New music Monday courtesy of Irish singer/songwriter, Orla Gartland.
If you imagine something between Avril Lavigne, Carley Rae Jepson and Taylor Swift then you might land somewhere near London-based singer Orla Gartland.
There’s anguished lyrics about love, glittering 80s synths and hooks galore in ‘Lonely People’ – the brand new EP follows on from her 2013 debut ‘Roots’.
Orla’s fusion of dreamy and lo-fi tinged indie- pop, blended with her trademark summery vocals and heartfelt songwriting lends itself to the kind of crossover pop that appeals to a mass audience. With an impressive live plot to her name which includes support slots alongside Bastille, John Newman, Kodaline, Hudson Taylor and Gabrielle Aplin , Orla completed her first headline tour in the summer of 2013, selling out 5 dates across the UK. New tour dates for the February 2015 tour are listed below:
Tell us a bit about your journey. How did it all begin?
As a young musical geek I threw a couple videos up on Youtube and it all began from there. One lucky opportunity led to another and as soon as I finished school last year I was writing, recording and gigging straight away. It feels like there’s lot of journeying ahead though – I’m just getting started.
What were your first encounters with music?
Like most of us I first soaked up music pretty subconsciously through TV and radio. I actually played the fiddle from age 5 and somehow stuck to it for 7 years or so – I played proper traditional Irish music. My heart was never really in it, though – it was yearning for pop music. I picked up a guitar age 12 and I was hooked.
Which artists made you want to create music?
Imogen Heap is amazing. She’s so involved in every aspect of the creative process, which I love – she writes the songs, produces them herself and lends a big hand with the music videos, too! Heap aside I’m a big fan of Cyndi Lauper, Kate Bush and Regina Spektor. Weird and wonderful musicians, all of them. The tunes they write are catchy and accessible but there’s still a real depth to each song; the perfect balance. I love that.
What was the inspiration behind your single ‘Lonely People’?
I live in London but I’m originally from Dublin over in Ireland. Late last year in Dublin I toddled along to a party with my old gang of friends. It felt great seeing them but I felt so detached from everyone, and it got me thinking – how weird is it that we can feel isolated even in a room full of our friends? I started wondering if anyone else in the room was feeling a bit lonely too, and before long I was thinking about groups of friends and about youth in general. I left the party early to go home and that night I began working on the song!
You starting putting videos on YouTube at the age of 14, if you could go back and give yourself some advice what would it be?
Never upload something you’re not 100% in love with as soon as you finish making it. Don’t bother reading nasty comments. DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS.
You’re going on an 11 date tour early next year, is there a track you are most looking forward to performing live?
Probably the new EP! There are 4 tracks on there including ‘Lonely People’, though that’s the only one anyone’s heard yet. It’s a little more upbeat and electric-guitar orientated which I’m loving! I can bop along on stage and make horrific guitar faces when I play – the dream.
What else can we expect from you in 2015?
The EP comes out worldwide on January 18th, UK & Ireland tour in February, first North American tour in March, woo! After that, songwriting. So much songwriting, until my hands are withered and can no longer touch the strings. Life right now is a QUEST to learning how to write amazing songs. (I’ve written some I’m really proud of, but nothing quite as good as ‘Baby Got Back’ just yet. I’ll get there eventually).
LONELY PEOPLE TOUR 2015
February 12th: GLASGOW // KING TUTS
February 13th: BELFAST // SUB BAR
February 14th: CORK // CYPRUS AVENUE
February 15th: DUBLIN // SUGAR CLUB
February 15th: DUBLIN // SUGAR CLUB
February 17th: MANCHESTER // DEAF INSTITUTE
February 18th: LIVERPOOL // ARIS CLUB
February 28th: LONDON // 02 ACADEMY
February 21st: BRISTOL // THEKLA
February 22nd: BIRMINGHAM // THE INSTITUTE
February 23rd: NOTTINGHAM // BODEGA
Pre-sale available from 9am November 19th
General-sale available from 9am November 21st
www.orlagartland.com/tickets