Ross Breen follows October’s acclaimed release of ‘Some Other Time, Maybe‘ (RTÉ Radio Recommended list, joe.ie Song of the Day) with a confident, expansive sound on ‘Mrry Xmas @ 1st Lght’. Written and recorded during a period of national lockdown in Ireland, the new track combines rolling synths with an insistent hook, triumphant church bells and timely lyric to create a defining Christmas song for 2020.
Ross made the song available at his website and Bandcamp ahead of its streaming release and is delighted with fans’ enthusiasm so far:
“It’s authentically Christmas and authentically Ross Breen, a perfect blend!”
“My god it’s amaaaazing!! How you wove all the songs in to your own voice. With the Depeche Mode dark key changes, but with the lightness of your vocal. Honestly…stunned.”
“Lovely track, congrats ? Really love your voice, it’s awesome ?”
“It’s a cracker ?love the tune and love the Joni reference ?♥️”
Previous singles released include ‘Heather in December‘ (Dec. 2019 – supported by RTÉ Radio 1, Radio Nova, RTÉ 2FM) and ‘Idyllic Valley‘ (performed on RTÉ television’s The Saturday Night Show, top 30 chart placement, no.1 iTunes Rock chart). Ross was awarded the title of Ireland’s Best Unsigned Singer-Songwriter by Newstalk’s The Tom Dunne Show, with his song ‘Monet’ singled out for extensive airplay from over a thousand submissions.
He has also consistently impressed on the live stage, earning special guest invitations with acts like Midlake, Bell X1, Damien Dempsey, Sinéad O’ Connor and Oscar-winner Glen Hansard while building a following with his band at a number of Ireland’s premier festivals, including Electric Picnic, Body & Soul, Indiependence, Sea Sessions, Vantastival and Knockanstockan.
Ross offers an insight into his latest song: “I come from a background of family and social life where gatherings with music are intrinsic to the enjoyment of Christmas. For many, music is a tie binding us together during this period. Art can unify when restrictions keep us apart. ‘Mrry Xmas @ 1st Lght’ envisages the close of 2020, how we will be engaging with our families, friends and partners during this time, and how it will be different to what we’ve known before.
These lyrics are threaded with references to songs and instrumentals I’ve loved at sessions throughout the years, including obligatory party pieces from my grandparents, parents, sisters, close friends and extended family. I see it as a painting of Christmases gone by, rendering memories through verse and hoping we can all reach a point in the near future where we can once again feel free to experience that sense of warmth, openness and release.”
Website: www.rossbreen.com
Facebook: @rossbreenmusic
Instagram: @rossbreenmusic
Twitter: @rossbreenmusic
