New York, NY (Top40 Charts) "Linda Em has wisely gambled to find a winning formula... with Linda's vocals as fiery as
Stevie Nicks ever were... In "Wild Fire", we have a quivering ballad and sizzling chemistry. Fascinating, flawless, and invigorating" - Big Takeover Magazine
"With the firepower of Stevie Nicks, seductiveness of Mazzy Star, and timbre similar to Lana Del Ray, this song is impressive and confessional.
Linda Em has a striking vocal approach, her delivery highly convincing and loaded with soulful dramaticism" - Louder Than War
"A joy to listen to and more than worthy of repeated plays. "A musical hybrid mix between Patti Smith, Patsy Cline & Beth Gibbons" - Blues And
Roots Music Blog
"Em-azing! We're predicting big things for songstress
Linda Em" - Daily Mirror
"Making sense of London's contradictions with a voice that betrays the edge of Eire in its country-huskiness, yet quietly urgent... melding Celtic roots with influences ranging from the smoky blues end of the folk spectrum" - Rock 'n' Reel' Magazine
"This offering is stunning and timeless, grounding and balanced... a more atmospheric and spacious sound and vocal performance. A storyteller,
Linda Em conveys a sincerity and mixture of fragility and sheer strength across her work" - Spill Magazine
London-based Irish-born songstress
Linda Em presents 'Wild Fire' video in support of her new 'London Irish' EP, released via Talking Elephant Records. This EP is the first step in a different direction for Linda, towards a more atmospheric and spacious sound and vocal performance. It is both poetic and storytelling while still being brutally honest and personal. Her pure and raw vocals beautifully convey a nostalgic lyrical narrative, her warm endearing vocals drawing the listener into her musical story telling.
She previewed her single 'Two Hands' not long before the EP released on
September 21. 'Two Hands' is about seeking a safe, quiet space in which to gather strength when the trials of your everyday life feel overwhelming.
Linda Em co-wrote this song with Ian Montague.
The 'London Irish' EP was recorded, produced and mastered at Orphan Recording, Dublin by Gavin Glass (Paul Brady, John Grant, Lisa Hannigan, Mundy), who is also music director for John Carney's film 'Sing Street'). It was mixed by Scott Halliday (John Grant, Lisa Hannigan and previously guitar tech for
Prince and
James Vincent Mcmorrow).
Originally from Waterford, Ireland, Linda's family immigrated to London's East End in the 1980s. A natural singer, songwriter and storyteller, her lyrical narrative is comparable to that of authors, poets and playwrights with a strong visual essence, stimulating the listener's own imagination. Her music explores a wide array of themes from forgotten fateful stories and uncelebrated heroines of the past to her own personal and family experiences.
Linda first started singing blues and rock 'n' roll in pubs and clubs in her early twenties before meeting Chris Wyatt, with whom she wrote and recorded her first album 'Shadow Lands' in 2015. Her sound has grown to adopt strong elements of Americana and folk noir with an ominous and atmospheric Celtic undercurrent to it and splashes of gospel and soul.
"As a lyricist I'm telling a story and, through working with producer Gavin Glass, I think the musical side reflects and illustrates that. Gavin has managed to give the songs and sound a strong cohesiveness even though the songs are all written with different people," says
Linda Em.
Linda draws an ethereal energy flow from her inspirations, citing numerous artists as influences, including Leonard Cohen, Edith Piaf, Nina Simone, Portishead, Hank Williams, Ennio Morricone and the poetry of Ted Hughes.
Linda Em produces music in an extraordinary mix of influences and genres, blending folk (revisited from a current London / Irish cultural perspective), pop rock, Celtic melody and American blues. Her music is timeless, filtering new compositions through the prism of her musical heritage to produce an overall modern day eclectic feel.
The 'London Irish' EP can be found through the regular online stores and streaming platforms as of
September 21, and is also available on CD from Talking Elephant Records.
Linda Em's EP launch show take places in London on
September 26 at Water Rats (19:30 - 22:30, 328 Grays Inn Road,
Kings Cross) with a special guest - folk music legend
Julie Felix - and support from Crayon Angels and JMK James. Tickets are available at goo.gl/HR3g9b
TRACK LIST
1 Wild Fire
2 Two Hands
3
Little Lightmaker
4 White Horse
'Wild Fire' written by
Linda Em /
Eamon Gilmore
'Two Hands' written by
Linda Em / Ian Montague
'Little Lightmaker' written by
Linda Em /
Linda Coogan Byrne
'White Horse' written by
Linda Em / Chris Wyatt
All tracks mixed by Scott Halliday
Mastering by Gavin Glass at Orphan Recording Studios
'Wild Fire', 'Little Lightmaker' and 'White Horse' produced by Gavin Glass
Recorded at Orphan Recording Studios, Dublin
Bass and drums by Scott Halliday
Mandolin, acoustic and baritone guitars on 'Little Lightmaker' by
Robin James Hurt
Backing Vocals on 'Wild Fire' & 'Little Lightmaker' by Teresa Connelly
All other instruments by Gavin Glass
'Two Hands' recorded by Rupert Gillett
Recorded at The Cabin Recording Studios, Walthamstow, London
Piano by Suzanne Ho
Opera vocal by Neeharika Gollapalli
