Étáin

About Étáin

Recipient of the Young Songwriters Award, Étáin began writing at an early age, inspired by her childhood spent by the Lake Isle of Innisfree. Over a decade later, she has developed a distinctive songwriting style, delivering cinematic imagery in an intimate and conversational tone. Étáin interweaves celtic vocal melodies with ambient acoustic accompaniments, creating a musical landscape that pays homage to her Irish roots while offering a fresh vision for the folk tradition.

Her award-winning debut EP, 'Sacred Renditions' (2017), was followed by 'In The Kitchen', a collection reimagining Irish traditional music within the contemporary indie-folk genre. Her debut single, 'At Least One' has garnered critical acclaim. This track, along with her EPs, demonstrates not only her creative output but also her commitment to artistic independence, having produced and mixed them herself.

Étáin's musical journey has taken her from intimate venues to major festival stages, including Sea Sessions and Electric Picnic. She has independently secured radio airplay on BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio Ulster, features in Hot Press' and IMRO's new music playlists, and glowing reviews from When the Horn Blows, The Thin Air, The Last Mixtape, and Golden Plec. These achievements are a testament to her talent, drive, and understanding of the music industry.

Beyond her work as a musician, Étáin is deeply committed to building a more equitable and inclusive music landscape. Her experience in the music industry, including supporting musicians in need as a Community Engagement and Fundraising Officer for Help Musicians, has provided invaluable insight into the challenges and opportunities creators face. This experience fuels her passion for wider participation and access, which she champions through her involvement with the F-List for Music's 'Culture of Belonging' programme, Hen Hoose initiatives, and the Popgirlz Collective.

More recently, she composed, produced, and mixed an extended audio piece for moving image entitled 'Cá a nDeachaigh Mé?'. As Audio Director and Co-Creator, she developed the piece with multi-disciplinary production company, Dumbworld Productions, exploring the historical phenomenon of Irish emigration through Gaeilge, Gàidhlig, and English. Indeed, much of her work engages with Gaelic languages and she is currently working on a creative documentary exploring this with Dearcán Media. These project, along with other work in film, TV, and theatre, reflects her interest in the intersection of music and other art forms.

Her MMus in Musicology further enriches her perspective, combining practical experience with rigorous research exploring inequality within the music sector and seeking pathways to positive change. She is currently recording her debut album with the support of Creative Scotland due for release in September 2025.