Track of the Day: Daire Heffernan - 'Midwest Emo'

Following the success of her debut release 'Skeletons’, young singer-songwriter Daire Heffernan has unveiled follow up single ‘Midwest Emo’.

The rising musician has also announced the release of her upcoming EP Wasters (out June 24th) as well as a debut headline show upstairs at Whelan's on June 30th.

Indie-folk ballad 'Midwest Emo' is influenced by the likes of beabadoobee and Phoebe Bridgers. The track was produced by ex-Spies bassist Hugh O'Dwyer and is released on Dublin label Alternative Entertainments. With gentle vocals, diaristic lyricism and a singular electric guitar riff guiding her along until the midway point when drums break through; the single shows another side to the breakout act.

"It’s more about infatuation rather than love," Daire explains of the atmospheric track. "It’s that feeling of believing someone is far too good for you, so you let them reciprocate when it’s convenient for them. That experience left a sick feeling in my stomach, which is something I wanted to emphasise in the first line of the song. I wanted to let everyone know that this is not a love song”.

At just 19, Heffernan started writing songs when her late father taught her to play the guitar at 11.

Following Hot Press' premiere of 'Skeletons', Heffernan played her first shows in April, opening for Paddy Hanna in The Workman’s Club Cellar and making an appearance at Totally Irish Live Tuesdays (TILT) in The Button Factory.

Tickets to Heffernan's Whelan's show are on sale now from tickets.ie for €12.

Listen to 'Midwest Emo' below.