Orla Gartland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Orla Gartland
Gartland performing in 2022
Background information
Birth name	Orla Joan Gartland
Born	(1995-02-03) 3 February 1995 (age 30) Dublin, Ireland
Genres	Acoustic folk indie pop indie folk pop rock
Occupation(s)	Musician singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals guitar ukulele piano
Years active	2007–present
Labels	New Friends

Orla Joan Gartland (born 3 February 1995) is an Irish singer, songwriter, and musician. She is known for her unique indie-pop and folk-pop style.

Orla Gartland released her first studio album, Woman on the Internet, in 2021. This album was very successful, reaching number 3 on the Irish album chart and number 1 on the UK Indie Chart. Her second studio album, Everybody Needs a Hero, came out in October 2024.

She has also released five shorter music collections called extended plays (EPs). These include Freckle Season (2020) and Why Am I Like This? (2019). In 2023, Orla joined a music group called Fizz. The group released their first album, The Secret to Life, in October 2023.

Early Life and Music Start

Orla Gartland grew up in Drumcondra, a part of Dublin, Ireland. She has a younger sister and a younger brother. Orla started playing the violin and traditional Irish music when she was about five years old. When she was around 12, her parents encouraged her to learn the guitar.

In 2015, Orla decided to move to London. She had met many musicians from the UK through YouTube and wanted to be closer to the music scene there.

Orla's Music Journey

Starting on YouTube

In 2009, when Orla was 13, she started her YouTube channel called "MusicMaaad." She began by posting videos of herself singing cover songs. Later, she started sharing her own original songs. Her first original song was called "Green Eyed Monster." As a teenager, Orla also performed music on the streets of Dublin, which is called busking. This is how she became friends with the music duo Hudson Taylor.

In 2012, Orla performed as an opening act for other artists. She opened for Ryan O'Shaughnessy at The Academy in Dublin. She also opened for Scottish singer-songwriter Nina Nesbitt. Orla released her first single, "Devil on my Shoulder," in June 2012. It quickly became popular, reaching No. 2 on the Ireland singer-songwriter chart.

First EPs: Roots and Lonely People

Orla Gartland performing live in Leicester, 2013.

In March 2013, Orla announced her first tour. She performed five shows in the UK and Ireland in July 2013.

Her four-song EP, Roots, was released in November 2013. The main song, "Roots," was chosen as Apple iTunes' "Single of the Week" in the UK and Ireland. Orla then toured again in February 2014 to support the album, visiting ten cities.

Many music experts noticed Orla's talent. The Irish Daily Star named her one of "20 music acts to watch in 2014." The Irish Independent also listed her as one of "Ireland's most influential teens."

Orla's second EP, Lonely People, came out in 2015. Critics praised it for mixing funk and alt-pop music styles.

New Music and TV Features

In May 2018, Orla released her first new song in three years, "I Go Crazy." Later that year, she released "Between My Teeth." In 2019, she released "Why Am I Like This?" and "Flatline." These songs were part of her EP Why Am I Like This?, which came out in May 2019.

"Why Am I Like This?" became very popular again in 2022. This happened after it was featured in an episode of the Netflix TV show Heartstopper. The song reached No. 4 on the Billboard Top TV Songs chart.

Orla released more singles in late 2019 and early 2020, including "Did It to Myself," "Figure It Out," and "Heavy." These songs were on her EP Freckle Season. "Heavy" was used in a trailer for the TV show Normal People, and "Did It to Myself" was also featured in the show.

In 2020, Orla released her EPs Why Am I Like This? and Freckle Season together on vinyl. This special release was called Why Is Freckle Season Like This?. It included all the songs from both EPs, plus a new song and an acoustic version of "Figure It Out."

Debut Album: Woman on the Internet

In October 2020, Orla released "Pretending," a song about trying to be someone else to please people. In January 2021, she released "More Like You," which explores feelings of identity and jealousy. Her song "Zombie!" came out in April 2021. This song talks about the importance of people sharing their feelings instead of keeping them hidden.

These singles were part of her first full-length album, Woman on the Internet. The album was released in August 2021 through her own record label, New Friends. Orla worked with her long-time friend Tom Stafford to produce the album. For the first time, her live band helped with the recording.

The album received good reviews from music critics. It reached number 3 on the Irish album chart and number 10 on the UK album chart. In 2022, Orla released a special Anniversary Edition of Woman on the Internet.

Latest Album: Everybody Needs a Hero

In August 2023, Orla released a new single called "Kiss Ur Face Forever." This was her first solo song since 2021. In May 2024, she released another single, "Little Chaos," with a music video.

Orla also announced her second album, Everybody Needs a Hero, which was released in October 2024. The album includes a song called "Late to the Party" featuring Declan McKenna.

Music Collaborations

Joining the Band Fizz

In 2023, Orla Gartland formed a band called Fizz (written as FIZZ). She joined with fellow musicians Dodie, Greta Isaac, and Martin Luke Brown. Their first song, "High in Brighton," was released in June 2023. The band's first album, The Secret to Life, came out in October 2023.

Other Appearances

Orla has contributed to several other music projects. In 2013, she sang "Cast Your Stone" on the album Simple Things. This album helped raise money for suicide prevention in Ireland.

Orla and Greta Isaac also sang "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" for an album that raised money for a breast cancer charity. Orla has often performed with Dodie, supporting her on tours.

She also helped write the song "134340" for the famous K-pop boy band BTS. This song is on their 2018 album Love Yourself: Tear.

In 2020, Orla was part of a group of Irish female singers called "Irish Women in Harmony." They recorded a cover of the Cranberries' song "Dreams." This was to help a charity that supports people dealing with domestic violence during the COVID-19 lockdown.

In December 2022, Orla was featured on the band Half Alive's song "Never Been Better."

Orla has also created fun "mashup" videos with other YouTubers and musicians like Dodie, Tessa Violet, and Lauren Aquilina. These videos combine different songs into one.

Musical Style and Influences

Orla Gartland grew up listening to artists like Avril Lavigne, Brandi Carlile, and Van Morrison. She also enjoyed the band Busted. In her early career, she described her music as folk pop. She was inspired by artists such as Joni Mitchell, Regina Spektor, and Imogen Heap. She has also mentioned Kate Bush and Fleetwood Mac as influences.

The Irish Times newspaper has called Orla Gartland a "pop rock purveyor," meaning she creates pop rock music. She prefers playing the electric guitar, and her favorite is a pink Fender Telecaster.

Orla has said that the main ideas behind her 2021 album, Woman on the Internet, were about growing up, feeling lost, and figuring out who you are. The album's music was influenced by artists like Fiona Apple and the Cranberries.

Personal Life

As of 2020, Orla Gartland regularly volunteered at the Ealing Soup Kitchen, helping people in need. In 2021, she shared a flat with her friend and fellow musician Lauren Aquilina.

Discography

Studio Albums

EPs

Singles

Music Videos

Awards and Nominations

Choice Music Prize

Ivor Novello Awards