Dundalk Indie Folk Band Norabelle Release New Single “How Long Does It Take?” + Announce Second Album
[Photo Credit: Paddy Clarke]
The “beautifully hushed”, melodic folk group announce their highly anticipated second album, The Mountain Blinks, for release on April 11th.
The Dundalk-formed, now Dublin-based Norabelle are establishing themselves as master storytellers, weaving poignant themes of grief, love, and memory into their delicately melodic soundscapes. Consisting of Ken Clarke (Guitar & Vocals), Shane O’Hanrahan (Guitar, Vocals, and Piano), Stefano Rossi (Bass), and Stephen Ludlow (Drums), the band draws influence from artists such as Sun Kil Moon, Bonnie Prince Billy, and Sufjan Stevens, brewing their own delicate, impactful brand of Irish folk.
The forthcoming album, “The Mountain Blinks”, follows the debut LP “Wren”, which earned widespread acclaim for its poetic storytelling and elegant arrangements. The eagerly awaited second album will showcase their matured sound and even deeper exploration into lyrical introspection. Recorded at Black Mountain Recording Studios, nestled in the serene Cooley Mountains, the album reflects the band’s surroundings, parceled into intricate arrangements and stunning harmonised vocals. Speaking about the album, lead vocalist Ken Clarke said:
“The Mountain Blinks” explores themes of memory, grief, and the fragility of life. It’s deeply personal, touching on my own experiences of loss and how those memories shape us, even when they’re fleeting or unreliable.”
New single, "How Long Does It Take?", taken from the forthcoming album, encapsulates Norabelle's ethos—a delicate yet powerful meditation on grief and the impermanence of life. Written from Clarke’s perspective as a child processing the death of his mother, the song blends poignant lyrics with haunting harmonies and intricate instrumentation. He reflects:
"It’s a song born from questions that haunted me as a child, like, 'How long does it take until you’re not you?' It’s both literal and metaphorical—about physical change and the emotional transformation of a family after loss.”
The band will celebrate the album release with a launch gig Upstairs in Whelans April 16th.
