Spotlight on Galway pair as brightest prospects for 2017

Two Galway singer-songwriters have been included in Hot Press magazine’s list of artists tipped for success in 2017.

Though Miriam Donohue and Roisín el-Cherif have different musical styles, both are coming off the back of successful years in 2016.

The daughter of an Irish mother and a Palestinian father, Roisín el-Cherif spent time Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Morocco during her childhood, before her family settled in Galway when she was 16 years old. She wrote her first composition at the age of 18.

She gigged extensively in 2016, playing at festivals and showcases around the country including well-received performances at Body & Soul, Sea Sessions and The Battle for the Lake festival on Achill Island.

Roisín’s style is, in her own words, ‘dark, atmospheric ambient pop-folk’. Her style is equal parts beautiful and haunting, and it is clear she has been influenced by a myriad of sources.

“I like moody and edgy music and artists like Tracy Chapman, Fleetwood Mac and the Cranberries. Arabic music was played during my upbringing, and that has concreted itself into my subconscious too,” she explained.

Roisín currently splits her time between Galway and Dublin, where she has worked as in the visual effects TV/ Film industry for the past five years.

Her skills in this department are on full display in the brilliant music video for her song ‘Kerosene’, released last May. She wrote, produced and co-directed the video herself.

“I decided to release it to see what would come from it, and the reception and feedback was more than I could have hoped for,” she said.

As for 2017, Roisín has plans to release her long-anticipated debut LP in March, along with some more self-directed music videos. If the video for Kerosene is anything to go by, they are sure to be spectacular.

Galway-born, Dublin-based songwriter Miriam Donohue has earned her place on HotPress’ list.

In the past three years she has performed across Ireland and played support slots for Martha Wainwright, Nina Persson (of the Cardigans) the 4 Of Us and Jack L, to name just a few.

An assured performer, her lyricism and vocal style have drawn comparisons to the likes of Susan Vega, but Donohue’s overall sound is something unique to her.

In November last year, she released her debut LP ‘Paperscapes’, which she crowdfunded through a Fundit campaign. It has met with considerable acclaim.

Miriam, too, takes a lot of her inspiration from the world of art.

“My background is in art and I work in Costume Design, so my songs are full of imagery, almost tactile I think,” she said.

2016 was her busiest year to date, and she is understandably excited for what 2017 will bring.

“I’ll be touring/gigging the new album, around Ireland, and at some festivals, I hope to play in the UK as well. I really enjoy being on stage sharing my music and having the banter with the audience, and I want to keep developing my writing skills and collaborating with other musicians,” she said.

“I’ve so much to learn from those musicians who have gone before, and I just love the feeling that singing gives me.

“I love to share it with others – I hope that continues on, whereever it leads me,” she added.

The Galway launch of her LP ‘Paperscapes’ takes at The Loft, Bridge Street, on Saturday, February 18 at 9pm. Tickets €10

■ Miriam Donohue’s work can be found HERE and Roisín el Cherif’s music can be found HERE.