Orla Gartland

Irish singer, songwriter, musician

  • Acoustic
  • folk
  • indie pop
  • indie folk
  • pop rock
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • ukulele
  • piano
Years active2007–presentLabelsNew FriendsMember ofFizzWebsiteorlagartland.com
Musical artist

Orla Gartland (born 3 February 1995) is an Irish singer, songwriter and musician. She released her debut album Woman On The Internet in 2021, which reached number 3 on the Irish album chart, number 1 on the UK Indie Chart, and number 10 on the UK album chart. [1] [2]

She has additionally released five EPs Freckle Season (2020), Why Am I Like This? (2019), Lonely People (2015), and Roots (2013). In 2023, she joined the band FIZZ, with dodie, Greta Isaac, and Martin Luke Brown. Their debut album, The Secret to Life, was released on 27 October 2023 via Decca Records.[3]

Early life and education

Gartland grew up in Drumcondra, Northside, Dublin near Croke Park. She has a younger sister and a younger brother.[4] In an interview with Campus.ie, Gartland stated "I played violin, fiddle, and trad and Irish stuff from the age of about five years old...my parents got me into lessons and the guitar at about 12 years old and it went from there."[5] She nearly went to BIMM University, but deferred her application and moved to London in 2015, as she knew many UK-based musicians through YouTube.[6]

Career

2009–2013: Early music

In 2009, Gartland launched her YouTube channel under the name "MusicMaaad." She posted her first YouTube video at age 13,[5] about which she stated "I had been playing guitar for just over a year and wailing alongside the chords. I hadn't a clue how to sing; the breathing or any of the technical stuff (still haven't the foggiest) – so just wanted some feedback on that really!".[7] She posted covers and then started posting originals. The first original she posted was titled "Green Eyed Monster." Gartland also spent time busking on the streets of Dublin as a teen, through which she befriended the folk and Americana duo Hudson Taylor.[8]

In 2012, Gartland opened for Britain's Got Talent contestant Ryan O'Shaughnessy at The Academy[9] and for Scottish singer-songwriter Nina Nesbitt at Bewley's Cafe Theatre.[10] She released her debut single "Devil on my Shoulder" on 17 June on iTunes, where it reached No. 2 on the Ireland singer-songwriter chart.[11] The single was launched at a sold-out show headlined by Gartland at The Academy in Dublin.[12]

In March 2013 Gartland announced her first tour, headlining five shows in the UK and in Ireland during July 2013.[13][14]

2013–2015: Roots and Lonely People

On 11 November 2013, Gartland released her four-song EP Roots on iTunes.[15] The titular track "Roots" was named Apple iTunes "Single of the Week" in the UK and Ireland.[16] She toured in support of the album in February 2014 visiting ten cities in Ireland and in the United Kingdom.[17]

Gartland contributed the song "Cast Your Stone" on the album Simple Things, a compilation album released on 15 November 2013 by Niall Breslin in support of suicide prevention in Ireland. She participated in a group performance of "Simple Things" musicians on RTÉ programme, The Saturday Night Show.[18][19][20]

The Irish Daily Star selected Gartland as one of "20 music acts to watch in 2014."[21] The Irish Independent selected Gartland as one of "Ireland's most influential teens."[22] GoldenPlec selected Gartland as their "Plec Pick" of 2014, chosen as one of the best solo artists in Ireland.

Gartland, along with Greta Isaac, performed the song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" which they contributed to the compilation album It's Coming on Christmas. The album raised funds for the breast cancer charity, CoppaFeel!.[23] Gartland has played alongside Dodie in all three of her EP release tours,[24][25] and acted as a supporting act in Dodie's 2019 'Human' tour.[26]

Gartland's second EP, Lonely People, debuted in 2015 and was described by Atwood Magazine as an "undeniable triumph" that "captivates" by combining funk and alt-pop.[27]

2018–2020: Why Am I Like This? and Freckle Season

On 2 May 2018, Gartland released her first single in three years, "I Go Crazy",[28] and on 2 November 2018 she released a new single "Between My Teeth",[29] which she announced were both standalone singles.[30] On 8 February 2019, she released a new single "Why Am I Like This?",[31] followed by "Flatline" on 5 April 2019, both of which formed a part of her EP Why Am I Like This?, released on 24 May 2019.[32] "Why Am I Like This?" was featured in an episode of the 2022 Netflix adaptation of Heartstopper, which resulted in the song reaching the No. 4 spot in the Billboard Top TV Songs chart, three years after the song's initial release.[33]

