Ria Rua takes aim at power and corruption with ‘Black And Tan’

Ria Rua has a knack for striking hard with her music. Her latest single, ‘Black And Tan’, is no exception.

The track brings together industrial alt-rock with unrelenting lyricism, delivering an urgent critique of power and corruption.

The song’s inspiration is just as powerful as its sound. “Black And Tan is about the rise of the modern sociopath,” Ria explains, citing figures like Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and Kanye West, while also drawing a stark historical parallel to the Black and Tans, a notorious British paramilitary group infamous for their violent acts in Ireland.

“The Black and Tans were a British paramilitary force in Ireland that were known for their lawlessness and hyper-violence towards innocents. Their atrocities created a worldwide scandal, undermining supposed British Imperial moral authority, and made Irish independence inevitable,” she adds. The message? “The more desperate sociopaths become, the more inevitable their collapse.”

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For Ria, this track is personal, an extension of her journey from rural Meath, where music became her lifeline, to the fiercely independent artist she is today. She’s no stranger to the power of self-expression, using her music to inspire neurodivergent and queer Irish women to break free.

This year, Ria Rua’s momentum has been undeniable. Recent singles like ‘I Love That For You’ and ‘You’ll Only Like Me When I’m Dead’ have earned spots on major playlists and received airtime across the UK, Ireland, Germany, and the US.

Her live shows are just as electrifying: she’s supported Soda Blonde at Dublin’s Vicar Street and headlined the 2023 Musictown Festival. With her debut album on the horizon for June, it’s clear Ria’s path is only getting brighter.

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