- Music
- 26 Oct 23
Teenage singer-songwriter sensation Brinda Irani joined the Hot Press Y&E Series last night for an impressive live performance - supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
Rising to prominence as a popular busker in Dublin, Brinda Irani’s music is the kind that makes listeners stop in their tracks. The seventeen-year-old singer-songwriter’s debut 2022 single ‘A Shadow’ cemented her status as a rising Irish star-in-the-making, followed by a stunning stream of singles this year.
Equipped with her keyboard and acoustic guitar, Irani joined the Y&E Series last night for a livestream of unexpected surprises. She kicked things off with her recent single ‘Clueless,' which Irani prefaced by explaining, “I wrote it about that feeling when you like someone so much, but you kind of have no idea that you like them.”
Her voice was rich and clear, reeling listeners into the narrative of the track. The lyrics read like a personal journal entry, while the acoustic guitar notes steered a bright, compelling rhythm.
She hung up her guitar, switching to the keyboard for ‘Crater,’ which she revealed she wrote at just thirteen years old. Irani showcased her production skills as she layered a haunting vocal track and emotive keys beneath her live vocals, creating a depth to the song with her programmed keyboard.
Irani was her own full band, building a dense, full sound on her own. With emotionally introspective lyrics and a dark vocal register adding an element of suspense to the track, it’s hard to believe the singer-songwriter composed the song at thirteen.
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She brought out the sharp edge to her vocals again on her debut release ‘A Shadow,’ further proving her productional talents as she recorded and layered the track live. Synth keys pushed along the intro instrumentals, eventually building a tower of clashing drums and angelic, drawn-out vocals.
“I’m in love with a shadow,” she belted on the outro, before softly settling into the rubble as the song ended as it began – with simple, melancholy keys.
“I’d like to thank everyone for joining this live, it means the world to me that you took the time out of your night,” Irani said, before introducing her next song, the unreleased ‘Shards of Glass.’
“It’s about a girl stuck in society’s norms, who just wants to break out of it,” she shared. Static keys led the song into an upbeat verse with modern, relatable lyrics. Wise beyond her years, Irani introduced a nostalgic disco element to the production, using drum machines and synthesised sonics that nod to colourful ‘80s synth-pop. It
Irani surprised herself with time for one more song, leaving her audience with a real treat in the form of ‘Passenger Seat,’ an unreleased track the singer has yet to play live anywhere else.
Switching back to her acoustic guitar, Irani shared of the finale track, “I just wrote it about when time flies by, and you’re just feeling like you’re in autopilot mode.” The original, unreleased track was the epitome of Irani’s captivating, confessional songwriting, with lyrics of depth and realism over heartfelt acoustic strings.
Check out Brinda Irani’s full Y&E Series performance below:
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Watch the Hot Press Y&E Series - supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media - live on the Hot Press Instagram (@hotpressmagazine) at 7pm each night.
Catch the following up-and-comers take over the Hot Press Instagram in the coming days…
Thursday 26th: Temi NLA
A Hot Press New Local Hero 2023 finalist, Temi NLA is an 18-year-old prodigy from North Inner-City Dublin. His talent speaks for itself – headlining the Sound House earlier this year before he was legally an adult. So far in 2023 he's unveiled a string of captivating singles, the most recent being the addictive, 'Scared of You'. Inspired by the likes of Chris Brown, Iann Dior and Ne-Yo, this is not an artist to be slept on – bearing an important message to spread to the people – “PUT GOD FIRST”.
Friday 27th: Siobhán Winifred
Having grown up in an Irish family in the tranquil embrace of Dorset, Siobhan Winifred’s music has deservedly earned plaudits from some notable names in music - including James Bay, Modernlove., and BBC Introducing. Inspired by acts such as Rufus Wainwright, Leonard Cohen, and Alex Turner, her most recent single ‘Killers’ explores navigating complicated relationships with narcissistic individuals - showcasing her innate ability to transform complex human experiences into poignant musical narratives.
Saturday 28th: Aaron Rowe
Aaron Rowe has earned acclaim in his native Dublin for his powerful vocal ability. No stranger to the live scene, he has supported Irish titans like Christy Dignam, Gavin James, Paddy Casey and Mik Pyro amongst many others. Rowe makes his long overdue transition from pub singer to bona-fide recording artist with the emotive 'Drawing The Line' - a song encapsulating the artist's struggle for self-esteem following an untimely break-up.
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Sunday 29th: Taylor D
A Clondalkin native transcending conventional pop boundaries , this award-winning songwriter has been making waves across the globe - crowned "First Choice Radio UK Artist of the Year," Taylor D’s music has garnered radio play as far away as Australia, Japan and the U.S. Her flirtatious Fan Girl EP is a fun homage to her listeners and pop diva superfans all over the world.
Monday 30th: Anikẹ Akano
With a smooth and fervent sound that effortlessly combines elements of R&B, folk, and indie pop, Anikẹ Akano - at just 18 years old - is already making a name for herself in the music industry. Releasing her much-anticipated debut single ‘Passing By’ in November, Anikẹ’s unique blend of eloquent melodies and harrowing lyrics is certain to capture hearts - leaving listeners eager for more.