𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 - this week: Believe in Yourself - Séa Byrne

Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly - an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝘽𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 - 𝙎𝙚́𝙖 𝘽𝙮𝙧𝙣𝙚

Charles travels faintly North and vaguely West, to the only Caribbean island in Eire…

I had forgotten what it was like to be on the open sea. Which makes sense, as I’ve never been on the open sea. Admittedly it is not a long trip from Liverpool’s docks to the the Irish coast, but nevertheless it can be rather exciting when you envision the paradise at the other end. Land ahoy! Although technically Ireland, this small island just off the coast of the mainland has its own extraordinary microclimate, its own people and its own way of life. Paddìsyaŕn is truly like a slice of Tahiti in the most unlikely place. Although popular, it is not widely known because of an international government agreement to keep the world’s prying eyes away from it - I am maybe breaking some sort of rule in even mentioning it here, but if we all agree to keep it a secret, mum’s the word.

My artist this week is from Dublin, but has known about Paddìsyaŕn for a long time. So much so that he has been truly influenced by its character and has become obsessed with the phenomenon around it. Séa Byrne writes and produces - at least at the moment - very much with calypso in his veins. Séa - pronounced not like the chandelier-swinging blondie, but Shay - is a positive chap who loves Dublin but feels the need to go further afield from time to time. Thankfully, he has just the place very nearby indeed. Séa goes to Paddìsyaŕn regularly in fact, for a means of de-stressing from a life in the city. I have therefore come to Paddìsyaŕn for this very purpose, to catch up with Séa and see him do a one-off set on the beach!

The dancers are out in force, the grass skirts are getting ready to do their thang, and the steel drums start to chime and clang, all in glorious sunshine. He sees me and gives a knowing nod complete with a charming Irish wink. I wave like an Englishman. They can tell I am a foreigner in this land, but they do not mind as they are very welcoming and civil. And so the music starts where the steel drums brought us in. The vibe is jolly, a keyboard snatches the chords as the defiantly simple beat takes us through into Séa’s intro chorus. “Believe Yourself, Believe in Yourself” - Such jaunt! The dancers smile genuinely; their skirts start to twitch. Séa’s audience are captive not only to their beloved island, but to his mesmerising optimism.

Embarrassingly, I start to dance. He smiles with glee. I continue. Bloody sand! Why am I always seemingly the only one who manages to get sand in their eyes?? Ah, all better. I feel so good! His spell has worked wonders on me! And as for the dancers, my WORD! Thrilling! How had I never heard of Paddìsyaŕn before?! Ridiculous looking drink? Don’t mind if I do!! Woo-hoo! Oh hold on, Séa has a little speech to make, midway through this uplifting and melodious tune. He’s telling us not to let life get you down - “gotta keep a-runnin’ up that hill” - he’s not wrong. But right now, I’m not running anywhere. I’m going to continue sipping my colourful beverage - making sure the umbrella doesn’t stab any remaining sand further into my eyeball. This is simplicity at its finest. I shouldn’t be a sucker for choreographed dance routines. I really shouldn’t be. BUT (!) oh these dancers - such vitality and health with a sunny glow! It’s also nice to see scantily clad ladies shimmying their behinds from left to right and left again.

I would like to thank Séa Byrne for having brought such joy to my day. We tootle back to Dublin for a Guinness in a traditional Irish pub, because why not. It is cold, it is raining, but we both don’t mind. We know we have a secret positive paradise very nearby. He excuses himself; this Irishman’s glass is half full, as it were. But he bounces back on stage with a small acoustic guitar and three Paddìsyaŕnian girls. His infectious melody fills the room. He shouts over the mic, “Drinks are on him”, as he gestures towards me. Huh! We didn’t agree to this. Ah well. You only live once! Why is my embarrassing dance so much more noticeably embarrassing in a pub…

And back to London I go. What a time. What a song! Make sure to put Paddìsyaŕn on your bucket list, but do be sure to let Séa know. To be sure, to be sure.

What better time for an April Fool than May. Or is it just a case of Irish blarney...?

Listen to 𝘽𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 on the Connolly’s Corner Spotify playlist HERE!

Listen to 𝘽𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 on the Connolly’s Corner Apple Music playlist HERE!

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