{{Short description|Irish rock band}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}} {{Infobox musical artist | background = group_or_band | name = NewDad | image = Newdad Dome 2025.jpg | caption = NewDad performing at The Dome, London in May 2025 | origin = Galway, Ireland | genre = {{flatlist| *Indie rock *pop *shoegaze *lo-fi<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/waves-mw0003489918/releases|title=NewDad-Waves|publisher=allmusic.com}}</ref><ref name="NME" /> }} | years_active = {{start date|2018}}–present | label = {{flatlist| *Fair Youth *Atlantic Records }} | associated_acts = | website = {{URL|newdad.live}} | current_members = * Julie Dawson * Fiachra Parslow * Sean O'Dowd | past_members = * Áindle O'Beirn * Cara Joshi * Sam Breathwick }}
'''NewDad''' are<!--This article is written in British English. Do not change to is!--> an Irish indie rock band from Galway, formed in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/newdad-on-finally-returning-to-the-stage-stzfcbt9v|title=NewDad on finally returning to the stage|first=Chilpra Gantara|last=Doherty|date=11 September 2021|website=The Times}}</ref> The band consists of Julie Dawson (vocals, guitar), Fiachra Parslow (drums) and Sean O'Dowd (guitar). During live performances, the band are currently joined by bass guitarist Marie Freiss.
Their music has been compared to the Cure, Beabadoobee, and Just Mustard by ''NME'' magazine.<ref name="NME">{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-radar/newdad-community-inspired-lo-fi-dream-pop-from-galway-2896732|title=New Dad, Community Inspired Lo-Fi Dream-Pop From Galway|first=Becky|last=Rogers|date=9 March 2021|publisher=NME|website=nme.com}}</ref> Atwood Magazine wrote of the group: "The band oozes personality with cynical but honest lyrics, colorful visual components, and poignant messages about coping with the, albeit painful, formative experiences."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://atwoodmagazine.com/ndwv-newdad-waves-ep-music-interview-feature/|title=INTERVIEW: DIVE HEADFIRST INTO IRISH DREAM POP BAND NEWDAD'S DEBUT EP 'WAVES'|first=Jesse|last=Herb|date=15 April 2021|publisher=Atwood Magazine}}</ref> The group have appeared at Glastonbury Festival, All Points East,<ref>{{cite web |last=Rigotti |first=Alex |date=15 April 2025 |title=NewDad announce new EP 'Safe' and intimate London show |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/newdad-announce-new-ep-safe-and-intimate-london-show-3855103 |website= |location= |publisher=NME |access-date=8 July 2025}}</ref> the Pitchfork Music Festival in Paris,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchforkmusicfestival.fr/artists/newdad/|title=NewDad at the Pitchfork Music Festival|publisher=Pitchfork|access-date=29 November 2021|archive-date=12 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812210109/http://pitchforkmusicfestival.fr/artists/newdad/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Lollapalooza.<ref>{{cite web |last= |first= |date=4 August 2025 |title=Looking back at Lollapalooza 2025: The fashion, the fun, the photos, the acts |url=https://www.wbez.org/music/2025/08/04/looking-back-at-lollapalooza-2025-the-fashion-the-fun-the-photos-the-acts |website= |location=Chicago |publisher=WBEZ |access-date=6 August 2025}}</ref>
==Career== ===Formation and early career (2018–2020)===
Julie Dawson, Áindle O'Beirn and Fiachra Parslow started the band while in secondary school at Coláiste Iognáid as a way of avoiding solo performances for their Leaving Certificate practical music exam.<ref name="NME" /> Sean O'Dowd, who was studying music technology in Limerick, began recording the band, before eventually becoming a full member.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/newdad-i-wrote-the-songs-about-my-later-years-in-secondary-school-but-the-words-can-still-be-very-personal-22845536|first=Kate|last=Brayden|publisher=Hot Press|title=NewDad - I Wrote Songs About My Last Years In Secondary School But The Words Can Still Be Very Personal|date=16 March 2021|website=hotpress.com}}</ref> An early feature in local paper the ''Connacht Tribune'' wrote "Belying their relative inexperience, Galway band New Dad are fast becoming one of the city's most inventive and enthralling acts."