my second time going there, but my first time being there as a single guy and if anyone has ever been there, they’ll know that it’s quite hard for your eyes to not wander. 

In this case though, I for some reason found myself constantly thinking about my ex. It was getting to the stage of frustration because I thought I had gotten over her by then but my mind wouldn’t let her go. It felt haunting as if she was watching me or something.” 

Dublin based, hip-hop artist Jafaris is one of the frontrunners of the new generation of Irish hip-hop having being nominated for the RTÉ Choice Music Prize award for his critically-acclaimed debut album ‘STRIDE’ in 2019.

However, Jafaris musical calling came a little later than most. Before the dazzling lyricism and poetic resonance he’s now known for, dance had always been his passion and career path. It was through a dance audition that the multi-talented musician landed the role of Ngig in the 2016 Irish film sensation ‘Sing Street’ directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker John Carney.

In 2017, Jafaris hooked up with Diffusion Lab, a music production hub and artist management agency that’s seen a whole bunch of remarkable talent come through its doors. Since joining the team, the triple threat – rapper, actor and dancer has gone on to become a knockout performer. With the release of his debut EP, Jafaris’ flirtation with nostalgic nineties hip hop and pure, contagious happiness lifted the lid on a singular talent. Later that year, he signed a deal with Primary Talent agency, sharing the live roster with Stormzy, J Hus, Wretch32 and more. 

In 2018, Jafaris went one further and represented Ireland at Eurosonic Festival in Holland 2018, played the main stage at biggest Irish hip hop festival Longitude, and returned to Electric Picnic Festival with the RTÉ orchestra and what’s more, he performed at Late Late TV show debuting his single ‘Time’ and joined Joy Crookes performing on Jools Holland TV show. 

Since the release of his debut album ‘Stride’, Jafaris has seen huge support from Radio 1 (Annie Mac), Kiss, Spotify and press, including NME who described Jafaris as one of the most exciting new prospects from Irish rap’s rising wave.

Socials: @jafarismusic
www.diffusionlab.ie