Gerald Ahern
Wrong


Created at Lady Shed Studios in Cork, Gerald Ahern brings us Wrong. On the radio since May 1st, the video for the track is now on air. When Gerald's mother died during lock-down, the talented songwriter had only one way to express his feelings. Putting pick to string and pen to paper, it took a journey of emotion and strength to put this piece together. With the band, Gerald Ahern has reached dizzying heights already. Their RnB hook-laden sound has landed them in support slots for Aslan, Picture This, Billy Ocean, Ryan Sheridan, and The Academic.


The music begins with a minor key. Slow notes muse on internal feelings. Unison instruments in bass and treble flow together in a thoughtful jam. The vocal opens, Gerald Ahern sings with clarity and perspective. His lyrics glisten on the bars with shimmering harmony. As the music progresses, Gerald Ahern reveals an athletic ability to change pitch into higher keys as the lyrics emote their power. The track is smooth and laid back with sensual beats that offer holding arms.


You can find Gerald Ahern on Instagram,


Facebook,


Twitter,


and Spotify.

Christian Wethered
La Madeleine


Already a YouTube hit with his previous release making onto the Hot Press playlist, Christian Wethered is back with a new track. The songwriter/poet from Dublin has enjoyed success in the live music scene, his homely and intimate sound draw crowds from every direction. Building up to the release of Mon Petit Jardin, the forthcoming album, this next single offers another peek at the artwork. The song is written to express the feeling of rejection after a relationship ends against our wishes. When we have to re-write our future dreams without the feelings we used to enjoy it can take a long time.


It begins with a shuffling beat that shakes with a snappy snare. Melodious guitars flow in on choppy ripples of chord. The vocal begins, an almost spoken word begins to describe scenes and feelings. Other-worldly sensations shimmer from the harmonies between guitar and voice. Snippets of poetry intertwine with emotional verse-lines. Gothic undertones ink the gloom behind a radiant and progressive atmosphere.


You can find the music on Apple


Spotify


and YouTube


You can follow Christian Wethered on Instagram


Twitter


and Facebook


Christian Wethered's poetry book “I Don't Love You” won the Melita Hume Prize 2021.
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​T. Cole
Sipping Not Tripping


Introducing Tunolase Margaret Cole from Drogheda. Fresh off the presses with her second single, the Afroswing idola T. Cole hits Alternative Fruit. Inspired by artists such as Prince, Amber Marks, and Jackson 5, her sound takes traditional moves and utilises modern ideas. Built entirely from a few jammed chords courtesy of her Brother Josh in the studio, a rippling synthesiser, and a vocal line captured with a phone, this track redraws the boundaries on what makes a good sound. Building a song as a group with producer Solo was a different technique to how T. Cole has previously written material. About missing someone, and the fact we have to get on regardless, this seemed the perfect way to explain the sensation.


With rattling drums and shakers, the music opens. Tonal steel drums with a delicate muffle begin to describe an effervescent feeling. A soulful voice pours through, amazing to think it was done with a phone, the melodic and dynamic voice clearly dances over the bars with an RnB style buoyancy. A repeating riff builds under harmonies and vocal progression that sees a whole forest of words thrown in expert lines as quick as a flash. A really catchy and upbeat track, Sipping Not Tripping lifts you up.


Find out more by visiting T. Cole online


Follow T. Cole on Instagram


and Facebook


Listen to T. Cole on Spotify
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The Will McBride Group
No For An Answer


North Carolina's The Will McBride Group are back with their soulful jazz-band sound and another cracking single. The band were getting along well with gradual growth in all the right places when their work was brought to the attention of the drummer from Styx. This changed everything, as the band were given support slots not just for Styx but for ZZ Top, Eddie Money, and Gregg Allman.


Their new song starts with a few hits on the cymbals before a funky guitar fill breaks open the sound. A flow of drums, keyboards, and guitar chords decorate the spaces between the spaces until a swagger laden vocal begins. Melodic and catchy lines spill out in emotive lines that roll with the groove and keep steady to the beat. Bells and extra harmonising vocals bring out the chorus, I'm Not Taking No For An Answer. As the song progresses, musical outlets provide ample room for the musicians to show why they're great and why anyone would say no to this talent is beyond me.


