Inspired by Irish folklore, mysticism and culture, Dublin’s newest up-and-coming solo performer Saoirse Miller creates a sound that is nothing short of magical. Miller has recently landed several gigs and has begun to create a plethora of works, solo and in collaboration with her fellow Dublin musicians.
Being a final-year music student at Trinity and a Dublin performer, the solo artist discusses all things from WB Yeats to the up-and-coming band Fizzy Orange. In conversation with The University Times, Miller explains that “the purpose of all [her] music is to tell a story somehow or to paint a picture of something, genre-wise it is definitely ambiance, electro-acoustic”.
Miller’s ability to create stories and invite the listener to sit back and let the sounds course through their bodies harbours a sort of supernatural quality. Having never heard anything like the music that Miller creates, I had to ask her about the originality she encapsulates: “I don’t write songs in a traditional sense. I like to take weird acoustic sounds and then make them sound electronic. I like to make things sound different on purpose.”
The universal feeling of being afraid to uncover your feelings and explore your emotions when something turbulent happens in your life is something we all try to steer clear of from time to time. Miller explained the importance of listening to these sensations as they can translate into art in more ways than one. “My feelings are my biggest inspiration … I kind of use music as my own kind of therapy … I take my own sadness as inspiration.”
Along with Florence and the Machine and the Fleet Foxes, Miller explained that Yeats was also a major inspiration for her music, “I take a lot of inspiration from Yeats, a lot from his poetry”. Dublin and Irish culture have contributed to the shape of Miller’s music in a myriad of ways. “Yeats’ poem, The Wild Swans at Coole, inspired ‘Swan Song’, and I wrote another one, ‘Birds’, about a poem he had written.”
Irish culture is delicately sprinkled with fairy trees and banshee sightings – Ireland is a place of storytelling, and Miller gravitates towards this source of beauty in several ways. Miller states, “I always grew up with this weird instinct to radiate towards folklore … ‘Swan Song’ is about Wild Swans at Coole but I also reference The Children of Lir”.
Dublin’s music scene is a flourishing garden of talent. From indie to rap and everything in between, there is something for everyone. The sometimes challenging aspect of being a solo female artist is something that Miller touched on. “Sometimes I feel like a rookie because I don’t have a band behind me … but this doesn’t hinder me or turn me off gigging if anything it is more empowering, yes I am one girl but I can get up and do it anyway.”
Miller has performed onstage with several other musicians such as hip-hop group Lowkick. When discussing her past gigs and the performers she has gravitated towards, Miller mentioned a few, specifically Paul Banks, noting that “he is just up there with his guitar and it’s just amazing”. Miller explained that, though she is a solo artist, she cherishes working alongside other Dublin musicians. “I think it’s a good thing. It’s helping me network with loads of people.”
Alongside performing with Banks, Miller also features Lowkick’s single ‘Bluebird’ which they released last summer. Miller states “now whenever they have a gig I get up to do the song with them.” Though their styles are different, the musicians have amalgamated together to create something seductive yet full of energy. Miller recalls in awe of how the trio performs, “the way they command the crowd is totally different to what I am used to… the crowd is pumping and I always have really good fun with them.”
When asked about her favourite Dublin musicians Miller named but a few. She mentioned the producer D*mp. “He makes really interesting tracks. Whenever he sends me a track there is no hesitation, I just have something for it … we work well together.”
Miller continued, naming a band that is becoming increasingly more popular as the days go on. They’re known as Fizzy Orange. “They are all so talented … their sets are seamless. You could be in the worst mood ever, but as soon as you go to a Fizzy gig you are just in it.”
Having a real appreciation for these performers, Miller again mentions Lowkick and Banks, stating that the hip-hop trio “are not just like Dublin lads on the mic … they make really interesting jazz beats”. It is evident that Banks is someone who Miller thinks extremely highly of: “Paul can command a crowd like crazy.”
Saoirse Miller is constantly landing gigs and gracing our ears with her beautiful sounds. Miller has a new single coming out this November, so make sure to keep an eye out for it! If you want to listen to Miller’s music, check out her profile on Spotify, Saoirse Miller. To find out more about where she will be performing make sure to follow her Instagram, @saoirsemiller.
