Four Kildare music artists come together for an evening of song and discussion about the role music can play minding your mental health.

Presented in association with First Fortnight Festival 2022,  Riverbank Arts Centre is delighted to welcome songwriter and community musician Sive, rapper and writer Dafe Orugbo AKA Max Zanga, singer, songwriter and producer Hally, and singer and songwriter Freya Monks, hosted by Keith Walsh, writer, broadcaster and mental health advocate. 

In this one-off special event, the artists will discuss their creative process and how they look after their own mental health. The evening will also feature music from all four musicians, including some live performances. Join us for an event that will be both an open, honest conversation as well a celebration of music!

Dafe Orugbo AKA Max Zanga
One of Ireland’s most creative and forward-thinking musicians, Dafe Orugbo has achieved international acclaim as one half of hip-hop duo Tebi Rex, who released their second full-length album It’s Gonna Be OK in 2021. He also helped to develop Word Up Collective’s educational and cultural production programmes. He writes on topics ranging from modern day Ireland to Greek mythology and is an experienced public speaker, live performer, writer, spoken word artist and podcaster.

Freya Monks
Freya Monks is a Kildare based vocalist, violinist and songwriter. She is the lead singer of synth pop band, FLECKS, who have gained international success, and have been greatly received by the Irish music scene. Freya has performed across Ireland and Europe, including performances with Lisa Hannigan. Freya’s voice has been described as ethereal, haunting with breathy atmospheric tones, which lends itself well across many genres and styles. Freya’s music and writing is heavily inspired by film, real and imagined stories, visual and performance art. Freya is now working on her own music exploring new sounds and ideas. Freya was one of the recipients of Riverbank Arts Centre Music Bursary Award 2021

hally
hally is a musician, recording artist, record producer and studio owner from Co. Kildare. At his core he is a singer songwriter and a tentative poet whose nature is experimental. His style has an indie folk predominance, jazztastic undertones, ambient textures and electronic episodes. In recent years he has focused on the craft of critical listening, engineering, and production while working with other Artists in his studio. Currently he is recording his next album with L.A. based, Grammy nominated Producer, Marc Daniel Nelson. He also has a keen interest in acoustics, design and woodwork which have allowed him to self build and refine his studio. He is an advocate and active member of the adult adoption community. His personal experience and recovery from drug and alcohol addiction has enabled him to work with young men who are in search of a path to sobriety. Outside of work, hally enjoys spending as much time as he can with his wife, their two kids and Pablo, the dog.

Sive
Sive is a songwriter and community musician dubbed “one of the most inspiring and exciting artists of our time” by Female First UK. Following a successful crowdfunding campaign, Sive released her album The Roaring Girl to critical acclaim in 2017, and proceeded to perform extensively across Ireland, Europe and New Zealand, sharing stages with the likes of Lisa Hannigan, Kila and Mick Flannery and winning a slot on RTE’s Other Voices along the way. In March 2020 she co-founded Embrace Music, a social enterprise dedicated to providing meaningful opportunities for people to engage with music in their daily lives. Sive’s new album will be released on Veta Music in spring 2022.

Keith Walsh, host
Keith Walsh is a writer, broadcaster and mental health advocate. His broadcasting career includes being the lead anchor on RTÉ 2FM’s Early Morning Breakfast Show ‘Breakfast Republic’, and presenter on RTÉ 2FM and weekdays on RTE Gold. Keith has also lent his talents to the small screen appearing in a variety of roles on RTÉ One, RTÉ Two and Virgin Media. ​Hailing from Lanseboro, Co Longford, now settled in Newbridge, Co. Kildare via Athlone! Keith’s debut play Pure Mental, directed and co-written by Janet Moran, premiered at Riverbank Arts Centre in November 2021 and toured to 16 venues across Ireland.

Part of Riverbank Arts Centre’s First Fortnight programme. First Fortnight is a charity that challenges mental health prejudice through arts and cultural action. For more information about First Fortnight see their website 

Please note, in line with  Government guidelines, you will be required to show your EU COVID Certificate and Valid ID for entry to the auditorium for this event.  If you have any particular requirements  please contact us at boxoffice@riverbank.ie or telephone (045) 448327