Belfast-based singer-songwriter Andrew Patterson has released his new single, “Normal People.” The folk-pop song is a feel-good, hopeful track that Andrew hopes will connect with people, featuring strummed guitars, insightful lyrics, and a sing-along chorus.

Patterson was inspired by Sally Rooney’s book “Normal People,” as well as the recent television adaptation, as he was instantly captivated by the characters and their desire to belong.
He says, “Also inspired by my own journey, the song is a call to the struggle in each of us to fit in despite all of our quirks and insecurities. The realisation becomes that really, no one is truly normal, and everyone is searching for the same sense of belonging.”

Patterson has been playing “Normal People” in his solo set for the last year. In July, Andrew was able to get into the studio to capture the energy of the full band sound that he felt the song needed. Recorded in Subzero Studios with producer Michael McCluskey, it features Chris McCann on drums and was mastered by Pete Maher (U2, The Killers, Snow Patrol, Damien Rice).

Andrew Patterson has been releasing music and gigging regularly across Dublin and Belfast for the last five years. Known for anthemic yet intimate songs of love and hope, his 2019 EP “Out of Babylon” was met with critical acclaim.

​2020 saw Andrew writing new songs and ideas that would speak into the current worldview, and sharing these pieces to a growing audience. As a recipient of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Individuals Emergency Resilience Programme funding, Andrew has been thankful for the opportunity to bring these songs to life. 

Singer/Songwriter Fly the Nest has just released a cinematic new single, “Old Street Lover.” The song features a driving beat, wailing guitars, and Fly the Nests’ signature wide, cinematic soundscape.

Rhythmic guitars and Fly the Nest’s powerful vocals carry the fierce, energetic song. Fly the Nest says, “This song is about having a connection with someone that’s ultimately lost. Though it hurts to see it end, you really do wish them the best and hope they find what they’re looking for.”

The verses of the song tell the story of the day that it all comes to an end. They outline hard conversations that are had and looking back on shared memories. The narrator knows that they have to let it go. The uplifting chorus’ express hope that the other person finds happiness, comfort, and satisfaction with what they decide to do.

Though you’re parting ways, you still see so much potential in the other person, heard in the lines, “you’ve got it!” And though you’ll miss them, you genuinely still believe in them and their dreams. Maybe you’ll even find your way back to each other one day. The song was produced and recorded by Peter Doherty in Tyrone, NI.

Dublin native Fly the Nest (Stephen Cooper) started playing music at a young age, performing in various bands before starting solo project Fly the Nest, a name inspired by the many adventures music has led him on. As well as writing and releasing his own music, Stephen also writes for sync, and says that writing for Film and TV has opened up another facet of his creativity. Stephen now spends his time between Ireland and Denmark, and gigs regularly across Scandinavia. 2021 is proving to be another big year for Stephen, who is known for wide, cinematic songs and precise songwriting. 

After getting multiple BBC Introducing Plays, including one ‘Tip of the Week’, across multiple stations, Hampshire-based electronic musician MOK_Z is ready to take it up a notch. His second official release ‘You’ve Got Me’ will drop on all platforms today, on the 12th of February 2021.

​MOK_Z hails from Aldershot, Hampshire, and takes influence from a wide array of electronic and dance music artists and acts, such as Chase & Status, Disclosure, Sub Focus, Joel Corry and more.

​With the coronavirus pandemic fanning the flames in his creative furnace, spurring him to start this new venture, MOK_Z has pricked many-a-ear in a short space of time, with BBC Introducing the South tweeting:
 “What happens in Aldershot, stays in Aldershot. Except for maybe MOK_Z, who deserves to be exported in a big way.”
 
‘You’ve Got Me’ is a jazzy, pop-y UK Garage track which explores the giddy, giggly emotions surrounding new love. It also serves as a reminder to those separated by the scourge of coronavirus that there are still people out there who love them, and however bleak the world may seem right now, they will see their loved ones again. It is the perfect track for Valentine’s day, which is coincidentally two days after the release date.

29th January saw Lois Rae return with her sophomore single and first release of 2021 “THAT’S ME” – another alt-pop offering that reaffirms her position as one to watch.
 
Like Lois’ punchy & forthcoming debut track “BADDIE” (which had support from BBC Introducing amongst others), “THAT’S ME” sees the Manchester-based singer once again combining her sultry, glossy & vocally diverse lyrics with a myriad of pulsating electronic effects and organic instrumentation.
 
The production this time however feels somewhat darker, more serious and probing. Twisting trap-inspired synths and punchy drums contrast with the angelic highs of Lois’ layered vocals, with a number of intriguing beat switches mirroring the equally adaptable flow from Lois Rae.
 
