We sure have paid a lot of attention to artists hailing from the Emerald Isle as of late and it is, of course, with good reason. Ireland has produced a whole whack of great music over the past few years and, Covid-19 aside, 2021 seems to have been the hottest year on record for Irish indie music music exports. Enter post-punk songstress Ava Vox with her new single ‘Crash’, a high-tempo dark-rock stomper to get your blood pumping.
A Dublin native, Ava Vox (real name Elaine Hannon) currently lives in County Meath. While she’s been 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 and Post-Punk, Ava Vox’s musical style ranges from slow melodic atmospheric to dynamic rock.
Elaine first ventured out as a vocalist when 17, 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.
Ava Vox may be Ireland’s dark horse. With strong and memorable vocals, she offers a powerhouse delivery that lends to a gripping and evocative performance overall. Production-wise, there is a good balance between the vocals and musical accompaniment with Ava Vox conveying a poignant and ever-present cautionary message.
“This new interpretation of the lyrics of the song ‘Crash’ allowed me to really let loose. Crash brings you somewhere – to a place, to another dimension, another time/futuristic. The music and the words lead me to create a music video (forthcoming) about the consequences of Global warming/climate change, to our planet and the human race,” says Ava Vox.
This is the first taste of the forthcoming debut album ‘Immortalised’, Ava Vox’s first long-player as a solo artist, which can be expected to release within the first few months following the new year. By this, Ava Vox both sees out the current year and helps us to welcome 2022 with new music. If the current single is any indication of what can be anticipated on the forthcoming album, we are looking forward to hearing that.
In terms of assertiveness and timbre, Ava Vox has a lot in common with Canada’s own Carole Pope of Rough Trade fame, but it would be a mistake to not also recognize obvious parallels to Siouxsie & The Banshees and American post-punk / alternative / darkwave band Autumn.
‘Crash’ and the full album was produced by Ray McLoughlin (RMC Recording Studios), a musician and producer who has performed or recorded with innumerable artists from Cliff Richard, Daniel O’Donnel, Francis Black, Brian Kennedy, Derek Ryan, Nathan Carter, the RTE Concert Orchestra, Rick Astley and Mary Coughlan, He has toured worldwide, performing in venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie and the Sydney Opera House, in addition to serving as musical director for shows for RTE, BBC, PBS America and SKY.
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In February 2021, Ava Vox debuted with her rendition of The Cure’s ‘Love Song’, slowing down the tempo and solely accompanied by piano, performed by Ray McLoughlin. She followed up with ‘Strange Days’ single, a 2-track release that included her own rendition of Soft Cell classic ‘Tainted Love’ and beloved Bowie track ‘Life on Mars’.
As of December 16, ‘Crash’ will be available across online stores and streaming services, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. Ava Vox is currently completing work on new album ‘Immortalised’, due for release in early 2022.
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 Laelia Milleri
Artist photography by Laelia Milleri, costumery by fashion designer Claire Garvey
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