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://connachttribune.ie/new-dad-just-basking-in-glow-of-debut-delivery/|first=Cian|last=O'Connell|title=New Dad just basking in glow of debut delivery!|date=5 March 2020|publisher=Connacht Tribune|website=connaughttribune.ie}}</ref> The band released five singles in 2020; "How," "Swimming," "Cry," "Blue" and "I Don't Recognise You," which accrued over two million streams on Spotify.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/120755/newdad-debut-ep-risin-dubh-show|title=NewDad Debut EP Roisin Dubh Show|first=Kernan|last=Andrews|date=29 March 2021|publisher=Galway Advertiser}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2021/0330/1206882-behind-the-music-newdad/ |title=Behind The Music-NewDad|date=30 March 2021|website=RTÉ.ie}}</ref> On 5 November 2020, the group recorded a live session for Steve Lamacq's show on BBC 6 Music.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000nztg|title=Steve Lamacq on BBC 6 Music|publisher=BBC|website=bbc.co.uk}}</ref>
=== ''Waves EP'' (2021) === {{Music ratings | title = ''Waves'' EP | rev1 = ''GoldenPlec'' | rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goldenplec.com/album-reviews/newdad-waves/|title=GoldenPlec Album Review|publisher=GoldenPlec|first=Jake|last=Hurley|date=1 April 2021}}</ref> | rev2= ''DIY'' | rev2Score={{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="DIY" /> | rev3 = ''Dork'' | rev3Score={{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://readdork.com/albums/newdad-waves-ep/|title=Dork Album Review|first=Jay|last=Singh|date=24 March 2021|publisher=Dork}}</ref> | noprose = yes}} Their debut EP ''Waves'' was released in March 2021. Recorded with engineer Chris Ryan in Belfast, the EP features the previously released singles "I Don't Recognise You" and "Blue." ''God Is in the TV'' wrote of the EP "Each song juxtaposes fuzzy guitar waves, dexterous basslines, subtle percussive beds, woven with Julie's half spoken half sung vocals that are intimate, evocative and heart puncturing."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/2021/03/16/introducing-newdad/|title=INTRODUCING: NewDad|first=Bill|last=Cummings|date=16 March 2021|publisher=God is in the TV|website=}}</ref> In a 4-star review ''DIY'' magazine wrote of the tracks, "Together they offer a palpable melancholy, one driven by vocalist Julie Dawson's intricate balance of despondency and bite, not least on the subtle spite on the closing title track."<ref name="DIY">{{cite web|url=https://diymag.com/2021/03/25/newdad-waves-ep-review|title=NEWDAD - WAVES|publisher= DIY|website=diymag.com|date=25 March 2021 }}</ref> ''The Journal of Music'' opined: "NewDad posit themselves as both the lovelorn hero and the cut-throat antagonist, switching sides with ease."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://journalofmusic.com/criticism/small-details-break-ups|title=The Small Details of Break-ups|first=Kelly|last=Doherty|date=14 April 2021|publisher=The Journal of Music}}</ref>
=== ''Banshee'' EP (2021–2023) === {{Music ratings | title = ''Banshee'' EP | rev1 = ''GoldenPlec'' | rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goldenplec.com/album-reviews/newdad-banshee-ep-review/|title=GoldenPlec Album Review|publisher=GoldenPlec|first=Justin|last=McDaid|date=1 February 2022}}</ref> | rev2= ''DIY'' | rev2Score={{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://diymag.com/2022/02/09/newdad-banshee-ep-review|first=Alisdair|last=Grice|date=9 February 2022|publisher=DIY|website=diymag.com|title=DIY Banshee Review}}</ref> | rev3 = ''Dork'' | rev3Score={{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://readdork.com/albums/newdad-banshee-ep/|date=9 February 2022|publisher=Dork|first=Jasleen|last=Dhindsa|title=Dork Banshee EP Review}}</ref> | rev4 = ''Gigwise'' | rev4Score = {{Rating|9|10}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gigwise.com/reviews/3415521/ep-review--newdad---banshee|first=Karl|last=Blakesley|publisher=gigwise|website=gigwise.com|date=7 February 2022|title=Gigwise Banshee EP Review}}</ref> | noprose = yes}} In October 2021, the group released the single "Ladybird" and announced their second EP, ''Banshee''. The EP was recorded with Chris Ryan in Belfast and mixed by John Congleton.