Limerick soul-pop artist NIYL has released his new single, Not In Your Life, to be followed by his debut album, Parish Is Burning, later this year. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
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As a solo artist, NIYL has joined the National Geographic Concert Orchestra as a lead vocalist for their award-winning Symphony for our World and has performed as a headline act at Irish festivals Doolin Folk Fest, Live on Air and Go Tobann. Overseas, in 2018 NIYL joined Tony winning songstress Cynthia Erivo for a week-long residency in St. James's Theatre, London - performing the works of composer Scott Alan.
As a backing vocalist NIYL has performed alongside many artists including Rufus Wainwright and Dermot Kennedy.
Speaking about Not In Your Life, he says, "It’s the perfect song to introduce the world of Parish is Burning, the track is all about movement and change with the lyrics and the production really weaving together to channel this sense of urgency to leave something, and fast.
"I left my home when I was young, broken-hearted with quite a few relationships left turbulent. Taking the time to figure out who I was outside the parameters of my upbringing was important for healing and I think many can resonate with this.
"Not In Your Life sets up the rest of the album with each song illustrating what life is like for a queer person living in rural areas."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I was born in Limerick and I live on the border of Limerick and Clare in a village called Parteen and it is honestly like something out of West Side Story when I claim I am from one county over the other so I have a dual citizenship between both.
I love to whip out the tarot cards at dinner parties and predict my friends fortunes or lack thereof. I think it comes from my mother’s side of the family, her mam and sisters are all cunning women. They know all the secrets of the Limerick social scene.
How would you describe your music?
When myself and my incredible producer Benza (Diffusion Lab) were building the album, the foundations of each song were rooted in soul music and cinematic soundscapes, pulling inspiration from artists like Woodkid, Son Lux and Yebba. We wanted to create songs that were dramatic and packed a punch! As these foundations were built up, we started to pull influences from electro-pop, incorporating electronic elements into the mix and where we landed is place where modern soul and alt-pop collide.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Predominantly, I am inspired by artists who deliver vocally, I am drawn to those who can command their voice in a way that is effortless. At the moment I have Yebba on constant reply, her album Distance is masterclass in how to use the voice to convey emotions, her sound and skill is unmatched. It’s a cathartic experience listening to her full album and I really connect to that kind of journey. More conceptual albums are needed.
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Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell and Stevie Nicks are my holy trinity, though, my ride-or-dies, there is never a time when their music is not part of my life. Not only in vocals but lyrically and in terms of composition - they are the muses that guide me a lot of the time.
In terms of sculpting my own voice and sound I have been inspired a lot by Jeff Buckley, Stevie Wonder and more recently Matt Corby and Allen Stone. I sit with the records of these artists and try to capture their tones, techniques.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
I was a theatre kid so my first memorable experience of going to see a gig was when I went to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with my mother, uncle and grandmother on the West End. Stephen Gately was playing the child catcher! That experience had a profound effect on me, the music and absolute magic of the theatre, I was hooked, line and sinker from that moment on.
What was the first record you ever bought?
I am almost certain that it was Shirley Bassey’s Something Else album and I got it on sale in HMV. My parents are fans so it was a gift for them that I most definitely claimed as my own. The first record I ever bought myself would have been Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black and that stayed was on steady rotation for quite some time.
What’s your favourite song right now?
I am loving Jordan Rakei’s Flowers at the moment. It’s a beautiful track and it has a really gorgeous production. His new material in general absolutely slaps! I love it! His voice has such a lovely tone to it and he is an insanely talented producer!
Favourite lyric of all time?
"I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel, You were talkin' so brave and so sweet, Givin' me head on the unmade bed, While the limousines wait in the street, Those were the reason and that was New York, We were runnin' for the money and the flesh, And that was called love for the workers in song, Probably still is for those of them left" – Chelsea Hotel by Leonard Cohen.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Am I allowed to tie? Joni Mitchell’s A Case of You from the Both Sides Now album released in 2000, that arrangement has really stuck with me. I picture myself in my letter years drinking a gorge red scorning old flames of the past. Here for the drama of it all! Then, Aretha Franklin’s I Have Never Loved A Man (The Way I Loved You) - that song changed the very fabric of my being! Not to be dramatic or anything…
Where can people find your music/more information?
People can have a listen to musings over on Instagram at niylmusic and TikTok and my music on Spotify and YouTube. And if they really love to, I love a good postcard!
Alan Corr
