Anna Carmody was born in Galway and raised in Tullamore, County Offaly. She is at the beginning of her career, but her live set on the Hot Press Lockdown Session Y&E series was filled with exciting new material. Her first EP is due out in 2021, and she played enough from that work-in-progress for us to be anticipating the release intently.

The young singer-songwriter opened the evening with 'Everyone', before transitioning into the haunting breakup ballad 'A Million Pieces'.

Carmody seemed a little nervous as she began a folky tune about an adventure in Galway, but she shook it off like a pro before closing with 'I'm The Fool'. Personally, I was powerfully struck by her astonishing range, and the way she weaves between a near-whisper and a wavering, throaty vibrato. On this evidence, she is a singer with great potential indeed.

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Anna Carmody takes over Hot Press Lockdown Sessions with her original Indie-folk sounding songs. Thanks to the Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht for their support. @annacarmodyofficial @culture.heritage.gaeltacht

A post shared by Hot Press (@hotpressmagazine) on Jun 28, 2020 at 4:38pm PDT

Take a look at next week's star-studded line up for the Y&E Series. 

Monday, 29 June: PowPig
Tipped as one of the Hot Press ‘Hot for 2019’ acts while they were still in school, PowPig have emerged as one of the most captivating alt-rock bands of recent memory. Following a string of acclaimed EPs, festival performances, sold-out headliners and a support slot for Girl Band, the Limerick four-piece made their highly anticipated return in 2020 with ‘Intellectual’.

Tuesday 30 June: Maria Kelly
Hailing from the West of Ireland, alt-folk artist Maria Kelly continues to gain international momentum, on the back of her lauded releases, including her stunning notes to self EP and last year’s ‘i leave early’, which she launched with a headliner at the Sound House in Dublin, as well as support slots for James Vincent McMorrow, KT Tunstall and Villagers.

Wednesday, 1 July: Happyalone
Cork’s Happyalone have carved out a unique space between the worlds of rock, trap and alt-pop. Initially finding viral success with debut single ‘colours’, which currently boasts over one million streams on Spotify, the trio recently scored an appearance on Bring Me The Horizon’s latest album, Music To Listen To...

Thursday, 2 July: SYLK
Specialising in dark, industrial-tinged electro-pop, SYLK have built up an ever-growing following with their visually compelling live shows and DIY productions – marking the duo as one of Ireland’s most thrilling young acts.

Friday, 3 July: Áine
Embracing a soulful honesty in the tradition of Lana Del Rey and Marina, Áine’s music has resonated powerfully with her ever-growing fanbase. Following a series of ecstatically-received singles, she released her hotly anticipated Dislocated EP in September.

Sunday, 5 July: Roisin El Cherif
Irish-Palestinian singer Roisin El Cherif draws influence from Tracy Chapman, Stevie Nicks and Daughter to craft a sound that blurs the lines between folk, country and indie-pop. Following the release of her acclaimed Glass House EP in 2018, she returned this year with her moving new single ‘Cross Your Mind’.

Each live showcase will be broadcast live, to Ireland and the world, at 19:30 from the Hot Press Instagram (@hotpressmagazine).