On 6 September 2019, Gartland released the single "Did It to Myself", followed by "Figure It Out" on 1 November 2019,[34] and "Heavy" on 15 January 2020, all of which appear on her EP Freckle Season. "Figure It Out" is described as being about a relationship between individuals where neither can escape from it and the idea of needing space from someone you still care about.[35] "Heavy" featured in the BBC Three trailer for the 2020 adaptation of Normal People,[26] with "Did It to Myself" featuring directly in the miniseries.[36] She was also a co-writer of K-pop boy band BTS's song "134340" from their sixth overall studio album Love Yourself: Tear (2018).[32]

In 2020, Gartland was part of an Irish collective of female singers and musicians called "Irish Women in Harmony", that recorded a cover version of the song the Cranberries' "Dreams" in aid of the charity Safe Ireland, which deals with domestic violence which had reportedly risen significantly during the COVID-19 lockdown.[37][38]

Gartland also released her third and fourth EPs, Why Am I Like This? and Freckle Season respectively, as a vinyl in 2020 titled Why Is Freckle Season Like This?. The vinyl included the tracklist of both EPs in addition to a currently unreleased song, "Don't Fall in Love with a Musician" and an acoustic version of "Figure It Out".[39]

2020–present: Woman on the Internet

On 16 October 2020, Gartland released a single called "Pretending".[40] The song discusses the difficulty and trouble of pretending to be the person someone else wants, in order to be a "people pleaser".[41] This was the first single from Woman on the Internet, her debut studio album released on 20 August 2021, released independently through her label New Friends. The album was co-produced by Gartland and long-term collaborator Tom Stafford.[42] The second single, "More Like You", was released on 13 January 2021. According to Gartland herself, the song deals with identity, jealousy, and the desire to have the life of someone who seems to have everything easy.[43] The third single, "Zombie!", was released on 13 April 2021. It deals with the topic of toxic masculinity and with Gartland entreating another individual to open up about their emotions and stop repressing their true feelings.[44][45] The song was produced alongside Pete Robertson, a producer for Beabadoobee and the Vaccines.[46]

FIZZ 2023-present

In 2023, Gartland formed a band called Fizz (stylised as FIZZ) with Dodie, Greta Isaac, and Martin Luke Brown. Their debut single, "High in Brighton", came out in June.[47] Their debut studio album, The Secret to Life, was released on 27 October 2023.[48]

Artistry

Gartland has recalled listening to the likes of Brandi Carlile, Katie Melua, and Van Morrison as she was growing up. In 2013 and 2014, she described her music as folk pop, most heavily influenced by Joni Mitchell,[49] Regina Spektor, and Imogen Heap.[5][7] She also cited Kate Bush, Fleetwood Mac, Cyndi Lauper, and Greg Holden as influences.[50]

The Irish Times called Gartland a "pop rock purveyor".[51] Gartland stated the main themes of her studio album were growing up, feeling lost, comparison and identity, and that the album's musical influences included Laurie Anderson, Fiona Apple, and the Cranberries.[52]

Personal life

In June 2021, Gartland publicly came out as bisexual on Twitter.[53] As of 2020, Gartland was a regular volunteer at Ealing Soup Kitchen.[54] She shares a flat with fellow musician Lauren Aquilina.[55]

Discography

Studio albums

List of solo studio albums
Title Details Peak chart positions
IRL
[56] 		UK
[57]
Woman on the Internet 3 10

EPs

Title EP details
Laughing at My Own Jokes[59]
  • Released: 23 August 2011
  • Label: None
  • Formats: digital download
Roots
  • Released: 11 November 2013
  • Label: Independent
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Lonely People
  • Released: 18 January 2015
  • Label: Independent
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Why Am I Like This?
  • Released: 24 May 2019
  • Label: Independent
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download
Freckle Season
  • Released: 21 February 2020
  • Label: Independent
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
IRL
[60]
2012 "Devil on My Shoulder" 83 Non-album single
2013 "Roots" 30 Roots
"Cast Your Stone" — Simple Things
2014 "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" — It's Coming on Christmas
2018 "I Go Crazy" — Non-album singles
"Between My Teeth" —
2019 "Why Am I Like This?" 94
[61] 		Why Am I Like This?
"Flatline" —
"Did It to Myself" — Freckle Season
"Figure It Out" —
2020 "Heavy" —
"Pretending" — Woman on the Internet
2021 "More Like You" —
"Zombie!" —
"Do You Mind?" —
"You're Not Special, Babe" —
2023 "Kiss Ur Face Forever" — TBA

