Unplugged Lounge Conversations with Liadh

In a shimmering wave of ethereal synths, poetic lyricism, and alt-pop authenticity, Irish newcomer Liadh is quietly carving out her own space in the music world—one that embraces vulnerability, neurodivergence, and self-discovery. With the release of her latest single “Control” and the upcoming Illusions EP, the Ireland-based artist blends 80s influences with a thoroughly modern emotional edge. We sat down with Liadh for a heartfelt chat about her journey from childhood choir singer to rising alt-pop voice, the power of female collaboration in music, and how she’s transforming deeply personal experiences into shimmering, soul-stirring art.

Continue reading to learn more about Liadh. . .

Thanks for chatting with us at Sonic Sisters Magazine! Can you share a bit about how your journey into music began?

Thanks for having me! I’ve always adored music, singing in choirs and doing musical theatre throughout my childhood. I started writing poems as a kid, which led to songwriting. I went to uni and studied Psychology, thinking I’d continue on that career pathway. But I knew I had to do music, even though it seemed like a pipe dream. I found an incredible producer to work with, Lisa Murray, and she has played a huge role in my development as an artist.

Who have been some of the most significant influences on your musical style?

I’m really inspired by 80s synth-pop acts such as a-ha, Spandau Ballet, Eurythmics, The Human League and Tears for Fears. I’m very lyrically and artistically inspired by modern female alt-pop acts like MARINA, Florence + the Machine, Lorde, Aurora and Lana Del Rey.

And which female musicians or women in the music industry have inspired your journey?

I mentioned my producer, Lisa Murray - she has been a huge source of inspiration for me. Seeing another female pop artist doing so well has made me believe in myself. Lisa is also an engineer, and mixed all my tracks. She’s really breaking down barriers and showing that women absolutely belong in music production and engineering. It’s really important that us female musicians lift each other up.

How do your personal experiences shape your songwriting, and what do you hope listeners take away from those connections?

My songwriting is very personal. Music is my way of talking about things that are very difficult to talk about. I write about neurodiversity, sobriety and mental health. I would hope that listeners would feel less alone when listening to my music.

Congratulations on your brand-new single Control - what inspired this particular song?

‘Control’ began as a poem I wrote 7 years ago. Myself and Lisa then transformed it into a song. It was an interesting process because the poem wouldn’t fit neatly into the parameters of a song, so it became something new. ‘Control’ is about my struggle to control my own mind. I used unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol and an eating disorder to try to quieten my anxious mind. Despite thinking that these gave me control, they ultimately controlled me - and in that way, I lost control. It’s also about feeling grounded and present in your body - ‘I exist only in my body’. When I sing it live, it makes me feel very grateful for how far I have come. I hope that it can offer hope to anyone who is struggling at the moment.

What song (not your own) has had the biggest influence on you and why?

There are so many - but I’m gonna say ‘Cosmic Love’, by Florence and the Machine. I was 13 when I heard it for the first time. I remember listening to it at night on my iPod, and clearly hearing all the layers of sound, wondering how they were created. I loved the sound of fireworks that you can hear at the end of the song. That song transported me to a different place, almost psychedelic. It was my first time experiencing that through music. That sense of almost transcendence is very much something that I would like to do with my own music.

Is there a song in your catalog that holds a special personal meaning for you? We'd love to hear the story or inspiration behind it.

My second single ‘Illusions’ is also the name of my debut EP. ‘Control’ is the third song from the EP. It’s a concept EP that explores the deceptions and myths of the human mind. The word ‘Illusions’ was something I noted down years ago - I was totally fascinated by it and I knew I wanted to use it as the basis for a project. So it really means a lot that it’s now a song and an EP.

What are some of the aspirations you have for your music moving forward?

I really just want to connect with people who have had the same experiences as me, whose brains are perhaps wired in the same way. Music has helped me so much, and I’d like to be able to do that for others - to distill complex emotions and thoughts into a beautiful shimmering pop track. A headline gig full of people who deeply connect with my songs would be a dream.

What advice would you give to emerging female artists who are just starting out in the music world?

There will be people who don’t ‘get’ your music, and that’s fine. You just need to find those who do, because they are out there. I also mentioned how important it is for us female artists to support each other. It’s not a competition - we are stronger together. Finally, build a team of people who can help you realise your musical vision. I used to think that I had to do everything myself, and because I didn’t have tech skills and only played piano, I thought that that meant that I just wasn’t a musician - so not true!

Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to say to our readers?

If you want to do music, it’s absolutely possible, and I encourage any readers who might be interested to go for it. If you’d like to keep up with me, I’m on Instagram and TikTok @liadhmusic. My music is available on all streaming services including Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, YouTube, SoundCloud and Bandcamp.