Since the rise of The Strypes, it’s long been speculated that there must be something in the water up Cavan way to produce such prodigious youngsters. For added proof look no further than the old Hollywood pop-noir of 20-year-old Áine Cahill. A self-taught pianist and singer in the style of Adele and Lana del Rey, Cahill’s latest single, ‘Black Dahlia’, is sweeping the airwaves.
Since the release of the Paper Crown EP in 2014, Cahill has been nominated for awards, played at the Electric Picnic and performed a live session on The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show. The sudden success is surprising to no one more than the demure singer; “I’ve done more in the past few months than in the last two years. It’s so fast and I don’t know what’s happening, but I’m loving it.”
Her genuine enthusiasm complements a unique knack for songwriting, which comes with a particular focus. “In the last year I got really interested in Marilyn Monroe and 1950s Hollywood,"she explains. "All of my songs are based in that; it’s really inspiring to me. It’s not all about glamour, there’s a dark element to that time too.”
Cahill confesses that this year’s Picnic appearance marked her first time ever at a festival and, rather than be distracted by the bright lights of the main-stage, she held fast to her Cavan pride. “I left Florence and the Machine to see the Strypes!," she chuckles. "I saw her play two songs and was like, ‘I want to see the lads!’”

HEAR: 'Black Dahlia’ is out now on Spotify and iTunes. The Paper Crown EP is available here.

SEE: Áine plays the Spirit Store, Dundalk on November 12 and Whelan’s, Dublin on November 15.