SoundShapes is a brand new series of collaborations with the hottest Galway artists, where we ask them to curate a playlist of the songs that defined them and their sound
Daithí is an electronic songwriter, producer and performer. Though he is originally from Clare, his musical roots are deep in Galway soil. Daithí’s distinctive brand of hypnotic, melodic house music is absolutely drenched in Irish culture and tradition.
Scroll down to hear some of the tracks that Daithí loves to listen to, or you can check out the Spotify playlist HERE....
Jai Paul - Jasmine
This song is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard, and completely stands on its own in terms of production. As soon as I heard it, it completely changed my outlook on production; Instead of trying to sound like everybody else, I starting wanting to sound like no one else.
Caribou - Can’t Do Without You
The perfect "hands in the air at a festival" song. It’s bursting out of its seams with hope and happiness, it’s exactly how I want live performances to feel, all rolled into one song.
Passion Pit - Sleepyhead
I remember first hearing this song in Cuba, Galway. It absolutely blew my mind! Later, when I found out the main riff was an Irish sean nós sample, it was a huge inspiration to me for using Irish samples in electronic music. If this guy from America was doing it, why wasn’t anyone here doing it?
Radiohead - Reckoner
Radiohead had a huge influence on me during my teenage years. In Rainbows came out just around the time I was preparing for the Leaving Cert, and I swear to this day I wouldn’t have passed my exams without songs like 'Reckoner' to focus me.
Bonobo - Break Apart
I discovered this song at a time when I was low in spirits, and it was extremely helpful to me. It’s an absolutely heartbreaking song, so full of emotion. Truly special.
Thom Yorke - Unmade (Susperia soundtrack)
The film Susperia struck a very strange chord with me when it came out. To me, the film is about fixing the balance in the world, and slowly repairing yourself. This song is a perfect soundtrack to that sentiment, in my mind.
Kendrick Lamar - The Art Of Peer Pressure
Kendrick Lamar is the most important voice of my generation, and for my money the greatest rapper alive. 'The Art Of Peer Pressure' is a perfect story telling song, and shines a harsh honest spotlight on modern America.
Burial - Archangel
Like Jai Paul, Burial is another music producer who is completely unique. To me, Burial's music is the sound of urban living, late at night, solitary in a built up area. Beautiful, lonely, and cathartic.
Jon Hopkins - Open Eye Signal
No one makes music like Jon Hopkins. It sometimes doesn’t even feel like music, just physical energy being pushed through speakers. 'Open Eye Signal' was the first song I heard from him, I heard it live at Body & Soul, and all I can remember is walking into a tent with my mouth wide open.
The Postal Service - Such Great Heights
The Postal Service's only album was the sound of my first year in College. Like everyone, that year was so incredibly formative, it almost scares me how much you are defined by that year. I’m glad I had songs like this to live through it!
Lankum - The Wild Rover
A more recent one, this track is probably one of the most important songs for Irish music in the past decade. Groups like The Gloaming and Lankum have brought traditional inspired music to new heights, and this track is an absolute tour de force. Taking something people know so well and completely turning it on its head takes something truly special. Magical, even.
Feature photo by Christian Tierney
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