Gemma Hayes releases new single & video "Central Hotel" - video directed by award-winning director Alfred George Bailey + London residency in September
PREVIEW THE SINGLE HERE
FROM THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED NEW ALBUM BLIND FAITH
"A remarkable storyteller, Hayes’ songs are personal and intimate but so universal it seems like she’s singing directly to the listener.
The album of her career. "
★★★★ MOJO
** THREE-NIGHT LONDON RESIDENCY THIS SEPTEMBER **
April 16th, 2025: Gemma Hayes has today released her hypnotic new single “Central Hotel” accompanied by a suitably immersive video directed by award-winning film director Alfred George Bailey. Lifted from Blind Faith, Gemma’s first studio album for a decade, “Central Hotel” has rapidly become a fan favourite, and has been released with an alternative mix by Grammy Award-winning producer Marius de Vries, renowned for his work on film soundtracks including Moulin Rouge and La La Land.
“With Central Hotel I wanted to bring to life an encounter I had many moons ago,” explains Gemma. “Our lives intertwined for a moment in time. It’s all like a ghost to me now. When I play this song live I feel transported to that place again.”
Of the video, Alfred George Bailey explains: “Central Hotel is haunting yet filled with that signature emotion and depth Gemma brings to her music,” . To complement the song’s dreamlike essence, we chose to shoot with Cooke SP3 lenses, which allowed us to craft a soft, cinematic aesthetic that perfectly mirrors the song’s wistful, nostalgic tone. Every frame was designed to feel intimate and timeless, just like the music itself.
Adds Gemma: “Alfred is an incredibly talented and intuitive director and it’s been a joy to work with him. I absolutely love what he has created.”
The Mercury Prize-nominated Irish musician recently announced a three-night London residency from September 4th - 6th at St Pancras Church and The Lexington. All three London shows will be full band shows. Says Gemma: “The Thursday and Friday nights will be a close up and personal affair in the very historic St Pancras Old Church, and then the Saturday night will be a bit more of a raucous affair at one of London's finest old famous rock n roll venues in Kings Cross, The Lexington.”
Produced by Hayes with Karl Odlum, David Odlum & Brian Casey, ‘Blind Faith’ is Hayes first new album since 2014’s ‘Bones + Longing’. ‘While Hayes’s songwriting is as personal as ever, its abstract nature allows the listener to sink into each song, immersed by tender guitar picking, eerie synths and swooning cello. ‘Central Hotel’’itself sees Gemma at the top of her game as a story teller. Gemma loses herself in the music, turns everything inside out, or else offers up moments of quiet and reflection. It is an extraordinary album from one of Ireland’s most gifted and unique artists.
Gemma Hayes London Residency:
September 4th St Pancras Old Church
September 5th St Pancras Old Church
September 6th The Lexington
Ticket details from https://gemmahayes.com/tour/