Dublin singer songwriter Leah Moran has released her new single, Prettiest Flowers. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
Leah has opened for James Vincent McMorrow, Sean Carey of Bon Iver, Jamie Lawson and Ham Sandwich, was one of Whelan's 'Ones To Watch’ acts for 2025, and was selected as one of FM104s finalists for Irish Music Months "A New Local Hero 2024". She also plays Electric Picnic this summer.
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Speaking about Prettiest Flowers, she says, "It’s always been such an important song to me, so those first few gigs, I was playing it just for myself. But the more I played it, the more I realised how many people really related to the lyrics and themes in the song."
She adds, "This song is an anthem for the anger and helplessness people feel at having someone you love ripped away from you.
"I never thought the words would resonate so much with people, but I’ve lost count of the number of men and women that have come up to me crying at the end of a show saying things like ‘thank you for wording what I couldn't’."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I'm a singer songwriter and busker from Dublin, I'm a ceoliac (dying for a bit of Brennans my whole life), and I'm terrified of planes which is a bit of a downer on the whole 'world famous artist' dreams I have going on at the minute but anyway.
How would you describe your music?
It sits somewhere between singer-songwriter, folk and acoustic pop, whichever supports me most in writing six-minute long songs with no structure!
Who are your musical inspirations?
I really got into songwriting when I found Dermot Kennedy in 2018. I think those early EPs he did where he wove stories so effortlessly into songs was what drew me in. Sam Fender is another big one I found early on like that. I'm really inspired by people like himself and Hozier. These big, massive artists that still write songs about tough topics in an honest way, they're exploring real life issues and problems people are facing and creating a space for people to feel truly understood. I'm also madly inspired by artists in genres that are a far cry from what I do, for me the melodies or rhythm don't have to be my thing if the message behind it is compelling. My aim with songwriting has always just been to tell stories, so any artist doing the same inspires me, from Hip Hop to Soul to Country, any kind of story intrigues me.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
This one’s hilarious. The first concert I ever went to was Jedward in a place called The Victory Centre, anyone remember that venue??
What was the first record you ever bought?
I got One Direction's first album on CD for Christmas and played it on this little pink boom box I had in my room for hours. My poor sister was a big fan too and I wouldn't let her in to listen, so I made her wait outside the room we SHARED until I was done! Wagon behaviour from me. I still have the pink boom box too, just waiting for the One Direction reunion to whip it back out.....
What’s your favourite song right now?
Through The Eyes of A Child by Aurora. Heard it in the last scene of Adolescence and was absolutely floored. An incredible song.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Impossible question!! I'll go with, "The internet is hungry for the meanest kind of funny and somebody’s gotta feed it" from Skinny by Billie Eilish. Just think it's such a great observation and way of wording one of the worst things about social media.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Impossible question number two. At this moment I'd say My Ego Dies at The End by Jensen McRae.
Where can people find your music/more information?
I'm on Instagram, TikTok, Spotify, YouTube everywhere! Just look up Leahmoranmusic and I should pop up :)
Alan Corr
