From the echelons of post-punk history until now, quite a number of years have passed and yet, we continue to see an enduring and remarkable imprint in much of the music being made today. More so in the Siouxsie & The Banshees camp than The Damned and Bauhaus comes a modern-day ambassador, shall we say, of that particular sound in Irish artist Ava Vox and let’s just say that this is a blessing indeed.
Out today is her new single ‘Alone Again’, a slow-paced haunting hymn, which features bassist James Blennerhassett, who has worked with Elvis Costello, The Rolling Stones, Marianne Faithful and Van Morrison, as well as drummer Robbie Casserly, who has worked with Elvis Costello, Mark Knopfler, The Commitments and Riverdance. This is the second taste of her forthcoming debut album ‘Immortalised’, slated for release towards the end of March.
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“The song ‘Alone Again’ is about an abusive relationship, where the victim eventually gets the courage to escape from their abuser. Once away, they realise it was the right thing to do for them, and they feel happy and safe at last. But then the abuser lures them back again, saying they will change, it will never happen again,” says Ava Vox.
Ava Vox recently released the single ‘Crash’, a post-punk banger with lively video, produced by Isaac Burke, sending an ominous warning about environmental devastation – a visualization of the world crashing down. In early 2021, she debuted with a cover of The Cure’s ‘Love Song’ and her ‘Strange Days’ single, which included her rendition of Soft Cell‘s ‘Tainted Love’ and Bowie’s ‘Life on Mars’.
The ‘Immortalised’ LP was produced by Ray McLoughlin (RMC Recording Studios), a musician / producer who has performed or recorded with innumerable artists from Cliff Richard, Daniel O’Donnell to Francis Black and Rick Astley. Having toured worldwide, performing in venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie and the Sydney Opera House, he has also served as musical director for shows for RTE, BBC, PBS America and SKY.
A Dublin native, Ava Vox (real name Elaine Hannon) now lives in County Meath. While involved with various music projects in the past few decades, her Ava Vox persona emerged in September 2020. With a unique vocal timbre and commanding delivery with a dash of goth rock and post-punk, her musical style ranges from slow melodic atmospheric to dynamic rock.
Venturing out as a vocalist at 17, Elaine quickly graduating from backing to lead vocalist. In the mid-1980’s, Elaine formed gothic rock / post-punk band The Seventh Veil, which ultimately disbanded in 1991. After significant airplay and excellent reviews by the likes of Hot Press Magazine, Eamonn Carr, and the Evening Herald, the band won the Battle of the Bands competition, the prize being recording time with Dublin producer Paul Thomas, well known for his work with U2, Kate Bush, UB40, Status Quo, Davy Spillane and Clannad.
As of February 9, ‘Along Again’ will be available across online stores and streaming services, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. The full ‘Immortalised’ album will be released on March 25.
CREDITS
Vocals by Ava Vox
Keyboard by Ray McLoughlin
Guitar by Enda Dempsey
Bass Guitar by James Blennerhassett
Drums by Robbie Casserly
Lyrics and music written by The Seventh Veil
Produced by Ava Vox & Ray McLoughlan at RMC Recording Studios, Westmeath, Ireland
Engineered by Michael Nestor
Cover artwork by creative photographer Robin Hannon
Model: Claudia Pérez
‘Crash’ video produced by Isaac Burke
Starring Ava Vox’ band members Agris Siksna (aka George), Rick Johnston and Nigel O’Driscoll
Artist photos by Laelia Milleri
Costumery by fashion designer Claire Garvey
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