Please Support Your Local Future Star
by Cormac McCarthy
Cork has always had its fair share of music culture, considering the entire history of the city. The county itself is host to over 100 music festivals, both large and small, from the Jazz festival to Indiependence to the Clonakilty Guitar Festival. Its no surprise that people flock from all over the world to hear the city’s diverse range of melodies and rhythms. It boasts music legends such as Rory Gallagher, Seán Ó Riada and Margaret Barry. We have been waiting for a long time for the next generation to emerge and find itself. I mean, we can’t let Dublin win this one now, can we?
The next generation has threatened to emerge and has always bubbled under the surface. It’s time for it to emerge. Until now. (That’s my “Go Tobann” moment.)
Under your nose right now is a roster of artists who really do have the potential, talent, bravado, and the know-how to truly become household names.In terms of the Rock scene, there’s artists such as The Love Buzz, The Drive and The Clifford’s. The Love Buzz have managed to create their own modern blend of alt-rock and rip-roaring hooks played with an almost frenetic pace. They have managed to capture their own niche in the market, having played their fair share of festivals., including Electric Picnic last weekend. Alongside them in the EP lineup were The Clifford’s, with singer Iona, whose pop-aligned voice works well with their heavier music arrangement. The Drive are another up-and-coming group, with their darker sound managing to sound like a cross between The Stone Roses and Jarvis Cocker.
Artists like Rua Rí, Sarah Hickey and Emmo have also managed to brew their own idiosyncratic mixtures of genres. Rua Rí’s five track EP, Shepherd’s Delight, is truly a delight. Track’s such as “River” And “Shepherd’s Delight” are perfect folk and blues ballads. Its like Hozier had only ever written variations of Cherry Wine for his whole career and added a lovely ethereal touch.
Speaking of an ethereal touch, singer-songwriter Sarah Hickey certainly has it, with a fantastic sound that is as varied as it is energetic. Her latest single “Looking for Trouble” is a moody, Fiona Apple inspired chronicle of living as a young woman in Ireland, whereas her song “Free” is a far more upbeat song that drips with essences of The Beatles.
Emmo, as well, is another artist who is sure to take over the world at some point. Having already been featured on RTE’s “Behind the Music” and on the German Songwriters Awards in Berlin, he has also played on the BBC’s “I Can See Your Voice”. His style can be similar to that of The Head and the Heart at times while also switching to a style more reminiscent of James Blake or Ed Sheeran.
Last but by no means least, Jess Smyth, who goes by her stage name “Biig Piig” needs no introduction. While officially raised in Spain, Biig Piig was very much born in Cork. Having a whopping 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify, she has completely blown up over the past two years and released her fourth EP last year to resounding acclaim. She is a competent rapper and singer with an ability to lean into bedroom pop and sound more Maggie Rogers than Maggie herself with “Sunny” and “Remedy”. She also leans towards a more hip-hop/R&B focused genre songs such as “Oh NO” and her collab with Emotional Oranges “Body & Soul”.
While these artists themselves are all extremely talented, it is up to us, the paying audience, to support them and encourage them to continue to create and evolve. Seeing the big artists live is fantastic, but how exciting would it be to go see an artist do an open mic night one evening and then, three years down the line, they become globally famous. All because you saw them play that song for the very first time.
Go on. Give them a go.