Maria Kelly

Maria Kelly
Maria Kelly is an alt-folk artist from the West of Ireland, creating songs for sensitivities. Taking influence from artists like Feist, Adrienne Lenker, and Lucy Rose, she has developed a sound that is as delicate as it is disarmingly frank. In 2021, Maria released her eagerly anticipated debut album The Sum of the Inbetween , a record which is ultimately one of acceptance and finding the strength to meet yourself where you are, wherever you are.

The album quickly made an impact, garnering support from Irish & UK radio, and finding a dedicated listenership online. It currently sits at more than five million streams, with one track someone else soundtracking the trailer for the TV series Conversations With Friends. Maria has shared stages across Europe with the likes of KT Tunstall, Billie Marten, Villagers, Wallis Bird and All The Luck In The World. She is currently working on her second album, due for release in early 2024. In Autumn 2023, Maria plans to hit the road in the Netherlands & Germany for an acoustic tour, testing out her new material in more intimate settings, and connecting with a new audience along the way. Joining her will be Rival Sisters.

Rival Sisiters
Hannah Hiemstra is a Dutch drummer, composer and overall musician. She studied Creative Musicianship-Drums at BIMM Dublin. After graduating for her honours bachelor degree, she further pursued her academic career and got a Master (M.Phil) in Music Composition at Trinity College Dublin. She is now based in Amsterdam and works from her home studio.

Hannah founded Rival Sisters in January 2021. In this project Hannah takes on the role as composer, drummer and vocalist (and occasionally pianist). The existence of Rival Sisters was established with the debut single Things that are still, which was released in February of that same year. Rival Sisters' music could be described as modern and progressive, yet classical sounding with a dark edge. Drums, piano, bass and vocals are central in the works, with orchestration from woodwinds to synthesisers adding an eclectic but considered range of dynamic sounds and atmospheres that course through the pieces. Influences like Tori Amos and Kate Bush are clearly present in the music. Complex musical ideas which are still easy listenable are an aim for Rival Sisters' music.

Rival Sisters creates a distinguished sound by means of acoustic and electric elements. In narrative music, told from behind a drum set, Rival Sisters engages the listener and audience.