Elaine Mai

PADDY HANNABlessed with a sharply defined, neatly uplifting chorus and some biting, Elvis Costello style lyrics it's a neat introduction to a curious talent" ClashHanna's sophomore album will be released via Strange Brew Rekkids. Following on from the singles Bad Boys and Mario Lanza, Hanna continues with an orchestral element to his music, along with contributions from members of Girl Band, Saint Sister, Tandem Felix, Cian Nugent and the Cosmos and the Trinity Orchestra.The new album solidifies Paddy Hanna's position as one of modern pop's premier songwriters, pitching him right up alongside everyone from Meilyr Jones, to Arab Strap, to Richard Hawley.One of the most promising young songwriters in Ireland StereogumBarnstorming NMEDAITHIDaithi is an electronic music producer obsessed by the culture of Ireland. The two time choice award nominee combines nature recordings, old Irish samples and analog synths to create a unique type of house music that's soaked in Irish culture. A mainstay in the Irish gigging scene, his live show is an improvised performance, creating on the spot dance music using synths, drum machines and live fiddle. Last year, Daithi found a forgotten recording of his grandmother, where she talked about how she met her husband, and what it was like living in the west of Ireland for the past 90 years. Daithi sampled this recording to create 'Mary Keanes Introduction', a track which captured the imagination of millions of Irish people across the world, and became one of the most successful Irish singles that year, staying no.1 in the spotify viral charts for 6 weeks. It proved Daithi's mantra on music: Every sample should have a back story, and every song should be personal. ELAINE MAI"One of the tunes of the festival has to be Elaine Mai's remix of Wicked Game. It absolutely killed the Body&Soul main stage on Saturday night." Best tune of Electric Picnic 2017 (Irish Times Culture)Since starting out as a solo performer in 2011, Irish artist Elaine Mai has been crafting a reputation for atmospheric and melodic electronic music. She follows up the release of 'Enniscrone', the first track taken from her upcoming EP with the title track 'The Colour of the Night'. A deeply personal track for Elaine, the song builds and builds until Elaine's voice enters, offering salvation and respite from the introspective sound of what had proceeded.SLOW PLACE LIKE HOMEBased in Donegal, SPLH is the brainchild of producer Keith Mannion - the new album, When I See You...Ice Cream! was one of 2017's finestA tour de force of everyman ennui - The Sunday TimesWhen I See You Ice Cream! is a record that clearly isn't playing ball. But it mirrors a certain outsider mettle and mindset that has set Slow Place Like Home that little bit apart from his more industry-minded peers. One of the Irish albums of the past year, at the very - least. - The Quietus."Some songs here you could actually dance to, others are more for spacing out, but there's not a single dud in this collection. This is sweet-tasting ice cream indeed... with sonic sprinkles." - Hot Press Magazine. "Sumptuous offerings, from a candid, yet bizarre musical source, Mannion twists the knife with his three-dimensional hooks" - NME magazine.One of the albums of the year, without doubt." - Dan Hegarty, RTE 2FM."The project of Keith Mannion has morphed from bedroom electronic project to a full live band in recent years and new album When I See YouIce Cream! is affirmation of his new inclusive ethos." - Nialler9.