Ruth Medjber is a photographer whose eyes have been hired by Arcade Fire, Hozier, Glastonbury, Electric Picnic and many others.
She is currently running a 2021 Refugee Rescue Photo Competition with Wyvern Lingo’s Karen Cowley which will have an exhibition in 2021.
See Ruth’s previous choices from 2020.
1.
James Blake – Friends That Break Your Heart
I’ve a massive grá for musicians singing about photographs, job done James Blake. Plus he got his heart broken by a bestie, ditto bitch! x
2.
Noah Yorke – Trying Too Hard
This was my alarm track. A beautiful, quiet wee track. If anyone is allowed to sound Radioheady it’s this lad.
3.
Self Esteem – I Do This All The Time
We needed a modern day, female led, Baz Luhrman. Also great if you have any mates called Mairead.
4.
Michael Kiwanuka – Beautiful Life
This is a “roll a spliff for a walk and stare at the sky” tune.
5.
IDLES – The Beachland Ballroom
Watching the rapid evolution of IDLES in real time has been incredible.
6.
Sprints – How Does The Story Go?
I saw Sprints about 5 months ago and my ears are still ringing. A live band worth risking Covid for.
7.
Wet Leg – Chaise Longue
Me leg isn’t the only thing that’s Wet, wha wha wha. (Can I say that?!)
8.
Houseplants – Window Pane
I sing this to myself any time someone wants to talk about my windows project. It’s made it enjoyable again.
9.
Django Django – Glowing In The Dark
I have light up wheels on my roller skates, so this track obviously goes on when I’m rolling round Finglas at night thinking I’m the shit.
10.
Audiobooks – The Doll
My 2021 is dominated by ultra cool female vox.
11.
Melt Yourself Down – Pray For Me I Don’t Fit In
Horn bops.
12.
Elaine Mai, MayKay – 3AM
I could have picked ALL the songs on Elaine Mai’s 2021 album Home, and just be done with this list. I chose 3am as it’s sexy AF (thanks to MayKay’s fantastic, dirt bird lyrics).
13.
Royal Yellow – Until
Mark (Royal Yellow) saved my life once. So I owe him a spot on this list. Thankfully he also writes deadly tunes.
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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 cohost of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, event curator and producer of gigs, parties & events.