artists. — a for effort records.

Melanie MacLaren’s natural aptitude for nuanced delivery, wistful guitar playing, and her ability to write about life as if life were simply writing itself is everything you could want from a modern folk musician.
Melanie’s lyrics have been described as “haunting yet humorous” and possessing a “sentimental cynicism” that “oozes with Gen-Z relatability.” This duality shines through in all aspects of her music— classic finger-style guitar rests on beds of ethereal, ambient synthesizers, while distorted trad instruments like banjo, bouzouki and fiddle punctuate the compositions, demonstrating a keen artistic ability to combine a unique tongue-in-cheek sensibility with timeless folk style.

Based out of Tulsa, OK, Ramsey Thornton is a songwriter, banjoist, and drummer. Continuously looking for ways to mix the elements of folk with more contemporary styles, his writing emphasizes songs that are lyrically-driven while taking the time to ensure solid groove and thoughtful melody. Throughout Spring and Summer 2023, Thornton is releasing music in partnership with Cowboy 2.0.

NYC-based indie singer/songwriter Danny Belgrad has created his own world under the pseudonym vern matz.
Over the course of 5 albums vern matz succeeds in tackling universal feelings of loneliness and sadness with his slow melodies, peculiar singing and often DIY recordings. Listening to vern matz feels like glimpsing into the fragmented diary of a writer working on an autobiography intended for no one.

just a big fan of linda ronstadt trying to make some music with my friends...ugh.

Fiona is an independent singer-songwriter whose ethereal folk music balances upon both her intricate vocal melodies and delicate approach to songwriting. Influenced by the likes of Joshua Burnside and Adrianne Lenker, she combines the simplicity of more traditional folk melodies with pop, ambient and electronic elements to weave a lane of her own.
Fiona released her debut single ‘Easily’ on 17th February 2023. To date it has been played on 8Radio, WLR FM, Shannonside Radio, Dublin South FM, WIRED FM, KCLR FM and Clare FM. It has also been included in Spotify’s ‘Lost in the Woods’ editorial playlist.

With a fan club that already includes the likes of David Keenan and Junior Brother, and a string of well-received singles under his belt, Kieran Mulvihill is kicking off a new chapter in his career with the launch of a new project, Silver Branch.
Previously described as a "poet of the storytelling tradition" by David Keenan, and the "next big thing" by Junior Brother, Silver Branch is set to release his debut album in October. 'Big Decisions', produced by Chris Barry, offers a hugely promising taste of what to expect from the LP – and further establishes the Kerry artist as a deeply authentic and compellingly sincere force in Irish music.

The Glass Hours is the new musical venture of Brad Armstrong (Dexateens & 13Ghosts) and Megan Barbera

There is an innate tenderness about Jeremy Ferrara. His good nature is inescapable, and anyone within earshot of his quavering voice and quiet guitar is likely to swoon in sympathetic reaction. He’s a folksinger, and a song-diviner. His music is as fun as it is finely detailed. His new album Everything I Hold (out now on American Standard Time Records) is exemplary of this style. Produced by Mike Coykendall, the LP features just Jeremy, his guitar, and voice, on eight songs that fill the listener with wonder, empathy, and joy.

New York based singer-songwriter Amy Jay creates thoughtful acoustic folk that is gentle and lush with strong emphasis on genuine, reflective lyrics. Her music deals with the struggle of life - losing friendships, dealing with relationships, and longing for something better.

muckno is the Castleblayney artist, musician, and producer Jamie Bishop. Taking a DIY approach to production, muckno creates collage-style music that draws influence from punk, hip-hop, field recordings, pop music, and 'country and Irish' records. As a Monaghan native, muckno uses the term 'border-pop' to describe their music -- an interpretation of the 'Border Schizo Cosmic Folk Sound' coined by friend and collaborator, Jinx Lennon. muckno's self-produced debut album 'muck for hamchildren' will be released in 2024 by A For Effort Records

peter o sullivan is a songwriter based in Co. Cork. His debut album is set for release this summer and was produced by Lorkin O’Reilly and Mike Halls (Clean Cut Kid)

DUG is the new musical venture of Jonny Pickett and Lorkin O’Reilly.
Having spent the past decade in Upstate NY releasing albums and touring extensively, Conor (Lorkin O’Reilly) moved to Dublin last year to start a new musical chapter.
Drawing inspiration from both Irish and American traditional music, DUG aims to create a transatlantic blend that reflects the musical heritages of both its members.