Italy-based Irish singer-songwriter David G Buckley is releasing his third single of the year, “Boomshot”. The sunshine-filled folk-pop anthem features clever storytelling, gorgeous and grounded vocals, and to top it off: real Italian trumpets.

"It was such a bright song – I need to add some shades to this." Buckley says of how he felt writing the song. "It’s a song which I hope people will get stuck in their heads, and enjoy at face value. But if they look deeper, they'll find it's maybe not as pretty as it sounds.” It’s surprising, given that – at first glance - it appears to be the Dublin native's most upbeat release to date. "The musicians I've played the song with say to me, ‘that song... that’s the one that’s still in my head!’” He explains, “It's the most 'pop' song I've ever written." 
“Boomshot” was recorded and produced in London and in Blue Music Studios, Rome, and mastered in Cube Studios, Rome. Buckley allowed himself to feel free when writing it, wanting to write a piece which simply feels good.

And it shows. Its smooth and well-considered arrangement, from boisterous guitars, to exceptional live drums, to full on trumpets, brings a warm and adventurous sweetness to the single. The result is the feeling of a sleepy coastal town being hit with a dance party – appropriate, given that Buckley’s single is about the times we need a wake-up call from negativity.

Buckley explains, “It’s about two people. The one in the chorus is being really negative, and the one in the verse is trying to pull them out. They've had enough!"

David G Buckley is a Dublin-born singer-songwriter, with a quickly growing reputation for captivating melodies and a rich pop awareness. Buckley released a well-received debut EP ‘Different Shades of Nothing’ in 2013. He subsequently moved to Italy, for love, and took some time to adjust to new life in Rome.

Now ready to take the next step with his music, he has made a cracking return. “Boomshot” is the third single of his 2021 return. The first was "All Our Yesterdays", followed by "Lift Me" - which received national coverage from RTÉ News, for its heart-wrenching and powerful message on cyberbullying. With coverage in national publications such as RTÉ, as well as on local radio stations like Dublin South FM, David G Buckley is becoming known for his blend of arresting songwriting, unforgettable hooks and intricate lyricism.
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David G Buckley’s music is inspired by a range of artists, including R.E.M. and Counting Crows, as well as contemporary artists like Phoenix, Foster the People and Ben Folds. 

From the furthermost regions of Romania... From the mountainous peaks of Scotland... From the darkest corners of a Boards.ie forum... comes a band desperately trying to create new music together whilst practicing social distancing due to the Covid-19 worldwide pandemic….

Founding members Ally Pender and Alex Burcea met whilst in another band and found there was a creative spark when they worked together. They decided to form their own project in the summer of 2018. They spent the next year writing songs & auditioning band members. The current lineup was completed when Evan Cassidy, James O’ Gorman & Shane Waldron joined in June 2019.

Legend says if you took Muse, The Editors, The Killers and Manic Street Preachers and baked them into a cake at 180 degrees you would create not only a lawsuit, but something that bears a mild resemblance to Afterbliss.

Afterbliss spent the first 18 months of their existence writing songs, recording demos and shaping their sound based on their collective influences. Melodic rock is how they best describe their sound, taking notes from the aforementioned bands and creating a style that is uniquely theirs.

In September 2020, Afterbliss entered Windmill Lane Recording Studio to begin recording sessions with producer Alan Kelly. They released their debut single in November 2020, Until Sunrise. Until Sunrise was well received by fans and critics and received radio play on many local and national stations. In February 2021 their second single Kiss & Tell was released.

Their third single Remnants has just been published to continue their musical journey. Remnants is a dynamic and complex track blending together a wide array of musical genres, from classical to dance. Remnants will take you on a ride as it’s galloping verse morphs into a chorus that will have you on your feet. All while retaining the classic Afterbliss melodic undertones.

“I would have always been sports, sports, sports.” Jack Tiernan never expected to find himself opening up through the medium of music. And yet, spurred on by a growing desire to be honest with himself during the first lockdown of 2020, that’s exactly what began to happen to the singer-songwriter.

At 18 years old, and hailing from the small town of Bealnamulla, Athlone, Tiernan has been on a journey that has taken him from pretending to be more interested in sports than anything like music, in order to blend in at school – to releasing three successful singles on Spotify, achieving hundreds of thousands of streams on TikTok, and writing a song for Pieta House’s 2020 fundraising effort. “I was always ‘one of the lads’; But I knew really, I wasn’t being myself,” Tiernan says.

