Five Irish Indie Artists You Should Be Listening To – Sinead McConville, Graham O’Hara, Dunluvly, LightNife, and Honas
I’m back without another round of Irish indie artists!
Thanks to our friends over at Fluttertone for their recommendations. They’ve sent us a lovely mix of genres!
Artist: Sinead McConville
Song: Running from You
Notes: Running from You is an anthem of self-love. It’s about making it through the final process of heartbreak, grief. Everyone around you is still bringing your ex-partner up in conversations. It’s a catchy track, the product of bubbling apprehension, absolute honesty and ownership over the artist’s emotional journey.
Sinead is a Pop/Folk artist from Bray, Co.Wicklow, Ireland who’s been writing since the age of 15. She’s got the original guitar to prove it. A sought after session musician, she can tick off performing on The Late, Late Show off her list, as well as other noteworthy performances. I love the way her voice sits in the pocket and then reaches out.
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Artist: Graham O’Hara
Song: If Only
Notes: If Only is an alternative-rock track featuring a bluesy electric guitar riff draped in decorative and colourful instrumentation atop a driving electronic drum beat, delivered by Graham O’Hara. The track is topped off with a moody vocal that comes to life in the hook.
The song is meant to inspire those facing difficult choices by acknowledging that we only have hindsight for the things we have already experienced. If you haven’t had to say to yourself, “If Only”, don’t worry, it’s coming.
If Only was recorded at Wavefarm Studios under the direction of producer Kevin Brennan. Graham’s second release, after his debut single Unless I Say. It’s a beautiful follow-up.
Graham has spent the last decade in multiple bands and projects, honing his skill before heading off solo a few years ago. He’s working on putting together an arsenal of songs to share with the world, once it’s safe to do so.
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Artist: Dunluvly
Song: Too Late
Notes: Dunluvly says, “This track is one that I’ve always gone back to when I’m travelling or road tripping. I wrote the first half of the song in Vancouver a few years ago and finished it this past summer. To me, it captures the feeling of this summer and was a soundtrack to escaping Dublin to go camping for weeks on and off. The song was written in between those trips. It has that nostalgic, road trip sound, and is about that feeling of excitement leading up to a journey.”
There’s a little Canadian connection for you, and it’s a got a great singer-songwriter vibe. Check it out. Bonus for you, our next song is also from Dunluvly.
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Artist: Dunluvly
Song: Something On My Mind
Notes: Dublin-based Dunluvly started playing violin, piano, and guitar at a young age.
By the time he reached his teens, he’d started using production software and songwriting, studying music tech at Maynooth University. He released his debut EP in 2018 and became hit the pub circuit hard.
In 2019 Dunluvly became a three-piece band, and they played a headline show, released three singles, and gigged around Dublin until lockdown. He is currently gearing up for the release of his second EP, “Plethora.”
Something On My Mind features layered guitars and contemporary bedroom-pop production. A low-fi beat compliments a catchy hook and creative sonic qualities. The song is the second release off of Dunluvly’s upcoming EP, “Plethora.”
Dunluvly says, “I wrote the track when I was in the decision-making process of trying to move out. I was going a bit mad living at home with my family, and feeling mounting frustration at the impossibility of moving out in the county that I grew up in. The song expresses the agitation of wanting to fly the nest but feeling chained. It felt impossible to work to afford a place to live and also have the time to pursue creative endeavours.”
He goes on to say, “The main hook of the track is a looped melody that repeats quite a bit in the song. It mimics being caught in a mental loop and being haunted by the same recurring thoughts.”
The song was written, recorded, and produced by Dunluvly in his home studio, and he also plays all the instruments on the track. The pandemic has in many ways changed the way music comes to life.
He says, “You hear of songs coming to musicians out of the blue. This is the first time I’ve had a song just appear.”
The sound is deeply rooted in psychedelic indie and traditional Irish music. His finger-style guitar and exploration of unorthodox sounds allow him to create a sonically rich experience while showcasing strong songwriting throughout his work. His emotive vocals and skilful performance on a multitude of instruments create unique textures in his music. It’s not like anything else you’ve ever heard.
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Artist: LightNife
Song: Lost in My Head
Notes: Dublin hip-hop three-piece LightNife has released their latest single, Lost in My Head.
The track is a pop/ rap tune that has elements of darkness, yet still delivering an uplifting feel.
The song features sparkly guitar swells, a catchy beat, and a sing-along hook, it’s sure to stick with you. Lost in My Head is the second single from their debut March album release Afterhours. LightNife is made up of singer Gavin Arnold, plus rappers Stephen Wearen and Mikey Brennan. When asked about the track Stephen said “The song was written during lockdown, when we were all isolated. It’s about being lost in your own head, alone with your thoughts. There are worries about the future, everything is unsure.” He went on to say, “The song explores the mental state of each member of the group. It’s about things we all might overthink: relationship struggles, seeking success but figuring out what success really means, knowing where we stand with ourselves, and finding out who we are and how to become the best versions of ourselves.”
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Artist: Honas
Song: I Can Get You Out of This
Notes: On October 23rd, Irish singer/ songwriter Honas (of Orchid Collective) has released a solo single, I Can Get You Out of This. The song features ambient sounds, a cinematic soundscape, and powerful vocals. The song is about standing on the outside, feeling helpless, while a friend or loved one is struggling mentally.
Inspired by Bon Iver, Dermot Kennedy, and Ben Howard, the indie/folk/pop song was started over five years ago but was put on the shelf.
Honas said, “I started writing the song about five years ago, but then moved away from it. I had an experience in a similar vein that brought the song back into my head. As I started living it again, I completed the song in a new light.”
His first three singles have garnered over 1.7 million streams on Spotify, after landing on several Spotify editorial playlists. I promise it’s worth the listen.
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