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‘Down 3’ feat. @maria__somerville out now

Music video by @charliejoedoherty now on YouTube

Featuring drum recordings by Michael Speers @litmus_plats and violin performed by Peadar Tom Mercier @trawfawdeen

With thanks to Tigh Mholly for letting us set-up to film a singing session for nobody, Cois Fharraige go deo.

Songs for Nothing (LP) out 7th November

🎶🕳️

Olan Monk - Songs for Nothing

The new album from Conamara-raised artist @olanmonk will be released on the 7th November 2025.

Listen to ‘Down 3’ feat. @maria__somerville and watch the video / pre-order vinyl etc via the link in bio

Mastered by Noel Summerville
Artwork by @visio____
Photograph by @charliejoedoherty

Olan Monk - Pomegranate

The second single from the incredible forthcoming album Songs for Nothing is now available along with a full video via the link in bio.

Video edited by Inês Baptista @nezpera
Footage by Olan Monk
Title by Nicola Tirabasso @visio____
Cello performed by Risteárd Ó’hAodha (Gliogar, Princ€ss) @risteard__
With thanks to Hilary Woods @_hilary_woods

Songs for Nothing is out 7th November 2025

A few months ago, on a very dreary February evening, I had a nice long call with Olan Monk, a musician whose work I’ve been following for, alarmingly, about 15 years.

It was great to catch up and talk at length about the origins and ideas behind their 2025 album Songs for Nothing on AD 93, a suite of gothic art rock imbued with influences from sean-nós and other aspects traditional Irish music, but not necessarily conveyed in the ways you might expect.

It’s a gnarly, harsh and craggy record: tin whistles turn into howling gusts; bodhráns rumble; accordions groan and sigh. All this underscores the nocturnal pop framework Olan specialises in – their crooning vocals and distorted guitars keeping things catchy even when the songs feel on the verge of collapse.

We talked about returning to Conamara in 2022 after spending their 20s abroad, and connecting with a young likeminded musical community who inspired and contributed to the creation of the album. We got into ideas of identity and the importance of ensuring tradition and culture are open to everyone, from all walks of life, and embracing the experimentation and evolution that has always come with that.

There’s talk of the “Aran Jumperfication” of the west of Ireland, and wanting to counter that with music and art that speaks truthfully to the experience of living and being from there, including the hard bits.

I loved speaking to them after all this time and I appreciate their patience with me getting the interview online. Thanks, as always, to @thenicestisis and @lilynstones at @tsf_pr.jpg

To go alongside the publishing of this chat, they’ve shared two new live videos on YouTube, taken from a session recorded with an all-star cast of Irish musicians in Stiúideo Cuan, An Spidéal, Conamara. Find the videos of ’10 Days’ and ‘Can’t Wait’ embedded in the piece.

Grá mór 🖤

A few months ago, on a very dreary February evening, I had a nice long call with Olan Monk, a musician whose work I’ve been following for, alarmingly, about 15 years.

It was great to catch up and talk at length about the origins and ideas behind their 2025 album Songs for Nothing on AD 93, a suite of gothic art rock imbued with influences from sean-nós and other aspects traditional Irish music, but not necessarily conveyed in the ways you might expect.

It’s a gnarly, harsh and craggy record: tin whistles turn into howling gusts; bodhráns rumble; accordions groan and sigh. All this underscores the nocturnal pop framework Olan specialises in – their crooning vocals and distorted guitars keeping things catchy even when the songs feel on the verge of collapse.

We talked about returning to Conamara in 2022 after spending their 20s abroad, and connecting with a young likeminded musical community who inspired and contributed to the creation of the album. We got into ideas of identity and the importance of ensuring tradition and culture are open to everyone, from all walks of life, and embracing the experimentation and evolution that has always come with that.

There’s talk of the “Aran Jumperfication” of the west of Ireland, and wanting to counter that with music and art that speaks truthfully to the experience of living and being from there, including the hard bits.

I loved speaking to them after all this time and I appreciate their patience with me getting the interview online. Thanks, as always, to @thenicestisis and @lilynstones at @tsf_pr.jpg

To go alongside the publishing of this chat, they’ve shared two new live videos on YouTube, taken from a session recorded with an all-star cast of Irish musicians in Stiúideo Cuan, An Spidéal, Conamara. Find the videos of ’10 Days’ and ‘Can’t Wait’ embedded in the piece.

Grá mór 🖤

A few months ago, on a very dreary February evening, I had a nice long call with Olan Monk, a musician whose work I’ve been following for, alarmingly, about 15 years.