His newest song sees him achieve remarkable honesty. The young Irish Midlander has an ability to express himself compellingly. “Insecure” opens immediately and brightly, as Tiernan cuts straight to heart-breaking, pressing questions about the new object of his beloved’s affection. He sings in the chorus, with a note of growing acceptance, “He’s everything you’ve ever wanted, everything you’ve dreamed of, I’m a little insecure.”

‘Insecure’ is a blend of moving melodies, paired with searing delivery and sensitive and intelligent production. Tiernan’s vocals are confident and well-formed, and a classic take on contemporary pop - reminiscent of both Frank Ocean and Dermot Kennedy at once. Electric guitars are evocative of summer and emotions running high, and run alongside a tastefully restrained beat, which varies intelligently. This gives plenty of room for Tiernan to tell a story, using all the power his voice offers.
‘Insecure’ was recorded and mixed in Lakeland Studios, by Michael O’Dowd, with mastering by Michael Heffernan (Dermot Kennedy, The Script, Gavin James).

Jack Tiernan is an eighteen-year-old singer-songwriter from Bealnamulla, Co. Athlone, Ireland. His first single, ‘It’s Ok’ was written and released to raise awareness and funds for mental health for Pieta House, to great success. He followed this up with ‘Broke By Love’ and ‘Meant to Cross’, the latter of which was No. 1 on the iTunes Irish Singer/Songwriter chart the week of its release. He has covered such outlets as the Athlone Advertiser, and the Westmeath Independent, and is heavily supported by local radio (Athlone Community Radio).

His cover of Alexander 23’s ‘IDK You Yet’ has also achieved over 250,000 streams on TikTok. Tiernan thanks his father for supporting him on his path so far. “The success, and his support honestly, helped me to take things more seriously. Whenever I’ve needed to go to something, no matter how far, my dad would say, ‘Alright. I’ll give you a lift.’” It’s fitting that the young artist, whose music all bears a mark of healthy humility, should be so disarming humble in thanking those who have helped him come as far as he has so far. “Insecure” marks his fourth single, ahead of his upcoming debut EP, which is slated for a late 2021 release.
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Tiernan’s music draws influence from Dermot Kennedy and Clinton Kane, and has been lauded for creating “positive music” with “raw music singer/songwriting talent in abundance” (Athlone Advertiser).

Irish indie pop artist Brí has just released her fifth single 'If I Wasn't Scared' and with it is reaffirming her credentials as one of the most exciting artists around. With powerful yet fragile vocals over delicate instrumentation, Brí takes us on another magical journey into her melodic lamenting world.
 
About the song Brí says ''If I Wasn't Scared' assumes a man's perspective of a relationship as he struggles to balance his feelings with a 'tough guy' image, particularly among 'the boys'. It is a toxic masculinity tale that strips back cold layers of indifference and questions the fear that it uncovers.' - Brí
 
'The vocals on this track were recorded remotely from my home while my bandmate Aidan Mulloy's electric guitar melodies carry the song and my producer Asta Kalapa surrounds it with his magic. The gifted Kaitlin Cullen-Verhauz who is also in my band, plays cello on this track and elevates it to another level. Every song that Kaitlin (of alt folk duo KC VIK) and Aidan play on, is a song I fall deeply in love with.' - Brí'
 
Hailing from Offaly, Brí has previously released 4 singles, debut track, 'Low Supply', 'Polite', 'Burying' and 'More Than'. From the success gained from these releases she sold-out her own Whelan's headline show, received high praise from a multitude of blogs and radio and was selected to perform at Beatvyne's Music X Tech Experience. 

​While 2020 saw performances from Brí at the esteemed Whelan's Ones to Watch, The Ruby Sessions, headliners in The Sound House, Spirit Store and festival line-up announcements such as Vantastival, 2021 sees Brí building momentum for her anticipated debut album 'Hide', which is due for release in October.

Singer/songwriter/spoken word artist Elina Filice is set to release a new single in celebration of Pride Month (June), “Let's Get Lost” today. The dance-pop anthem celebrates the coming out experience, and getting lost to find yourself. Elina hopes the song can help those struggling to come to terms with who they are, as well as all of those on the lifelong journey away from shame, and into love and pride.

The song departs slightly from Elina’s usual sound into a world of colourful synth-pop, driven by an irresistible disco groove. She says, “If I’m writing a queer anthem, it’s gonna have to be a little gay.” Rhythmic guitars, driving synths, and a percussive beat meet powerful lyrics about self-discovery.

