‘GOLDEN LETTERS’ is the feel-good new single from NOVATONE and their 4th release in 14 months. On 17th April they 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 26 April. The single is available now on Bandcamp and will be on streaming platforms with an impact date of 9 April.
Novatone is fronted by Kilkenny natives ANN MARIE WALSH & 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 & Mastered by Chris Byrne in Co Kildare.
Novatone had a hectic 2025, where they released three warmly received singles and did headline gigs in Whelan’s Dublin & Cleeres Kilkenny and a mini tour of Ireland with Tadhg Williams. They played support to Mundy in Sea Church Ballycotton, John Blek in Cleeres and Swords at their Dublin comeback gig. Each of their gigs has been an opportunity to engage with the audience – as Novatone love to send the crowd home singing! WATCH THE AUDIENCE SINGING IN WHELANS MAIN ROOM AND WHELAN’S UPSTAIRS.
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 3rd single came out in October, described as “a moving track exploring loss, love, and remembrance” by The Beat.
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 received extensive coverage on RTE Radio 1, Red FM, 2XM, Shannonside Northern Sound, Ocean FM, Midlands FM, KCLRFM, Spirit Radio, Amazing Radio and featured in Irish Independent, RTE Entertainment Online, Wexford Weekly,Kilkenny People, Hot Press as well as performing live radio sessions on Raidió Na Life and Radio Kilkenny.
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