It was great to catch up and talk at length about the origins and ideas behind their 2025 album Songs for Nothing on AD 93, a suite of gothic art rock imbued with influences from sean-nós and other aspects traditional Irish music, but not necessarily conveyed in the ways you might expect.

It’s a gnarly, harsh and craggy record: tin whistles turn into howling gusts; bodhráns rumble; accordions groan and sigh. All this underscores the nocturnal pop framework Olan specialises in – their crooning vocals and distorted guitars keeping things catchy even when the songs feel on the verge of collapse.

We talked about returning to Conamara in 2022 after spending their 20s abroad, and connecting with a young likeminded musical community who inspired and contributed to the creation of the album. We got into ideas of identity and the importance of ensuring tradition and culture are open to everyone, from all walks of life, and embracing the experimentation and evolution that has always come with that.

There’s talk of the “Aran Jumperfication” of the west of Ireland, and wanting to counter that with music and art that speaks truthfully to the experience of living and being from there, including the hard bits.

I loved speaking to them after all this time and I appreciate their patience with me getting the interview online. Thanks, as always, to @thenicestisis and @lilynstones at @tsf_pr.jpg

To go alongside the publishing of this chat, they’ve shared two new live videos on YouTube, taken from a session recorded with an all-star cast of Irish musicians in Stiúideo Cuan, An Spidéal, Conamara. Find the videos of ’10 Days’ and ‘Can’t Wait’ embedded in the piece.

Grá mór 🖤

A few months ago, on a very dreary February evening, I had a nice long call with Olan Monk, a musician whose work I’ve been following for, alarmingly, about 15 years.

It was great to catch up and talk at length about the origins and ideas behind their 2025 album Songs for Nothing on AD 93, a suite of gothic art rock imbued with influences from sean-nós and other aspects traditional Irish music, but not necessarily conveyed in the ways you might expect.

It’s a gnarly, harsh and craggy record: tin whistles turn into howling gusts; bodhráns rumble; accordions groan and sigh. All this underscores the nocturnal pop framework Olan specialises in – their crooning vocals and distorted guitars keeping things catchy even when the songs feel on the verge of collapse.

We talked about returning to Conamara in 2022 after spending their 20s abroad, and connecting with a young likeminded musical community who inspired and contributed to the creation of the album. We got into ideas of identity and the importance of ensuring tradition and culture are open to everyone, from all walks of life, and embracing the experimentation and evolution that has always come with that.

There’s talk of the “Aran Jumperfication” of the west of Ireland, and wanting to counter that with music and art that speaks truthfully to the experience of living and being from there, including the hard bits.

I loved speaking to them after all this time and I appreciate their patience with me getting the interview online. Thanks, as always, to @thenicestisis and @lilynstones at @tsf_pr.jpg

To go alongside the publishing of this chat, they’ve shared two new live videos on YouTube, taken from a session recorded with an all-star cast of Irish musicians in Stiúideo Cuan, An Spidéal, Conamara. Find the videos of ’10 Days’ and ‘Can’t Wait’ embedded in the piece.

Grá mór 🖤

A few months ago, on a very dreary February evening, I had a nice long call with Olan Monk, a musician whose work I’ve been following for, alarmingly, about 15 years.

It was great to catch up and talk at length about the origins and ideas behind their 2025 album Songs for Nothing on AD 93, a suite of gothic art rock imbued with influences from sean-nós and other aspects traditional Irish music, but not necessarily conveyed in the ways you might expect.

It’s a gnarly, harsh and craggy record: tin whistles turn into howling gusts; bodhráns rumble; accordions groan and sigh. All this underscores the nocturnal pop framework Olan specialises in – their crooning vocals and distorted guitars keeping things catchy even when the songs feel on the verge of collapse.

We talked about returning to Conamara in 2022 after spending their 20s abroad, and connecting with a young likeminded musical community who inspired and contributed to the creation of the album. We got into ideas of identity and the importance of ensuring tradition and culture are open to everyone, from all walks of life, and embracing the experimentation and evolution that has always come with that.

There’s talk of the “Aran Jumperfication” of the west of Ireland, and wanting to counter that with music and art that speaks truthfully to the experience of living and being from there, including the hard bits.

I loved speaking to them after all this time and I appreciate their patience with me getting the interview online. Thanks, as always, to @thenicestisis and @lilynstones at @tsf_pr.jpg

To go alongside the publishing of this chat, they’ve shared two new live videos on YouTube, taken from a session recorded with an all-star cast of Irish musicians in Stiúideo Cuan, An Spidéal, Conamara. Find the videos of ’10 Days’ and ‘Can’t Wait’ embedded in the piece.

