Light at the end of the tunnel for East Cork songwriter
Written at the outset of the first lockdown, East Cork singer-songwriter Julia-Maria’s new single Morning Light points to the change of pace that many of us experienced over the Covid crisis’ quieter moments. Mike McGrath-Bryan finds out more.
Julianne Quirke, who performs as Julia-Maria. Picture: Niamh Barry
As things start to shift toward something resembling normal, or functioning at least, post-Covid, it s easy to look back at those first hectic weeks of the crisis - what had to be done, what could have gone wrong, the lives that were saved by staying in and keeping safe - and be overcome by those raw feelings of anxiety and worry. But in the quiet time that lockdown created for many of us, also came moments of reflection, re-evaluation and realisation.
With a Cork collaboration on his track, 12-year-old rapper Mc Abdul (MCA Rap) has gone viral with a passionate freestyle about his situation in Gaza, .
Winds Of Change to resonate through the School Of Music
A five-piece woodwind ensemble might not be the first thing that comes to mind when the ordinary listener thinks of classical music, but a Cork-based crew of internationally-experienced players continues to showcase new and old work for the instruments. Downtown catches up with Ciara Glasheen-Artem ahead of their live stream for Cork Orchestral Society.
Winds Of Change: A quintet from the Cork School of Music.
Mike McGrath Bryan
Music is a small world in many ways - living in any city’s music scene will, in short order, reveal any number of personalities who are working away in multiple capacities, whether they’re getting started and garnering experience, and working away with the grá for their craft in mind. It’s (relatively!) easy to come across people with similar influences, outlooks and ambitions, and that’s half the fun of it, really - trying new things and collaborating with like-minded people.
Sir Anthony Hopkins celebrates Bafta win for best actor in his native Wales
Acting keeps me out of trouble says 83-year-old star of The Father
Sir Anthony Hopkins says Bafta win was unexpected.
Sir Anthony Hopkins has celebrated his Bafta win in Wales as he confirmed he has had the vaccine.
The Silence Of The Lambs star, 83, won the best actor prize for The Father, directed by Florian Zeller, about a man slipping into dementia.
The actor usually lives in Los Angeles, but is on holiday in his native Wales.
He did not appear virtually at the ceremony to accept the gong, but did speak to press afterwards when he confirmed he will remain in Wales until the Academy Awards at the end of the month.
Stephanie Rainey on Ross and Rachel and staying positive
Having come through life on a major label and experienced its ups and downs, Stephanie Rainey is striking out on her own in 2021. Mike McGrath-Bryan talks with the Glanmire singer-songwriter about the next steps, and upcoming single ‘Ross and Rachel’.
Singer-songwriter Stephanie Rainey from Glanmire, Cork, on Richmond Hill in Cork: “I’ve done more writing remotely this year than I have going over and back to London or Los Angeles, and it’s amazing to sit in my house, make tea, go and do my session, achieve something, and then, just be at home.” Picture: Dan Linehan