Rising Galway Songwriter Seba Safe Releases New EP ‘Rainy’

One of the most interesting songwriters to emerge from Ireland’s shores in the last couple of years, Seba Safe releases his new EP and title track Rainy.

Ironically, the most summery-sounding song from the 6-track collection, ‘Rainy’ has a driving rhythm alongside a refrain of ‘have a rainy day’. Talking about the release, Seba says “Rainy is a song about simple and selfish wants. In it I talk about confidence, nostalgia, sex, relationships and progression as a person and artist.”

Exploring a multitude of themes from a time when the world was in a global quarantine, Seba’s new EP is a natural follow-up to last year’s EP, Before I Remember You, taking Seba Safe’s folk roots and expanding on them to present a collection of rich and ethereal songs. Previous single ‘I Wonder’ has a haunting dreamlike quality, before morphing into a pop bop courtesy of driving percussive beats, whilst ‘Oblivion’ is a classic tale of wanting someone you shouldn’t, counterbalanced with a lush soundscape. ‘Afterlife’ presents a rumination on loneliness with a slow R’n’B-tinged beat, and ‘On My Way’ is a very personal song that looks at the songwriter’s Irish roots and young people’s emigration from his country, complete with a touching phrase in the chorus, ‘Oró, Sé Do Bheatha ‘Bhaile’ which from Irish translates to ‘welcome home.’

Watch the video for the EP’s title track ‘Rainy’ below:

Seba Safe is the brainchild of Galway songwriter Michael D’Alton, who is currently based on Ireland’s west coast, and is set to become a force to be reckoned with in the blossoming Irish music scene. Writing candidly and honestly on personal relationships, love, loss and change, the musician’s pertinent lyrics are wrapped in a sound that combines elements of pop, folk, indie and R’n’B seamlessly, establishing himself as one of the most interesting songwriters to emerge from Ireland’s shores in the last couple of years.

The Rainy EP was recorded in producer Duncan Mills’ (Florence and The Machine, Jake Bugg and Jamie Callum) studio in London Fields last summer. Seba explains, “The Rainy EP for me is a personal reflection of a time where the world was in lockdown. These songs aren’t about the pandemic but a day-to-day reminder of what was happening in my own life and the country around me. Dealing with themes of mental health, personal growth, friendships falling apart, immigration and love, I created five songs to allow me to see the whole picture of this time. Duncan Mills in London recorded and produced something that I will always be proud of. My manager and brother Shea Tohill’s lead guitar moments turn this EP into something truly special. Being honest is all I strive for in song writing and that’s what I’ve done here.”

Seba Safe’s lyrics are wrapped in a sound that effortlessly combines many musical elements. His debut EP Map Runner established him as one of Ireland’s most promising songwriting talents and the Galwegian was quickly signed to indie label Nettwerk Records for a global deal.

With an artistic range that saw him collaborate with Æ MAK on “I Dance In The Kitchen”, the track saw heavy radio and DSP support including being named Track Of The Day on KEXP. Praise for Seba Safe has been forthcoming from The Irish Times, Gemma Bradley from BBC Radio 1, and Hot Press amongst others. He has garnered significant airplay from BBC 6Music, RTÉ 2FM (including Record of the Week from Tracy Clifford), and RTÉ Radio 1. He released his first EP with Nettwerk in 2022, Before I Remember You.

His live shows have been going from strength to strength with slots around the country and shows in Dublin’s Grand Social and Vicar Street, and in 2023 we can look forward to an upcoming headline show in Whelan’s on 22nd July, and UK dates immediately afterwards.  Full list of show below.

This is set to be another significant year for the Irish musician. It’s safe to say, Seba Safe is on the rise.

Seba Safe’s new EP Rainy is out now via Nettwerk Listen HERE.

Tracklisting:

Seba Safe Live Dates:

Fri. 14 July – De Barras, Clonakilty

Thurs. 20 July – Dolans (Upstairs) Limerick

Fri. 21 July – Monroes, Galway

Sat 22 July – Whelan’s Dublin

Sun 23rd July – Hug and Pint, Glasgow

Mon 24th July – Castle Hotel, Manchester

Tue 25th July – Jacaranda Records, Liverpool

Wed 26th July – Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham

Thurs 27th July – Slaughtered Lamb, London