HOUSEKIND
‘C90’
NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO PREVIEW
FROM THE FORTHCOMING DEBUT EP ‘THE FOAM ROAD’
SINGLE ‘C90’ OUT ON 26 MAY, 2023
‘THE FOAM ROAD’ OUT ON 16 JUNE, 2023
EP LAUNCH EVENT AT DRAGONFLY, EDINBURGH ON 18 JUNE
OK Pal Records are delighted to announce the release of ‘The Foam Road’, the debut EP from Housekind, and share a preview of the single ‘C90’, out on May 26th.
FFO: Lisa O’Neil, Lankum, The Gloaming, Joanna Newsom, Elliott Smith, ANOHNI and Nirvana
This summer, Edinburgh-based alternative folk artist Shea Martin (they/them) releases their debut EP ‘The Foam Road’ under the moniker Housekind. Rich with original imagery and metaphor, lavish with ethereal and haunting vocals, the songs have the power to transport.
Originally from rural south-west Donegal, Martin was reared on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean in the vibrant folk tradition of the Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking area), one of the few remaining in Ireland. This impossible wild beauty is reflected in their song-writing, drawing on a unique culture and community rich in narrative and alive with music.
Martin got their start as a musician as a bassist at the Ballyfermot Rock School and progressed quickly to writing their own songs. Shortly after, Martin moved from Dublin to Edinburgh where they soon became a familiar face in the eclectic and supportive local music community. With their former band, The Watch Thieves, a three piece with Michael Starkey and Lucy Mason, they recorded their mesmeric album ‘Heavy as the Sun’ in 2015 at Stables Project Studio with Tim Lane.
This new project, Housekind, is in essence a solo venture, however, Martin continues to maintain a strong folk-ethos of collaboration. Their live sets as Housekind regularly include masterful percussionist Callum Younger, who also features on The Foam Road playing bodhrán. Together they collaborated with Tinderbox Orchestra to perform a bespoke orchestral version of ‘Salt Shield’, taken from the EP, as part of Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival in 2022. The Foam Road also prominently features Robyn Dawson (Meursault, Faith Eliott, L.T Leif), who recorded and produced the EP as well as contributing layers of atmospheric violin and cello parts.
A gifted storyteller, Martin explores themes that cannot be easily quantified; they often pair parallels between vast cosmic worlds and minute, intimate moments. At the heart of the storytelling is connection both to self and to that which is mysterious and intangible. The stories are those of conversations, some true, some imagined and some that can no longer be had.
‘The Foam Road’ will be released on OK Pal Records on June 16th, 2023.
The EP Launch will take place on 18th June 2023 at Dragonfly Cocktail Bar, Edinburgh.
More about the single ‘C90’:
Martin wrote the song ‘C90′ after experiencing a minor motorcycle crash. The crash lead Martin to a personal revelation about what it takes to move forward. The bike becoming a metaphor for what’s laid to waste while pursuing ambitions, what must be sacrificed in order to grow.
‘THE FOAM ROAD’ TRACKLISTING:
1. C90 (SINGLE) (3:55)
2. Dear Ones (3:13)
3. Salt Shield (4:58)
4. The Foam Road (2:58)
