Niamh Bury releases highly-anticipated debut album Yellow Roses on Claddagh Records

One of the most lauded artists to emerge from Ireland’s unparalleled folk music scene, Niamh Bury shares her debut album Yellow Roses via Claddagh Records on Friday 29th March 2024.

Produced by Brían Mac Gloinn (Ye Vagabonds), Yellow Roses features 10 exquisitely-crafted songs, including the tracks ‘Beehive’, ‘Who Am I To Tell Him?’, ‘Discovery’ and the most recent single ‘Budapest’, which is accompanied by the dream-like official music video. 

Ever since Niamh Bury debuted her first single – the mesmerising ‘Beehive’ – in July 2023, listeners have been entranced. Her vocals and songwriting prowess are rightfully lauded, but the technically-skilled musicianship possessed by Niamh is so evident on Yellow Roses that it cannot be overlooked – this is an incredibly accomplished debut record. 

In Niamh Bury’s music, listeners can hear a diverse range of influences from artists as varied as Fiona Apple, Bright Eyes and Paul Simon, as well as the amalgam of folk, classical and alt-rock music that formed such an integral part of her childhood. Niamh grew up in a musical household on Dublin’s northside; her mother is a classically-trained pianist and her father is a guitarist and singer. “My mum is the classical side of my brain; she’s an amazing piano player. She plays Rachmaninov, Chopin… There was always a lot of classical music in the house, and my mum would often take me to the National Concert Hall,” says Niamh. “My dad is more like the folk side of me; he’s an amazing guitarist and singer. He’s a great showman and a storyteller – and he has the most beautiful voice.”

This intricate mix of influences are apparent on Yellow Roses, from the sublime piano intro on album opener ‘Discovery’ to the closing bars of ‘Budapest’, with its delicate piano and cello sounds continuing to swirl like leaves in the wind long after the richness of the vocals and guitar have settled. Niamh’s lyrics and subject matter display a mature but wondrous world view couched in hope and appreciating the beauty and complexity of the world around us.  

Debut single ‘Beehive’ is a song about the overlapping of myth, folk wisdom and science.

‘Who Am I To Tell Him’ cautions against judging people by their circumstances; ‘Simmering Pots’ looks at the tension between the comfort of domesticity and the freedom of being untethered to a place. Niamh’s love for her family makes its way into songs like ‘Pianos in the Snow’ and the title track ‘Yellow Roses’, songs about her mother and grandmother, respectively. Niamh’s deep understanding of the storytelling elements of folk music (honed over years as one of the chief organisers of the renowned traditional singing session The Night Before Larry Got Stretched at The Cobblestone Pub in Dublin) are evident on her rendition of the traditional ‘Lovely Adam’ and the original ‘Ballad of Margaret Reed’, a song about a widow who was accused of being a witch and was subsequently burned at the stake. Of this song, which displays incredible songwriting talent, Niamh says: “The witch trials are a subject of fascination for me and the ripples of their implications are very much present today with the ostracisation of anyone who threatens the power of the patriarchy.”

Of her impending debut album release, Niamh Bury says: “I’m so excited to be releasing this collection of songs I’ve had with me for some time. I’m very proud of it and the wonderful people who worked on it with me. I learned so much making it, and feel very lucky to be letting it out into the world.” 

Niamh Bury has been hailed as one of Irish folk’s most exciting new talents – with support from The Sunday Times Culture, The Irish Times’ noted ‘50 People to Watch in 2024’ list, CLASH and shortlisted in the Best Emerging Artist category at the the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards. Niamh was also invited to perform at The London Irish Centre as part of their A, and added to the incredible ‘Tradition Now’ line-up at the National Concert Hall in Dublin. 

April will see Niamh embark upon a live tour of Ireland and the UK, with a hometown date at Whelan’s Main Room in Dublin on the 28th April. For the full list of tour dates visit HERE.

Yellow Roses Tracklisting 
1.      Discovery
2.     Beehive
3.     Who Am I To Tell Him? 
4.    Bite The Bridle 
5.     Pianos In The Snow 
6.     Simmering Pots 
7.     The Ballad of Margaret Reed 
8.    Yellow Roses 
9.     Lovely Adam 
10.  Budapest 

UK & Ireland Tour Dates

April 2024
12^th Belfast, American Bar
16^th, Brighton, Folklore Rooms
17^th London, The Slaughtered Lamb
18^th Bristol, Crofters Room 2
21^st Galway, Roisin Dubh
24^th Limerick, Dolans
25^th Kilkenny, Cleeres
26^th Cork, Winthrop Ave
28^th Dublin, Whelan’s 

About Author

Danny

See author's posts