Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Myles O’Reilly have released their second album together, the truly stunning The Beautiful Road.
Rónán Ó Snodaigh is well known for being the founding member and lead vocalist of Kíla. Myles O’Reilly is a former member of Juno Falls who, since 2010, has directed music videos for the likes of Sinead O’Connor, Glen Hansard, Villagers, Lisa O’Neill, Ye Vagabonds and Lisa Hannigan. Together, Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Myles O’Reilly have created much beautiful music and as you’ll soon see, some stunning music videos (keep scrolling!).
The Beautiful Road was mainly written as the two toured their first album Tá Go Maith. They then settled in a log cabin in Roscommon before moving to a farmhouse in rugged West Cork to record the new album. Recording one song each day – the countryside and nature as their muse, the pair sought to create a soothing listening experience inspired by the wind, the rain, and the sea. The elements, if you will. They also wanted to counter noises that so often interrupt our inner calm such as traffic, machinery, and other unpredictable sounds. As Rónán said of recording the album: “This is a process of encouraging, uncovering, and bringing the best out in each other.”
A mix of English and Irish lyrics, the strengths of The Beautiful Road do lie in its intended sense of serenity. And the songs feature a wide range of comforting sonic
elements, too, including bells, breaths, brush-stroked rhythms, halftime beats and ambient melodies that create a sonic massage that relaxes the ears and settles the soul.
Discussing The Beautiful Road, Myles said: “Perhaps this analogy explains best my feelings about collaborating with Rónán on this new album. Every time we record a new track, it’s another meter up the hill. We’re facing forward, and with each song, we’re watching our feet, traversing a similar tapestry of swollen bog, stone walls, hedgerows, and sheep-shorn grass. A new horizon always revealing itself up ahead.
“After a song has been tracked, we turn around to view how more elevated and removed we are from the valley below and the lives we live down there, independent of each other. Every beautiful pause promises a next level to ascend. So this new album is such a natural continuation of Tá Go Math because we’re both still making our way, at our own pace, up that same mountain. It’s evident from our surroundings, in the places we record, the venues we play, and the reactions we’ve been experiencing and enjoying from the people we meet. It’s a journey we’re very happy to make on behalf of those who are listening, who have made their appreciation known.
“Rónán carries burning embers of chants, rhythms, and stories; I’m carrying a bale of kindling and a lighter, and on up the slope, we climb, with a goal to bring as many people up the hill with us…and light a fire.”
What Next for Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Myles O’Reilly
The duo has already announced the below dates, but more are on the way. So, be sure to keep an eye out for their beautiful music coming to a stage or fireside seat near you.
Upcoming Shows
Saturday, September 23rd – St Michael’s Church, Waterville, Kerry
Sunday, September 24th – Connolly’s, Leap, West Cork
Wednesday, September 27th – Whelan’s, Dublin
Friday, October 20th – Culdaff, Donegal
Rónán and Myles on the World Wide Web
You can find Rónán Ó Snodaigh here, and Myles O’Reilly here.
G.M
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