You can visit The Will McBride Group online


Follow them on Facebook


and Twitter

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Jody Bigfoot
Duszt LP
Out 1st May


The son of socialist vegetarians, the two meter tall Jody Bigfoot is ready with a brand new album. Jody had been instrumental in the anti-Iraq war protests and when the war went ahead anyway, he quickly lost faith in the traditional forms of civil action. If you think how you would react if a mob gathered outside your home to demand you do something for them? You'd wonder what the world was coming to. Bigfoot then decided to travel the world and get far away from his traditional society in order to find something new. Taking on the dirty jobs no-one else wanted and a few others in between, Jody was able to travel the world. When he discovered music, it became clear that through this medium the thoughts and feelings of protest can be delivered directly into homes. This is where everything began in the production of the album. Videoed in Japan and produced over a handful of years, this solo hip-hop production is a slice of the new generation with an education. The film has been produced by Tandaro, the German-born camera-man with a passion for spiritual and meaningful music. The pair met in person at Notting Hill Carnival a few years ago and decided this project was completely in the right direction. Focusing the lifetime attributes of Dao and Direction, with the kinesis of beats and rhymes, the message is being spoken.


The work is being slowly released over a period of time, and you can listen to the full soundtrack now on YouTube Music.

Jody Bigfoot is on Instagram

Mali Ama
Oh My


Atlanta's Mali Ama is on the radio with a classy and catchy RnB chill-tune. Her latest number was made during lock-down and captures the energy of relaxed continuation of all that's still available. With a run of popular videos behind her, this new radio-edit is reaching a whole new page of music fans.


It opens on a cinematic orchestral melody. Violins carry a drifting breeze that licks our hair as it passes over us. Mali Ama starts to sing, her delicious voice covers the smooth laid-back beats with harmonising layers. A charming closeness draws us in as the subtle melody reverberates over the silky rhythms. It feels that Mali Ama is infatuated with someone magical, someone who makes her feel like a woman. A smooth and seductive whisper of sensual music seems to run its finger along our arm as it walks by.


You can follow Mali Ama on Facebook


Twitter


and Instagram
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Kestine
Reflection EP


From his early days of listening to Michael Jackson and imitating his moves to spitting rhymes down the mic in darkened rooms, Kestine has lived through music. The experience of dance and beats with melody and words has become a foundation-stone to how Kestine sees himself. When he was a boy, he learned to sing through a gospel choir which helped him find vocal confidence and training to focus his talent. Kestine has always viewed himself as an outsider in the world, whether it's being black, talented, intelligent, or any number of defining features, it's been a difficult journey. A talented singer and keen pianist, Kestine has pulled out all the stops on the Wurlitzer to create a monumental EP. Reflection looks back at his career in music, pays homage to the fans around the world, and takes a good hard look at his heritage.


The intro begins with some vocal samples and public sounds. It's a brief moment of time that asks what our purpose is. Next is U.N.I.T.Y. The music opens with smooth and swaggering keyboards framed by swelling saxophone. Vocals loop and echo across themselves, creating a bubble of human sound. Kestine begins to rap. His words are raw and personal, he says things I'd never say, and that's his prerogative. A smooth and laid back feeling sweeps across the harsh and explanatory poetry. Kestine plays the role of the protagonist, the adjutant to his own reflection.


A sweet laugh flows out, violins sway in windy messages, and a voice asks us where God is. Harmonising voices and a trip-hop element of composition opens out into bass-driven thundering rhythms. Slow and grinding tempo makes a quicker rap feel super-charged as more aggressive and passionate verbals craft emotive passages across the music. A sense of protectionism and an introspective groove, the track looks into the soul of a Preacher's Son.


Next is Melanie. It begins with sirens and saxophone. An atmosphere of inner-city living that I know all too well. A gun-shot rings out, then drums and bass begin to reverberate along to a vocal—line. Duetting voices make notes and rhymes on a flow that's framed by laid-back drums. Rap begins, a Fun Lovin Criminals style delivery brings a soulful jazz to the hip-hop vibe. Then comes an interlude. We get to hear some traditional singing. It sounds African. It's a shame they didn't make the track longer, but that's okay.