Elina says, “This song was written while reflecting on my own coming out experience. It’s such a unique and painful time, and those first feelings of queer love are so transformative. One one hand, after dating the wrong gender you're finally feeling something that feels right to you, things you’ve never felt for another person. And at the exact same time you're realizing who you are. It really is finding yourself through loving someone else, which is why for the queer identity, who we love and who we are are inextricably intertwined.”
The single was recorded in Elina’s home studio and produced by Viscose.

Elina Filice is gaining attention for songs that defy genre and interactive live performances. Her music is soulful and melodic while 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 worked extensively in the music industry and founded Red Vine Records.

​Elina is a strong advocate for queer rights and visibility, and regards music as a powerful tool for the queer community. She is fresh off the release of her sophomore EP, “Flight Risk,” which dropped at the end of May 2021.

Kilkenny-based songwriter, producer, and visual artist Tanoki has just released a new single “Let Go.” It is the second single from his upcoming debut album File New.

The song is a co-write with singer/songwriter Farah Elle, with her adding piano and lyrics to Tanoki’s initial idea. With Tanoki’s signature blend of real and synthetic instruments, the song is intricate and dynamic, featuring experimental electro sounds and hypnotic vocals from Farah Elle. The song also features vocal samples from the Twilight Zone, adding to the mesmeric vibe.

“Let Go'' continues the thread that the upcoming album is based on, a commentary on the current state of technology and how it intersects with our lives. A song about perspective, Tanoki wants listeners to wonder what kind of lyrics or perspectives would come from a cyborg, robot, or half-sentient being. The song ponders, what around us and inside us is real life, and what is imaginary?

Farah says, “More than coming of age, the song is when you suddenly decide you want to live a life that's aligned with your values and what you believe in, based on what you see in the world.” She goes on to say, “The ‘senses are tingling’ line is when your empathy receptors are turned right up and you can really feel everything, and realizing the potential and power in that.”

Tanoki takes us on a psychedelic trip with the accompanying music video/visuals giving us a very twisted and skewed perspective on the ordinary. Shot and Directed by Tanoki himself, hey says, “I love the idea of using technology to explore how different I can make the normal world around us look, in a way tapping into what AI and robots of the future are going to be making of our surroundings”
The song was recorded and produced in Geppetto Studios, Tanoki’s home studio in Kilkenny.

Pop singer SJ Talbot is set to release her second single “Easy for Me”, a sleek, passionate, and soulful electronic pop track. It features intelligent songwriting, a mature blend of soul and dance-pop, and an irresistible hook.

Everything about “Easy for Me” marks Talbot as a songwriter who has put thought into her craft, and has prepared for her entrance onto the pop landscape. The Dublin native’s second single depicts the push-and-pull of resisting bad habits, and trying to say no to a worn-out relationship. “Don’t phone me when you’re lonely,” she sings in the chorus.

“The melody came first,” Talbot says. “It started out actually being quite a sad song. But then I thought, ‘You know what? This melody is really bright.’ I wanted to write a pop song you could dance to, but something that’s really soulful and heartfelt too. I love soul music, and I also love pop.”
“This song is about a relationship where you both know it’s not going to work out. But it’s comfortable to keep going back to that person, because it’s familiar.”

Talbot developed the track with Dublin-based producer GEF (Geoff O’Connor). The pair worked on it for countless hours, via weekly Zoom meetings, beginning in January. The two have yet to meet in person. “This song is such a social song, so it’s crazy to me that we haven’t gotten to sit down and listen to it together yet! But through the whole process, we’ve actually become really good friends, and I’m so glad the song brought us together.”

With “Easy for Me”, SJ Talbot has created a heart-pounding anthem as much for those of us ready to go back to the nightclub, as for those of us who need a song to kickstart the day. “When we finished it, I sent it to a friend of mine. She texted me straight away, saying it got her out of bed, because she couldn’t stay still to it! And I felt like that was the best compliment someone could give.”

SJ Talbot is a 23-year-old pop artist from Clontarf, in the capital city of Dublin, Ireland. Her songs feature deep, soulful vocals, intelligently paired with high-calibre pop production. At an early age, Talbot was enrolled in musical theatre school, and went onto study at BIMM Dublin, graduating in 2020. No stranger to the Irish music scene, she has worked as a session singer and keyboardist for various acts over the last four years.

