Despite the slow pace of Ocean of Stars, this title track from Brídín’s new EP is quite an uplifting song!
Brídín is the stage name of Enniscrone harpist Bríd McGowan, whose appearance on RTE television’s Tommy Tiernan show last week raised quite a few eyebrows. Not just because of her impressive music credentials, but because of her work as a full time funeral director and embalmer.
Bríd takes after her father, the well-known Ballina and Sligo undertaker David McGowan, and also creator of the yet-to-be-fully-realised Enniscrone Glamping Village in Co. Sligo.
Bríd is a contemporary harpist, carrying on the traditions of unique skills and talents passed down through her family. Her mother is a member of the well-known Danaher family of musicians from Easkey. Bríd is the fourth generation of her family to play Irish music and plays harp, flute, piano, and dances sean nós.
She writes her own music and performed Ocean of Stars on the TV show last week, alongside musicians Clare Sands, Paul Leonard, and Brian Dillon. Watch the performance here:
Bridin has developed her own style, influenced by the natural surroundings of her native West Sligo and rooted in her background in traditional Irish music.
“I’m so excited to have this EP out, as I’ve been working on it for a while now getting it right,” said Bridin.
“I’ve met so many incredible musicians along the way that I’m lucky to have worked with on my music. I couldn’t be more pleased with the result! I hope ‘Ocean of Stars EP’ can bring some happiness and calm to people in such a challenging time,” she said.
The EP Ocean of Stars is out now on all digital platforms, including Spotify and Bandcamp, and is a collection of five tracks: Wysteria, Floating, North West, Ocean of Stars and The Salmon’s Tale, featuring musician Colm Mac Con Iomaire of The Frames.
https://open.spotify.com/album/0Te3R7crevJYe5KuSyz78C?si=fYh60r8BQkunYJdZ1Wpa1Q
