Rising Irish folk and blues sensation Muireann Bradley has announced her new EP Blackwood Pew, arriving on 23rd October, alongside the release of a heartfelt new interpretation of Daniel Johnston’s beloved classic True Love Will Find You In The End.
Muireann Bradley
The new collection marks a significant milestone in Bradley’s rapidly developing career. While her remarkable fingerstyle guitar playing first earned international acclaim through her interpretations of traditional blues and folk standards, Blackwood Pew sees the 19-year-old stepping confidently into the spotlight as a songwriter, pairing brand new original material with carefully chosen reinterpretations that reflect the musical heritage that has shaped her artistry.
Leading the announcement is her tender take on True Love Will Find You In The End, a song originally written by the late cult songwriter Daniel Johnston. Bradley approaches the track with immense sensitivity, preserving the emotional honesty that made the original so enduring while introducing a richer, more intricate arrangement that complements her delicate fingerpicked guitar style.
Speaking about the recording, Bradley explains that Johnston’s music immediately captivated her because of its emotional sincerity and childlike purity. Rather than reinventing the song, she sought to build upon its simplicity by introducing greater musical depth without sacrificing the heartfelt innocence that lies at its core.
The six-track EP features three brand new original compositions, including previously released single Not Going Back, alongside fresh interpretations of classic songs. It will also be released as part of a special physical double EP package, Rose Dogs & Blackwood Pew, combining the new collection with all five tracks from her acclaimed 2025 EP Rose Dogs.
The EP’s title carries a deeply personal significance. Blackwood Pew is named after the custom-built guitar heard throughout the recordings, handcrafted from Australian Blackwood reclaimed from a 200-year-old church pew in Tasmania. The instrument was gifted to Bradley by a fan inspired to create something unique after seeing her perform live—a fitting symbol of the genuine connection she continues to forge with audiences wherever she plays.
That connection has fuelled an extraordinary rise over the past two years. Bradley has sold out headline shows across both Europe and North America while earning invitations to perform alongside an impressive list of artists. Recent appearances have included supporting Brooke Combe at London’s KOKO, sharing stages with Jeff Goldblum, and performing at California’s prestigious Harvest Moon Gathering, where she joined a line-up featuring Neil Young, Lana Del Rey and Beck. Last month she was also personally selected by Fontaines D.C. drummer Tom Coll and Irish folk collective Broadside Hacks to headline the sold-out Féile Moth festival in London.
Bradley’s remarkable musicianship first captured widespread attention through her extraordinary command of intricate country blues fingerstyle guitar, bringing new life to songs written decades before she was born. Television appearances and a debut album, I Kept These Old Blues, further cemented her reputation as one of the brightest young talents in contemporary folk and roots music.
With Blackwood Pew, however, Bradley moves beyond interpretation to establish her own songwriting voice. The result promises a collection that honours the traditions which inspired her while signalling the arrival of an artist creating timeless music entirely her own.
Upcoming UK & Ireland Live Dates:
AUGUST
28th – The Long Road Festival, Lutterworth, England
SEPTEMBER
4th – Harvest Time Blues Festival, Monaghan, Ireland
NOVEMBER
13th – Stone Nest, London, England
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