In 2017, she began producing her own music, and developing her individual sound. In September 2020, she released her well received indie-pop influenced debut single, “Envy”, followed up in April 2021 by an acclaimed collaboration with Chris Short, ‘Flint & Steel’, which has garnered over 20,000 streams on Spotify alone. All signs show SJ Talbot to be ready to make her own remarkable contribution to the current Irish springtime in contemporary pop.
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Some of SJ Talbot’s life-long influences include Duffy, Amy Winehouse and Nina Simone. Her music is inspired by indie-pop, electronic-pop and disco, and is reminiscent of the work of Agnes, GRACEY, CHIC & Nile Rodgers, La Roux, and Dua Lipa.

Tony Fenton from Today FM said she “kicks ass” and NME's James Hendicot observed she's “fantastically refreshing”.

Don't divert your eyes, as the Evening Echo reports, this Cork-based song-writer is no stranger to international performances. Taking her Irish beacon around the world, Áine Duffy has played in New York, Toronto, Los Angeles, London, Dubai, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Belgium, and beyond. When she sang in front of the Swiss, they picked their jaws off the floor, handed her two beautiful guitars by Patrick Eggle, then took her to where they were made and asked her to play again. Of course, Áine Duffy being who she is, couldn't refuse them.

After being invited to record with Roger Greenawalt, the very same who worked with Bruce Springfield and Sophie B Hawkins, Áine Duffy built a large following. This was thanks to the fact she stayed true to her heritage and didn't change who she was.

Not only this, it's never been all about her, either. Áine Duffy understands and loves that music culture relies on itself to stay afloat. She's made a name for herself and has been given a platform, so in her natural way, this is also made to benefit all musicians. An involved part of Airplay as a music advocate, the voice of the under-represented has been heard. Supporting up-and-coming and hard-working musicians in her local area and around the world, plenty of people are in the upper leagues thanks to Áine Duffy.

Known for her homely Irish accent that spans across an impressive range, the voice, talent, and persona of Áine Duffy is in hot demand. With her trusted guitar, festivals such as The Electric Picnic and The Body and Soul Festival have all enjoyed her crowd grabbing appearances. She's also been on stage at world-class venues such as the Cork Opera House, The Theatre Royal in Waterford, Whelans, Riverbank Arts Theatre, The Middleton Arts Festival, The Irish Animation Awards, and Madam Claude's Berlin. A true professional with a resume stoked with laurels, the road is long, wide and open for this piece of history in the making.

As well as her prolific home performance diary, she's performed at BB Kings in LA, The Cat Club, Club Europa New York, and Fat Baby. Now Áine Duffy is working with Wayne Sheehy. He's the creator of the hit TV show “The Last Pub In Ireland”. Taking time from his busy schedule producing television, working with Bono, Van Morrison, and Ronnie Wood, the pair are collaborating on a new run of songs that will establish their sound in further fields than before.

Most recently, Áine Duffy has converted an old donkey box into a camper which doubles up as a stage. This upcycled contraption, known fondly as the Duffbox, will be the source of many impromptu and pre-booked live shows that can literally take place wherever there's a patch of land. So with a run of top-prize nominations to tease the talent, a list of television appearances and music use, the release of I'll Wear White is a true grand-staircase moment. With plenty of people willing to take her hand as she descends into the party, this song is a soundtrack to so many things.
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Written as a way of communicate awareness of old-fashioned rules that lead to unkindness and cruelty, they are still here and we have to put them right. Red being the traditional colour of martyrdom, white is symbolic of purity. A different take on the resolution of old problems that don't want to go away, seeing oneself as separate and untainted will help society to grow out of its old clothes.

Zach James Douglas is an indie/alternative producer and songwriter, hailing from the South Dublin suburb of Tallaght, but brought up by a pint of Guinness and a packet of crisps in any number of city centre dive bars. Having previously had the pleasure of playing festivals such as Glastonbury and Electric Picnic with former band “Little One”, Douglas now steps out alone and is releasing his second single 'Even As The Knife Went Through' via Faction Records.
 
With musical elements reminiscent of Sylvan Esso, Grimes, Maribou State, and The Knife, "Even As The Knife Went Through" is a blistering track featuring guest vocalist Saoirse.
 
About the song Douglas says...“Even as the Knife Went Through” explores the scarred mental state of someone who’s been hurt by a previous partner. It details the intimacy and trust issues that a person develops within future relationships and how despite being the target of such abuse, they still tend to carry a sense of guilt and a deeply hard wired love for their ex partner."
 
