Dora Gola – On Our Radar Q&A: "Since I moved to Ireland I’ve gathered a lot of different influences..."

How has your background – and relocating from Poland to Ireland – informed your sound?

When I was five, my dad gave me Mike Oldfield’s album Voyager, and I fell in love with the track ‘Celtic Rain’. Because of that album, I became really interested in music from around the world, ethnic sounds, dance and rhythms. I loved artists who crossed genres, and whose sound was new and exciting to my ears. When I moved to Ireland, I fell in love with Irish music, but I was truly drawn to bands whose style was hybrid – like Beoga, Kíla and Kan. They give me chills! I also listen to a lot of Polish indie artists. I feel like I’m falling in love with my native language again, and embracing my accent. Since I moved to Ireland I’ve gathered a lot of different influences – and you can hear all of that in my new music.

What was the inspiration behind your debut single ‘Dark Sand’?

We often feel lost, overwhelmed and left with many unanswered questions. ‘Dark Sand’ reminds you that you can search for guidance in nature. You will find comfort and reassurance once you get back to your roots. It is also about being comfortable with the uncomfortable. Being buried in a dark sand puts you in a different perspective. It teaches you resilience and adaptation. It's something I learned during the pandemic.

What do you think of the state of the Irish music scene right now?

I think that some scenes are thriving, particularly the folk, singer-songwriter and traditional music – but there isn’t enough coverage for the indie artists. I feel the variety is quite limited in Ireland and to get heard and get radio play, 'different' doesn't always work. There is one big exception, and that is the Irish hip-hop scene, which is really exciting. If there was dedicated coverage of new music from homegrown artists across all channels, it would be a huge boost to us in the business of creating art! Lots of fantastic music is put out there and disappears just as quickly because it fails to reach the audience.

What are your plans for the months ahead?

In just a few weeks, I am releasing another single, ‘Flying Tree’. It’s the second single from my debut album, due for release later this year. It’s an energetic track with ‘90s summer vibes and ethnic sounds from around the world. We are shooting a music video for it in the Burren in Co. Clare and it will be very wild! I really hope I will be able to put on a live show soon, which I believe will be truly immersive – and a real cinematic experience with elements of Latin, African and contemporary dance. I feel I am on an exciting journey, and I will take my audience with me along this journey too!

‘Dark Sand’ is out now.