Music
15 Jan 21

VIDEO PREMIERE: ORLA shares live performance of 'Close to Me' from Whelan's

Keeping honest lyrics, luscious harmonies and a powerful vocal delivery at the core of what she writes; ORLA is an artist to watch for 2021.

Rising Belgium-raised, Dublin-based artist ORLA has released a live version of debut single 'Close to Me' - produced by Irish artist SVEN and Michael Heffernan - from Whelan's.

A catchy and vulnerable track, 'Close to Me' expresses the pain of coming to terms with a relationship being over but feeling desperate to keep that person close to you for a bit longer.

The artist grew up in Brussels, but left home at just 17 - moving to Ireland to study and perform music.

"The song is one last attempt to hold onto someone I knew I had already lost," ORLA recently told Hot Press about 'Close to Me'.

"It is a vulnerable and honest response to the end of love. In spite of the fear of appearing weak, of feeling helpless without them, revealing my pain in this song was cathartic," ORLA adds. "Expressing my vulnerability and sadness gave me strength in the situation."

Akin to the brutally honest storytelling of soul/R&B musicians Lauryn Hill and Alicia Keys, ORLA's vulnerability and clear vocals emanate throughout her gorgeous Whelan's set.

Check out the Whelan's live performance video below: