Currently based in Berlin Westport’s Maria Kelly has had a very successful year in 2018 playing in well-known venues that include Dolan’s Warehouse, Roisin Dubh amongst many others. Maria also got to release her new EP at the end of 2018 titled “NOTES TO SELF”
Born in the West of Ireland, nestled somewhere along the Atlantic Way, Maria Kelly first picked up the guitar aged 10.
As an introspective teenager, she always found difficulty in honest self-expression, but quickly found an outlet in her ability to put words to music. Raised by a Dido-loving mother, and Dylan-devout Dad, paired with influences like Regina Spektor, Daughter and Lisa Hannigan, a delicate alternative-folk sound was formed, layered with deeply personal, humanising experiences.
Maria Kelly has just released her new EP “NOTES TO SELF”
In 2015, Maria began working with Berlin-based producer Matt Harris (Veta Records, HAWK). ‘Stitches’ was released the following year, praised by the 405, and quickly named one of ‘The 50 Best Tracks of 2016’ in The Irish Times. The track went on to garner 200,000+ streams on Spotify.
A number of singles followed, accompanied by shows across Europe supporting the likes of James Vincent McMorrow, KT Tunstall and Paul Noonan (Bell X1). Maria’s work continued to gain momentum, rallying support from Wonderland, Mahogany and The Line Of Best Fit along the way.
This year launched Maria’s first vinyl release, ‘Dark Places/Small Talk’, a double A-side in which she opens up about her own mental health.
Maria is currently based in Berlin, which is where she wrote her upcoming EP ‘notes to self’. The 4-track diarises her move away from home, exploring themes of leaving familiarity, finding it from within and the importance of honesty throughout it all.
The first single ‘june’ is out now: http://rebrand.ly/june
After two stand out performances at Hard Working Class Heroes and Other Voices Ballina, Maria continues to showcase her new material this Autumn, supporting Berlin-based band All The Luck In The World, on a number of European tour dates.