A lot music from Ireland and Northern Ireland comes Nialler9’s way and every week, we listen through it all and select the tracks from emerging artists and some established acts that deserve to be heard by you.
For more extensive Irish and new music coverage, follow our Spotify playlist or hit up the Irish section for individual track features.
1.
Volleyball
Midsummer
You likely know Christian Tierney from his work as a photographer to the stars, real ones like Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Niall Horan, Paul Mescal and many more as you can see on his Insta.
Tierney is still only 24 though, so plenty of time to try something new – and that something new takes the form of Volleyball, a music collaboration with his fellow photographer pal Cian ‘Duigy’ Duignan.
The pair met as touring photographers, until the pandemic put a halt to tours. Back home in Dublin, they bonded over the music they were both making individually, which became the duo of Volleyball, not just a band but “a multi-disciplinary project and brand realising their full, combined creative vision through music, video, art, clothing, jewellery, live shows, products and more.”
Check out ‘Midsummer’, the boys’ debut song, a shimmering slice of cool chillwavey electro-pop.
Follow on Insta.
2.
Under Tears
Ordinary Love (Jane Swims Far)
Berlin-based Irish artist Julie Chance (Kool Thing / Evvol) returns to the solo project of Under Tears, last active in 2020 with the song ‘Good Drying Weather’.
‘Ordinary Love (Jane Swims Far)’ is a gentle, romantic ode to a closeness.
Of the video Julie says:
“Playing on the idea of memory and nostalgia, I shot this video on DV cam on a weekend away with friends in the German countryside. Post pandemic, I wanted to portray a carefree experience of friendship, family and love. After getting married last year, I wanted it to be a celebration of rainbow families, chosen family and queer love.”
3.
The SMC
Got Let Go
The SMC stands for The Saturday Morning Cartoon, two Kildare men “Morris Faderlum & Tommy Inowan” who have at least, had some help, if not all their homework done by Stephen Fahey (Super Extra Bonus Party) and Poggy (No Monster Club/We Are Losers).
“Sparklecore Thrash with a pinch of kink,” is how they pitch their music. ‘Got Let Go’ is a rollicking frustrated nugget from the duo’s debut EP A Shock for Jimmy, on a universal theme of redundancy.
4.
Last Apollo
Apologies
Relatively new Dublin artist Lucy Rice has just released the debut Last Apollo EP entitled Ordinary Matter. Back in February, we shared her second ever single, ‘Reservoir’. an indie pop tune with a memorable hook. That song features here along with this fine piano-sustaining opener that builds with big clean drums, classic rock guitar and no regrets.
Last Apollo plays a headline show in the Workman’s on Wednesday July 20th.
5.
Froman
Orchid
A lovely lightly-spun electronic track from Galway producer Froman. ‘Orchid’ is side B of a two-tracker. Side A has received some plays fromJenny Greene on RTE 2FM too. ‘Desire‘ is Froman’s most-played track on Spotify, currently eyeing up a million listens.
6.
Dylon Jack
On U
Irish alt-pop artist Dylon Jack impresses with the glistening dance-indie-pop track of ‘On U’ channelling the vocal hooks of The 1975 with a more retro-futuristic sound. It’s from a forthcoming debut EP produced by Adam Redmond ( Milk, modernlove, Just Wondering etc ).
7.
Catscars
Flower In My Hands
Robyn Bromfield has been making music as ambient and experimental, synth-pop project Catscars, since at least 2011, and it’s nice to hear the sinewy electronics of new song ‘Flower In My Hands’, available on Bandcamp.
8.
Eamon Dunne
Sunshine Radio
Welcome to Costa Del Bog.
Laois singer-songwriter Eamon Dunne makes a summery splash with his coastal indie bedroom pop tune ‘Sunshine Radio’, a song inspired by the ’80s pirate radio station of the same name.
Eamon on Bandcamp / Spotify / Insta
9.
Dog Day Afternoon
Lust
Named after the Al Pacino crime drama of the same name, Dog Day Afternoon are a Dublin indie-band and their second single ‘Lust’ is a lilting bop.
Hit them on Insta.
10.
Typeface
Halcyon Senegalensis
Luke Rabbitte’s Type Face project returns with ‘Halcyon Senegalensis’, featuring a sample of Brazilian artist Nara Leão’s album Vento de Maio, and drums inspired by from Massive Attack’s sampling Tom Scott & The L.A. Express’ ‘Sneakin’ In The Back’ on Blue Lines.
The music video also has a Brazilian connection, being inspired by the work of the São Paulo film studio Panama Filmes.
11.
Naoise
Normal Freak
Non-binary multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Naoise has released their debut EP exploring their experience of gender and societal norms around identity.
The five-track EP is out now, check out ‘Normal Freak’ above.
12.
Róisín McKeown
Soul Full of Fire
Undeniable Billie Bossa Nova vibes here from 19-year-old artist Róisín McKeown who counts Nina Simone, Jeff Buckley and Amy Winehouse as key influences.
‘Soul Full of Fire’ was written in New York last year and recorded in Berlin by a Celbridge fella Jack Deasy.
Follow Róisín on Spotify.
For more extensive Irish and new music coverage, hit up the Irish section for individual track features
For this and more Irish songs, follow the Nialler9 New Irish Spotify playlist.
