War, peace, love and failure are among themes that many songwriters like to explore in their lyrics. But Maria Kelly’s new single, His Parents’ House, takes a different direction and is all about the housing issues facing this country.
Like many young adults in Ireland, Maria – originally from Westport – and her then-partner moved in with his family to save money—an opportunity she was grateful for, while also mourning her loss of independence. “Think of the money we’ll save at his parents’ house,” she sings wryly over driving drums, an all-too-common refrain for many Generation Z and Millennials in Ireland.
His Parents’ House is the latest in a string of winning singles off her forthcoming album Waiting Room, an album that will see Maria’s signature gossamer sound reaching new, bolder heights as she reclaims control over her life.
2024 was a watershed year for Maria, who showcased at Ireland Music Week and played live on RTÉ Radio 1 (Ray D’Arcy, ARENA) and Galway Bay FM, in addition to performances at the Whelan’s We’ve Only Just Begun Festival, the Galway International Arts Festival, her sold-out Night of New Things at Bello Bar, and as the opener for Tom Odell at Live at the Marquee in Cork.
In May, Maria shared the first Waiting Room single Drive, which was featured in the international trailer for the film Ezra, starring Robert De Niro, Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne and Whoopi Goldberg.
