When Chordblossom came into existence, it was always our aim to shine a spotlight on the artists and bands that make up the music scene in Northern Ireland. We’ve been doing it for over ten years now and one of our favourite methods is our Introducing feature.
Put the kettle on, curl up on your sofa and and join us for a quickfire Q&A with some of our favourite new musicians. Who knows, maybe you’ll even discover your new favourite artists.
This iteration of Introducing features the musical talents of Sáoirse who just released her debut EP GRÁ.
What was the inspiration behind your artist name?
I guess you could interpret my name for what it means.
I’ve always felt a deep connection to the name I was given—it truly represents who I am. That’s why it only felt natural to carry it with me throughout my musical journey.
You’ve just released a new single. How did it come about and what does it mean to you?
‘Banshee’ is the latest single I released, part of my debut EP ‘GRÁ’. Honestly, the lyrics came together quite organically—there wasn’t much overthinking involved. I’d had this idea about a banshee in my mind for a while. My grandmother and great-grandmother both claimed to have seen one, and the way they described it sounded pretty terrifying. I’m honestly grateful I’ve never had that experience myself.
For me, there’s something inspiring about sadness, so I decided to give the song my own spin on the idea of a banshee. In my version, she was once a fairy, but after losing what she cherished most—her wings—she became consumed by bitterness and sorrow. She now seeks out others who share that same sense of loss. Deep down, she still carries a kind of love, but it’s trapped, unable to be expressed. Despite her anguish, she helps those who are hurting, and in that, there’s a heart-breaking kind of kindness to her.
Have you any more releases or studio time lined up for later in the year?
I’ve got a lot in the works over the next few months, and I’m really taking my time with everything because I truly enjoy the process and the collaborations along the way. I’ve got a few singles lined up to release throughout the year, but they’ll all be very DIY, just raw bedroom recordings.
Recently, Joel Harkin and I began releasing music together under the name Pedal & Lever Society. It’s been an exciting journey, and I’m really loving the new direction we’re exploring. Our sound has a meditative and emotional quality to it that feels really fresh. We’ve got our next single ready to drop in April, and after that, we’ll probably dive into recording our debut album.
On top of that, I’ve been working closely with my good friend, Ciaran Coyle. We’ve got several songs ready to record, so there’s a lot of exciting music ahead.
Tell us about your song writing process.
I never force my writing. Sometimes, things just come to me. I get wee waves of inspiration and when that feeling comes, the song usually flows in one sitting, almost like a stream of consciousness.
I often draw from personal experiences, but I also love creating characters and bringing them to life through music. There’s something special about stepping into a different world and telling a story that isn’t entirely my own.
The songs I find most pride in tend to come to me late at night—when the world is quiet, and I can fully sink into that creative space without distraction. It’s both fun and a release. I always feel lighter after writing a song, like I’ve let something go.
Who were your favourite artists/bands growing up? Have your influences changed over time?
Where do I even start? My mother was the one who introduced me to music. She had hundreds of CDs and cassettes—Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell, Tracy Chapman, Don McLean, John Denver, Bob Marley, Kate Bush, Bob Dylan, and so many more. I’d love to believe that my music carries influences from these incredible artists, but it’s hard to wrap my head around because they are all so brilliant, almost unreachable.
A friend recently asked me who my musical inspirations were, and I genuinely didn’t know how to answer. I grew up listening to so many different genres. My music taste is eclectic. I played a lot of classical and film music on the piano, and traditional Irish music has always been at the core of what I do—something I’d love to write even more of. My influences have shifted over time as I discovered my ‘own’ music, branching into indie and unsigned artists, but I never strayed far from the music I grew up with.
One thing that has deepened over the past decade is my love for traditional music. It’s become a huge part of me. So while I know I draw from many artists, I’d be too shy to pinpoint just one—especially since I’m still at the beginning of my journey.
What’s been your favourite local release from the last twelve months?
That question might be even harder than the last. Ireland is so rich with music and culture—I could easily list 50 names, at least. But if I had to choose, I’d have to say Joshua Burnside is a brilliant musician.
