RELEASE RADAR: Edwina van Kuyk - 'Hurt For Me'

Edwina van Kuyk is an Irish/Dutch pop-soul artist residing in County Limerick. Today she releases her very first single, 'Hurt for Me' which is an acoustic pop-soul track featuring her soulful vocals and rich harmonies intwined with piano and cello. A little reminiscent of Gabrielle Alpin: ‘Miss You - Piano Version’ in tone and nostalgia, this poignant track was composed and arranged by the artist herself during the initial lockdown period of the pandemic.

Edwina collaborated far and wide for this project. From her hometown in Limerick, to the UK, and even New Zealand. 50% of the proceeds of the track from 2020 will go directly to MASI (The Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland).

When asked about her inspiration behind ‘HURT FOR ME’, Edwina stated honestly: "I find myself feeling helpless much of the time because of what is going on in the world right now. I want to help bring awareness and raise funds for charities such as MASI which are providing support to those in direct provision. However big or small, I would like to contribute. And if I can use my music to do that, even better."

Check out her newest single below, available on all streaming platforms.

RELEASE RADAR: CLAIRE Z - 'MEET AGAIN'

Singer-songwriter Claire Z has been on our radar ever since 2017, when she and her band swept us away at our live event in the BelloBar. This year she's set to release her talent to a wider audience in the form of her first album, 'Between The Sun and The Moon'. Her third release of the album is modern break-up ballad 'Meet Again', which will be live on all platforms on October 21st.

'Meet Again' is a lo-fi, high quality track that explores the loss of a relationship from a place of calm inquisition. It lacks, in all the right ways, the chaos that often lingers in the background of such songs, and the result is a smooth and refreshing musical experience. Upon listening, we find ourselves transported to a dimly lit jazz bar that, like in the movies, comes alive in the glow of a one-woman performance. It is this chilling quality along with a smooth guitar riff and sensual vocals, that captures a moment and demands we be fully present in it. And this is exactly what Claire Z aims to achieve with every song on her highly-anticipated first album.

Claire Z is the talent we find at that sweet spot where sass meets sophistication, power meets charm, Amy Winehouse meets Norah Jones. She is a dreamy soul sensation who, through her music, is injecting some much needed tranquility into a time of unbending chaos.

Written by Aoife Chaney

RELEASE RADAR: 'You Told Me' - Malaki, Gemma Bradley

Dublin-born hip hop artist Malaki has just released the latest installment of his 'Cocoon' project, and this time he's got Gemma Bradley (The X Collective) alongside him. 'You Told Me' is a RNB infused hip hop melody with clean production, dreamy vocals, and an important message.

The track approaches the topic of mental health from the perspective of a male in isolation, which is a conversation that's needed in more ways than one. It plays out like a stream of consciousness, with pristinely produced background music that flows like fluid with the pace of the vocals. Through his story and the smooth rap he tells it through, Malaki succeeds in making music that is a raw and honest reflection of the times.

Gemma Bradley is a welcomed interruption, taking centre stage for the chorus and bringing warmth to the track. Gemma's strong and sensual female vocals make for a balanced finished product, one that establishes easy listening while addressing a difficult topic. The collaborative effort between the two diverse artists is evident in the steady flow of the track, and is another example of how art can overcome the boundaries of isolation.

The track, through its overall message and the style in which it is delivered, leaves us feeling nostalgic for our youth, reflective of the present, and hopeful for the future. It reminds us that while we are alive, to keep breathing and keep believing. And to do so in the company of dreamy, inventive, and diverse Irish music.

THE X COLLECTIVE'S FIRST RELEASE BRINGS YOU 'COLLIDE' FROM ZAPHO, TOLU MAKAY, JENNY BROWNE - 'COLLIDE'

Last month Oíche Events launched The X Collective, a new creative production platform with music and artistic expression at its core. The collective is the first of its kind in the Irish music scene and will release a range of exciting musical collaborations between it's artists and creatives. The first of these collaborations is COLLIDE from ZAPHO, TOLÜ MAKAY & JENNY BROWNE, and the track is tangible proof of the pocket of unrivalled Irish talent we've got store for you.

