In approaching our vocal music, that style of singing traditional songs which is called in Irish the “sean-nós” – the “old style” – it is best to listen as if we were listening to music for the first time, with a child’s new mind; or to think of Indian Music rather than European. – Seán […]
Ireland
Paddy Mulcahy: The Words She Said
Paddy Mulcahy is a Limerick-based pianist and composer who has already scored several feature films, adverts, shorts and documentaries. Formerly known as “Nubus”, the moniker he used for the more electronic side of his music, the musician has been gradually shifting his attention to acoustic instrumentation. His 2015 solo release Tape Sketches focused exclusively on […]
Saileog Ní Cheannabháin: Roithleán
Born in a musical family, Saileog Ní Cheannabháin is a native Irish speaker, sean-nós singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist who was mainly influenced by the musicians and singers from the Iorras Aithneach area of West Connemara during her musical upbringing. Released in 2012, her début record I bhFior-Dheiriú Oidhche featured songs from Iorras Aithneach local singers […]
Lisa Hannigan: At Swim
Irish singer songwriter Lisa Hannigan launched her solo career in 2008 with Sea Sew, a charming collection of quirky songs and splendid ballads featuring a colourful hand-stitched artwork cover. Her sophomore album Passenger (2011) was a more upbeat affair with a mixture of folk-rock songs and ukulele or mandolin-driven gems like “Knots”. After a five […]
Ensemble Ériu: Imbas
Rooted in the traditional styles of North and West Clare, Ensemble Ériu is a unique combination of young Irish musicians revisiting a familiar repertoire with a highly original and innovative perspective. Following up on the band’s self-titled début in 2013 and released in June 2016 last on Raelach Records (in association with Ensemble Records), Imbas introduces […]
Conor Walsh: The Front
I like the idea of conveying a lot through a little Growing up and based in Swinford, Co. Mayo, Conor Walsh is a self-taught musician and who started composing on the guitar in his late teens. Quoting Aphex Twin’s Selected Ambient Works 85-92 as a major influential and life-changing piece of work, the musician started […]
