Maria Somerville draws on folk forms alongside post-punk, traditional Irish motifs, starry eyed pop and hypnotic drones to create wholly original music that is borne of her roots in Connemara, Western Ireland.
Her self-released 2019 EP All My People channels the wilderness of the Irish landscape through dense, ethereal soundscapes, bare boned percussion and a heady electronic undertow, interspersed with ghostly vocals that are ever present and all encompassing, like crystalline glints of sunshine peeking through dark stormy clouds. Since its release she has signed to 4AD, releasing two covers as part of their 40th anniversary Bills & Aches & Blues compilation, and supporting label-mates Dry Cleaning on their EU tour.
As well as her work as a solo musician, Maria has contributed to Richard Russel’s Everything Is Recorded project, and remixed tracks by Westerman and Bing & Ruth. Her ‘Early Bird’ Breakfast show on NTS has also proven her to be a talented and much loved selector – as recent DJ slots with Croatian Amor attest.
She is currently working on her debut album which will be released on 4AD.