Miriam Donohue – Irish Band Of The Week

Galwegian Miriam Donohue is quickly making a name for herself in the capital; drawing on an array of musicians for her inspirations (including Paul Simon, Suzanne Vega, and Regina Spektor), her music is a charming blend modern folk, pop and jazz with a hauntingly beautiful voice. Donohue prides herself on her ability to tell stories and personal experiences with her music, carefully crafting songs with her velveteen vocals. Upon the release of her debut album, Paperscapes, in December of last year, she has gone on to collect a series of critical nods for her work. Most notably, she was listed for an Irish Choice Music Award for Best Album of 2016, it came as no surprised that her freshman work should received such acclaim given the dedication and effort that became the bedrock for the album, with Gavin Glass recording and producing it at Orphan Records Studios. Glass was also featured on the album, alongside James Vincent McMorrow’s bandmates, Scott Holiday and Jay Wilson.

As well as performing the classic Irish Festivals, including Electric Picnic, Castlepalooza, Body and Soul, and Whelan’s Ones To Watch Festival, she has also supported Martha Wainwright, Nina Persson (The Cardigans), Jack L, Kieran Goss and The 4ofUs on their respective tours and shows. Moreover, Donohue was selected by Irish music magazine ‘Hot Press’ as one of top 5 breaking Irish acts and featured on Ceol ar an Imeall (TG4), as an emerging Irish musician.

Donohue’s single, ‘Bookmarks’, has proven to be one of the most critical successes, receiving nationwide airplay and widespread appreciation from fans and critics alike. As the opening track on Paperscapes, ‘Bookmarks’ represents Donohue’s ethos as both a writer and a performer with her twinkling vocals, lyrics unfurling beautifully to give listener’s an insight into her stories and experiences.

If you’re lucky enough to tickets for Electric Picnic this September then you’ll be able to catch Miriam performing live at the Global Green Area. She’ll also be touring Ireland over the next view months, with a show in Whelan’s on the 10th of September.