Dublin-based traditional music duo VARO (Lucie Azconaga and Consuelo Nerea Breschi) are thrilled to announce the release of their new single, “Green Grows the Laurel,” featuring renowned Irish folk musician John Francis Flynn, taken from their forthcoming album The World That I Knew. Produced by John ‘Spud’ Murphy—whose expertise has been showcased through work with Lankum, ØXN, Black Midi, Goat Girl, and Anna B. Savage—this single offers a haunting interpretation of the well-loved traditional song. VARO’s luminous harmonies intertwine seamlessly with Flynn’s deep and expressive vocals, while his double-whistle adds a tense, evocative layer that both opens and closes the track.
According to VARO, whose two members have played alongside Flynn for years, developing “Green Grows the Laurel” brought out a darker emotional tone to match the heartbroken narrator’s experience. They note that Flynn’s powerful vocal range introduced a striking counterpoint to their own voices, creating a complementary sound that also stands in sharp contrast. Commenting on the origins of the track, Flynn explains that he was first drawn to the song after hearing Delores Keane’s iconic version with John Faulkner. He praises the chance to experiment with the piece alongside close friends and appreciates working once again with producer John ‘Spud’ Murphy, a frequent collaborator for many leading figures in Ireland’s contemporary folk scene.
This striking single heralds the arrival of VARO’s upcoming album The World That I Knew, set for independent release on May 9. The record has been five years in the making and features an impressive slate of guest musicians, including Ian Lynch (Lankum), Anna Mieke, Alannah Thornburgh, Junior Brother, Slow Moving Clouds, Niamh Bury, Inni-K, Ruth Clinton and Cormac MacDiarmada (Poor Creature), Lemoncello, and Branwen. Esteemed within Dublin’s live trad and folk circuit, VARO have received a groundswell of support from fans and critics alike, partly in recognition of the tremendous roster of collaborators contributing to their new work. Pre-orders for The World That I Knew are available via their official website.
To accompany “Green Grows the Laurel,” VARO have released an official music video, directed and edited by the duo themselves. Shot by Nathanael Macdonald with Ronan Nissenbaum serving as camera assistant, the video is now streaming on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUTf1rE9Ngs). This follows the success of January’s single, “Red Robin (feat. Alannah Thornburgh),” which garnered international attention after being played by Bob Boilen—founder of NPR Music’s All Songs Considered and Tiny Desk Concerts—and celebrated by music writer Will Hermes (The New York Times, Rolling Stone) as his Song of the Day. Support from media outlets such as The Thin Air, Nialler9, Golden Plec, and Hot Press has further underscored the excitement surrounding VARO’s forthcoming album.
Further details, pre-orders, and links to stream or watch the music videos can be found at https://www.varodublin.com.
