Second Square To None

We were very privileged to put out Niamh de Barra's debut EP, Cusp, in 2010. A couple of very nice people saw fit to mention it in end of the year round-ups and we are much obliged to them for the support:

Forwards/Backwards: favourite musical moments in 2010 on Sweet Oblivion.

Top Irish EPs of 2010 on Electric Whipcrack.

Included in Irish Times' A very good year: the best Irish acts 2010 by Jim Carroll. Thanks also to Jim Carroll for giving Cusp plenty of airplay on The Far Side (including on the all-Irish special to mark two years of The Far Side on the air).

Cusp is also on the longlist for 'Best EP' at the Digital Socket Awards.

Also, Sunken Foal kindly included her in his 2010 top 10 tweet, along with real yokes and truffle oil...

You can still get Cusp as a pay-what-you-want download (including for €0.00, we won't hold it against ya) on Bandcamp. We're looking forward to more great music from Niamh this year.

http://sweetoblivionloves.com
http://electricwhipcrack.blogspot.com
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/ontherecord
http://twitter.com/SunkenFoal


http://www.niamhdebarramusic.com
http://niamhdebarra.bandcamp.com

Niamh de Barra Dwell from Neasa de Barra on Vimeo.

Niamh de Barra performing a cracking unreleased track called 'Dwell' at the Cusp EP launch in the Joinery on the 8th of August 2010.

Many thanks to Neasa de Barra for putting this together, and to Nob and Tom O'Dea for shooting it.

Some photos from Niamh de Barra's Cusp EP launch gig we hosted in the Joinery Gallery on Sunday 8th. The EP is available to download from the link in the main banner above - it should be noted that Bandcamp, the site where you'll jump to, allows you to chose how much (if any at all) you pay for the release. Obviously we would prefer it if people paid for the release (as proceeds will go towards the artist and future SSTN releases) but realise some can't afford it, or are used to the new model of music acquisition.

Music should be listened to, regardless of means of distribution...and this is definitely worth listening to.

Photos by Aoife de Burca

  Niamh de Barra 'Cusp' EP by SSTN

Second Square To None is very proud to present the debut EP from Niamh de Barra. A longtime favourite SSTN conspirer, we could think of no better talent to be the inaugural release for our label. After a hugely enjoyable launch gig in the Joinery last week the EP is now currently available as a digital download exclusively on Bandcamp on a pay-what-you-want basis.

Check out a live recording below of Niamh accompanied by an eight-piece choir at her launch gig.

  Lying in Bed (choir version) by Niamh de Barra

Niamh de Barra
Niamh (formerly Scurvy Lass) is a classically trained pianist and vocalist from Dublin. Taking up cello in 2003 Niamh played in the improv group John Mary Trilogy for several years before going solo. It was following the dissolution of that band in 2008 that Niamh really came into her own as a songwriter, quickly learning the necessary recording and production techniques to arrive at a distinctive style: a combination of looped vocal lines, effected cello and sharp wit.