I want to mention Teeth of Time. Marching Round the Ladies was my favourite single to come out in the last 12 months. That was until I heard Up & Down. That song spoke to me. It made me cry, it made me laugh, and it made me think. His music is a gift.
If you weren’t musicians, what line of work would we find you in?
To be honest, if I weren’t a musician, I wouldn’t want to work at all—but I’m not sure if that really answers the question.
I love being around people, making them laugh, making them happy. That might suggest I should be a comedian, but that’s way too much pressure—I could never pull that off.
The work I’m truly passionate about, outside of performing, is working with people of different abilities, especially through music. I genuinely love it. Music is like medicine; it has a way of healing that nothing else can. And sharing that love, seeing how it connects and uplifts people, is something I cherish. I guess that still makes me a musician doesn’t it?
I guess I’d have to choose marine biology.
If you could collaborate with one artist or band from NI, who would it be and why?
It would have to be Joshua Burnside—once again, for all the reasons I mentioned before. His song writing is like humble poetry, filled with modest means and genuine love. I’d love to sit down with Joshua and write a wee tune. It’d be great craic.
But I have to stress that there are so many artists I want to collaborate with, and you know who you are! I’m definitely not subtle about it.
It is intensely difficult to be successful in the music industry. What does NI need to do to invest in/develop to boost your chances?
If you really want to make it in music—if you strive to be well-known and have your music loved by a lot of people —I think it’s extremely hard. It genuinely feels like success is few and far between. I see brilliant artists nearly every day, and their music often means so much more to me than many of the names at the top of the charts.
The North of Ireland is an incredible place for music; it’s rich with talent and diverse sounds. Every genre exists here, each with its own niche and dedicated audience. It’s definitely a great place to kickstart a music career, and it can be a lovely place to sustain it as well, but I believe more could be done to support local artists.
I know people don’t like to mention it, but funding is a significant part of that. Promoting local talent is crucial for fostering a thriving music scene.
What does success look like for you?
I already feel successful in many ways. I’m incredibly privileged to have my music out there for people to listen to, and I cherish the opportunity to have my own instruments and continually build my skills. I’m quite a happy and content person and truly appreciate so much in life.
Having my EP launch on the 8th March, especially at The Duncairn, filled me with a sense of pride and joy about my music. It means a lot to me that such brilliant musicians want to stand by my side and perform my music with me. I guess I’d love to go on a wee tour at some point, too! That would be an amazing experience.
You’re going out on tour and can have anything you want on your rider, what would we find on yours?
I’ve never really thought about what I’d want on my rider, but if I had to get a bit extravagant, I think I’d ask for surfboards. Being able to surf on the days leading up to or even before a gig would be amazing. There’s something about being near the water that makes me feel at home.
Aside from that, I’d probably have a pretty extensive list of food. I love both eating and cooking, so having access to great ingredients would be a must. This might sound a bit unusual, but having a dog as a tour companion would be incredible. I think it would make the whole experience even more special.
Beyond that, I’d mostly just want the usual musical gear and equipment, and I’m pretty set!
Where and when can we next catch you live?
I just had my debut EP launch at the Duncairn, and honestly, it was hands down one of the best nights I’ve ever had. It’s definitely a memory I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. I also played with some incredible local musicians at the Oh Yeah Centre for a special performance celebrating the anniversary of I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning by Bright Eyes. It was fantastic, and a privilege to play with such brilliant people.
I’m currently taking a little break for a holiday, so no public gigs for a bit. But I’ve been in touch with a few venues and people, so I’m just waiting to hear back about what’s next. I’ll be sure to keep everything updated on my socials for anyone interested in coming along.
If you enjoyed this feature and fancy discovering some more new artists, we suggest you jump on over to our archive of Introducing pieces.
If you are a band or musician based in Northern Ireland interested in taking part in our Introducing feature, we recommend submitting new music to us via our Contact page and if we enjoy it, you’ll no doubt hear from us.
