We Speak Music

The Neon Sea Explores The Hypnotic Dreamscapes In New Single ‘Sleepwalker’

Published

1 year ago

March 20, 2025

Get ready to be entranced by the sonic mastery of The Neon Sea, the brainchild of Dublin-based songwriter Tom Doyle. Their latest single “Sleepwalker” is a genre-bending masterpiece that weaves together Alternative Rock, Post-Punk, and Shoegaze to create a truly immersive experience. With its hypnotic loop-driven soundscapes and sharp, hard-hitting edges, “Sleepwalker” is the perfect antidote to the monotony of everyday life.

The track’s dark, introspective themes are perfectly captured in its minimalist, no-frills production, courtesy of producer Dave Flood in Dublin and mastering by Christian Wright at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London. Doyle’s vision for the song was clear: to create a hypnotic loop with a dark edge, something more immediate and raw than their debut single “As I Wonder”. Mission accomplished!

The Neon Sea’s music is heavily influenced by iconic acts like The Cure, My Bloody Valentine, Nirvana, and Ride, but they’re not afraid to push boundaries and explore new sonic landscapes. Their debut single “As I Wonder” received international airplay and glowing reviews, and “Sleepwalker” is set to follow in its footsteps.

But The Neon Sea is more than just a studio project – they’re a creative force with a unique visual identity, thanks to the abstract artwork of Doyle’s six-year-old son. It’s a truly family affair, and one that we can’t get enough of. As The Neon Sea prepares to take their music to the live stage, we can’t wait to see what’s in store.

For now, let “Sleepwalker” take you on a journey through the darker corners of your mind, and discover why The Neon Sea is one of the most exciting new bands to emerge from Dublin’s thriving music scene.

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We Speak Music

Christian Balvig releases gorgeous new album ‘Find And You Will Seek’ in collaboration with Ensemble Hermes.

Published

57 minutes ago

June 2, 2026

Don Reed

Acclaimed composer and arranger Christian Balvig is known for his work with an array of artists and bands like Jade, Efterklang, Lowly, When Saints Go Machine and Mew, as well as his work with some of the most acclaimed orchestras like Royal Northern Sinfonia (BBC Proms), The Royal Danish Orchestra, Copenhagen Phil, London Contemporary Orchestra, The Danish Radio Broadcast Orchestra and The Norwegian Wind Ensemble.

The cinematic sound on his new album might echo Balvig’s work in the world of film and TV music. Scoring the 2025 Oscar shortlisted short movie ‘Eternal Father’ and the Danish hit series ‘Cry Wolf’ (Ulven Kommer), which has been shown on television in more than 30 countries around the globe, including Channel 4 in the UK. He was also nominated for a Harpa award for ‘Best score’ last year at the Berlinale for ‘The Son and the Moon (Min Arv Bor I Dig)’.

Balvig’s new album, ‘Find And You Will Seek’, backed by Danish string group Ensemble Hermes, grew organically out of this background of experiences and is music that appeals to listeners seeking original, immersive music with space for reflection and contemplation.

‘Find And You Will Seek’ is a collection of chamber works that explore the combination of piano and strings in new ways. Recent single ‘The BirdSuite II – Praesentia’ is part of a 3-part Suite running throughout the record, written and performed on a custom made “Keybird” piano, which is an una-corda (one string pr note) piano that gives a more subtle and intimate sound. On top of it is a lush and emotional string ensemble arrangement with Ensemble Hermes in multiple layers fluctuating in and out of the keybird piano.

Balvig’s second single from the record is ‘What Happened To The World’, an ultra transparent neo-classical inspired piece, with slow melodic structures, a simple chord progression and emotional performance starting with a floating viola solo. It is written from the feeling that the world sometimes goes backwards, and you feel left on the platform wanting to take the train in a different direction.

From film music inspired pieces to experimental chamber music over piano concerto inspired movements, to more neo-classical productions with almost orchestral sounding dubs of strings, ‘Find And You Will Seek’ flows with emotions and lush sound worlds, always with a tangible organic texture.

Find Christian Balvig and Ensemble Hermes on tour in Denmark:

27.5 Ansgars Kirke (Odense)

28.5 Folkegaarden Festival (Aalborg)

29.5 Gnisten (Ry)

30.5 Musikhuset (Aarhus)

1.6 Basement (Copenhagen)