The final number starts with a moody piano. Some sleek vibes spill out as the vocal begins a slow-paced rap. Drums match the tempo and a whirl of notes begin to frolic around the tree-trunk of voice. Smoother and calmer projection tone down the emotion while building a richer and more inclusive drama. As we listen, imagery from religion and home work together with common concepts like freedom and love. Dear Diary is an honest chat with the self.


You can follow Kestine on Twitter


Instagram


and Facebook

Emer Dunne
Daisy


This brilliant new single from Emer Dunne's forthcoming album is hitting the airwaves as we speak. Since its release at the end of March, the track went to number 1 in the Irish iTunes charts and reached the twelve-spot on the Homegrown Weekly Charts. A cover-version of the popular Karine Polwart number, this modern version reinvents the body for its traditional soul. Having been broadcast across RTE 1 and Radio Ulster, the world is already getting a taste of this up-and-coming export.


It begins with a splash of cymbals, uplifting drums, guitar, and harmonica. Emer Dunne begins to sing, the lyrics are crystal clear and pin-point on scale. A folk-rock attitude builds through the progression, strumming chords and sweeping harmonisations create a swaying atmosphere of merry charm. Advice for a young woman, Daisy lets us know that there are plenty of different souls in the world and they're not all like us. Try not to think about what's going on with them, just watch what they do. So don't think at all.. well, when it comes to those of us who don't fit the groove, don't spare a thought. That's how I would interpret that. What do you think?


Catchy and country, it's a laid-back yet full-on musical experience.


You can find out more by visiting Emer Dunne online

Ugly Beautiful
Sunrise


Ugly Beautiful are a three-piece guitar band who record great sounding alternative-rock. Formed in 2007, the group have toured internationally and released several top-billed records. Songwriting duties are shared between the band, Kieran, Gallagher, and Falender. Originally recorded at Data Studios in Kerry, the mix sat on a shelf until a recent addition of vocals from Kieran made the master. With lockdown meaning the tours had to be put on hold, the band had a chance to revisit some older material and add the finishing touches. This latest single is a small taste of what is going to be a fantastic return to the live music scene.


It begins with chunky electric guitar that swells with reverb and distortion. Heavy drums are added, they pound and roll on the bass-line that threads like ribbon through the mix. Vocals begin, a verse opens out and the music rises to meet the groove. As it progresses, blues licks play out to a heightening of tone in the vocal melody. The chorus meets us in the middle and shows the power of the band. It begins to calm down as the next verse ensues, build-up progressive guitars hint at the energy waiting to be unleashed. Here it is again, as the chorus finds new areas of exploration that lead into a melodic middle-eight. Inventive composition and a perfect balance between each instrument, the music hits us with a rock n roll energy and a subtle complexity that demonstrates a true craft.


You can visit Ugly Beautiful on Instagram


and Facebook


Find the music on Spotify


and Bandcamp

Frankie Carvalho
Sandstorm (feat. Amy Di Bartolomeo)


When Frankie Carvalho first broke the scene, it was when she wrote a poem about COVID and the suffering it causes both directly and indirectly. She soon turned the popular ode into a song that became her first single at the age of 74! With all the money going to charity, the release was Frankie's way of saying thank you to all who do vital work that never stops. The much deserved success from this project inspired Frankie Carvalho to go one step further and record a handful of tracks to put on a single release. The EP that followed is called Sandstorm and this eponymous track is the second single from the record.


Beautiful guitar begins the music with structures of chords picked out into a bouncing composition. Amy Di Bartomolmeo begins to sing, the words are about love and feelings taking us over. A drum enters, pounding on the bar with rhythmic clarity. It breaks for the chorus which washes across like the sandstorm of emotion it describes. As the chorus comes round again, keyboards fill in the spaces even further with a rich melodic harmony.


Progressive and empathic, Sandstorm is a beautiful track.


You can follow Frankie Carvalho on Twitter


Instagram


and Facebook