Since 2021, Soft Gut Song Camp has emerged as a wonderfully unique initiative to unlock the collaborative potential of artists, songwriters, and producers on the island of Ireland.
Held at Julie McLarnon’s world-beating analogue recording studio, Analogue Catalogue, in rural Rathfriland, Co. Down, it has sealed its status as a sanctuary for genre-spanning songwriters from every corner of the island.
Brian Coney reflects on time spent at its most recent edition in late June, highlighting the singular sense of creative solidarity that he witnessed at the camp.
All photos by Graham Maree
Back in the mists of time—2021—a spark ignited a special thing: the inaugural Soft Gut Song Camp. Since then, it has swiftly evolved to become a sanctuary of musical collaboration on these shores.
Building on the success of its previous editions, the second camp of 2024 returned to the hallowed—wonderfully secluded—grounds of Julie McLarnon’s Analogue Catalogue Recording Studios in Rathfriland in late June. It was there, in tucked-away studios, with roaming donkeys beyond its walls, that it underscored its status as a game-changer for unlocking the collaborative power of songwriters and producers across Ireland.
Soft Gut’s pedigree has long spoken for itself: past participants include acclaimed artists like Eve Belle, ROE, Joel Harkin, and Niall McDowell, alongside celebrated producers such as Chris Ryan (Robocobra Quartet) and Carl Small, who returned in June. Its formula is straightforward yet, in its own supreme way, revolutionary: a multi-day retreat that brings together songwriters and producers from diverse genres, genders, and experience levels to connect, collaborate, and innovate. On paper, it’s an exceptional concept; in practice it is, as I was to learn in person, nothing short of extraordinary.
Nikki MacRae and Ciaran Lavery
The brainchild of one of the north’s all-time finest songwriters, Ciaran Lavery, and music industry expert Nikki MacRae, the camp has spent the last three years pushing forward as a singular cornerstone of the island’s musical community. With its vision to create a nurturing environment that fosters new, creative partnerships and builds a supportive network, I saw how a meticulously curated balance of three producers and six songwriters can play out, ensuring an inclusive atmosphere where collaboration feels perfectly placed to thrive.
For me, the presence of acclaimed recording engineer and producer Julie McLarnon greatly enhanced the spirit of the experience. With a world-class résumé that includes recording everyone from Jeffrey Lewis, King Creosote, and Lankum, to Junior Brother, The Vaselines, Brigid Mae Power, and myriad others, her expertise was invaluable. While this edition’s producers at hand were masterfully hands-on, her guidance—and presence—felt inextricable from the magic of the world-beating studio she helms in rural County Down.
L-R: J Shields, Cian Sweeney, Anthony Layde
Analogue Catalogue, nestled among rolling fields in Rathfriland, serves as a singular haven for the Soft Gut pursuit. There’s something in this milieu, beyond the bustle of city life, that engenders a profound sense of unity—an all-too-rare magic where relative isolation, paired with creative solidarity, meant participants lost themselves fully in the process.
This year’s camp was particularly special, as it marked the penultimate camp of 2024. Soft Gut is teaming up with IMRO throughout the year. Working alongside Ireland’s leading performing and copyright agency and a constant champion of creatives in Ireland and worldwide, Soft Gut is privileged to strengthen its ethos of cultivating and supporting a community of music creators with IMRO’s support.
Chipzel
The camp’s M.O. is perfectly simple: assemble a genre-spanning group of producers and artists, each with their unique style and career trajectory, and encourage them to collaborate on two songs per group. Without question, the brilliance of this approach lies in its ability to foster an organic spirit. While success was never guaranteed, it fully transpired. With it, the genuine sense of camaraderie and mutual respect among participants—each on their own path—felt equal parts palpable and inspiring.
With talent brimming at the seams, the cast of this year’s camp were heroes all. There was artist, video game composer, and Chiptune pioneer Niamh Houston, aka Chipzel, one of several participating acts whose work many will be well aware of. There was writer, producer, and art-pop vocalist J SHIELDS, whose voice soared in an extraordinary collaboration with the equally exceptional Anthony Layde and Cork artist/producer Cian Sweeney, aka 1000 Beasts. These artists, alongside trailblazing Belfast producer Optmst, songwriter Jacob McCollum, PTRNS vocalist Nicole Smyth, the hotly-tipped Lauren White, and Co. Donegal powerhouse LÁRA, turned up, sat down with fellow strangers, and dreamt up original music that, to any ear, is testament to some immense talent.
L-R: Optmst, Jacob McCollum, LÁRA
Whether watching the magic unfurl as a fly on the wall or chatting with the participants about their careers as artists to date, my own experience in the latter half of the weekend left a dent. Simply seeing the alchemy of collaboration between artists pushing their creative boundaries felt like watching the beating heart of why we do this whole thing—as artists, producers, and music industry professionals. Sitting back with a cup of tea to watch the completion of tracks that, if justice prevails, will help showcase these artists’ talents to the world, was a privilege.
Leaving Rathfriland, after seeing just how close this group had become in such a short period of time, was confirmation that Soft Gut Song Camp is more than just a musical retreat; it’s a testament to the power of creative risk-taking and the shared conviction of its participants. This kind of mutual respect, and with the right combination of individuals steering the ship, creates an environment where extraordinary music can flourish. In the day-and-a-half I spent in the studio, I saw the collaborative power of artists emerging as if fully formed, like the core of a whole scene being revealed in its purest form. Take a bow, one and all. Brian Coney
Keep up to date with all things Soft Gut Song Camp here
L-R: Nikki MacRae, Ciaran Lavery, Carl Small, Cian Sweeney, Anthony Layde, Nicole Smyth, Jacob McCollum, Optmst, Lauren White, Julie McLarnon, Chipzel, J Shields, LÁRA