Music videos

Year Title Album Director
2011 "All the Little Details" Laughing at My Own Jokes The Podsmiths
2012 "Devil on My Shoulder" Non-album single Tom Clarke[62]
2013 "Roots" Roots Yousef Thami[63][64]
"Clueless"
2014 "Lonely People" Lonely People Orla Gartland
"Souvenirs" Joey Phinn
2015 "Whispers" Scott Tolleson
2018 "I Go Crazy" Non-album singles Guy Larsen
"Between My Teeth" Ewen Farr
2019 "Flatline" Why Am I Like This? Jack Howard
"Inevitable" Guy Larsen[65]
2019 "Did It to Myself" Freckle Season Zoe Alker[66][67]
"Figure It Out"
2020 "Pretending" Woman on the Internet Rosie Brear[68]
2021 "More Like You" Greta Isaac and Orla Gartland[69][70][71]
"Zombie!"
"You're Not Special, Babe"

Awards and nominations

Choice Music Prize
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2022 Woman on the Internet Irish Album of the Year 2021 Nominated[72]

References

  1. ^ "Official Irish Albums Chart on 27/8/2021". Official Charts.
  2. ^ "Orla Gartland". Official Charts.
  3. ^ "Orla Gartland". YouTube. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
  4. ^ Glennon, Nicole (16 July 2022). "Orla Gartland: You wouldn't choose to be a musician". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Doona, Miriam (8 November 2013). "Orla Gartland – Interview". Campus.ie. Archived from the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  6. ^ McNamee, Kathleen (6 April 2017). "Orla Gartland on the Evolution of Youtube Culture and Witnessing the Repeal Movement from Afar". University Times. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  7. ^ a b "An Interview With... Orla Gartland". Soundhall. 23 February 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  8. ^ McElhinney, Danny (14 September 2021). "Singer-songwriter Orla Gartland on her long awaited debut album". Extra.ie. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  9. ^ Freeman, Pat (2 October 2012). "Ryan O'Shaughnessy". Festival and Gig Guide. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  10. ^ "Competition: Nina Nesbitt (support Orla Gartland) at Bewleys Theatre on 4 May". GoldenPlec. 1 May 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  11. ^ "Devil on my Shoulder". Last.fm. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  12. ^ Cuffe, Aidan (24 May 2012). "Competition: Orla Gartland at The Academy 2 – CLOSED". GoldenPlec. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  13. ^ "Orla Gartland Announces First Ever UK & Ireland Tour". Fortitude Magazine. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  14. ^ "Orla Gartland announces Dublin and Cork dates". GoldenPlec. 6 March 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  15. ^ MacKay, Connor (11 November 2013). "EP Review: Orla Gartland- Roots". Fortitude Magazine. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  16. ^ Gayadien, Amrish (17 November 2013). "Apple's Single of the Week: Roots – Orla Gartland". AppleSpot. Archived from the original on 21 November 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  17. ^ "Orla Gartland on Tour". Bandsintown.com. 23 November 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  18. ^ Kierans, Marie (24 November 2013). "Internet sensation Orla Gartland lines up Irish & UK tour". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  19. ^ "Bressie reaches out on Saturday Night Show". RTÉ. 27 November 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  20. ^ "Cycle Against Suicide album launched". RTÉ. 18 November 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  21. ^ "20 music acts to watch in 2014". Irish Daily Star. 10 January 2014. Archived from the original on 14 April 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
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  23. ^ "It's Coming on Christmas". Daisy Digital. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  24. ^ "1,437 Likes, 21 Comments – Orla Gartland (@orlagartland) on Instagram: "Newcastle tonight w @doddleoddle #intertwinedtour" | dodie clark | Pinterest | Comment..." Nz.pinterest.com. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  25. ^ "Orla Gartland on Instagram: "and so it begins. #YouTour"".
  26. ^ a b Lindsay, Kathryn (2 March 2020). "Orla Gartland's Stripped-Down "Figure It Out" Music Video Brings The Song Back To Its Core". Refinery29. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  27. ^ Pettican, Luke (30 July 2018). "Today's Song: Orla Gartland's Refreshingly Relatable Alt-Pop Anthem 'I Go Crazy'". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  28. ^ Orla Gartland (1 May 2018), Orla Gartland – I Go Crazy (official audio), retrieved 27 May 2018
  29. ^ Orla Gartland (2 November 2018), Orla Gartland – Between My Teeth, retrieved 18 February 2019
  30. ^ @orlagartland (1 February 2019). "@swiftdodie @stareyesdodie hey! IGC & BMT are standalone singles :) WAILT & more to come will appear together on a release" (Tweet). Retrieved 18 February 2019 – via Twitter.
  31. ^ OrlaGartlandVEVO (7 February 2019), Orla Gartland – Why Am I Like This?, retrieved 18 February 2019