“’THAT’S ME’ is a declaration of independence”, explains Lois. “It was so fun to write, as even though it’s a little bit extravagant and tongue in cheek, it still has an important and relevant undertone about not needing to rely on anyone else for your own confidence and success”.
 
Lois Rae is an enigmatic pop artist from the UK. Delivering a diverse, pop-based sound, she blends contemporary production with nostalgic 90s flare and classical roots, to create an innovative and feisty sound. With a thrilling trajectory ahead, her highly anticipated, self-titled debut EP is set for release this year. 

Canadian born Singer/Songwriter Kristen Renee was surprised to win Claudia eRecords' 'End Of Year Song' Contest 2020. We had the opportunity to ask her a few questions.

Hi Kristen, thank you for taking the time to chat to Claudia eRecords.
 
1. You had great feedback on various platforms. People love your style.
When the moment came of you taking up first place in our competition it came somewhat as a
surprise to you. May I ask why?
It’s taken a while for me to find my sound. There’s been lots of experimenting, so that’s really encouraging to hear! I suppose the win came as a bit of a surprise because I was one of 15 incredible artists! I listened to everyone competing and was very impressed by all of the talent that was entered. My fingers were crossed but was aware of the odds and in the end, I am overwhelmed with gratitude.
 
2. You grew up in a musical family. What does that mean? What is your best memory you
had/strength you get from that?
Both of my parents were singer/songwriters and performers while I was growing up. My mom has been traveling Canada and recording albums with her family, and later as a soloist, since she was 3 years old. My dad was a part of a handful of Southern Gospel quartets that toured Canada as well as the States. At one point they even sang and travelled together! Music was a cornerstone in our home. There was always music on or singing, sometimes as a family. I didn’t join them often but there were good times had when I did. I think my best memory would be on the tour bus, falling asleep to the sound of rain.  
 
3. Do you play any instruments? Which one is your favorite?
 I solely play the guitar. My aunt Bonnie taught me the basics when I was 14 years old and I got more serious about song writing after that and eventually took lessons for 2 years. In elementary school I played the clarinet, and my dad tried to get me to become a violinist but that only lasted a year. I appreciate violin, greatly, I just did not take to it like I did guitar.
 
4. Which instrument is your preferred one when you compose songs?
I would still say guitar! Even in the studio, we always start out with a raw recording of the song I’d like to lay down, just me and a guitar. I also very much love the piano. I don’t play but I wish that I did. It’s just beautiful. Thankfully, my producer plays well and always adds just the right amount to provide a classic vibe, amid what is often a pop song.
 
 5. Before you started your solo career, you used to be in a band. Tell me a little bit about it.
Haha, oh yes. “Out Of My Element.” I started a duo band with my best friend in high school, Brendan De Santis. He and I originally named ourselves “Princess Avenue,” but decided to change it in the end. We sang around our high school and at a couple outdoor venues in our hometown London, Ontario. We wrote several songs together. I actually hope to pull them off the shelf and revive them one of these days! I’d love to share them.

6. You have started a small business….customizing songs for weddings and/or special occasions.
How did you come about this idea?
I’ve been writing songs since before I could use a pen. I started writing personal songs for people as Christmas/birthday/wedding gifts, as I am much more creative musically than with gift ideas, haha. I performed a personal song for my friends wedding and someone asked me what I charge for it, and the penny dropped. I’ve been doing it so long I never thought of it from a business perspective but turning my passion into a career has been the greatest collaboration. I have had some really wonderful experiences, and nothing makes me happier than presenting a song written specifically for an individual or couple and seeing their reactions to the final product.
 
7. Where do you get your ideas to write songs which moves your audience?
For my song writing business, I get the ideas and inspiration directly from the person or couple who are requesting a custom song. I sit down with them for an hour (often in a café, but since COVID it has been over Zoom or FaceTime) and ask them a series of guided questions at their discretion. If it is an individual, it is usually a surprise for one of their loved one’s, either a son or daughter, a spouse, a birthday, Christmas, or anniversary gift, etc. If it’s a couple, it’s likely for their wedding day, so, with an aim in mind, we have a thorough discussion about the person or situation the song is for. I then take their story, meditate, and using their vulnerability and energy from the interview to set the tone for the melody. I include the majority, if not all, of the information I’m given to build a personal story and weave it into something melodic. 

8. How do you cope with setbacks?
I’ve been intentionally learning about having grace for myself over the last few years. It hasn’t been the strongest suit of mine when it comes to failure or unexpected problems, but I’ve been dedicated to changing my tune. I’ve wanted this for myself in general, but especially because I’m breaking into the music scene and I realize how competitive and challenging it can be. I can’t afford to be too hard on myself when facets of the industry already provide on that front. But also, I will fail. Everyone does. It’s unavoidable. So, to ensure that I, as well as my business continue to thrive, I begin honestly by saying that there’s always a risk with writer’s block. It hasn’t happened yet (knock on wood), but if I were to become unable to complete a song or get it to the quality of their liking for whatever reason, I would remain honest and only charge accordingly, if at all.
 
