Oiche Events recently announced the launch Ireland's newest music platform The X Collective, a 70-strong creative group with artistic expression at its core.

The X Collective focuses on the production and promotion of Irish recording artists and industry creatives, founded by musician Ele Breslin (ZAPHO) and Emily Shaw of Oíche Events.

The first project 'Collide' has been released today, a collaborative album from Zapho, Tolü Makay (plus Berlin-based label Welcome To The World) and Jenny Browne.

The X Collective features esteemed artists like Shookrah, Shiv, ELKAE, Toshín, Shy Mascot, Gemma Bradley, Mutant Vinyl, Brenna Carroll, Zennie Summers, as well as a "host of music industry professionals working to promote and elevate the musical industry landscape in Ireland and beyond".

Their debut release, 'Collide', was recorded during lockdown, with musicians collaborating from across counties and countries.

Producer and songwriter Zapho approached Tolü Makay and Jenny Browne to come up with a narrative where they each had an equal voice, telling the story of a building connection between two people figuring out who they are.

“'Collide' is The X Collective's first artistic collaboration," Emily Shaw of Oiche Events (co-founder of The X Collective) said.

"It's been amazing to watch this song grow wings, from a mere idea in Zapho's brain almost one year ago, to ultimately a tangible and beautiful product with the involvement of over 20 creatives. It takes a village to raise a child, and one could say the same effort is required in releasing a song."

Zapho was keen to write and work with other women in music when trying to establish herself as a producer on the music scene.

“It was by total chance that I met Tolu at a gig, and Jenny a year later at a rave in Berlin, I couldn't have been luckier to find two truly talented artists to work with," Zapho says.

"I'm so proud to see how the song has grown from a small idea into something on this scale with so many people behind it. The best feeling is sharing that excitement with another artist. It's something we made together, we put our hearts into it, we genuinely love the tune as well.

"This song is an attempt for three independent artists to rise together and truly support each other's success and music. That's what I'm all about as a person and artist.”

Tolü describes the excitement of working on the song with Zapho, emphasising its LGBTQ+ subject matter.

"This was very different for me as it is an LGBTQ+-themed song. Being an ally and having friends who are LGBTQ+, and having been given this opportunity, I wanted to represent positively however possible.

"This song is me standing in solidarity for people who look like me, especially living in Ireland, that don’t feel they have the freedom to freely be themselves," she adds.

"In light of everything that has happened last month around Black Lives Matter campaigns, and this month being Pride month, I feel it’s important to share this song. Being an Afro-Irish singer living in Ireland, it’s important there’s something for everyone.”

Watch the beautiful, full video for 'Collide' below: