It would be an understatement to say that the Meath-based Dublin-born artist Ava Vox is great. Over the past year, we’ve featured her music several times – you could say that she is a gift that just keeps on giving. Over a month since releasing her much-anticipated debut album ‘Immortalised’, she has collaborated with a team of Irish creatives to give life to ‘Silent Tear’ as an audio-visual delight.
With Jess Bernard as producer and Miles Davis Murphy as director of photography, this video stars Leigh Mayon / Them Fatale, as well as a handful of other local actors – Jess Bernard, Aisling Reina, Dearbhla BeirneIt and Caoimhe Lavelle (a.k.a. Kwoo),, who also happened to direct the video. The latter is a Dublin-based psychedelic goth, beatnik and mistress of the happening, involved in everything from creating art and DJing, to writing poetry, creating cartoons and managing the GAZE International LGBTQ+ Film Festival.
For the past two years, Ava Vox has been the stage name of one Elaine Hannon, formerly of 1980s gothic rock / post-punk band The Seventh Veil, known for her unmistakable vocal timbre and commanding delivery. On her 8-track long-player, we see a flexible artist whose musical scope ranges from sentimental piano ballads to goth rock and post-punk. She earlier released the post-punk banger ‘Crash’ with Isaac Burke-produced video echoing an ominous warning about environmental devastation as the world crashes down, and ‘Alone Again’, which features bassist James Blennerhassett(Elvis Costello, The Rolling Stones, Marianne Faithful, Van Morrison) and drummer Robbie Casserly(Elvis Costello, Mark Knopfler, The Commitments, Riverdance).
Apart from unique rendition of The Cure’s‘Love Song’, Soft Cell’s ‘Tainted Love’ and David Bowie’s ‘Life on Mars’, the noteworthy track ‘One Sweet Goodbye’ also involves a 23 Piece String Ensemble/Orchestra by the Four for Music Ltd, Sofia Session Orchestra based in Sofia, Bulgaria.
‘Immortalised’ was produced by Ray McLoughlin (RMC Recording Studios), known for his work with Cliff Richard, Daniel O’Donnell, Francis Black and Rick Astley, in addition to having been musical director for shows for RTE, BBC, PBS America and SKY.
At 17, Elaine quickly graduating from backing to lead vocalist of The Seventh Veil, which disbanded in 1991 after significant airplay, excellent reviews and winning the Battle of the Bands competition, the prize for which was recording time with Dublin producer Paul Thomas(U2, Kate Bush, UB40, Status Quo, Davy Spillane and Clannad).
The ‘Immortalised’ LP is available everywhere, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. Together with band members Agris Siksna (aka George), Rick Johnston and Nigel O’Driscoll, Ava Vox will be playing a series of shows in Dublin, including the album launch at the Alternative Sunday Social Club at The Wild Duck on May 15 and Fibber Magees on June 1.
VIDEO PRODUCTION
Director – Caoimhe Lavelle
Director of Photography – Miles Davis Murphy
Producer – Jess Bernard
Neighbourhood Ambassador – Aisling Reina
Costume Assistant – Dearbhla Beirne
Lead role (The Sun) played by- Leigh Mayon / Them Fatale
Other actors: Caoimhe Lavelle, Jess Bernard, Aisling Reina, Dearbhla Beirne
ALBUM CREDITS
Vocals by Ava Vox
Piano/Hammond/keyboard by Ray McLoughlin
Electric Guitar by Enda Dempsey
Bass Guitar by James Blennerhassett
Drums by Robbie Casserly
23 Piece String Ensemble/Orchestra by Four for Music Ltd, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Original lyrics & music written by The Seventh Veil
Artist/Producer: Ava Vox
Producer/Music Director/String Arrangements by Ray McLoughlin, RMC Recording Studios
Engineered by Michael Nestor
Cover artwork & artist photography by Laelia Milleri
Costumery by fashion designer Claire Garvey
