August A&R Department: Lauren Wallace, Diveboy, Gush & more

We’re loving Salt Stained Lungs, the debut EP from 17-year-old Lauren Wallace who’s already bagged her first Today FM session and is also getting support from 2fm, RTÉ Radio 1, Spin 1038, Spotify Next Gen Singer Songwriters, Fresh Finds, Apple Music New Music Daily, New In Pop, New In Alternative and Breaking Acoustic. Which is quite the radio and playlist haul!

It’s easy to understand why with the likes of ‘People In Love’ and ‘Allegedly’ ploughing the same sassy alt. pop furrow as Gracie Abrams and Olivia Rodrigo.

Helping her hone her abundant skills is Jono McNeil, a veteran industry figure who’s previously worked with the likes of Jade, Little Mix and The Voice UK. Lauren launched the EP with a packed out showcase gig in Camden Recordings where it was assembled.

If it’s rootsy, soul-drenched Americana you’re after, look no further than Nathan O’Regan who’s recorded his ace debut album in Nashville – and it tells!

Due for September 19 release on local independent Zenith Cafe, Olive Branch makes sense of the Nathaniel Rateliff, Chris Stapleton and Van Morrison comparisons that have been coming the Belfast singer’s way.

With Zach Peters from Runway Artists – their other charges include Babybird, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Martina Topley Bird, Helmet and Junior Brother – handling his live bookings and BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris and Cerys Matthews among his cheerleaders, we’re expecting O’Regan to make a major autumn splash…

There’s obviously something in the Lagan water with another of Belfast’s brightest prospects, Gush, answering the question: “What would Garbage, The Kinks, The Hives and Elastica sound like jamming together?”

Already a firm BBC Precious Metal favourite, it’s guaranteed to build on the radio support they’ve already received from 2fm, Radio Nova and Total Rock.

Lead singer Chelsea Andrews is a bit – well, a lot – of a star and will be giving it loads on August 30 when they play a hometown show in the Oh Yeah Music Centre…

“He has a remarkable voice and crafts lyrics that reach the soul, paired with melodies that captivate from the very first note. An emerging artist that will be turning heads and hearts with every performance.”

That is none other than Miriam O’Callaghan extolling the virtues of Johnluke, the Portumna singer whose ‘Green Eyes’ is the latest in a nine-strong run of singles, which suggest that he might soon be following Hozier, Dermot Kennedy, Cian Ducrot, Amble et al onto the international stage…

Over now to hotpress.com’s New Irish Songs team who say of Waterford rapper 7th Obi’s new ‘Geminii’ single: “What makes his latest banger stand out is its killer bassline. There’s also a laidback bossa groove on the guitar and drums, with a glittering synth creating its own little atmosphere in the background. It’s an immaculately produced and laid-back track, with the rapper wearing his heart on his sleeve through his catchy, autotuned romantic proclamations.”

We couldn’t have put it better ourselves…

The good folk from Swimsuit Issue are staging another of their triple whammy showcase nights on September 18 in the National Concert Hall Studio.

Our man with the golden ears, Terry McNally, is a big fan of BBFT who hail from Louth and blend jungle breaks, euphoric trance and distorted guitars to glorious effect.

They’re joined by exiled Chilean alt. dance artist Vaticanjail – her new ‘Angel’ single is gorgeously groovy – and Bucket, a trio who’ve been described as “the loudest band in Dublin” and make a fearsome punk/garage noise…

Having joined forces under the Synthient banner, Kayley Phelan of Kbob renown and Aran Sheehy treat us to a third taster from their upcoming debut album.

A tribute to the most deadly striker ever to wear Celtic’s green and white, ‘Larsson’ is a wonderfully surreal slice of progressive house, albeit with retro nods to the likes of Robert Miles’ ‘Children’ and Tubeway Army’s ‘Are Friends Electric’.

If anyone has a film that needs soundtracking, give them a holler…

Formerly known as The Burma, Diveboy team up with Grammy Award-winning Ed Sheeran, Mumford and Sons, Snow Patrol and Shawn Mendes producer,
Ruadhrí Cushnan, on new single ‘Suntrap’.

A – hint, hint – radio-friendly earworm, it finds Tony O’Donovan, Peter Piggott and Cian Doherty namechecking George Harrison and generally stating their stadium rock ambitions.