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02 Apr 2026

Kilkenny duo Novatone share new single and announce gig

The launch of their fourth single takes place on April 17

Kilkenny duo Novatone share new single and announce gig

Photo courtesy of Novatone

Reporter:

Mary Cody

02 Apr 2026 8:33 AM

'Golden Letters' is the feel-good new single from Kilkenny duo Novatone and their fourth release in 14 months.  
On April 17 Novatone will launch ‘Golden Letters’ with an acoustic performance in Little Whelan's followed by support gigs for Hothouse Flowers on April 25 in Arklow Bay Hotel and The New 52 at Whelan’s Upstairs on April 26. The single is available now on Bandcamp and will be on streaming platforms with an impact date of April 9.
Novatone is fronted by Kilkenny natives Ann Marie Walsh and Mark McCorry who are now based in North Wexford. 
'Golden Letters' was inspired by a holiday as the duo explain.
 “At the Killarney lakes, we wrote our names in the sand - the golden letters of the title. The song is about the feeling of being carefree and relaxed and trying to hold onto that holiday feeling when you return home to daily life.”
The single features Dylan Bailey on Bass and Áengus “The Goose” Samuel-Maher on Drums with Programming by Novatone.  It was recorded, mixed and mastered by Chris Byrne in Co Kildare.
 
Novatone had a hectic 2025, where they released three warmly received singlesand did headline gigs in Whelan’s Dublin and Cleeres in Kilkenny and a mini tour of Ireland with Tadhg Williams. They played support to Mundy in Sea Church in Ballycotton and to John Blek in Cleeres and Swords at their Dublin comeback gig. 
 
Their debut single 'Spotlight' released in February 2025 was described by Sarah Corcoran of Pillow Queens as “Rilo Kiley meets Belle and Sebastian meets Carnival era The Cardigans - very cool” and Hot Press called it “indie pop resplendence.” 
Novatone headlined Whelan’s Upstairs in March with their full band and in April they shared the Whelan’s main stage with Sack, Mundy, and Brian Branigan (A Lazarus Soul). In July, they released 'Sunny Day' - described as “folk pop shimmer” by Hot Press and did a mini tour with Tadhg Williams.  'Remembrance Day' their third single came out in October.
 
Mark and Ann Marie formed Novatone as an acoustic duo some years ago and released an EP - but then busy careers got in the way.  In 2024, they decided to laser focus on reinventing Novatone and set about recording and expanding their music. 
In November 2024, they launched their new sound with a full electric band in Little Whelan’s.  Since then, Novatone have receivedextensive coverage on local and national media.

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