Wallis Bird released her eighth studio album I Can See Your House From Here on her own label, Bród Records, on June 5. She says thr album serves as a celebration of the life of her late friend and collaborator Kevin Ryan and a way to process grief as it also reflects on the war in Gaza. the challenges of addressing political issues in her music. Over nearly two decades in music, Wallis Bird has built a career defined by longevity, honesty and a deep sense of community. We talk about everything from navigating criticism and the impact of sobriety on her creativity, to the importance of collaboration, fun, and emotional intelligence in the artistic life. Listen/buy I Can See Your House From Here: https://ffm.to/icsyhfh.bio Wallis Bird tour dates: Thursday, September 3: The Spirit Store, Dundalk Friday, September 4: The Grand Social, Dublin Saturday, September 5: The Briery Gap, Macroom Sunday, September 6: De Barra’s Folk Club, Clonakilty Thursday, September 10: The White Horse, Ballincollig Friday, September 11: Dolan’s Warehouse, Limerick Saturday, September 12: Róisín Dubh, Galway Sunday, September 13: Cleere’s Bar & Theatre, Kilkenny

Ae Mak released their long-awaited debut album Folk Songs for Mama and Papa on May 29. The songs were written in the winter during a time of deep emotional pain and self-questioning. Living alone in a Berlin apartment, Ae Mak began writing at a friend’s piano, singing poems formed over a year of heartbreak, anxiety, low self-worth and self-reckoning directly into melody. The music came quickly, not as an idea to be shaped but as something that already felt there. The recorded demos were later brought to Brían Mac Gloinn (Ye Vagabonds), who tenderly co-produced and engineered the record with Aoife. Together with Cian Hanley (drums) and Kevin Corcoran (piano, bass) and Fennel the cat, parts of the album were re-recorded in a friend’s farmhouse in Ravensdale forest under the mantelpiece in their kitchen, with other elements captured in her family home in the Cooley Mountains. The recordings hold onto their beginnings - the production remains close and human, drawing from the warmth of ‘60s and ‘70s folk and baroque pop, gospel-leaning organ, reverberant orange guitar textures, and layered harmony, the voice at the centre. On this episode of the TPOE podcast, Aoife talks about the journey to get to Ae Mak's debut album, the story of heartbreak behind it, and finding her voice. Buy Folk Songs for Mama and Papa: https://aemak.bandcamp.com/album/folk-songs-for-mama-papa Ae Mak tour dates: June 8: The Lower Third, London June 12-14: Beyond the Pale July 23: Workman’s Club, Dublin

Ross Hamer aka Hamer Place released his debut album Specials in April. A heartfelt tribute to Gerry’s - the beloved Dublin café on Montague Street that has since closed - it was recorded by Gilla Band’s Daniel Fox at Sonic Studios. The Hamer Place band features Niall Murphy (Oh Boland) on guitar and Jack and Fionn (Search Results) on rhythm. Ross has been a mainstay of the Irish music scene for years. You might know him from Jetsetter (a band I was a huge fan of over a decade ago), and he’s currently playing with Padraig Cooney and Bedroom Now as well as Postcard Versions with Paddy Ormond. In this chat we dive into Ross’s journey through Dublin’s music scene, the realities of releasing a solo album, his creative process, and plenty of other stories - including some disgusting food recipes. We also talk about music manager and former Spies member Conor Cusack, whose GoFundMe to help with a major operation has raised over €115,000. Support it here: https://gofund.me/3b6dd8a1b Buy Specials at hamerplace.bandcamp.com

Fifteen years on from their debut album Yeah Nothing, Dublin band Squarehead released Ossory Road in December 2025. Their fourth full-length record, it was written during the Covid era and finished in a whirlwind burst of recording before two members became dads within weeks of each other. On this episode of The Point of Everything, frontman and guitarist Roy Duffy takes us on a chronological deep dive through the band’s history, from the DIY Dublin scene of the late 2000s to US tours, labels like Richter Collective and Popical Island, parenthood, nostalgia, and the making of Ossory Road. Squarehead play a rare live show at Bello Bar on Saturday, May 30, with support from Anamoe Drive. Tickets: https://ie.powertik.com/events/squarehead-with-support-from-anamoe-drive

Gemma Hayes celebrates 25 years in music with a special show as part of the NCH Landmarks series next Tuesday, May 12. She’ll be playing debut album Night on my Side in full, plus rarities and b-sides from that era. The record went on to be nominated for the Mercury Prize and took Gemma Hayes on tour around the world. Now based in West Cork, she returns to it with fresh perspective for what promises to be a reflective, intimate performance. On this episode of the TPOE podcast, Gemma talks about revisiting her 2002 album, some of the stories behind making it with Dave Fridmann in New York, record label wranglings, touring, Mercury Prize nominations, and lots more.