Grá mór 🖤

A few months ago, on a very dreary February evening, I had a nice long call with Olan Monk, a musician whose work I’ve been following for, alarmingly, about 15 years.

It was great to catch up and talk at length about the origins and ideas behind their 2025 album Songs for Nothing on AD 93, a suite of gothic art rock imbued with influences from sean-nós and other aspects traditional Irish music, but not necessarily conveyed in the ways you might expect.

It’s a gnarly, harsh and craggy record: tin whistles turn into howling gusts; bodhráns rumble; accordions groan and sigh. All this underscores the nocturnal pop framework Olan specialises in – their crooning vocals and distorted guitars keeping things catchy even when the songs feel on the verge of collapse.

We talked about returning to Conamara in 2022 after spending their 20s abroad, and connecting with a young likeminded musical community who inspired and contributed to the creation of the album. We got into ideas of identity and the importance of ensuring tradition and culture are open to everyone, from all walks of life, and embracing the experimentation and evolution that has always come with that.

There’s talk of the “Aran Jumperfication” of the west of Ireland, and wanting to counter that with music and art that speaks truthfully to the experience of living and being from there, including the hard bits.

I loved speaking to them after all this time and I appreciate their patience with me getting the interview online. Thanks, as always, to @thenicestisis and @lilynstones at @tsf_pr.jpg

To go alongside the publishing of this chat, they’ve shared two new live videos on YouTube, taken from a session recorded with an all-star cast of Irish musicians in Stiúideo Cuan, An Spidéal, Conamara. Find the videos of ’10 Days’ and ‘Can’t Wait’ embedded in the piece.

Grá mór 🖤

A few months ago, on a very dreary February evening, I had a nice long call with Olan Monk, a musician whose work I’ve been following for, alarmingly, about 15 years.

It was great to catch up and talk at length about the origins and ideas behind their 2025 album Songs for Nothing on AD 93, a suite of gothic art rock imbued with influences from sean-nós and other aspects traditional Irish music, but not necessarily conveyed in the ways you might expect.

It’s a gnarly, harsh and craggy record: tin whistles turn into howling gusts; bodhráns rumble; accordions groan and sigh. All this underscores the nocturnal pop framework Olan specialises in – their crooning vocals and distorted guitars keeping things catchy even when the songs feel on the verge of collapse.

We talked about returning to Conamara in 2022 after spending their 20s abroad, and connecting with a young likeminded musical community who inspired and contributed to the creation of the album. We got into ideas of identity and the importance of ensuring tradition and culture are open to everyone, from all walks of life, and embracing the experimentation and evolution that has always come with that.

There’s talk of the “Aran Jumperfication” of the west of Ireland, and wanting to counter that with music and art that speaks truthfully to the experience of living and being from there, including the hard bits.

I loved speaking to them after all this time and I appreciate their patience with me getting the interview online. Thanks, as always, to @thenicestisis and @lilynstones at @tsf_pr.jpg

To go alongside the publishing of this chat, they’ve shared two new live videos on YouTube, taken from a session recorded with an all-star cast of Irish musicians in Stiúideo Cuan, An Spidéal, Conamara. Find the videos of ’10 Days’ and ‘Can’t Wait’ embedded in the piece.

Grá mór 🖤

A few months ago, on a very dreary February evening, I had a nice long call with Olan Monk, a musician whose work I’ve been following for, alarmingly, about 15 years.

It was great to catch up and talk at length about the origins and ideas behind their 2025 album Songs for Nothing on AD 93, a suite of gothic art rock imbued with influences from sean-nós and other aspects traditional Irish music, but not necessarily conveyed in the ways you might expect.

It’s a gnarly, harsh and craggy record: tin whistles turn into howling gusts; bodhráns rumble; accordions groan and sigh. All this underscores the nocturnal pop framework Olan specialises in – their crooning vocals and distorted guitars keeping things catchy even when the songs feel on the verge of collapse.

We talked about returning to Conamara in 2022 after spending their 20s abroad, and connecting with a young likeminded musical community who inspired and contributed to the creation of the album. We got into ideas of identity and the importance of ensuring tradition and culture are open to everyone, from all walks of life, and embracing the experimentation and evolution that has always come with that.

There’s talk of the “Aran Jumperfication” of the west of Ireland, and wanting to counter that with music and art that speaks truthfully to the experience of living and being from there, including the hard bits.

