Niall Breslin

Bressie
Background information
Birth name Niall Breslin
Born 24 October 1980 (1980-10-24) (age 31)
Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland
Genres Soft rock, pop
Occupations Singer-songwriter
Instruments Guitar
Years active 2000–present
Labels Sony Music
Associated acts The Blizzards
Website bressiemusic.com

Niall Breslin (known as Bressie[1] and born 24 October 1979) is an Irish musician and former sportsperson. He found success as the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter with ska-punk/pop band The Blizzards and as a co-writer and producer with 19 Entertainment.

Contents

Sports career

Breslin has also represented his native county team, Westmeath, in GAA (Gaelic football) at Minor, Under-21 and Senior Championship levels.[2] He won a Leinster Under-21 Football Championship medal with Westmeath in 2000.

Music career

With The Blizzards Breslin released two albums, several charting singles and received numerous awards. His fear of flying inspired him to write the song "Three Cheers for Modern Medicine".[3] He was amongst those who paid tribute to Hot Press editor Niall Stokes for his winning of the Industry Award at the 2009 Meteor Awards.[4] He is a Blur fan.[1] He has allegedly claimed an addiction to pop music.[5]

In 2010, Breslin left The Blizzards behind to base himself in London as a co-writer and producer with 19 Entertainment, owned by Simon Fuller.[5]

Solo career

Breslin confirmed via Twitter that his first single, "Can't Stay Young Forever"[6] would be released on 27 May 2011.[7]

Breslin's second single from the album, "Good Intentions", was released on 6 September 2011, and the album Colourblind Stereo was released on 16 September 2011.[8]

Media career

While in The Blizzards, Breslin presented a show, The Meaning of Music, on Irish radio station Newstalk on Saturday nights from 9pm until 11pm.

From his base in London, he reported from the middle of the battle scenes on the riots, looting and arson, which led to the breakdown of law and order across England throughout August 2011, for Irish radio.[9]

He is to be a coach on The Voice of Ireland.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b "Oxegen - If I could join another band...". RTÉ. 2009-07-13. http://www.rte.ie/arts/2009/0713/oxegen4.html. Retrieved 2009-07-14. 
  2. ^ "Q&A: Niall Breslin". Irish Independent. 2008-09-19. http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/day-and-night/features/qampa-niall-breslin-1478264.html. Retrieved 2008-10-24. 
  3. ^ "The Blizzards Domino Effect". Sputnikmusic. 2009-01-03. http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?reviewid=28578. Retrieved 2009-06-12. 
  4. ^ "The Script and Sharon Shannon bag Meteors". Hot Press. 2009-03-18. http://www.hotpress.com/news/5315938.html. Retrieved 2009-03-20. 
  5. ^ a b Steve Cummins (December 11, 2009). "The Blizzards: The last waltz?". Irish Independent. http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/day-and-night/features/the-blizzards-the-last-waltz-1971278.html. Retrieved January 9, 2010. 
  6. ^ "Can't Stay Young Forever". Muzu.tv. http://www.muzu.tv/gb/bressie/cant-stay-young-forever-music-video/975827/. Retrieved 2011-11-01. 
  7. ^ Breslin, Niall. "Twitter". http://twitter.com/#!/nbrez/status/55387997826334720. 
  8. ^ "Get requesting the new single ‘Good Intentions’ NOW!! | bressie /". Bressiemusic.com. 2011-07-25. http://www.bressiemusic.com/?p=196. Retrieved 2011-11-01. 
  9. ^ "Niall Breslin describes the London riots". Midlands 103. 9 August 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_1sauj4FRk. Retrieved 9 August 2011. 
  10. ^ Finn, Melanie (28 October 2011). "Bressie's in the hotseat in search for the Voice". Evening Herald. http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/bressies-in-the-hotseat-in-search-for-the-voice-2919863.html. Retrieved 28 October 2011. 

External links

The Blizzards
Niall Breslin • Justin Ryan • Dec Murphy • Aidan Lynch • Anthony Doran
Albums
Singles
"First Girl to Leave Town" • "Trouble" • "Miss Fantasia Preaches" • "War of Words" • "Fantasy" • "On the Right Track" • "Trust Me, I'm A Doctor" • "The Reason" • "Postcards" • "Buy & Sell It" • "And Another Thing..."