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/new-music/discovery/newdad-ladybird|title=NewDad pull from cinematic nostalgia on mesmerising new single "Ladybird"|first=Cailean|last=Coffey|date=26 October 2021|publisher=The Line of Best Fit}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goldenplec.com/newdad-share-new-single-ladybird-and-announce-whelans-show/|first=Stephen|last=Byrne|date=26 October 2021|title=NEWDAD SHARE NEW SINGLE LADYBIRD AND ANNOUNCE WHELAN'S SHOW|publisher=GoldenPlec|website=goldenplec.com}}</ref> In January 2022, BBC 6 Music premiered "Say It," the second single from the EP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://readdork.com/news/newdad-single-say-it/|title=NewDad have shared 'Say It' from their new EP 'Banshee'|first=Sam|last=Taylor|date=11 January 2022|publisher=Dork}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/newdad-unveil-new-single-say-it-on-bbc-radio-6-22886926|title=NewDad Unveil New Single Say It On BBC Radio 6|date=11 January 2022|first=Kate|last=Brayden|publisher=hotpress.com}}</ref> ''So Young Magazine'' wrote of the single; "'Say It' has NewDad sounding more confident and more ambitious."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://soyoungmagazine.com/newdad-share-new-single-say-it/|first=Charlie|last=Brown|title=NewDad Share New Single 'Say It'|date=11 January 2022|publisher=soyoungmagazine.com}}</ref> ''Banshee'' was released on 7 February 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/galway-indie-rockers-newdad-release-sophomore-ep-banshee-22890786|publisher=Hot Press|website=hotpress.com|date=9 February 2022|access-date=11 March 2022|last=Brayden|first=Kate|title=Galway indie outfit NewDad release dreamy sophomore EP Banshee}}</ref> ''Gigwise'', giving it a score of nine out of ten stars, wrote; "NewDad look primed to set the world alight."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gigwise.com/reviews/3415521/ep-review--newdad---banshee|first=Karl|last=Blakesley|date=7 February 2022|publisher=Gigwise|website=gigwise.com|title=EP Review: NewDad - Banshee}}</ref> ''GoldenPlec'' wrote; "the themes of 'Banshee' thoughtfully unfold through a dreamscape of helplessness, uncertainty, depression and neurosis."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goldenplec.com/album-reviews/newdad-banshee-ep-review/|first=Justin|last=McDaid|publisher=GoldenPlec|website=goldenplec.com|date=1 February 2022|access-date=11 March 2022|title=NEWDAD BANSHEE}}</ref> ''Dork'' magazine wrote of the EP; "Sonically expansive and colourful, it's a brighter step up from last year's 'Waves EP'." and awarded it four stars out of five.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://readdork.com/albums/newdad-banshee-ep/|publisher=Dork|website=readdork.com|date=9 February 2022|access-date=11 March 2022|first=Jasleen|last=Dhindsa|title=NewDad – Banshee EP}}</ref>
After the success of ''Banshee'', the band relocated to London. The move also saw O'Beirn being replaced by London-raised bassist Cara Joshi.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/newdad-madra-interview-atlantic-b2501428.html|title=Irish alt-rock band NewDad on their debut album, falling out, and curses: 'It's no wonder bands don't always last'|first=Ellie|last=Muir|date=25 February 2024|access-date=21 March 2024|newspaper=The Independent}}</ref>
=== ''Madra'' and other projects (2024) === {{Main|Madra (album)}} {{Music ratings | title = ''Madra'' | rev1 = ''DIY'' | rev1score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://diymag.com/review/album/newdad-madra|title=NewDad – ''Madra'' review|magazine=DIY|last=Swann|first=Emma|access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref> | rev2 = ''NME'' | rev2score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/newdad-band-debut-album-madra-review-radar-3573726|title=NewDad – ''Madra'' review: review: sublime songs from Ireland's next great guitar band|website=NME|last=Baines|first=Huw|date=24 January 2024|access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref> | rev3 = ''Record Collector'' | rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="RC">{{cite magazine|url=https://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/madra|title=''Madra'' {{!