If you’re into NI music at all, it’s likely that you’ve come across Belfast singer-songwriter Siobhán Day at some point in the last six years. From appearing at festivals like Sunflowerfest, Dublin City Soul Festival and the Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival to playing alongside the likes of The Emerald Armada and Pat Dam Smyth Day has created a name for herself on the local scene. Having just released her debut EP, The Start of Something Else at The Duncan Centre for Culture and Arts, we’re sure you’ll be hearing her name even more.
The EP begins with the aptly named Start, a soft and gentle opening which captivates and bewitches throughout. From the very first few strums to the almost motivational tone of the chorus, this is a hopeful track that showcases Day’s beautiful Belfast accent (which is saying a lot, considering our own accent usually makes us cringe).
After such an upbeat start, Different has a more soulful edge to it, and you can definitely hear the influences of the likes of KT Tunstall here. There’s still a jazzy little undertone to this one and with that accent shining through, it’s clear that Siobhan Day is Northern Ireland’s answer to Amy MacDonald through and through.
A bit more of a folky vibe about this one, Oh Mercy throws in some typical Northern Irish humour with its account of a week spent working for the MTV Music Awards in Belfast. With a sterling sing along chorus, and a more country-ish storytelling approach, this is a real winner of a track and after a few listens this one will definitely be stuck in your head for weeks.
In contrast to this, closing track Faith finishes this EP off on a more sombre and emotional note. With pleading lyrics and an interesting transition from stripped back acoustic to a much more full sound when it hits the chorus, the subtle harmonies and beating drums make this a very powerful track indeed.
From the four tracks offered throughout The Start of Something Else, it’s glaringly obvious that Day is not a newcomer to the singer-songwriter world, and over the course of the EP she offers a varied range of musical styles and themes that make this a very pleasant and unique listen that I’m sure will get even better with age.
To keep up to date with Siobhan Day and hear more great music, you can follow her on Facebook and Twitter, and you can buy her EP here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E9IOs4AMuM
