Mar 16, 2016
It's St Patrick's Day! We thought it to be the perfect time to celebrate some of our favorite Irish musicians.
You’re not gonna find U2 on this list. Or Van Morrison. It is entirely jig-free, and good luck finding a fiddle anywhere on here. That’s not to say all those things aren’t Irish-- they are; but their unanimous outside associations with Irish culture has put Irish music in a box that does not represent the full picture. The small country possesses a much greater diversity than it is often given credit for. This list embodies that variety, as it is a bit of everything-- folk, hip hop, indie electronic, singer-songwriter, and rock. Who knows, maybe one of the artists below could be the next Hozier.
Villagers
Villagers is the indie folk solo project of Dublin native Conor O’Brien, who teams with a full band for his live act. Their albums Becoming a Jackal and Darling Arithmetic both went straight to number one on the Irish albums chart upon each release. But their success has not been solely Ireland-bound. Villagers has garnered enough attention to grant the group opportunities to join the likes of Neil Young, Tracy Chapman, Laura Marling, and Grizzly Bear on tour.
Rejjie Snow
Dublin rapper Alex Anyaegbunam, aka Rejjie Snow (formerly Lecs Luther), has become more and more of an internet sensation of late. His songs “1992” and “Lost in Empathy” have both accrued over one million views on YouTube. The rapper has even landed impressive gigs supporting huge names such as Kendrick Lamar and MF DOOM. Young Rej’ is currently working on his debut album, Dear Annie.
SOAK
At the ripe age of 19, county Derry songwriter Bridie Monds-Watson is already cooler than you. In 2014, CHVRCHES invited the singer to record an EP for their label Goodbye Records. A few weeks back, SOAK won the Irish Choice Music Prize Album of the Year 2015 for her album Before We Forgot How to Dream. She comments that her stage name, SOAK, both spells “kaos” in reverse and is also a cross between the genres “soul” and “folk.” And soulful folk she is.
Jape
Jape is a solo musical project that comes a little out of left field for Richie Egan, former frequenter of Dublin hardcore punk scenes. Jape remains a bit of a hidden gem, with less than 10,000 Facebook likes to date. Jape is a little folk, a little electronic, a little rock, a little hard to pin down. He notes Beck as an influence, who defies genres in similar ways. “Floating,” a song off 2007 album The Monkeys In The Zoo Have More Fun Than Me, struck a chord in musician Brandon Benson, who went on to frequently cover the tune on tour with the Raconteurs.
September Girls
Dublin garage pop outfit September Girls is an all female group composed of five friends. They look to shoegaze artists such as fellow Dubliners My Bloody Valentine for inspiration to give their garage rock a dreamy edge. The group are currently playing at Austin’s SXSW while on a tour of the U.S.
Can’t get enough? Check out these honorable mentions:
Rosie Carney
Damien Dempsey
Saint Sister
Wyvern Lingo
Young Wonder
Jet Setter
Hare Squead
EMBRZ
Little Green Cars
DOTT
Ham Sandwich
Southern
Delorentos
Pleasure Beach
Silences
Tandem Felix
Ivy Nations
Sorcha Richardson
Girl Band
Talos
IMAGE: NME