9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
The pandemic has affected plans for sure, but in the spirit of a new normal solidifying itself, I would love to be touring within the next 5 years. Ideally, I’d love to see some of the world while I’m at it. However, if travelling and touring live doesn’t return to a liable option, I would still love to be recording and releasing music, continuing to perform whether it be virtually or otherwise. When it’s time to start a family I still intend on writing and performing but would love to have my song writing business in full swing so that I’m able to do what I love as well as be there for family.

10. Where do you feel are the challenges in your musical career and which parts seems to just fly
into your lap?
I would say that exposure is one of the biggest challenges in my music career. Believe it or not, even with the energetic, musical family I was raised in, I am something of an introvert. It has taken me years of intentionality to feel and grow confident in social settings and on stage. I love people, and have a desire to entertain, but up until my adolescence, I struggled to “put myself out there” if you will. Even after coming a long way in that area with the influence of amazing friends and mentors, the industry is tough to break into and become noticed with so many incredible talents already in the spotlight.
That being said, I have always loved music for its healing qualities. What comes naturally (which isn’t 100% consistent), is my ability to capture a moment, experience or feeling and put it to music. I love writing for myself and for others because music works like medicine and has always had a special connection to human-beings. Whether it’s creating joy, sadness, ecstasy, opinion or inspiration, it affects us and has a place in all our lives. So, I’ve never given too much power to popularity or numbers or likes, I truly enjoy how music makes me feel at any given moment, and my dream is to provide music that moves and affects people according to the state they’re in. Whether that’s a handful of individuals from my hometown, or scattered across the entire globe, I want to entertain and inspire humanity with the gifts I’ve been blessed with, as others have blessed me.

11. Do you have any advise to other aspiring musicians to help them on their journey?
Don’t second guess your potential, hustle, and be open to constructive criticism.
When we feel driven or inspired by something we love to do, it can be tempting to look around and see who’s doing it better or view them as competition instead of a point of inspiration. Especially artists, once we’ve completed a piece of work that we’re proud of, it can be tempting to wonder if it’s good enough or any good at all. Fear can creep in, making us question if anyone will like it or care about it. Even though they are just thoughts, thoughts are powerful and can actually cause us to digress. Don’t let that happen! In any industry today, hustle is required. There are so many people doing what you and I love to do, and if we want to influence or hold significance for others, we need to keep our initial goal at the forefront of our agenda. Getting bogged down or insecure due to outside circumstances will steal the motivation from right under you – and there will always be reasons to give in. I like to think of it as resistance training. Along with that, we can often fear other people’s opinions about our work to the point of wanting to keep it to ourselves. However, I’ve found criticism to be a beneficial way to grow as an artist, and as an individual in general. I struggled with embracing constructive criticism most of my life. Having perfectionistic tendencies, whenever someone would say “I love this, but it could be better here” or “maybe change this,” all I would hear is “it isn’t good enough.” What I have learned is that when we put our heart and soul into something, we love it just as it is. But the important thing about growth is that nothing is ever perfect or complete – there’s always room to add or subtract. So, I’ve learned to have a looser grip on my ideas, allowing space for other creative minds and listening ears to express what they think could be improved. This is a great way to get a feel for what your audience wants, while also expanding your own creative horizon.
​
12. What is the strangest/funniest thing that happened to you in your music career?
When I was 6 years old my mom was directing a Christmas production at my school and I received a feature song to sing on my own. One of my first real on-stage performances. On opening night, moments leading up to the intro of my song.... I looked out at all the people caught stage fright. Thanks to inexperience, I decided that if I couldn’t see the audience... they couldn’t see me. So, I pulled my waste-length hair over my face as well as the microphone and performed my solo - to my mothers’ absolute horror. She watched from the front row, frantically motioning me to remove my hair from my face. But of course, I couldn’t see her, so she helplessly watched me sabotage my debuting performance from behind a curtain of hair!

Singer/Songwriter/Rapper Elina Filice has released “First World Problems,” an innovative cover of a lesser-known song by Chance the Rapper. 

While keeping the thoughtful hook, Elina re-wrote all of the verses in the original spoken word style to produce an honest and powerful piece. She flows effortlessly between the very personal and the very broad, speaking candidly about her journey, pursuing a creative life, as well as larger social issues. 

