It was only recently that we discovered local Castlebar musician Julianne Hennelly had released an EP of original material. We briefly met Julianne recently and asked would it be possible to do a piece on her EP titled Psychosis and we were delighted when she agreed to let us do a piece on our blog.
Julianne tells us that she has big dreams big for 2020 after releasing her first collection of original songs entited Psychosis, while the word may assume negative connotations she challenges stigmas and sees the positive ‘dreaming when you are wide awake’
“Julianne Hennelly’s music is enchanting…the combination of the Merlin and her voice lulls you into her delicately woven stories.” Damian O Rourke, Cuppa Tea TV
Recorded in Manor Studio’s Cobh, Co Cork, Julianne spent a serious of weekends working with sound engineer Louise McCormick. They met during her time in the Irish World Academy of Music & Dance where they both recieved a Masters in Community Music, UL 2018. Louise has worked in the music industry since the 80s with artists such as U2, Ozzy Osbourne, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Maria McKee, Mary Black and The 4 of Us.
Julianne’s live Dreams album Juli Jam will be released on Feb 1st 2020 and her single Life’s a Bitch on March 9th.
The EP hosts a spine tingling acapella love poem called Junkie Love. Bad is a sassy blues number about not caring about what others think. Follow Me, a tale of letting go of fear and finding self belief. I See Beauty, inspired by the meeting of a little autistic girl in a park in Limerick City. Those Were The Days, letting go of unhealthy relationships.
Julianne’s Limerick Debut was in Dolan’s Warehouse with the Dirty Circus Cabaret show in 2016.
She has made a big impact on the thriving original music scene since then. She has collaborated with leading health organisations to bring more music and songwriting to health care facilities. She performs regularly with Limerick Cabaret, twice in The White Horse Sessions, a prestigious platform for original artists in Lehinch, Co Clare, hosted open mics, weekly community music in the Limerick Milk Market, The Hunt Museum and this summer co founded Dreams Fest with Brendan O Riordan, brother of late global rockstar and Limerick native Dolores O Riordan. Designed to celebrate Dolores life and legacy and to also support original music, the weekend, on Dolores birthday, brought together over 30 artists, from all over Ireland in the quaint town of Bruff, Co. Limerick, near where the O’ Riordan family grew up. The fest takes place the first weekend in Sept.
She has a live album from the festival where she performed her songs collectively as Juli Jam with John Crone, electric guitar, featured on the EP and her producer Louise McCormick, backing vocals, percussion and uke bass.
She recently played a mix of originals and covers upstairs at Bridge Street, Castlebar, alongside Irish banjo player Laurence Corbet and songwriter Hayleigh Slaughter, USA.
‘there is no place like home, the music scene is thriving in Mayo, it’s fantastic to see creative places like Bridge st giving a platform for original music and community groups’
Julianne has also been working with Los Angeles multi instrumentalist and producer Sean Montgomery Dietz on the creation of her next single called ‘Life’s a Bitch’ recorded in Crossroads Recording, Kilkenny. The song has a country vibe with beautiful harmonies and a positive message inspired by a sad undertone
‘Life’s a Bitch, life’s a show
But hold on tight, don’t let go
Say goodbye, always say hello
Tell your friends that you love them so’
The song was written after someone she knew, a very popular actor and show man, died by suicide, she mused the colorful array of friends who attended his funeral and noted the importance of always leaving things on a good note.
Her EP is available for download on all online music stores.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEH7SM7ehOo8v3lgKkUnEPQ
https://open.spotify.com/album/7o5EkOErEKgtcxQqbUZv1H?si=SsBe8tDzQgKrUsai8UmGGA
Her live Dreams album Juli Jam will be released on Feb 1st 2020 and her single Life’s a Bitch on March 9th.
Tour dates coming soon: follow Julianne on Instagram & facebook