  32. ^ a b Shelly, Laurie (4 November 2019). "Interview: Orla Gartland". Motley Magazine. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  33. ^ Rowley, Glenn (3 June 2022). "How 'Heartstopper' Helped Orla Gartland Score a Hit With a Three-Year Old Song". Billboard. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  34. ^ "New Irish Music You Need To Hear This Week". GoldenPlec. 1 November 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  35. ^ Garcia, Erica Danielle (25 November 2019). "Today's Song: Orla Gartland Stays Hopeful In Fiery Single 'Figure It Out'". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  36. ^ Brayden, Kate (13 January 2021). "Orla Gartland tackles envy on confessional new track 'More Like You'". Hot Press. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  37. ^ Boland, Rosita (19 June 2020). "Irish Women in Harmony record Cranberries song in aid of Safe Ireland". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  38. ^ Smither, Tanis (23 June 2020). "Irish Women in Harmony for Safe Ireland: Orla Gartland on growing up in the Irish music scene". Hot Press. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  39. ^ "Orla Gartland: Why Is Freckle Season Like This?". Banquet Records. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  40. ^ "Orla Gartland Unveils New Track 'Pretending'". DIY. 19 October 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  41. ^ Brow, Jason (16 October 2020). "Orla Gartland Captures The 'Exhausting' Toll Of Pleasing Others In New 'Pretending' Video". Hollywood Life. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  42. ^ Discogs https://www.discogs.com/release/19929073-Orla-Gartland-Woman-On-The-Internet. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  43. ^ "Orla Gartland Shares New Single "More Like You"". DIY. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  44. ^ Scolforo, Carli (13 April 2021). "Orla Gartland Shares Peppy New Single, "Zombie!"". Paste. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  45. ^ "Behind the music - Orla Gartland". RTÉ.ie. 22 April 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  46. ^ Murray, Robin (13 April 2021). "Orla Gartland's 'Zombie!' Is A Potent Depiction Of Male Emotional Repression". Clash. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  47. ^ "Dublin's Orla Gartland and Dodie introduce new band Fizz".
  48. ^ "FIZZ announce debut album 'The Secret to Life'". 14 June 2023.
  49. ^ O'Regan, Nadine (3 January 2014). "Top Tips for the Weekend". The Sunday Business Post. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  50. ^ "Interview: Orla Gartland". The Irish Post. 12 February 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  51. ^ Murphy, Lauren (7 August 2021). "Orla Gartland: 'I'd much rather be considered a newcomer than old news'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  52. ^ "Artist of the Week #174: Orla Gartland". When the Horn Blows. 19 August 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  53. ^ @orlagartland (29 June 2021). "hey. i'm bi ! on this tail end of pride month I feel like celebrating by screaming it from some virtual rooftop" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  54. ^ Hennessy, David (18 March 2020). "Doing it her way". The Irish World. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  55. ^ Schaarschmidt, Nina (9 June 2021). "Coming of Age As a "Woman on the Internet": In Conversation with Orla Gartland". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  56. ^ "Top 100 Artist Album, Week Ending 27 August 2021". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  57. ^ "Orla Gartland full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  58. ^ Williams, Pip (19 August 2021). "Orla Gartland: DIY 'til she dies | Interview". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 3 November 2022. Woman On The Internet is released through Gartland's own record label, New Friends, and the singer herself remains fiercely DIY in her approach.
  59. ^ Laughing At My Own Jokes, retrieved 10 July 2021
  60. ^ "Discography Orla Gartland". irish-charts.com. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  61. ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  62. ^ orla gartland :: devil on my shoulder, retrieved 24 April 2021
  63. ^ "Orla Gartland – 'Roots'". RadarMusicVideos. October 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  64. ^ "Orla Gartland – 'Clueless'". RadarMusicVideos. November 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  65. ^ Orla Gartland – Inevitable, retrieved 21 December 2019
  66. ^ Orla Gartland – Did It To Myself, retrieved 19 December 2019
  67. ^ Orla Gartland – Figure It Out, retrieved 19 December 2019
  68. ^ Orla Gartland - Pretending, retrieved 19 December 2019
  69. ^ Orla Gartland - More Like You, retrieved 31 January 2021
  70. ^ Orla Gartland - Zombie!, retrieved 24 April 2021
  71. ^ Orla Gartland - You're Not Special, Babe, retrieved 5 July 2021
  72. ^ "RTÉ Choice Music Prize 2021". Archived from the original on 6 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.

External links

  • Official website
  • Orla Gartland at YouTube
  • Orla Gartland at AllMusic
  • Orla Gartland at Bandcamp
  • Orla Gartland discography at Discogs Edit this at Wikidata
  • Orla Gartland at IMDb
Authority control databases Edit this at Wikidata
International
  • ISNI
  • VIAF
Artists
  • MusicBrainz