Culture
04 Nov 21

VIDEO PREMIERE: Irish producer Chósta longs for a Dublin nightlife revival in 'Late Night Jazz Radio'

Chósta - the moniker of Conor Kelly - is a captivating electronic artist with musical influences which include Boards of Canada, J Dilla, Mobb Deep, Talk Talk, John Coltrane and Planxty.

Irish producer and Dublin Digital Radio regular Chósta (Conor Kelly) has revealed his emotive new single ‘Late Night Jazz Radio’, with an accompanied video premiered below by Hot Press.

Chósta's latest track is a gorgeous mix of genres; from electronica, downtempo, IDM, and tantalising form of outsider house which has existed in some form or another for about two years.

The single is built around jazz samples and melancholic keys - initially inspired by the twilight hour radio shows like Donal Dineen’s old Today FM which Chósta grew up on.

As the pandemic unfolded and we were plunged into isolation, the song took on a different meaning. Without the communal nature of gigs, music was again a highly reclusive experience. 'Late Night Jazz Radio' developed into one longing for the nights spent with friends at venues and surrounded by strangers on dancefloors.

If the likes of Four Tet, Baba Stiltz, Mount Kimbie, DJ Koze, Session Victim and Leon Vynehal are on your Spotify Wrapped, Chósta is right up your street. As he should be.

The creative range and versatility compared to previous releases on 'Late Night Jazz Radio' should turn heads. The single follows the release of his extended-play, The Chósta EP. Having grown up near Donabate beach on the North Dublin coast, Chósta's EP channelled the turbulent winds and still moments of the land into a creative, four-track offering.

The nostalgic video was directed by Jack Martin, and features a cameo from the former location of Hangar in Andrew's Lane - which was closed down back in 2018 to much disappointment and frustration.

The visuals intersperse clips of thronging crowds on dancefloors, DJs on the decks and Dublin's nightlife scene alive and well. These snippets are placed side by side with those of Conor Kelly cycling around a derelict Dublin during those long, lonely lockdowns. The capital appears lifeless, and pretty grim.

"That melancholy you describe was more a reflection of the lack of connection and human interaction we all felt over the past 18 months," Chósta tells Hot Press, focusing on the video's core theme. "The closed venues and empty streets of the city appropriately captured that."

"It’s hard to know what the future of Dublin's nightlife scene is. I felt there was a thriving music scene full of artists who supported each other across all corners pre-pandemic and we’ve always had exciting cultural communities which have persevered despite apathy and disregard from successive governments."

"We’ve lost so many venues, creative hubs and cultural spaces over the past decade, so much of which should have been avoided," Kelly continues. "The trojan work that Sunil Sharpe and Robbie Kitt have done with organisations such as Give Us The Night in conjunction with Minister Catherine Martin’s apparent commitment to radically change the nighttime industry would leave me cautiously optimistic we can come out the other side of this in a better position."

Having played a role in the electronic music scene in recent times, what are Chósta's favourite venues?

"WigWam will always hold a fond place in my heart from the Twisted Pepper days. I’ve had many a great night in Yamamori Tengu; they book super DJs. I also love the Sugar Club. Have seen so many cool jazz and hip-hop gigs there."

Chósta hosts a monthly Dublin Digital Radio show titled ‘Midnight Tapes' with Ciaran Mulryan. The show brings together the duo's eclectic tastes, combining everything from Brazilian disco to ethereal ambient tunes. His belief in Irish creatives is one of the most engaging aspects of his artistry.

"Artists and creatives in Ireland will always overcome barriers," Conor affirms. "We’ve an abundance of talent in the country and a linage of writers, poets, playwrights, musicians and filmmakers that would make most other countries green with envy. And as a society, we are largely welcoming, open and fair."

"Sadly our political class uses art and culture as a marketing tool to sell Ireland around the world but seemingly could care less if creatives can afford to live here. The planning and strategy in all sorts of areas would make you wonder whose interests they have at heart."

Check out the atmospheric visuals for 'Late Night Jazz Radio' below: