My name is Seánie Bermingham, and I'm excited to share an exclusive preview of the second single from my debut album, "Mission for the Dead," which is set for release on October 11, 2024.

Seánie, a folk artist from South Tipperary, is known for his thematically rich lyrics and intricate melodies. He recently performed at the Cambridge Folk Festival and joined Amble on stage at Electric Picnic and Latitude, with the Electric Picnic performance drawing a crowd of more than 13,000. Seánie will accompany Amble on their nationwide tour in October/November, both as a support act and as part of the band, performing at sold-out shows including three nights at the 3Olympia, the Telegraph Building in Belfast, Cork Opera House, Wexford’s Spiegeltent, and INEC Killarney. This follows his appearance as one of 50 Irish acts at the prestigious Ireland Music Week. Additionally, he has been selected to perform at Ireland’s largest folk conference, ‘Your Roots Are Showing,’ in Killarney next year.

'Places I Haven’t Been Yet'

The first single from the debut album, “Places I Haven’t Been Yet,” was released in August to widespread acclaim. It has received multiple plays on RTE Radio 1’s Late Date and Folk on One, IRadio, Radio Nova as well as on BBC, UK Radio, and several regional stations. Additionally, it was featured in Spotify’s Editorial Playlist Fresh Finds UK/IE, which highlights the best new releases from Britain and Ireland.

'Mission for the Dead'

'Mission for the Dead'  is the second single from my debut album, set for an early 2025 release. The album is structured into five distinct yet interconnected chapters, each exploring my journey through new territories in both the world and within myself. This song represents the second chapter, titled ‘Memory and Disconnection’ It, along with the other tracks in this chapter, delves into stories about relationships with others and myself during times of poor mental health. These songs focus on themes of memory and shifting emotions. I spent considerable time observing my surroundings as I grappled with heightened anxiety, and as a particular developing relationship ended, I became attuned to the remnants of that person in both my physical and emotional space. ‘Mission for the Dead’ centres on this theme.

It explores the complex interplay of memory, loss, and the quiet, defining moments within a relationship. It uncovers how ordinary experiences - like "copper lined with gold" - hold hidden, precious value, illustrating that even the simplest moments can carry deep emotional significance.

The lyrics reflect a desire for effortless togetherness, even if it means just sitting in silence, while grappling with the challenge of feeling misunderstood or disconnected from a partner or oneself. There’s a sense of searching for meaning, particularly when it seems the other person doesn’t fully understand their own significance or the impact of their absence.

Ultimately, the song reflects on how memories persist in the small, everyday details - "the patterns on the wall, tea stain on the floor, photos by the bed". These quiet remnants capture how someone continues to exist in subtle ways, even after they’re gone, leaving traces that never fully fade.

Recording ‘Mission for the Dead’

I produced and recorded this single and the upcoming album entirely in the ‘Music Room’ on the farm back at home in Tipperary. This 250-year-old renovated cowshed features high ceilings and original stone walls. I spent quite some time contending with the acoustics of the room and the sounds from the working farm outside, which reflected the internal struggles I faced with anxiety and suppressed thoughts at the time of writing this song. Just as I learned to accept and embrace those feelings, I embraced the ambient sounds of the room in this song.

The track opens with the sound of the stove being lit, with the crackling fire providing a subtle undercurrent throughout the tune. I aimed to make the room an active element of the music, reflecting how surroundings can hold memories - like noticing patterns on a wall or old photos, as the lyrics in the songs suggest. This song captures the essence of how a space can preserve and reflect memories. My bandmate Liam’s contribution, scratching the ash in the hearth with his boot during the second chorus, adds to this texture. Growing up on the farm has greatly influenced my songwriting, so I’m thrilled to have these familiar sounds immortalised in this track.

Music Video

The music box in the video serves as a recurring motif throughout the album, appearing in various forms both visually and musically. It symbolizes the pervasive presence of anxiety that threads through the entire work. My first experience with a panic attack occurred during a childhood trip to Austria, where I purchased this exact music box, which plays a piece by Mozart.

In the music video, I am seen repeatedly trying to discard the music box, which symbolizes my struggle with anxiety over the years. However, the more I attempt to rid myself of it, the more it reappears. Ultimately, I learn to accept it, giving it a place in my life - a metaphor for what I've discovered is the best way to coexist with anxiety. The video was filmed by my good friend Tadhg O’Brien, and I handled the editing and color grading myself.

Cover Art

The cover art features a photograph taken by my friend Tadhg on 120mm film on the farm where I grew up. I chose this image to reflect the theme of disconnection in the song, with the placement of myself and my friends emphasising that feeling. The gravel pit in the photo echoes the concept of a grave, resonating with the song's title. In the top right corner, you can spot the chimney of the room where I recorded the single - an element I wanted to include subtly. I also placed the photograph on an envelope that the girl mentioned in the song sent me. Every detail was thoughtfully considered to ensure that the cover art encapsulates the story both musically and visually.

Recent Press Quotes

“Places I Haven’t Been Yet is one of the finest, most hypnotic songs we got over the summer” -  Kieran McGuiness, Nova Radio

“If you’ve been looking for an Irish answer to Sufjan Stevens, then look no further, Seánie Bermingham has cracked the code in the form of the stunning single ‘Places I Haven’t Been Yet.’”  - Hot Press

“This is absolutely beautiful, wow. I cannot wait for this release” - Grrrl Music

“He has an incredible voice” - Aoife Scott, RTE Radio 1

“Seánie Bermingham filled the space with his dreamlike songs. His songs seem to have the most detailed and meaningful of backstories, which I loved” - The Goo

Debut EP: That Hollow Moon

In late 2021, my life took an unexpected turn when I had to postpone a planned backpacking adventure through South America due to struggles with my mental health. This setback became a turning point, leading me to retreat to the farm where I poured my emotions into music, resulting in my debut EP, "That Hollow Moon." Since its release in December 2022, the EP has resonated widely, accumulating over 1.5 million streams.

Songs from this EP have picked up multiple features on major Spotify Editorial Playlists such as “New Music Friday UK,” “The Most Beautiful Songs in the World,” “Lost in the Woods,” and “A Breath of Fresh Éire,” and have appeared numerous times on both national and regional radio stations.

Recent and Upcoming Live Shows:

• Performed on "The Den" stage at the Cambridge Folk Festival on July 27.
• Performing at Latitude Festival with Amble on July 28.
• Performed on the Electric Arena stage in front of over 13’000 people at Electric Picnic with Amble in August.
• One of 50 acts selected to play at Irish Music Week 2024.
• Supported Joshua Burnside the Hawick Music and Arts festival in Scotland and Waves of Sound in Cork.
• A special support slot for Amble at the Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre (the townland where my grandmother was from) following a successful tour together last year.
• One of 10 acts to play at the 7 Layers Festival in Paradiso, Amsterdam.
• Headlined When Next We Meet alongside Bell X1, Ye Vagabonds, Susan O'Neill and Rachel Lavelle.
• Opening for and performing with Amble in a number of Ireland’s largest venues - including the 3Olympia Theatre, Spiegeltent, Telegraph Building, INEC Killarney, Cork Opera House and more.
• Performing at Ireland’s largest Folk conference ‘Your Roots are Showing’ in 2025.

Thank you so much for taking the time to check out my new single, 'Mission for the Dead.' If you have any questions or would like to chat more about the song, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d love to hear your thoughts and hope you enjoy the track as much as I enjoyed bringing it to life.

Take care,

Seánie