Typical of songwriter-producer, ZAPHO's style is the tendency to breakdown social and musical barriers through her eclectic and refined craft. COLLIDE began as a seed of an idea in ZAPHO's mind, and then grew alongside TOLÜ's powerful vocal talent and the theme of self-love and empowerment that is evident in her music. Spoken-word artist, JENNY BROWNE's part in the collaboration sees the track evolve even further into one that is poetic, diverse, and set apart from the crowd. The three artists combined are unstoppable, and the fruit of their collaboration, electrifying.

COLLIDE is packed with strength and passion in both it's sound and concept, which is reflective of the women who bring it to life with their multifaceted talent. The lyrics read like poetry at times and like a modern love ballad at others. A steady and seductive beginning gives way to a faster and funkier sound as the track progresses, and trails off again at the finish with a poetic idiom of spoken word.

Through powerful lyrics and the dreamy production behind them we ride the waves of a new and forbidden love. The relationship is between two women who, on the surface, are uncertain of their emotions and unable to fully manifest them. But beneath the surface, on the soul level, love transcends the social constructs that are holding them back. They surrender to the moment and their souls collide. COLLIDE is a musical experience in which we are at once flying, falling, and floating. We are hooked from the beginning and remain so until the very end, as if in a musical daydream.

Without initially intending to be, COLLIDE is a track that is reflective of the world we are living in today. It was recorded during lock-down, with artists collaborating virtually across county and country borders. It is also being released during gay pride month and amidst the Black Lives Matter movement, and is therefore a reminder to oppressed minorities that music and love will always be in your corner. There is much work to be done in this time of change, growth, and uncertainty. And to do that work we need to join forces, to pool our resources - to collide.

Label: Welcome To The New World

Written by Aoife Chaney

RELEASE RADAR: ZAPHO - 'FIGHT ME'

FIGHT ME is the latest release from singer/songwriter and producer, Zapho. She brings us this fresh and funky track carrying a blend of both traditional and alternative styles allowing it to appeal to a wide audience while at the same time tapping into a musically diverse niche. It is powerful in it's strong female vocals, complex instrumentation, and overall musical concept.

The track is upbeat at first with an infectious hook and clean, sultry lyrics. We are introduced to a fun track we can bop to and a character we can party with. But with ecstasy there is always a comedown. Soon, ZAPHO’s clever production introduces a more sombre undertone, and we begin to see and hear the darker, but equally as satisfying side of the track. 

What does remain consistent throughout is ZAPHO's charming vocals, seductive lyrics, polished musicianship, and ability to captivate us entirely with her bold musical concept. 

The song tells the story of a woman who is strong, both physically and in character. She is a hustler sitting confidently at the top of her game, respected and adored by all with money in the bank and a celebrity-like persona to uphold. She is also, more significantly, an underdog with a queer aesthetic and an LGBT influence, a character who sets herself apart from the mainstream and the traditional. FIGHT ME, like all of ZAPHO's music to date, is a song packed with musical talent, sophisticated production, and a forward-thinking and under-represented concept. 

This is typical of ZAPHO's overall vibe and key to the narrative she is challenging, one song at a time. As a female songwriter and producer, ZAPHO herself is part of a minority within the Irish music scene. FIGHT ME, on another level, represents female empowerment and drives the point home that anyone can have that fighter blood in them.

The music that ZAPHO writes, produces, and performs is a manifestation of her unique artistic vision. She aims to create a movement and open up a dialogue on the topics that are often pushed aside, and she does this by packing her ideas and her musical talent into ear-tickling songs that demand our attention. 

You might think that all of this focus on the concept takes away from the music itself, but in truth ZAPHO has an eye for detail that is applied to every ounce of the finished product. The music is never compromised, only complemented further by the powerful force behind it, and the result is a captivating musical experience. 

Written by Aoife Chaney

RELEASE RADAR: ELKAE - 'CONFLICTUS'

After the successful launch of her summer single ‘I Feel’, ELKAE is back with another notable release. ‘Conflictus’ was revealed to the eager music community on Friday morning and has since made its way onto GoldenPlec, The Last Mixed Tape, IMRO and Spotify’s ‘New Music Friday’ playlist where it will grab the attention of over 700,000 worldwide listeners. The powerful love ballad sees electro-pop sensation ELKAE bearing her soul to her ever-growing audience as she navigates a messy and uncertain relationship, her raw and honest lyrics playing out in an internal struggle between dreamy idealism and painful reality.

