Maija Sofia with support from Meabh McKenna at The Good Room at Coughlans in Cork. Photos by Erin Plaice
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Galway singer-songwriter Maija Sofia’s debut, 2019’s Bath Time, was a rare gem, arriving in a haze of stirring narratives and intimate musicality. Four years later, she swings the lens away from history’s wronged women, towards herself. Here, she is not a compassionate historian – she is a protagonist filled with pain, anger, love and passion. Early single ‘Four Winters’ is an avant-garde pop ballad that marries figurative imagery with plainspoken references to sexual violence and direct imploring. This mode switching builds intimacy and depth. Sofia’s self-expression is complex and volatile, much like life is for a 20-something-year-old woman – her…
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It’s an insanely abundant Bandcamp Friday here in Ireland. Delve into essential LPs by Natalia Beylis, Maija Sofia and Crying Loser, and new stellar releases by Problem Patterns, The Mary Wallopers, Moot Tapes’ latest and much more Natalia Beylis – Mermaids Mermaids by Natalia Beylis Maija Sofia – True Love True Love by Maija Sofia Crying Loser – Oaf Milk Oaf Milk by Crying Loser Problem Patterns – Lesbo 3000 / Poverty Tourist Lesbo 3000 / Poverty Tourist by Problem Patterns Elaine Howley/Linda Buckley – Moot Tapes: Signs of Life Part 6 Signs of Life: Part 6 by Elaine Howley/Linda…
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It’s a stacked week for Irish music, with some new music from some of the best names around, including Maija Sofia, Jape, The Mary Wallopers, Kojaque, Nealo, Sweetlemondae, Moondiver and more. The Mary Wallopers – Wexford Maija Sofia – Telling The Bees Space Shepherds – What Fabric? What Fabric? by Space Shepherds Sweetlemondae – Turn The World Jape – Heal These Wounds Kojaque – Bambi (Feat. Gotts Street Park) Connor McCann – I Believe Al Reddan – Galtee Mountain Boy Galtee Mountain Boy by al reddan Moondiver – When U Land moondiver · When U Land Nealo & Jehnova – Tears…
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It’s Friday again so that means another very excellent week of new releases from the likes of Aoife Wolf, Slouch, Maija Sofia, Pat Lagoon, Finnian, Paddy Hanna and more Aoife Wolf – A Ringing in the Ear Slouch – I Got This Job Because I’m Too Stupid To Steal I GOT THIS JOB BECAUSE I'M TOO STUPID TO STEAL by SLOUCH Paddy Hanna – Nightmares Maija Sofia – Four Winters Thom Southern – Let Someone Else In Caoilian Sherlock – The Wheels Come Off Teenage Jesus Album by Caoilian Sherlock Pat Lagoon – Carousel Connor McCann – Lady Rest Jake…
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It feels like a small lifetime ago Galway artist Maija Sofia released her Choice Prize-nominated debut album Bath Time. As Dominic Edge precisely put it in his TTA review at the time: “It’s incredible that such diligence and exquisite craft arrive on a debut, and it’s a fact you have to constantly remind yourself throughout Bath Time. Timeless, poignant and evocative, this is an incredible breakthrough moment.” Fast-forward to mid-2023 and Maija has, blessedly, lifted the veil on its long-awaited follow-up. Set for release via TULLE Collective on 1st September, the ten-track True Love features, beyond Maija herself, some familiar names, including Chris Barry and Solamh…
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Secret Song took place at Levis Corner House in Ballydehob featuring live performances and spoken word from Susan O’Neill, Seba Safe, Maija Sofia, Stephen James Smith, Daithi, Niamh Regan, Declan O’Donovan and more. Photos by John Sheehy Click here to purchase tickets to the Secret Song Online Show, where the entire event and behind the scenes footage has been recorded and available to view from 10th October.
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Day Two at Night & Day Festival at Clonalis House in Co. Roscommon featuring live performances from Orla Gartland, Soda Blonde, Maija Sofia, Jealous of the Birds, Cathy Davey, Houseplants, Arlene and more. Photos by Ian Davies
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Sharon Van Etten live at Vicar Street in Dublin with support from L’rain and at Cyprus Avenue the following night for Cork Midsummer Festival with support from Maija Sofia. Photos by Aaron Corr and Celeste Burdon. Vicar Street in Dublin by Aaron Corr Cyprus Avenue in Cork by Celeste Burdon
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Islander have announced details of the fourth outing for Cork winter festival, Quiet Lights. Set to return to various venues in the city across 18th-21st November, this year’s bill is another brilliantly curated affair featuring Lisa O’Neill, Junior Brother, Maija Sofia, Joshua Burnside, Trá Pháidín, Brigid Mae Power, Niamh Regan and more. Check out the full line-up below. “After losing out on hosting Quiet Lights by mere days due to renewed restrictions last year, we are excited (and a little nervous) to be bringing our little festival back to Cork this year,” said festival director Jonathan Pearson. “We’re very proud…