Cailín Lofa are a performance duo who are bridging the gap between the Irish language and club culture. Both members are from Dublin, and they met in New York City, where they are based.
I saw a video of a performance at Electric Picnic which is where I started paying attention – it’s not every day you see Irish language club rap grace stages is it?
Who are Cailín Lofa?
The collaborative duo perform as Puisiin (Lily Ní Néill) and Niamh Chinn Whóir (Caelinn Ní Bhrion). Their sound draws on electronic music, jungle, dub, bass and dance,
Cailín Lofa translates as “rotten girl” and they say the project os aiming to celebrate indigenous cultural expression and explore themes of sex positivity, queerness, and acts of resistance through the Irish language.
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Straddling the traditional and the transgressive.
Cailín Lofa’s debut song
Their debut single ‘Bog do chorp’ dropped this week with a Youtube video and it’s is on Bandcamp too. Translated as “move your body” the Dj Bucee-produced song reminds me of the spirit of Baltimore club tracks of the 2010s but with two Irish cailíní flexing their desire over an acid-tinged beat. When it comes down the song embodies the closing line of “Just want the ride like?”
Cailín Lofa live shows?
They are one of the acts on the bill for An Hip-hap Gaelach, the Irish-language hip-hop night at this year’s IMRAM festival, on Thursday November 12th at The Sound House in Dublin.
They are also back in Dublin on December 17th to play DublinItGirl’s album launch in Daylight alongside Róis, Mooncup and Simon Hennessy.
Follow Cailín Lofa on Instagram at @cailinlofa.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
