Lyra (singer)

Lyra is an Irish singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.

Lyra
Birth nameLaura McNamara[1]
Also known asLyra
BornBandon, County Cork
GenresElectropop
Years active2016 - present

Early life and musical development

Lyra grew up in Bandon, Cork. In an interview with Irish Independent, she told of her early love of singing and performing.[2] She has also said that her experiences singing in her church choir and in speech and drama lessons were formational in the development of her singing.[3] She has highlighted her love of Irish "luminaries" Enya and Sinéad O'Connor,[4] artists whom critics, among others such as Kate Bush and Florence and the Machine, have subsequently likened her music to.[5] Although she wishes to maintain a degree of mystery,[6] she has confirmed that 'Lyra' is one of her given names.[7]

Career

Lyra released her first EP W.I.L.D on July 15, 2016, but gained most of her recognition following the featuring of "Emerald" on the second episode of the RTÉ drama ‘Striking Out’, and the subsequent featuring of her music.

She appeared on the 30th anniversary rework of U2’s The Joshua Tree alongside other notable Irish artists Imelda May, Gavin James and Kodaline.[8]

In 2017, Lyra signed a label deal with Polydor Records and Universal Music[9]

She has appeared at such festivals as The Great Escape, Music Cork, Latitude, and Electric Picnic.[10]

Lyra has appeared on Dancing with the Stars[11] and Ireland's Got Talent.[12]

Discography and use in pop culture
Year Title Album
2016 "Rabbit in the Headlights" W.I.L.D
"Emerald"
"Broken Down"
"Whitelady"
2016 "Falling" Falling
2019 "Never Let Go" Never Let Go
2019 "Mother" Mother

Falling was featured in the midseason finale of Season 16 of Grey's Anatomy, and on ITV's Love Island.

The usage of Emerald in Teen Wolf, The X Factor, The Only Way Is Essex and others in 2017 was reportedly instrumental in solidifying her popularity[13]

References
  1. "De-Lyra and excited!". The Southern Star. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
  2. "Beyonce with a Cork accent... Could Lyra be Cork's next musical superstar?". independent. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
  3. Murphy, Lauren (December 6, 2019). "Is she Ireland's next big pop star?". Red Bull. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  4. McGoran, Peter. "HOT FOR 2017: We meet rising Cork artist Lyra". Hotpress. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
  5. "Cork Independent - Lyra shines bright". Cork Independent. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
  6. Tuesday; May 09; 2017 (2017-05-09). "Lyra is excited about her return to Cork". www.irishexaminer.com. Retrieved 2020-06-14.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. "Beyonce with a Cork accent... Could Lyra be Cork's next musical superstar?". independent. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
  8. Writer, Guest. "Who is Lyra? 5 Things you Need to Know - Universal Music Ireland". Umusic Ireland. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
  9. ""lyra" AND "polydor" - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
  10. Gallagher, Katie (2019-05-05). "Singer Lyra says her career blew up after appearing on RTE's Striking Out". irishmirror. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
  11. Tuesday; May 09; 2017 (2017-05-09). "Lyra is excited about her return to Cork". www.irishexaminer.com. Retrieved 2020-06-14.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. "YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
  13. Gallagher, Katie (2019-05-05). "Singer Lyra says her career blew up after appearing on RTE's Striking Out". irishmirror. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
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