‘Silhouette’ single launch for JO
JO's debut single features a stunning, Bowie-esque image of its founding member, Johanna Fegan. (1708JC3)
Relatively new to Derry’s thriving music scene, JO’s collective sound has been described as ‘new-wave punk rock’.
As part of this year’s Pride Festival, Derry’s hottest new band, JO, will launch their debut single ‘Silhouette’ and its great new music video at Masons Bar next Saturday from 5pm. ‘Journal’ reporter Julieann Campbell caught up with JO’s founder and lead vocalist Johanna Fegan to find out more...
Relatively new to Derry’s thriving music scene, JO’s collective sound has been described as ‘new-wave punk rock’.
Local woman Johanna Fegan takes the helm on lead vocals, having written all the music herself, and is joined by Dave B and Gerard O’Doherty on guitars, Gerry Craig on bass, Amanda J. Hudson on synth and backing vocals and Conor Crampsie on drums.
Their debut music video, written and directed by Johanna and Colm Herron, will be officially launched alongside the single next Saturday, August 25, in Masons on Magazine Street from 5pm-11pm with superb support from Wyldling, Tara Gi, Susie Blue, Colm Herron, Kerry Roper, Luke McLaughlin, Amanda Healy, Ger Roche, Jack Craig and Joe Carlin. A fantastic night is promised.
Music has always been Johanna Fegan’s first love. Since she picked up a guitar at the age of eight, the local singer songwriter knew she had found her niche, and a natural skill and flair for songwriting followed.
Raised in Glenowen Park and now living in Creggan, Johanna reflects: “I was always writing from no age, but I suppose I began taking it seriously when I was about 18 years-old and started joining bands.”
While studying Performing Arts at college, Johanna continued to focus on her music and songwriting at home.
“It’s always been my hobby and my passion,” she says. “I was always working on my music at home in my spare time.”
Several bands followed, including Kice, Rayne, Roxanne, Supercherry, Fire Queen and Bodhicitta alongside Paul Cassidy.
“I love the artistic side of music, I love entertaining people and would ideally love to write material for other people and stay involved in music, maybe teaching others eventually.
“All my life, music has been a constant,” she adds. “I’ve always been dabbling and trying to find my strengths.”
Evolving from a EP she created last year, the band JO was born.
The new single boasts its own music video too, which the band developed and produced with the expert help of Colm Herron from the Nerve Centre. Elaborating on the debut single, the flame-haired musician says: “I guess it’s a song about being in a bad place and those around you wearing masks and all the greed and power and how you rise to beat it.
“It’s almost a story about being gay in Derry, of addiction and overcoming it by believing in yourself - and the video completely reflects that too.”
Despite having no official gigs yet, the band has been making lots of noise which have it’s fans talking excitedly. They featured as the front page artist and artist of the month in this month’s issue of ‘Music Review Unsigned’, and several weeks ago, three members of the band went on a ‘Three-City: One-Day’ sponsored busking tour around Ireland, including Derry’s Guildhall Square, Belfast city centre and Dublin’s Temple Bar to raise publicity and finance for the single release.
Their dedication has paid off, with their EP now on sale at Cool Discs on Foyle Street and the debut single, Silhouette, being released on iTunes on Monday, August 27.
Don’t miss JO at Masons next Saturday from 5pm. A meal for two will be awarded to the first people to enter the bar at 9pm!
Need to know more? www.facebook.com/jomusicofficial
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Weather for Derry
Tuesday 18 June 2013
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