18 New Artists To Love in 2018

Derry native Roisin Donald who labels herself as ‘an 18-year-old multi-instrumentalist grump’ has been making music as ROE for just over a year now and already played the BBC Introducing Stage at Glastonbury last year. She was also selected as one of the 10 Irish artists to played Eurosonic in Groningen this year. Her performances feature live synths, drum machine beats and guitars alongside vocals that stand out.

Now based in London this Irish trio made up of Aoife Power, Niall Burns and Andrew Flood met in a Limerick pub when they were underage. With just one single ‘Actor’ released so far lead singer, Aoife managed to be one of the many musicians that performed at Shane Mc Gowan’s 60th birthday this month. They head off on tour in the UK and Ireland with Dream Wife this year.

23-year-old self-taught violinist, vocalist and producer Sudan Archives released her debut six-track EP on Stones Throw label last year taking influence from “Sudanese fiddlers, R&B, West African rhythms, and experimental electronic music”. The standout track from the EP standout ‘Come Meh Way’ up-beat, contagious and illuminated by a folk violin line.

Inspired by the novel ‘Lanark’ by Scottish writer Alasdair Grey, fellow Glasgow native Calum MacRae is making and producing music under the name Lanark Artefax. His debut track ‘Touch Absence’ has low-end and mechanical Autechre vibes.

Freelance musician, pianist and producer Cian Sweeny debuted his electronic project as 1000 beasts last year with two singles ‘Wonderland’ and ‘Got This Feeling’. For his first release of 2018 ‘Lord (It’s OK)’ he teamed up with former X-Factor contestant Janet Grogan. With impressive releases so far we are certainly looking forward to what comes next.

Formerly members of folk-blues act Southern, who were signed to signed to Marathon and toured with Bastille and Jake Bugg, Belfast siblings Lucy and Thomas Gaffney are now releasing music as MMODE. Their debut self-titled album was released last year. ‘Waiting in the Desert’ is an upbeat and catchy dream-pop blend of summer vibes.

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