I loved speaking to them after all this time and I appreciate their patience with me getting the interview online. Thanks, as always, to @thenicestisis and @lilynstones at @tsf_pr.jpg

To go alongside the publishing of this chat, they’ve shared two new live videos on YouTube, taken from a session recorded with an all-star cast of Irish musicians in Stiúideo Cuan, An Spidéal, Conamara. Find the videos of ’10 Days’ and ‘Can’t Wait’ embedded in the piece.

Grá mór 🖤

A few months ago, on a very dreary February evening, I had a nice long call with Olan Monk, a musician whose work I’ve been following for, alarmingly, about 15 years.

It was great to catch up and talk at length about the origins and ideas behind their 2025 album Songs for Nothing on AD 93, a suite of gothic art rock imbued with influences from sean-nós and other aspects traditional Irish music, but not necessarily conveyed in the ways you might expect.

It’s a gnarly, harsh and craggy record: tin whistles turn into howling gusts; bodhráns rumble; accordions groan and sigh. All this underscores the nocturnal pop framework Olan specialises in – their crooning vocals and distorted guitars keeping things catchy even when the songs feel on the verge of collapse.

We talked about returning to Conamara in 2022 after spending their 20s abroad, and connecting with a young likeminded musical community who inspired and contributed to the creation of the album. We got into ideas of identity and the importance of ensuring tradition and culture are open to everyone, from all walks of life, and embracing the experimentation and evolution that has always come with that.

There’s talk of the “Aran Jumperfication” of the west of Ireland, and wanting to counter that with music and art that speaks truthfully to the experience of living and being from there, including the hard bits.

I loved speaking to them after all this time and I appreciate their patience with me getting the interview online. Thanks, as always, to @thenicestisis and @lilynstones at @tsf_pr.jpg

To go alongside the publishing of this chat, they’ve shared two new live videos on YouTube, taken from a session recorded with an all-star cast of Irish musicians in Stiúideo Cuan, An Spidéal, Conamara. Find the videos of ’10 Days’ and ‘Can’t Wait’ embedded in the piece.

Grá mór 🖤

A few months ago, on a very dreary February evening, I had a nice long call with Olan Monk, a musician whose work I’ve been following for, alarmingly, about 15 years.

It was great to catch up and talk at length about the origins and ideas behind their 2025 album Songs for Nothing on AD 93, a suite of gothic art rock imbued with influences from sean-nós and other aspects traditional Irish music, but not necessarily conveyed in the ways you might expect.

It’s a gnarly, harsh and craggy record: tin whistles turn into howling gusts; bodhráns rumble; accordions groan and sigh. All this underscores the nocturnal pop framework Olan specialises in – their crooning vocals and distorted guitars keeping things catchy even when the songs feel on the verge of collapse.

We talked about returning to Conamara in 2022 after spending their 20s abroad, and connecting with a young likeminded musical community who inspired and contributed to the creation of the album. We got into ideas of identity and the importance of ensuring tradition and culture are open to everyone, from all walks of life, and embracing the experimentation and evolution that has always come with that.

There’s talk of the “Aran Jumperfication” of the west of Ireland, and wanting to counter that with music and art that speaks truthfully to the experience of living and being from there, including the hard bits.

I loved speaking to them after all this time and I appreciate their patience with me getting the interview online. Thanks, as always, to @thenicestisis and @lilynstones at @tsf_pr.jpg

To go alongside the publishing of this chat, they’ve shared two new live videos on YouTube, taken from a session recorded with an all-star cast of Irish musicians in Stiúideo Cuan, An Spidéal, Conamara. Find the videos of ’10 Days’ and ‘Can’t Wait’ embedded in the piece.

Grá mór 🖤

Updated for the Bealtaine weekend in Utrecht, Netherlands and Kilfenora, County Clare with @risteard__ on cello.

Saturday (tomorrow!) 2nd May at Meitheal Cheoil @syntheseutrecht @kapitaalutrecht

Sunday 3rd May at Faoin Tuath
@queersheds @common_k_

+MORE DATES TBA+

12th September in Aarhus, Denmark
@alter.festival

Did you get your tickets yet for our event this Saturday at @kapitaalutrecht?

It promises to be a special evening, with @olanmonk presenting a special performance together with cellist@risteard__ .

Come experience it this Saturday - get your tickets via @ekko.nl (link in bio)!

#synthese #syntheseutrecht

Olan Monk is a musician, performer and writer from Connemara, on the west coast of Ireland. Working with electronic and acoustic instruments and voice, they move between experimental and popular songwriting, performing both solo and in collaboration with others.