A recurring theme throughout Douglas’ first furor into the moody abyss of a solo songwriter, is the concept of nature versus technology. This is best illustrated through the stark contrast and combinations of natural, conventional instrumentation and synthetic glitchy soundscapes. However, it is also seen through Z.J.D’s desire to dispel the natural feelings of shame, anxiety and depression and instead, compartmentalise and methodically process these emotions in a way that humans are generally not capable of.
 
With the promise of lots more music to come, and the much anticipated return of live music on the horizon, 2021 is set to be an exciting year for Zach James Douglas, even if the first half of it will most likely be enjoyed through his aging laptop screen, while sitting at his parent’s kitchen table.

After the release of his previous two singles ‘Dive’ and ‘Sink Or Swim’, Chris Conroy is back with the last track on his debut EP ‘Wolves’. Wolves is a song expressing the struggle in loving someone while seeking different futures. In this case {Chris/the male wolf} talks about wanting to explore the wild and the unknown with his partner but she is afraid of leaving her comfort zone and the life she already knows. The rest of the track explains how when he leaves in search of the unknown he is happier, but still can't get his ex partner ‘Out of his head’.
 
Chris’s music has been described as ‘Easy going yet powerful’ with ‘rich vocals refined with heart’ accompanied by ‘beautiful lyrics with a euphonious sound’.
 
Named after his grandad, who coincidentally was one of the only other musically orientated member of his family, Chris was destined to pursue a career in music. Discovering a love for guitar and in turn songwriting in his late teens, his life experiences have shaped who he is and how his music sounds today. A constant battle between happiness and heartache, love and loss, Chris expresses a refreshing and honest vulnerability, a defiant and hopeful mindset all in a playful yet serious manner.

​Growing up listening to Folk/Pop acts such as Ed Sheeran, Damien Rice and Bon Iver Chris now draws inspiration from numerous Hip Hop and RnB artists which he infuses with his original love of Acoustic led music.

The debut album from Soda Blonde may be called Small Talk, but if there’s one thing the Dubliners
do not do, it’s mince words. Out on 9th July 2021 via Velveteen Records, the entirely self-produced album
sees the group reflecting on their twenty-something experiences with refreshingly honest transparency.

“To put it simply, Small Talk is about life in our 20’s,” says Faye O’Rourke, Soda Blonde’s enigmatic front woman. “Every part of us is in here, both subliminally and literally. Lyrically, this record is like a collection of my flaws and insecurities. They’re lingering awkwardly by the bar at a crowded social gathering, waiting to integrate with the wider world”.

The third single from the album ‘Holy Roses' is hot off the heels of singles ‘Small Talk’ and 'In The
Heat Of The Night'. 
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About 'Holy Roses' Faye says "So many of us use rejection as fuel to justify stagnancy or living in
the past. Holy Roses provides me with some closureandI feel it’s one of the most important tracks on
the album. I am directly addressing the people in my past who have hurt me inthis song. The Rose is
symbolic of war and the fleetingness of life and death. It also represents the fall of Christianity, whichI
compare not only to our country’s dying Catholic status but to the oppression I felt throughout my
own personal and worklife. Holy Roses is the moment of reckoning for me, in all respects. I’m letting
go of the people who have hurt me and my oldway of living". 

All four band members (O’Rourke, guitarist Adam O’Regan, drummer Dylan Lynch and bassist
Donagh Seaver-O’Leary) are seasoned musicians, despite their youth. They have been playing
together since their early teens, with their previous band – the internationally renowned Little Green
Cars, whose seminal debut album skyrocketed to number one on the Irish album charts. O’Rourke is
the first to admit that when Little Green Cars called it a day, she felt lost. But a career shift for the
four musicians wasn’t in the cards – and Small Talk is self-evident proof, different than anything the
group have released before, but carrying on its back all the things they’ve learned.

Wholly unafraid to admit her flaws and defiant in the face of the world’s misconceptions, O’Rourke
litters the songs on Small Talk with tension, playing with the reliability of personal experience. While
examining the intricacies of big subjects – religion versus science; good versus bad; fate versus
choice – Small Talk also seeks to unpack O’Rourke’s own conditioning. Self-assuredness grapples
with societal pressures, anger battles it out with contentment, and frustration with a divide – between
personal relationships and the world at large – is ever-present.

Photo Credit: @foambuffalo