She says, “The song is a critical reflection on the last few years, from leaving the comfort and structure of university to figuring out what to do with my life, the struggles of being an artist, searching for meaning, and trying to understand the world around me.”

Opening with a simple and emotive guitar loop, Elina’s voice is joined by hypnotic backing vocals from Dublin-based Singer/Songwriter Cat. As the lyrics grow in intensity, the song builds to an anthemic crescendo carried by a steady, work-song type beat. 

The song is accompanied by a music video, featuring an impassioned performance by Elina. She says, “We wanted the video to be solemn and pensive. The video depicts me alone in the studio, to convey the idea that the following one’s dreams and passions, or even thinking critically about the world, is often a tough and lonely road.”

The video was created by Phil Kim (Kim Philms) in Halo Studios (Hamilton, Ontario). The song was recorded & produced by Kevin Brennan of Wavefarm Productions (Dublin, Ireland). 

Elina Filice is gaining attention for songs that defy genre and interactive live performances. Her music is soulful and melodic while being influenced by blues and spoken word. Born to Canadian parents, Elina spent her formative years in Singapore before moving to Canada to attend university. She then relocated to Dublin where she founded Red Vine Records.

​Her 2020 releases “Thinking of You” and “Lying” were met with critical acclaim by dozens of outlets as well as official Spotify playlists. 

Having being named BBC Introducing’s track of the day, Olivia White has just released her debut single ‘Call It Love’ on the 29th of January. Her style is bold daring and impossible to ignore as she continues to push out astounding anthems that are highly relatable for people of all musical persuasions. Inspired by the likes of Dua Lipa, Charlie XCX, Lorde and Frank Ocean, she has an innate ability to really dig deep into listeners' hearts and evokes strong emotions.

The young singer began her music career at the age of just eleven when she would perform in music theatre productions. She soon moved away from her small town in the UK to go and study at The Academy of Contemporary Music.  The singer has amassed over 5000 followers on Instagram alone, seeing her grow a small, yet dedicated following for her bittersweet anthems. The track was produced at the notorious Numen Studios. 

Music for Olivia has always been an outlet for her deepest emotions. She wrote her debut over first lock down. The song was a safe haven for her to process the pain of being hurt by different situations in life.

She hopes for her music to help people by connecting with them and making them feel less alone. Music has always been a source of clarity for Olivia. The lyrics written by the likes of Frank Ocean and Banks played a key part in developing Olivia lyricism. Her lyrics are often unique and ambiguous, making them accessible to anyone and open to interpretation. This enhances the listeners ability to use her music to reflect on their own emotions and fully relate to each word.​

A dreamy track begins with soft tones, slowly building into an emotive yet confident melody, reflecting on the challenge to reveal feelings for a crush. A romantic at heart, her lyrics and melodies continue to connect on love, loss, and happiness. The single premiered on Clout, who described the release as an “exquisite rendition on heartache.”

“Ballad for the Boy Next Door’ was inspired by the fear of rejection, and how it takes a lot of courage to tell someone you like about how you feel,” shared Emmrose. “I went back to a time in my life when I always wanted a clear sign before I would tell a crush I liked them, I would honestly want some crazy magical thing to happen so I knew I wasn’t making a major mistake. The optimist in me said go for it, and the pessimist said that the other person would never feel the same way. The song ends realizing that you should just go for it, and if it doesn’t work out, cry and move on. I think it’s really important to be honest with the people you like.”

Seven months after the release of her debut EP Hopeless Romantics, Emmrose continues to showcase her vibrant talent. Much of her music comes as a reflective narrative, embracing the universal pursuit of love, acceptance, and happiness. She released “The Grass Was Greener” over the summer, a richly nostalgic love story of days past, with moving delivery. Her debut music video for the single was released last month on YouTube. “Ballad for the Boy Next Door” comes as an appropriate foil, continuing to surprise yet delight listeners as she continues to build her sound.

Producer/engineer Michael Abiuso (Behind the Curtains Media) shared on the return to in-studio recording, after months of remote sessions with Emmrose due to COVID restrictions. “This was the first time back in the studio with Emmrose in-person. In addition to feeling excited, I also felt kind of fragile and very sponge-like to all energies that filled the room including her vocal takes; so much so that I think we ended up keeping a bunch of performances and blended them all together. There are seven vocals in unison on the chorus. Similarly, I wanted to capture all of these raw organic elements as they were happening, so if you listen closely, there are a good amount of what I considered “pleasant flaws” – a lot of dry instruments, basically no processing on the drums, no tuning. Although a lot of nontraditional production methods, I’m really hoping they resonate with listeners as much as Emmrose’s lyrics, voice, and compositions.”
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“Ballad for the Boy Next Door” is out everywhere today, including Spotify,Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
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