49th & Main

Fresh off the back of hot new single Self Sabotage, 49th & Main drop house infused collaboration with SHEE Hold On via Counter Records. Nominated for the 2023 Choice Prize and bolstered by widespread industry support, few rising stars have created a buzz like Dublin based indie-electronic duo 49th & Main. 

Since forming the project four years ago, Irish producer Ben O’Sullivan and vocalist/instrumentalist Paddy King have seen an explosive rise, amassing over 105M streams and 1M Spotify listeners to their name and finding fans in the likes of Arielle Free, Sian Eleri and Jack Saunders.

Despite facing several obstacles in recent years, including Ben’s diagnosis of rare blood disease aplastic anaemia which coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, the long time school friends persevered with crafting the 49th & Main sound, seeing their creative relationship and friendship blossom. Widening their sonic palette experimenting with elements of jazz, indie, DnB and garage throughout the pandemic and Ben’s treatment, the duo’s eclectic sound debuted in their first 2020 single Catching Eyes, which has since clocked over 50M streams. 

Since then, the Gen Z indie pop duo have made up for lost time connecting with fans live across Glastonbury, The Great Escape, London’s Scala and Printworks, and Manchester’s YES with debut headline shows across Ireland selling out in under 24 hours. Hotly tipped by Spotify UK’s RADAR program, whose previous graduates include Pink Pantheress, Wet Leg, Joy Crookes and Griff, the duo have already turned heads at radio with consistent support from BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 1XTRA and BBC Radio 6. Their latest mixtape B.O.A.T.S saw support from Jack Saunders, Clara Amfo, Sian Eleri on BBC Radio 1 and Chris Hawkins on BBC Radio 6 and was accompanied by a sold out UK tour. 

Meanwhile, fellow Irish producer SHEE infuses elements of trance with leftfield electronic sounds for melodic concoctions backed by the likes of Jungle, Fred Again.., Porter Robinson, salute., and more. The last year has seen him perform across Canada, France, UK and America and support Barry Can’t Swim on his EU tour following previous slots performing alongside the likes of Folamour, DJ Boring, Denis Sulta, Melle Dee and more. The Kerry native has built up a credible discography releasing on labels like Monki’s &Friends with singles like win your love and Am I Just Living amassing over 2M Spotify streams respectively. 

Armed with new tunes and raring to go after Ben’s recent step back from music to focus on his treatment, 49th & Main hone their pop and electronic sensibilities on Hold On. The duo describe the significance of their collaboration with fellow Irishman SHEE, “Working with SHEE has been something we’ve wanted to do for a while now… We both have similar ‘small town’ Irish upbringings and similar experiences with music growing up and this song exemplifies that. It’s a classic house sound. It has been such a fun song to work on and I think that comes across when you hear it.. You can’t help but dance to it.”

Driven by King’s inspiring vocals, O’Sullivans sparkling productions and SHEE’s nostalgia infused melodies, the rising stars hit upon the perfect harmony of rousing euphoric house and cathartic release on Hold On.