Today, Night and Day has announced the winner of its 2023 song contest in association with Lensmen Photography and Video Production.
Dublin based artist Dubh Lee has been crowned the overall winner with her song, “To My Sisters”. She claims the top prize of a day’s filming and two days of editing with Lensmen as well as her choice of partner studio to record with.
The guitarist and singer-songwriter Dubh Lee emerged on the Dublin music scene in 2018 with her lively residency in The International Bar and has since entertained countless audiences across Ireland. With wide-ranging influences from folk, blues and rock and an unadorned, honest vocal style she writes songs that examine excess, ennui, heartache and womanhood. Since then she has several major festival performances under her belt.
Dubh Lee’s debut EP, “Animals and Friends”, was released on the 5th of May 2023 preceded by singles ‘Low Again’ and ‘Holly Would’, with a heart-rending music video accompanying the latter. This EP explores the artist’s internalized misogyny and romantic misadventures and the singer is promoting it on an acoustic Irish tour, with 9 dates in April and May including shows in Cork, Dublin, Dundalk and Belfast.
Dubh Lee will take to the Night and Day stage on Sunday 25 June.
You can still purchase tickets here.
Second place was awarded to Rossa Murray and the Blowin’ Winds (who were also last year’s runners up) with their song, “San Francisco Has Her Now”, and third place was awarded to singer-songwriter Albert Clarke aka Adrian Murphy with, “Raised by a Wolf”.
The song contest supports independent artists by providing the resources needed to record their music and a platform to perform at the Night and Day Festival.
The three winners will be provided with a choice of three recording studios – Hellfire Studios, Soundcaster Studios , and Paddy Jordan Recording – to spend a day recording.
Lensmen Photography and Video Production will provide two days filming and two days of editing to produce a music video to the overall winner, who will also be given the opportunity to play a set at Night and Day on Sunday June 25th.
Commenting on the contest Creative Director at Night and Day festival Declan Hurley said: “The aim of the contest is to assist independent artists in getting a little extra exposure and access to the resources they require, this is made possible through the generosity of our sponsors.
“In both years of the song contest we have been blown away by the depth of talent across the country, it’s been a pleasure to help more artists along the way in their creative journey,” he said.
You can hear the 10 shortlisted acts here.
Last year’s song contest was won by Patrick Stefan will also perform at Night and Day this year and recently finished shooting a music video with Lensmen Photography and Video Production.
Patrick and the other song contest finalists will feature in a five part series on Night and Day being broadcast on TG4 later this year.
Night and Day takes place on 24 and 25 June on the grounds of Lough Key Forest Park in Boyle, Co. Roscommon. Night and Day boasts a range of cultural acts as well as a fun, family-friendly itinerary that will entertain and engage children, parents, and friends in a relaxed environment.
For more information visit www.nightandday.ie