The Irish singer-songwriter on her favourite songs ever.
Rising artist Ailbhe Reddy is showing no signs of slowing down. With her unique and beautiful take on folk music, she is fast becoming one of the most exciting artists of the year.
Following the release of her wildly successful debut EP, “Hollowed Out Sea”, last year, she is now getting ready to release her follow up “Attach To Memory” EP. Described by Ailbhe herself, the new record is “more up-tempo” showing the fuller sound of Ailbhe’s live shows.
About to head off to play The Great Escape and with her EP due 24th May, we asked Ailbhe to talk us through the songs that have inspired her so far…
Lauryn Hill – “Ex-Factor”
I couldn’t love this song more. I rediscovered it recently, the section at the end where she is singing ” care for me, care for me…” is just one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard. Still gives me goosebumps!
Fiona Apple – “Fast As You Can”
Awesome song and awesome video (directed by Paul Thomas Anderson). Fiona Apple is pretty much my hero so it was hard to limit myself to only one of her songs in this list. The lyric, “my pretty mouth will shape the phrases which will disprove your faith in man” is one of the best things I’ve ever heard. I think hearing that changed the way I wrote.
Frightened Rabbit – “Poke”
Just a phenomenal song, so simple and Scott Hutchison is a lyrical genius.
Josh Ritter – “Temptation of Adam”
“Oh Marie it was so easy, to fall in love with you.” – such a beautiful tune!
The Shins – “Pink Bullets”
I heard this song for the first time when I was about 16 and its still one of my favourites. Again, the lyrics are what really reels me in. A really sweet, vulnerable and innocent love song.
Jeff Buckley – “Last Goodbye”
That intro, that bass line. What a tune!
Hundred Waters – “Cavity”
A band I discovered recently. This song gives me so many feelings. They’ll be playing the same stage as me at Body & Soul this year, so I am very excited to catch them live!
Lianne La Havas – “Wonderful”
The lyrics, the instrumentation, the voice. Couldn’t be better. Love this live version, the album version is phenomenal too.
Whitney – “No Woman”
This song is just great. Only started listening to Whitney recently enough so I like to sing along to this very loudly while driving around in my car.
Rhye – “The Fall”
I saw Rhye playing at Longitude in 2013, there weren’t that many people there and it was only after the show that I realised I had been standing beside Milosh’s wife for the whole set. I was immediately hooked on the band and the lush instrumentation. Its all so smooth!