As always ELKAE’s soulful voice takes centre stage on the track and with it she bounces between ranges and styles, pushing it to its sky-high limits. Standing out alongside her captivating vocals is a soothing piano that chimes throughout and soothes the ominous tone of the track, leaving the listener experiencing a whirlwind of emotions, which is exactly what great music intends to do. Catch ELKAE at Bello Bar, Dublin for her launch on October 19th and experience all that this exceptional single has to offer in a live performance.

Written by Aoife Chaney

RELEASE RADAR: NABI AIR - 'FLAVORLESS'

Nabi Air are a producer and singer duo consisting of Yoonha and Deric. Their latest release, “FLAVORLESS” is a smooth and dreamy track, featuring a wave of indie electro-pop sounds. It combes smooth electronic production and sultry vocals which draws listeners in an electrifying yet sentimental atmosphere.

Their music takes influences from their diverse tastes across the musical spectrum including electronica, downtempo, contemporary R&B, and hip hop. In the pursuit of their musical vision, Nabi Air hopes to act as a point of contact that bridges diverse genres, cultures, perspectives, and experiences.

RELEASE RADAR: OSCAR JEROME - ‘GRAVITATE’

Fresh off the back of a run of UK dates supporting Kamasi Washington and an Annie Mac Presents show with IAMDDB at Jazz Cafe, Oscar Jerome is today sharing his latest single ‘Gravitate’ – the South London artist’s first release since signing to Caroline International – as well as news of a lengthy European tour later this year that will culminate in his biggest headliner to date at London’s Heaven. Taking inspiration from the sounds of British broken beat and featuring Joe Armon-Jones on piano and several of his fellow band-members in afrobeat ensemble Kokoroko, ‘Gravitate’ arrives alongside a video of Oscar and his current band of collaborators performing the track live in the studio. You can check out the video, directed by CHILD, here.

The new single and accompanying video see Oscar Jerome at his best, his Trinity Laban Conservatoire training shining through in a way that's usually reserved for his exuberant, all-out live show. In the track Oscar delivers his jangly, shimmering guitar against a sun-soaked backdrop of jazzy keys, lush vocal harmonies and a gloriously polyrhythmic percussion section that drives the track from start to finish. Oscar says of the track: “This pays homage to a lot of the pioneers of the British broken beats genre as well as a lot of my soul, jazz and rock influences. The subject matter is both cosmic and personal. I reference a lot of imagery of the early life of a star in space as well as ideas of individuality and self-acceptance.”

Shouting out his collaborators and discussing the origin of ‘Gravitate’, Oscar says: “This is a tune I started writing with beat maker Ben Hauke which slowly worked its way into a much more live sounding piece after we experimented with it a lot on stage with the band and producer Beni Giles got involved. Special mention to Ayo Salawu [Kokoroko] for playing that drum beat so good! It also features Joe Armon-Jones [Ezra Collective] on piano, Crispin Spry on percussion, as well as George Riley, Sheila Maurice-Grey [Kokoroko] and Richie Seivwright [Kokoroko] on vocals.”

It’s been quite the few years for Oscar Jerome; through a steady release of singles and EPs he’s gone on to clock up considerable airtime and playlisting from the likes of 6 Music, Radio 1 and 1Xtra and become something of a mainstay of the London jazz scene, collaborating with peers in Ezra Collective, Sons of Kemet and Binker & Moses and consistently playing to sold-out crowds across the capital, including at such venues as Corsica Studios, Ghost Notes, Village Underground and most-recently EartH. On top of that he’s been busy taking to stages across the rest of the UK, Europe and the US too. With the Kamasi Washington tour behind him and a 15-date EU tour in his sights – as well as with the recent signing to Caroline International, who all but signed him on the spot after catching him play at this year’s SXSW – it’s clear that Oscar is only just getting started.