Gemma Hayes celebrates 25 years in music with a special show as part of the NCH Landmarks series next Tuesday, May 12. She’ll be playing debut album Night on my Side in full, plus rarities and b-sides from that era. The record went on to be nominated for the Mercury Prize and took Gemma Hayes on tour around the world. Now based in West Cork, she returns to it with fresh perspective for what promises to be a reflective, intimate performance. On this episode of the TPOE podcast, Gemma talks about revisiting her 2002 album, some of the stories behind making it with Dave Fridmann in New York, record label wranglings, touring, Mercury Prize nominations, and lots more. Tickets: https://www.nch.ie/all-events-listing/nch-landmarks-gemma-hayes-may26/

The Scratch return to the TPOE podcast for the third time to chat about their third album Pull Like a Dog, released on March 13 on Sony Music. Gaz and Cathal talk lineup changes, world tours, politics, getting heavy on the new album as well as introspective, the amazing story behind record closer Ringsend and lots more. The Scratch play Momentum Festival in Oranmore, Co Galway, on Monday, May 4, with Cliffords and Madra Salach, plus special guests Groev and TaLLLon. Tickets available at https://www.momentumfestival.ie/ Buy Pull Like a Dog: https://www.thescratch.ie/collections/store

Kenmare/Cork artist Laurie Shaw released his latest record Felted Fruit VI on April 3. Felted Fruit VI is the latest installment of the Felted Fruit canon sprinkled across recent years. Here's the idea behind it: "Felted Fruit has moved to a New Town. With an efficient train service that gets you to and from the city every day. The neighbours have “It All”. But what is “It All” and why do they feel like they’re missing something? What lurks beneath the suburban linoleum?" Buy the album: https://laurieshawofficial.bandcamp.com/album/felted-fruit-vi Laurie Shaw plays The Listening Project #7 at the Town Hall in Skibbereen, West Cork, with the Whooper Swans and Phil Langero on Saturday, May 16. Tickets: https://ie.powertik.com/en/events/listening-project-7-laurie-shaw-special-guest-tba

David Kitt released The Big Romance (KIttser's Version) on April 8 via All City's Alchival label. The original record, which has featured in a number of ‘greatest Irish albums’ lists, marks its 25th anniversary this year, having been released on June 18, 2001. Following his home-recorded debut Small Moments, 2001’s The Big Romance marked Kittser’s first experience working in a professional studio. “The bulk of the original album was recorded at Pulse Studios off Camden St. with producer Ken McHugh - owner of many of the synths and samplers and drum machines I dreamt of owning back then. It was such an exciting time to have access to this dream palette of sounds and Ken's skill and talent as a producer/programmer. I was bringing in records from underground electronica and hip hop as references for the sound I was going for and the results were a fusion of more traditional acoustic and electric instruments with electronic sounds and hip-hop flavours that was pretty fresh for the time. It felt like a distillation of all the things I was a fan of. It's a sound I feel I've been honing and crafting ever since.” The record - featuring the singles 'Song From Hope St. (Brooklyn, NY)' and 'You Know What I Wanna Know' - sold 60,000 copies in Ireland alone and marked a major shift in Kitt’s life as a musician and performer. Originally released on Warner Music, Kitt says: “The contract I signed back then means they own the rights to the album 'for the universe forever', apparently. Great! I approached them about a vinyl reissue for the 10th and 20th anniversaries and got nowhere. So, for the 25th anniversary, I decided to take matters into my own hands and make a version of the album that I own myself and I'm free to press on vinyl.” The new release features all ten tracks of the original album along with three new tracks and b-side and fan favourite 'Saturdays' - all lovingly and faithfully remade in Ballinskelligs, at Kitt’s home studio, with the invaluable help of Ken McHugh and drawing on his 25 years’ experience of making records with synths and samplers. “I feel I've landed on a document that has the sonic and emotional DNA of the original - and at times improves on it, a record that will be cherished by fans of the original and would get the seal of approval from my 25-year-old self.” David Kitt will perform The Big Romance in full across two special shows at the National Concert Hall this week (Friday and Saturday, April 10-11), joined by an all-star band featuring Dylan Lynch, Rachael Lavelle, Katie Kim, Ryan Hargadon, Paul G. Smyth, Eamon Brady and Gareth Averill. Buy The Big Romance (Kittser's Version): https://davidkitt.bandcamp.com/album/the-big-romance-kittsers-version

Belfast singer songwriter Joshua Burnside released his sixth studio album It's Not Going To Be Okay via Nettwork Music Group on March 20. This is a record born out of loss and the fragile act of continuing. Written and recorded in the wake of the death of Joshua’s close friend Dean Jendoubi, the album is his most stripped-back and unguarded work to date. “It’s a grief record but also a love record for Dean, for my family, for being alive at all," he says. On this episode of the TPOE podcast, Joshua Burnside talks about touring the US with Ye Vagabonds; getting nominated for the Choice Prize for 2025 album Teeth of TIme; embracing traditional Irish music; grief, the creative process and paying tribute to his friend Dean; the direct nature and homour in the songs; and his family's reaction to the record. Buy the album: https://joshuaburnside.bandcamp.com/album/its-not-going-to-be-okay Joshua Burnside tour dates: Friday, May 1: Cyprus Avenue, Cork Saturday, May 2: Button Factory, Dublin Wednesday, May 6: Oran Mor, Glasgow Thursday, May 7: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds Saturday, May 9: Prince Albert, Stroud (two shows (2pm, 9pm) Sunday, May 10: EartH Theatre, London Monday, May 11: Beacon, Bristol Wednesday, June 17: Cornish Bank, Falmouth Thursday, June 18: Barrel House, Totnes Friday, June 19: The Tree House, Frome Saturday, June 20: Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes Sunday, June 21: Beverley Folk Festival, Beverley Saturday, August 15: Custom House Square, Belfast (supporting Foy Vance)