New Irish Music #4: Binaries

Welcome to our new music series featuring the best in fresh, exciting Irish music.

Every month, we'll profile a new (or relatively new) Irish band or artist, give you a flavour of what they're all about, let you know what they're up to lately - and most importantly, let you hear their music.

The fourth act in the series is Binaries.

WHO ARE THEY? She is but one person: Niamh Hegarty. She has been making music under various guises for several years – most notably under the banner of HUNK – and then spent time with Dublin band Vann Music. Binaries is her solo project, although she enlists the help of others from time to time.

WHERE IS SHE FROM? The Rebel County. "The Cork scene is going from strength to strength at present," she enthuses. "I do feel slightly removed from it as I moved away and came back; I was in Dublin for a few years and came back to go back to UCC last year. I'm so new to the scene and there's facets that I'm so unaware of, but from a musical perspective, it's definitely a massive creative influence on me."

WHAT'S THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NAME? "It came about more from that feeling when you're searching for a band name and it's so difficult to find," she says. "Binaries is after a binary star and I'm pretty into reading up on astrophysics on the side."

WHAT DO THEY SOUND LIKE? Her label, the Scottish-based Soft Power, described it as 'dream pop'; "I actually think it's pretty fitting," Hegarty agrees. To our ears, the influence of artists like a languid PJ Harvey or Cat Power is faintly audible.

WHERE WAS THE SINGLE RECORDED? Her debut single 'Double Star' was recorded in Los Angeles, which informs its hazy, dreamy nature. She worked with producer Henry Kohen and finished the sessions with Elastic Sleep's Chris Somers in Cork.

WHAT'S NEXT? Hegarty's ambitions for the future are "To keep writing and improve and collaborate with more friends," she says. "I'd like to do some shows. As for an album? Definitely!"

CAN I HAVE A LISTEN? Stream Binaries' debut single 'Double Star' below. Check in with live dates and Binaries news via her Facebook page.