‘TWO SEAGULLS’, from Niamh Regan’s acclaimed debut album Hemet, now has an accompanying video, made as part of the First Cut! Youth Film Festival’s Youth Music Video Competition 2021.
The video, released on Monday, was directed by Aisling O’Regan Sargent. The First Cut! sees young directors paired with artists and mentored to make their first music video. Aisling, from Dublin, was paired with O’Regan, who is from Kilreekil, east Galway.
“From the very first time I heard ‘Two Seagulls’ I was sucked into the world of this melancholy love song,” says Sargent. “Niamh’s voice and melody wraps around you, and you want to listen and understand what the story is. Niamh made it very clear this was a love story and a song about ‘weathering the challenges’ that most long term relationships face, but what brings you together is the foundation of the friendship you share.”
‘Two Seagulls’ was written by O’Regan and her husband, and was featured on the Galwegian’s debut album, Hemet, released a year ago this month on Black Gate Records. The album won widespread acclaim (“A determined triumph” - The Irish Times; “Sublime” - Nialler9; “Stunning” - Hot Press ), and was nominated for ‘Best Album’ in the RTÉ Choice Awards and the RTÉ Folk Awards.
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The video also echoes recent experiences of lockdowns and restricted movements. “I wanted to place the couple within a confined space, their home, where they couldn’t escape each other, and I suppose they didn’t want to either,” says Sargent. “The line, ‘I can’t hear what you’re saying’, expresses a want to still listen, it reads that they are physically close, but emotionally distant.”
Niamh Regan will be on tour throughout Ireland this autumn and winter Including the Doolin Folk Festival (September 18 ); Mountshannon Arts Festival (September 24 ), and the Róisín Dubh (Saturday November 13 ).
Meanwhile, new limited edition Hemet tote bags and T-shirts, designed by Lauren Varian, are on sale on https://niamhregan.bandcamp.com/merch
