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A refreshing and inspirational group from Warrenpoint have today, 7 June 2024 released their debut album ‘A Sketch of Home’ documenting in song all that makes the Carlingford Lough and Mourne Mountain environment unique.
The New Leaves are a modern Irish folk group and they are definitely a band to watch. Their music explores the natural beauty, history and mythology of the region.
Made up of four childhood friends The New Leaves came together post pandemic to blend lush, three-part harmonies, nature
inspired lyrics and modern folk aesthetics. Their members, Declan McKay (formally of The Young Aviators), Cian O’Hare, Patrice
McKevitt and Paddy Goodfellow, came together to breathe life into an expanding songbook written by McKay, who crafts a
soundtrack to home life beneath the Mourne Mountains and the beautiful townlands that surround Carlingford Lough. Since forming
in 2022, the group have been charming audiences around Ireland and the UK performing their brand of soulful modern folk music in
intimate venues and boutique festivals to much admiration and acclaim.
The album is a stunning journey of hope, nostalgia, love, nature and connection, all delivered through a delicate and unique folk sound unlike anything in the contemporary Irish or UK folk market.
The 13 track titles are a proverbial what's what of the local area. In the Shadow of The Mournes, is a Newry.ie favourite, a really catchy tune that transports your mind back to forgotten memories of life and love. Giant Murphy Favour sung by Patrice McKevitt contains the wonderful line "I need you to be eight foot down for me". Donaghaguy Reservoir is another track that you will find yourself singing away to yourself very quickly, excellent. Other tracks include The Lights from Omeath, Country Lane Lament and Away With the Fairies.
The album is released on CD and digital download via Corn Crake Records. ‘Donaghaguy Reservoir’ was their first single released on 29 March of this year and it has received significant airplay on national and regional radio stations across Ireland and the UK. ‘A Sketch of Home’ is the first album to be released by Corncrake Records, the brainchild of Bluebells frontman Ken McCluskey.
You can buy the album via lastnightfromglasgow.com
Praise for The New Leaves
“Gorgeous harmonies... beautiful songwriting” - Lynette Fay, Folk Club, BBC Radio Ulster
“Something very special” - Anne Marie McAleese, BBC Radio Ulster
"Very atmospheric" - Ricky Ross, Deacon Blue
“Something a little bit special... this is something very, very special....I love this” - Gary Crowley, BBC Radio London
“Really great; a bucolic delight with a lovely coda.” - Justin Currie, Del Amitri