Their debut album Love/Dead (2020) and EP Auto Life (2021) paved the way for Songs for Nothing (2026)- a fragmentary, confessional journey where collaged pop, machinic rock and slow airs collide, channelling love, loss and landscape into songs that feel more like rituals than tracks.

Catch them at Synthese this May at @kapitaalutrecht. Tickets via link in bio.

#synthese #syntheseutrecht

It’s an immense honour to have Olan Monk play at ALTER 2026!

@olanmonk is a musician, performer and writer from Conamara, Ireland.

Their practice involves experimental and popular songwriting, performing as a solo act and in collaboration with other musicians, including recordings and performances with Actress, Ashley Paul, Elvin Brandhi, James K, Maria Somerville, Michael Speers, Moin, Princ€ss and Shampain. They co-founded C.A.N.V.A.S. with Lugh O’Neill as an events series and record label, established in 2018 to give collective agency to an increasingly dispersed community of artists.

In 2025, they were touring as a solo performer, in a duo with the percussionist Michael Speers and in an expanded band format with musicians who have contributed to the making of their newest album Songs for Nothing, which was released on AD 93 in November.

It’s an immense honour to have Olan Monk play at ALTER 2026!

@olanmonk is a musician, performer and writer from Conamara, Ireland.

Their practice involves experimental and popular songwriting, performing as a solo act and in collaboration with other musicians, including recordings and performances with Actress, Ashley Paul, Elvin Brandhi, James K, Maria Somerville, Michael Speers, Moin, Princ€ss and Shampain. They co-founded C.A.N.V.A.S. with Lugh O’Neill as an events series and record label, established in 2018 to give collective agency to an increasingly dispersed community of artists.

In 2025, they were touring as a solo performer, in a duo with the percussionist Michael Speers and in an expanded band format with musicians who have contributed to the making of their newest album Songs for Nothing, which was released on AD 93 in November.

It’s an immense honour to have Olan Monk play at ALTER 2026!

@olanmonk is a musician, performer and writer from Conamara, Ireland.

Their practice involves experimental and popular songwriting, performing as a solo act and in collaboration with other musicians, including recordings and performances with Actress, Ashley Paul, Elvin Brandhi, James K, Maria Somerville, Michael Speers, Moin, Princ€ss and Shampain. They co-founded C.A.N.V.A.S. with Lugh O’Neill as an events series and record label, established in 2018 to give collective agency to an increasingly dispersed community of artists.

In 2025, they were touring as a solo performer, in a duo with the percussionist Michael Speers and in an expanded band format with musicians who have contributed to the making of their newest album Songs for Nothing, which was released on AD 93 in November.

Amhráin Atlantacha, inniú ag @limerickcitygallery le @risteard__ mar chuid de Alice Rekab: Clann Miotlantach / Mythlantics

•

Amhráin Atlantacha (Atlantean Songs), today at @limerickcitygallery with @risteard__ as part of Alice Rekab: Clann Miotlantach / Mythlantics

produced by @siriusartscentre
supported by @artscouncilireland

@bandcamp re-stocked with Songs for Nothing T-shirt

featuring design by Nicola Tirabasso @visio____
for Songs for Nothing, released on @ad93rec

limited run
regular fit
available in S, M, L

olanmonk.bandcamp.com

‘Amhrán Mhaínse’ live from Stiúideo Cuan, out now on YouTube.

Olan Monk & ensemble, recorded live at @stiuideocuan, An Spidéal, Conamara.

Guitar: Olan Monk
Accordion: Peadar Tom Mercier

Video: Paul D’Eath @polbas
Sound: Liam King

Producer: Olan Monk
Production Assistants: Bethany O’Sullivan, Cóilín Ó Coileáin

Supported by @artscouncilireland

Songs for Nothing out now on @ad93rec

‘Fate (Reprise)’ and ‘Amhrán Mhaínse’ live from Stiúideo Cuan, out now on YouTube.

Olan Monk & ensemble, recorded live at @stiuideocuan, An Spidéal, Conamara.

Guitar, Vocals: Olan Monk
Vocals: Maria Somerville
Bass: Seán Being
Guitar: Moss Kissing
Cello: Risteárd Ó hAodha
Viola: Peadar Tom Mercier

Video: Paul D’Eath @polbas
Sound: Liam King

Producer: Olan Monk
Production Assistants: Bethany O’Sullivan, Cóilín Ó Coileáin

Supported by @artscouncilireland

Songs for Nothing out now on @ad93rec