Tullamore singer songwriter to release new single

Talented Tullamore singer/songwriter Olivia Burke is releasing her new single “You’re Alive” on Friday of next week, July 23, which is a perfect pandemic collaboration as it was written entirely over Facebook video calls!

Although the 22-year old singer has written much of her own material in the past, she has drawn on the combined songwriting talents of Keith McLoughlin and Grace Day for her new single, which was recorded at Beardfire Music Production Studio & Label.

Taking inspiration from pop power houses such as Maggie Rogers and Jessie Ware, ’You’re Alive” draws parallels between coming to terms with the end of a friendship or relationship and the feeling of grief. While the subject of the song is heavy, the melody and instrumentation remain uplifting, featuring dreamy synths, vibrant electro drums and pristine pop vocals delivered by Olivia.

The way in which the song was written, however, is a perfect example of the times we live in and having to contend with a global pandemic. Keith McLoughlin wrote some lyrics and sent them to Grace Day, who currently lives in Nashville. From there, Keith and Grace wrote the song together over Facebook video calls.

Having heard Olivia Burke sing on his radio show, Keith decided she would be perfect for the song, and when he approached her, she was fully on board to sing and perform on the song. She joined in on the video calls along with the lads at Beardfire Music to work on pre-production before spending an afternoon in the studio recording vocals, guitar and other instruments, and the final mix of the song was delivered a week later.

Olivia Burke, whose mum Karen runs the popular local business, Enchanted Stationery, has just finished four years studying Commercial Modern Music and Songwriting at BIMM Dublin. In the past she has performed in many venues including Whelan’s, The Workman’s Club, Dolans and was shortlisted in the final 33 of the Hotpress Big Break Competition in 2014. She released a single in May called “Anybody Else” and an EP called “Notes On My Napkin” in 2015 which she successfully got crowdfunding for through a Fund It. Olivia’s influences include Amy Winehouse, Lorde, Frank Ocean and Kacey Musgraves.