When Robb Murphy releases something new, we know that we’re going to be treated to the best that Belfast’s contemporary folk scene has to offer. He’s known for the meaning behind the music. Whether its April Fool’s Day fun or the nostalgia of prom-days, Murphy has a habit of creating tunes that resonate with real life. “Sleep Tonight” follows this […]

Place a Belfast-born folk-singer-songwriter into Italy for the summer and what do you get? The answer is an uplifting, pop melody that transports us into ‘Dolce far niente’ – the sweetness of doing nothing. “Italian Dreams” is that song, from the pen and studio of Robb Murphy, and we’re delighted to premiere it, along with a beautifully quirky animated lyric […]

Since 2015, we have asked independent artists to share their favorite memories from their time at SXSW. In just a couple of years, this project has become one of our most popular features thanks to the growing interests of bands and singers from around the world. Forty-five artists participated in this year’s edition, including Ciaran Lavery. Belfast’s folk-rock singer-songwriter with […]

Since 2015, we have asked independent artists to share their favorite memories from their time at SXSW. In just a couple of years, this project has become one of our most popular features thanks to the growing interests of bands and singers from around the world. Forty-five artists participated in this year’s edition, including Belfast, Ireland’s New Portals. Compared to […]

This year has witnessed the rise of ethereal folk music, which sees artists apply subtle electronic textures with the intimacy of folk music. The popularity of this genre can be attributed to artists realizing that electronic music can emotionally move an individual and that a song’s lyrics can still be the driving force behind any genre. Earlier this year, Milk […]

  Maybe we should have saved this for our weekly CoverBack Thursday feature, but this one was too good to pass up. Released last week, Belfast, Ireland singer-songwriter Lilla Vargen‘s cover of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Don’t Forget Me” is absolutely stunning. Applying a folk-pop approach, Vargen’s piano-based version feels more vulnerable and tender than the original. The smokiness in […]

On Tuesday, Belfast’s Go Wolf will release their new EP, Running. From that album, “Friction” is an 80s-esque, pop tune that has the great things we love about ’80s music – catchy, danceable, and just utterly cheesy awesomeness (and that’s a good thing). The entire album is chalked with songs that reflect the pop music of that era. Running will […]