norabelle

Hailing from Dundalk, Norabelle has established 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.

Norabelle’s debut album, Wren, earned widespread acclaim for its poetic storytelling and elegant arrangements. The Sunday Business Post described it as featuring “achingly sweet harmonies, overlaying acoustic guitars, cello and the lightest percussion, but it's their poetic storytelling that sets their songs apart from the throng.” The Irish Times review noted that “if you think more along the lines of the similarly musically hued Adrian Crowley or Bill Callahan, you’ll have some idea of the elegance on display here." Hotpress concluded that “there's a beauty to Gregarious Bird and Wren that is truly breathtaking”.

On the 11th April 2025, the band will release their second album entitled The Mountain Blinks. Each track on The Mountain Blinks invites listeners into deeply personal narratives. From the poignant reflection on memory and mourning in "She’s Not Here" to the tender love song "Warm Blood," the album carries a raw emotional weight. Norabelle has performed across Ireland in renowned venues such as Whelan's, The Spirit Store, Doyle's (Ruby Sessions), and the Roisin Dubh, building a reputation for crafting beautiful, melodic folk music with intricate arrangements and poetic lyricism.