}} NewDad|magazine=Record Collector|last=Earls|first=John|date=31 December 2023|access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref> | rev4 = ''Uncut'' | rev4score = {{Rating|8|10}}<ref name="Uncut">{{cite magazine|title=NewDad – ''Madra''|magazine=Uncut|page=34|date=January 2024}}</ref> }} On 14 September 2023, the band announced their debut album, ''Madra'' (which translates as 'dog' from Irish), scheduled for release on 26 January 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/newdad-launch-debut-album-madra/ |title=NewDad Launch Debut Album 'Madra' |last=Murray |first=Robin |date=14 September 2023 |publisher=Clash Music |access-date=15 September 2023}}</ref> The announcement was marked by the release of the single "Angel". The album was produced by Chris W Ryan, mixed by Alan Moulder, and recorded at Rockfield Studios.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thefader.com/2023/09/14/newdad-madra-angel-release-date |title=Irish indie band NewDad share "Angel," a song inspired by Euphoria |last=Renshaw |first=David |date=14 September 2023 |publisher=The Fader |access-date=15 September 2023}}</ref> NME listed Madra as their 45th best album of 2024<ref>{{cite web |date=December 2024 |title=The 50 best albums of 2024 |url=https://www.nme.com/lists/end-of-year/best-albums-2024-3818995 |publisher=NME |access-date=8 July 2025}}</ref> and one of the ten best debut albums of the year.<ref>{{cite web |date=26 June 2024 |title=The 10 best debut albums of 2024… so far! |url=https://www.nme.com/features/music-features/best-debut-albums-of-2024-so-far-radar-3768653 |publisher=NME |access-date=8 July 2025}}</ref>
====Solo projects====
In August 2024, NewDad singer/songwriter Julie Dawson announced the release of her debut solo album, ''Bottom of the Pool'', which released on 13 September 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotpress.com/music-news/newdads-julie-dawson-announces-solo-album-bottom-of-the-pool-23048671|publisher=Hot Press|title= NewDad's Julie Dawson announces solo album Bottom Of The Pool |date=29 August 2024|website=hotpress.com}}</ref>
==== Life Is Strange: Double Exposure ==== NewDad composed a new song, titled "Under My Skin", for Life is Strange: Double Exposure, an episodic adventure game published by Square Enix.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://press.na.square-enix.com/DODIE-CHLOE-MORIONDO-AND-OTHER-ICONIC-ARTISTS-HEADLINE-ORIGINAL-SOUNDT |title=DODIE, CHLOE MORIONDO AND OTHER ICONIC ARTISTS HEADLINE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK FOR LIFE IS STRANGE: DOUBLE EXPOSURE |date=24 September 2024 |publisher=Square Enix |access-date=28 November 2024}}</ref>
=== ''Safe'' EP and ''Altar'' (2025) ===
{{Music ratings | title = ''Safe'' EP | rev1 = ''Dork'' | rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Newton |first=Felicity |date=30 April 2025 |title=NewDad – Safe EP |url=https://readdork.com/albums/newdad-safe-ep/ |publisher=Dork |access-date=8 July 2025}}</ref> }}
thumb|NewDad performing at Lollapalooza Chicago in August 2025 In March 2025, the band announced the departure of bassist Cara Joshi "after some heartfelt conversations", with the band to tour that summer with Marie Freiss deputising.<ref>{{cite web |last=Byrne |first=Niall |date=31 March 2025 |title=NewDad bassist Cara Joshi leaves the band |url=https://nialler9.com/newdad-bassist-cara-joshi-leaves-the-band/ |website= |location= |publisher=Nialler9 |access-date=8 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Linazasoro |first=Nick |date=27 October 2025 |title=NewDad bring the ‘Altar’ to Chalk |url=https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2025/10/27/newdad-bring-the-altar-to-chalk/ |website= |location= |publisher=Brighton & Hove News |access-date=8 January 2026}}</ref> The following month, NewDad announced release of their third EP, ''Safe'', which released in May 2025.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rigotti |first=Alex |date=15 April 2025 |title=NewDad announce new EP 'Safe' and intimate London show |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/newdad-announce-new-ep-safe-and-intimate-london-show-3855103 |publisher=NME |access-date=8 July 2025}}</ref> In July, NewDad announced their forthcoming second album ''Altar'', which was released on 19 September 2025. The announcement was accompanied by the release of a lead single, "Roobosh".