MUIREANN BRADLEY SHARES NEW SINGLE
HEADLINES MOTH CLUB TONIGHT FOR FÉILE MOTH
(CURATED BY FONTAINES D.C.’S TOM COLL)
“A teenage artist with an old soul” – CLASH
Following a breakthrough couple of years that have seen her captivate audiences around the world with her extraordinary interpretations of traditional folk and blues songs, Muireann Bradley shares her new original single ‘Not Going Back’ via Fontana/Verve Forecast. Listen / Watch here.
Muireann says, “Not Going Back’ is my latest original track, which sees me playing with a full rhythm section and exploring a sound that moves away from the bluesier influences in my songwriting. While I still love performing solo, like many of my heroes, having a rhythm section frees me from having to be the drummer and bass player too, allowing me to focus more on my vocals and melodic guitar playing. The track was written in the studio with my fantastic producer, Declan Gaffney, and the brilliant Wildes (Ella Walker). We clicked immediately, and the collaboration felt incredibly natural and positive. I think that energy really shines through in the finished recording.”
The track heralds the beginning of a significant new chapter for the 19-year-old Donegal musician. While many first discovered her through the acclaimed debut album I Kept These Old Blues and subsequent EP Rose Dogs, ‘Not Going Back’ showcases a growing confidence in Muireann’s own voice as both a writer and storyteller; rather than solely interpreting the experiences and perspectives of others through her covers, she is increasingly turning her attention towards her own observations, experiences and outlook. The reverence for traditional music remains, but these songs are no longer just windows into another era, they are increasingly reflections of Muireann herself and ultimately capture an artist coming into her own.
Away from the studio, Muireann has continued to build an impressive live reputation. She has been selected by Fontaines D.C. drummer Tom Coll and the team at Broadside Hacks to headline the Irish music and culture festival Féile MOTH at London’s MOTH Club tonight (stage time 8:30PM). Recent highlights also include supporting Brooke Combe at KOKO and joining Jeff Goldblum on select live dates. At the end of last year, Muireann headlined The Lexington and performed as part of the star-studded Harvest Moon Gathering in California alongside Neil Young, Lana Del Rey and Beck. Festivals-wise, she opened Green Man Festival’s main stage to a huge audience, and appeared at festivals including The Great Escape, Bearded Theory and End Of The Road. Full list of confirmed live dates detailed below.
Still just 19, Muireann has already established herself as one of the most compelling young musicians to emerge from Ireland in recent years, with a talent that belies her age. Raised in County Donegal, she first picked up the guitar at the age of nine after being inspired by her father’s record collection. Her remarkable ability to inhabit songs written decades before she was born quickly drew widespread attention, culminating in stunning performances on national TV on Jools Holland’s Hootenanny, The Late Late Show, and a debut album that became a sought-after collector’s item – with its first pressing selling out completely.
See Muireann Bradley live:
26th June – Féile MOTH @ MOTH Club, London, UK
27th June – State Fayre Festival, Chelmsford, UK
28th June – Gather @ Festival, Waterfoot, UK
10th July – Clonmel Junction Arts Festival, Tipperary, Ireland
28th August – The Long Road Festival, Leicestershire, UK
1st August – All Together Now Festival, Ireland
4th September – Harvest Time Blues Festival, Ireland
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