Indie-folk duo Lemoncello are Laura Quirke and Claire Kinsella - following a brace of acclaimed singles, they've just released their eponymous debut album via the legendary (and recently revitalised) folk label Claddagh Records.
Its nine tracks chronicle 'the journey of learning how to hold your own in life, amidst the growth, ending and renewal of relationships with ourselves and with others'.
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We asked Lemoncello's Laura Quirke for her choice cultural picks...
FILM
I just saw Anatomy of A Fall. I was blown away by it. The way it deals with domestic politics and stuff like that - oooh, it's so juicy and brilliant I want to watch it again. The dialogue is just so good.
I also saw a beautiful film recently called Foragers by Jumana Manna. It investigates the Palestinian practice of foraging the artichoke-like akkoub and za’atar (thyme) and reveals the dangers involved in the preservation of Palestinian traditions under Israeli law. It’s a mix of fiction, documentary and archival footage, and it shows the impact of Israeli nature protection laws on these customs. The resilience of Palestinians comes across so brilliantly in this through their attitude, humour, community spirit and love of the land. I hope it will screen in Ireland again soon, but the artist's work is worth checking out anyway.
MUSIC
Paddy McKeown, who is opening our Whelan’s show on the 15th of May and our Belfast show on the 9th of May, has an incredibly beautiful album called The Good Step, in particular the tracks A Mid March Brouhaha and On the Rings of C Natural - really satisfying tunes.
BOOK
I’ve been going back through Paula Meehan’s poetry books lately. Her poem ‘My Father Perceived as a Vision of St. Francis’ breaks my heart. She has an amazing knack for framing the magic in everyday life.
I also went through a Dolly Alderton phase there and read almost everything she’s written. Her writing is very comforting and wise.
THEATRE
I haven’t seen a play for a while now, but anything I’ve seen with Mikel Murfi in it has been incredible.
TV
I would binge anything that Sharon Horgan, Phoebe Waller Bridge or Aisling Bea makes or is in. Claire has recommended The Bear to me, so that’s next on the list.
GIG
Claire and I went to see Alabaster de Plume in Dublin there when he played the Button Factory last month. He has a captivating presence on stage and really brings the audience into his performance. His lyrics are very funny and then his delivery of them hits you where it hurts. He has a song that says ‘I Was Gonna Fight Fascism’ - and then he lists all the excuses we give:
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ART
I just tagged along with a friend recently to the Venice Biennale, where I saw Eimear Walshe’s piece Eire Rómánsach/Romantic Ireland, representing Ireland. All of their work that I’ve seen has been really affecting, confronting and beautiful.
Ireland's representation at the 60th @la_Biennale opens today in Venice. The exhibition, ROMANTIC IRELAND by artist Eimear Walshe, is curated by @saragreavu with @projectarts.@irelandatvenice is an initiative of @culture_ireland, in partnership with the Arts Council. pic.twitter.com/HgXKFWhycV
— The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon (@artscouncil_ie) April 18, 2024
PODCAST
Both Claire and I are currently obsessed with nevermind, a podcast by Veronika Slowikowska and Kyle Chase. All of their Instagram sketch stuff is brilliant. They are doing something weird and I don’t have any idea how to describe it, but they make me laugh so much. I love when a group of friends get together and get very silly making things. It’s definitely my comfort podcast, just friends being stupid and sincere with each other.
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TECH
I love this new app called go for a walk and get off your phone. It’s amazing.
THE NEXT BIG THING...
It seems like people are making an effort to get together and do things that aren’t drinking these days. I love a pint, but I think this is a positive change, no?
Lemoncello's eponymous debut album is out now on Claddagh Records - find out more here.
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