<ref>{{cite web |last=Murray |first=Robin |date=8 July 2025 |title=NewDad Announce Second Album 'Altar' |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/newdad-announce-second-album-altar/ |website=clashmusic.com |publisher=Clash |access-date=8 July 2025}}</ref> The album featured production from Sam Breathwick, who would also tour with the band in the summer of 2025, and songwriting from Justin Parker.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fuller |first=Graham |date=18 September 2025 |title=Album: NewDad - Altar |url=https://theartsdesk.com/new-music/album-newdad-altar |website= |location= |publisher=The Arts Desk |access-date=8 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Sam |date=5 August 2025 |title=NewDad have written a love letter to Galway with their new single 'Pretty' |url=https://readdork.com/news/newdad-share-single-pretty/ |access-date=19 September 2025 |website=Dork |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Personnel== '''Current members''' * Julie Dawson – vocals, rhythm guitar (2018–present) * Sean O'Dowd – lead guitar (2018–present) * Fiachra Parslow – drums<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicweek.com/waves/read/making-waves-newdad/081746|title=Making Waves: NewDad|first=Ben|last=Homewood|publisher=Music Week|website=musicweek.com|date=28 October 2020}}</ref> (2018–present)
'''Current touring members''' * Marie Freiss – bass guitar (2025–present)
'''Past members''' * Áindle O’Beirn – bass guitar (2018–2022) * Cara Joshi – bass guitar (2022–2025) * Sam Breathwick – guitar & keys (2025)<ref>{{cite web |last= |first= |date=2025 |title=NewDad |url=https://goodliveartists.com/artists/newdad |website= |location= |publisher=Goodlive Artists |access-date=}}</ref> {{#tag:timeline| ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:25 PlotArea = left:100 bottom:80 top:10 right:15 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/2018 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}} TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4 ScaleMajor = increment:1 start:2018 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:2018
Colors = id:vocals value:red legend:Vocals id:guitar value:green legend:Guitar id:bass value:blue legend:Bass id:keys value:purple legend:Keyboards id:drums value:orange legend:Drums id:studio value:black legend:Studio_release
LineData = layer:back color:studio at:03/26/2021 at:02/09/2022 at:01/26/2024 at:05/02/2025 at:09/19/2025
BarData = bar:Dawson text:"Julie Dawson" bar:ODowd text:"Sean O'Dowd" bar:Parslow text:"Fiachra Parslow" bar:OBeirn text:"Áindle O’Beirn" bar:Joshi text:"Cara Joshi" bar:Freiss text:"Marie Freiss" bar:Breathwick text:"Sam Breathwick"
PlotData= width:11 bar:Dawson from:01/01/2018 till:end color:vocals bar:Dawson from:01/01/2018 till:end color:guitar width:3 bar:ODowd from:01/01/2018 till:end color:guitar bar:Parslow from:01/01/2018 till:end color:drums bar:OBeirn from:01/01/2018 till:03/01/2022 color:bass bar:Joshi from:03/01/2022 till:01/01/2025 color:bass bar:Freiss from:01/01/2025 till:end color:bass bar:Breathwick from:01/01/2025 till:10/28/2025 color:guitar bar:Breathwick from:01/01/2025 till:10/28/2025 color:keys width:3 }}
==Discography==
'''Albums''' *''Madra'' (26 January 2024) *''Altar'' (19 September 2025)
'''EPs''' *''Waves'' (26 March 2021) *''Banshee'' (9 February 2022) *''Safe'' (2 May 2025)
'''Singles''' *"How" (2 March 2020) *"Swimming" (25 March 2020) *"Cry" (12 June 2020) *"Blue" (4 September 2020) *"Blue (Happa Remix)" (20 November 2020) *"I Don't Recognise You" (27 November 2020) *"Ladybird" (26 October 2021) *"Say It" (11 January 2022) *"ILY2" (30 September 2022) *"In My Head" (10 May 2023) *"Break In" (14 June 2023) *"Angel" (13 September 2023) *"Let Go" (20 October 2023) *"Nightmares" (13 November 2023) *"White Ribbons" (11 January 2024)
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == *[https://newdadofficial.bandcamp.com NewDad on Bandcamp]
Category:Irish musical groups Category:2018 establishments in Ireland Category:Atlantic Records artists Category:Musical groups established in 2018 Category:Musical groups from County Galway Category:Irish alternative rock groups Category:Irish shoegaze musical groups Category:Irish pop rock music groups Category:Irish indie rock groups Category:Female-fronted musical groups