NewDad

NewDad are an Irish indie rock band from Galway, formed in 2018. Their music has been compared to The Cure, Beabadoobee, and Just Mustard by ''NME'' magazine. Atwood Magazine wrote of the group: "The band oozes personality with cynical but honest lyrics, colorful visual components, and poignant messages about coping with the, albeit painful, formative experiences." The group have appeared at Glastonbury Festival, All Points East, the Pitchfork Music Festival in Paris, and on the Irish television program Other Voices.

Career

Formation and early career (2018—2020)

Julie Dawson, Áindle O'Beirn and Fiachra Parslow started the band while in secondary school at Coláiste Iognáid as a way of avoiding solo performances for their Leaving Certificate practical music exam. Sean O'Dowd, who was studying music technology in Limerick, began recording the band, before eventually becoming a full member. An early feature in local paper the ''Connacht Tribune'' wrote "Belying their relative inexperience, Galway band New Dad are fast becoming one of the city's most inventive and enthralling acts."
The band released five singles in 2020; "How," "Swimming," "Cry," "Blue" and "I Don't Recognise You," which accrued over two million streams on Spotify. On 5 November 2020, the group recorded a live session for Steve Lamacq's show on BBC 6 Music.

''Waves EP'' (2021)

Their debut EP ''Waves'' was released in March 2021. Recorded with engineer Chris Ryan in Belfast, the EP features the previously released singles "I Don't Recognise You" and "Blue." ''God Is in the TV'' wrote of the EP "Each song juxtaposes fuzzy guitar waves, dexterous basslines, subtle percussive beds, woven with Julie's half spoken half sung vocals that are intimate, evocative and heart puncturing." In a 4-star review '' DIY'' magazine wrote of the tracks, "Together they offer a palpable melancholy, one driven by vocalist Julie Dawson's intricate balance of despondency and bite, not least on the subtle spite on the closing title track." ''The Journal of Music'' opined: "NewDad posit themselves as both the lovelorn hero and the cut-throat antagonist, switching sides with ease." In a positive review, '' Far Out'' magazine wrote, "Their debut EP is a well-rounded effort that shows a band who are rightly-confident in their abilities."

''Banshee'' EP (2021—2023)

In October 2021, the group released the single "Ladybird" and announced their second EP, ''Banshee''. The EP was recorded with Chris Ryan in Belfast and mixed by John Congleton. In January 2022, BBC 6 Music premiered "Say It," the second single from the EP. ''So Young Magazine'' wrote of the single; "'Say It' has NewDad sounding more confident and more ambitious." ''Banshee'' was released on 7 February 2022. ''Gigwise'', giving it a score of nine out of ten stars, wrote; "NewDad look primed to set the world alight." ''GoldenPlec'' wrote; "the themes of 'Banshee' thoughtfully unfold through a dreamscape of helplessness, uncertainty, depression and neurosis." '' Dork'' magazine wrote of the EP; "Sonically expansive and colourful, it's a brighter step up from last year's 'Waves EP'." and awarded it four stars out of five.

After the success of ''Banshee'', the band relocated to London. The move also saw O'Beirn being replaced by London-raised bassist Cara Joshi.

''Madra'' and other projects (2024)

On 14 September 2023, the band announced their debut album, ''Madra'' (which translates as 'dog' from Irish), scheduled for release on 26 January 2024. The announcement was marked by the release of the single "Angel". The album was produced by Chris W Ryan, mixed by Alan Moulder, and recorded at Rockfield Studios. NME listed Madra as their 45th best album of 2024 and one of the ten best debut albums of the year.

Solo projects

In August 2024, NewDad singer/songwriter Julie Dawson announced the release of her debut solo album, ''Bottom of the Pool'', which released on 13 September 2024.

Life Is Strange: Double Exposure

NewDad composed a new song, titled "Under My Skin", for Life is Strange: Double Exposure, an episodic adventure game published by Square Enix.

''Safe'' EP and ''Altar'' (2025)

In April 2025 NewDad announced release of their third EP, ''Safe'', which released the following month. In July, NewDad announced their forthcoming second album ''Altar'', set for release on 19 September 2025. The announcement was accompanied by the release of a lead single, "Roobosh".

Personnel

Current members

* Julie Dawson (vocalist and rhythm guitarist)
* Sean O'Dowd (lead guitar)
* Fiachra Parslow (drums)

Past members

* Áindle O’Beirn (bass guitar) (2018-2022)
* Cara Joshi (bass guitar) (2022-2025)

Discography

Albums
*''Madra'' (26 January 2024)

EPs
*''Waves EP'' (26 March 2021)
*''Banshee EP'' (9 February 2022)
*''Safe EP'' (2 May 2025)

Singles
*"How" (2 March 2020)
*"Swimming" (25 March 2020)
*"Cry" (12 June 2020)
*"Blue" (4 September 2020)
*"Blue (Happa Remix)" (20 November 2020)
*"I Don't Recognise You" (27 November 2020)
*"Ladybird" (26 October 2021)
*"Say It" (11 January 2022)
*"ILY2" (30 September 2022)
*"In My Head" (10 May 2023)
*"Break In" (14 June 2023)
*"Angel" (13 September 2023)
*"Let Go" (20 October 2023)
*"Nightmares" (13 November 2023)
*"White Ribbons" (11 January 2024)

References

{{Reflist

External links

NewDad on Bandcamp

Irish musical groups
2018 establishments in Ireland
Atlantic Records artists
Musical groups established in 2018
Musical groups from County Galway
Irish alternative rock groups
Irish shoegaze musical groups
Irish pop rock music groups
Irish indie rock groups
Female-fronted musical groups