Music
Press
‘Fronted by Kells woman, Gemma McGowan and musically engineered by Drogheda musician Joanne Kieran (with assistance from Rosanna Schwarzacher and (Jareth Tait) on drums). The Cherries fuse a kind of cabaret sound (hints of Brecht/Weill) with a challenging musical dynamism last heard on long lost albums by Lauara Nyro. They’re not to everyone’s taste which means there must be something good going on, and have just released their debut album, Vertigo Girl.’
Tony Clayton-Lea, The Irish Times. 2008: Hear it here first. 28/12/07
- The Irish Times Dec 2007
‘Fronted by Kells woman, Gemma McGowan and musically engineered by Drogheda musician Joanne Kieran (with assistance from Rosanna Schwarzacher and (Jareth Tait) on drums). The Cherries fuse a kind of cabaret sound (hints of Brecht/Weill) with a challenging musical dynamism last heard on long lost albums by Lauara Nyro. They’re not to everyone’s taste which means there must be something good going on, and have just released their debut album, Vertigo Girl.’
Tony Clayton-Lea, The Irish Times. 2008: Hear it here first. 28/12/07
- The Irish Times Dec 2007
If The Cherries could up the sleazy cabaret element in their sound they might really be onto something, especially with rockin’ tracks like ‘Avalanche’, which has great gothic voices from Joanne and Gemma. The piano-led ‘Anything I want’ is like PJ Harvey playing against Girls Aloud and just managing a draw. ‘Taken is brilliant, sizzling piano and drums, but with vocals that dip and soar majestically’
Jackie Hayden, Hot Press Vol.31, No.23
- Hot Press
If The Cherries could up the sleazy cabaret element in their sound they might really be onto something, especially with rockin’ tracks like ‘Avalanche’, which has great gothic voices from Joanne and Gemma. The piano-led ‘Anything I want’ is like PJ Harvey playing against Girls Aloud and just managing a draw. ‘Taken is brilliant, sizzling piano and drums, but with vocals that dip and soar majestically’
Jackie Hayden, Hot Press Vol.31, No.23
- Hot Press
The cherries, initialy they'll attract your attention as there's a great big cello on stage and no guitars, which is a rarity in the local scene. Added to this eccentricy is a probably unhealthy dose of madness, coming off as they do like an acoustic Moloko with their track 'Avalanche'. 'Anything I want' is sultry, jazzey, bluesy, fantastically different to the usual fodder of lads and their guitars, and distinctly un-Irish in it's soulfulness. 'Taken' is described as a 'cheeky little number', and the class continues with their 'dirty, sleazy cabaret songs about wanton women'. You'd love to pair them with the nu-soul kids on tour, purely to scare the audience. There are touches of Nouvelle Vague, Tori Amos and Morphine floating around, and their sheer enthusiasm is beyond catchy. If you get the chance to see them, then you should definately pop your Cherry. - Across The Line
The cherries, initialy they'll attract your attention as there's a great big cello on stage and no guitars, which is a rarity in the local scene. Added to this eccentricy is a probably unhealthy dose of madness, coming off as they do like an acoustic Moloko with their track 'Avalanche'. 'Anything I want' is sultry, jazzey, bluesy, fantastically different to the usual fodder of lads and their guitars, and distinctly un-Irish in it's soulfulness. 'Taken' is described as a 'cheeky little number', and the class continues with their 'dirty, sleazy cabaret songs about wanton women'. You'd love to pair them with the nu-soul kids on tour, purely to scare the audience. There are touches of Nouvelle Vague, Tori Amos and Morphine floating around, and their sheer enthusiasm is beyond catchy. If you get the chance to see them, then you should definately pop your Cherry. - Across The Line
Discography
March 2006 - A bite of the Cherry (5 Track EP)
July 2007 - Vertigo Girl (Debut Album)
Photos
Bio
Since being tipped by the Irish Times, back in December 2007, as being one thee bands to look out for in 2008, the Cherries have been merrily living up to that prophetic statement. Between raucous trips to the BBC, breaking into the burlesque and cabaret scene, receiving huge support from local pres and the Creative Enterprise Organisation and playing some of the best venues to osme of the best audiences North and South of the border it's been an amazing six months.
The Cherries began when Jo Kieran met Gemma McGowan randomly at a party (in a ruined castle!!) There was a piano there and as Jo played, Gem began to sing and then the two in harmony and they discovered that the sound they created what something completely different and wonderful. Joanne had been writing songs for over ten years and playing piano for 25, Gemma, trained as an actress, had always sang but this was something new and she instantly fell in love with Jo’s music. They began to work diligently as a duo building an extensive repetoire of original songs and played their first gig supporting well known Irish singer/songwriter Mark Geary at the Junction Arts festival in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. But they wanted a bigger sound and Joanne remembered a beautiful Austrian cellist, Rosanna Schwarzacher whom she had known while studying music in Maynooth, who would bring her deep orchestral tones and soaring melodies and inovation to the ensemble. Add London drummer boy Jay to complete this bunch of misfits, with his wonderful subtely, strokes of absolute genius and you have a bizzare but wonderful combination of individuals who's unique blend of classical, jazz, blues, dance,rock, cabaret and theatre that makes the Cherries sound completely different to anything you may have heard before.
Their live show is a spectacle, which grabs hold of the audience member full force and doesn’t let go. The bizarre mix of Kierans virtuosso playing and deep soul full voice, combined with McGowans wild dance moves, rich vocals and commanding stage presence makes every Cherries show an event to remember.
Over the last 2 and a half years, The Cherries have established a repertoire of over thirty original songs. They have recorded a live five track demo, a double A side single and their debut album, Vertigo Girl.
To date they have played with various artists such as Em Gryner, Ham Sandwich, NeoSupervital, Mark Geary, The Flaws, Roy Seven, Cowboy X, The Evil Harrisons and The Aftermath - all to high acclaim
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