Sligo's BRÍDÍN releases breathtaking self-titled debut album

Contemporary harpist BRÍDÍN has released her self-titled debut album featuring collaborations with Limerick rapper MuRli, legendary trad musician Sharon Shannon, and the award-winning actor Stephen Rea.

BRÍDÍN boasts an impressively dynamic range. Featuring stunning harp solos and an occasional twinkling decoration of vocal from the musician, the album also features sharp raps, changes of pace throughout, and most importantly, doesn't slow down or lose the listener's attention for a second.

Speaking of her debut release, BRÍDÍN said: “My self-titled debut album BRÍDÍN has become for me, my favourite work to date. I am so proud of every song and piece on this album and what they mean to me. Along with my amazing band, we have captured my mindset in this moment.

"From start to finish, I believe my album takes you on a journey of grief, pain and anxiety to a place of great peace and acceptance. Through writing and recording these songs and pieces, I have learned and grown so much, fine tuning my style and writing the music I want to hear.”

A native of west Sligo, BRÍDÍN, carries on the tradition of Irish music into the fourth generation of her family. The musician sings, plays the harp, flute and piano. BRÍDÍN's love of music from a young age led her to pursue a musical career, studying for a degree and masters in music at University College Cork.

Photography by: Steve Rogers

Over the past number of years, the musician has developed her own style; influenced by her natural surroundings and her background in traditional Irish music. Using her loop and effect pedals to create her musical pieces, BRÍDÍN's layered melodies on harp and voice blend beautifully with fiddle, keyboard, electric guitar and bass, woven together with pulsating drums, as proven on her debut offering.

As her day job, the musician works as a full time funeral director and embalmer at her father’s funeral home. She grew up in the funeral home and has been fascinated by life and death from a young age. "I’m fascinated by the constant flow of nature and the beginning and ending of life," the Sligo-born musician said.

To ease the stresses of her day job, BRÍDÍN has found that writing and playing music provides an excellent way of healing the pain of people’s grief that she deals with on a daily basis.

"In an unexpected way, I need one to have the other. Music is my love and emotional outlet and acts as my healer, while on the other hand, the funeral industry reminds me every day how lucky I am to be alive and to still have my loved ones with me. I think in general we need to appreciate the 'little' things we have and come back to nature," the musician insightfully said.

Finally, she added: "This album is my best work yet, I’m so proud of every last note and the musicians who have joined me. I can feel a real honest journey throughout of grief and healing, and I hope it helps people as much as it’s helped me."

Listen to the brand new debut album from BRÍDÍN below.