VOKXEN

#MondayMemories ~ This year has found us focusing on reflection and gratitude, as you may discover in some of our upcoming new music... 👀 so each Monday, we will be sharing and reflecting on our past releases, starting today with our 2018 single release ‘Running’. Featured in CLASH, listed as HOT PRESS track of the day and playlisted by CoolFM for most of that year, ‘Running’ is our “ode to female solidarity”. love from Claire McCartney & @YoungsterBeccy #DarkMusic #SynthPop #FemaleVocals #MusiciansOfInstagram

‘Forbidden Fruit’ ; a mystical ode to women’s suffrage. In celebration of Women’s History Month, it is VOKXEN's second single release to come from a series commemorating the falsely accused women of the Islandmagee Witch Trials. VOKXEN began researching these intriguing tales of Irish folklore and now, through their songwriting, have uncovered contemporary relevance that echos the uphill struggles and issues faced by those women on trial in 1711 with women in 2022. The music video fuses elements of old and new. A handmade leather journal, containing vintage photographs and cuttings, watercolour illustration, paper pop up moving parts, shadow and projections creating a visual tapestry of womxn throughout history. Each with their own 'Forbidden Fruit'. ‘Forbidden Fruit’ is a story of womenkind and their longing to exist without oppression. The song opens with a desensitising chant through rules and expectations, with a chorus that melts into the yearning and temptation of forbidden indulgence. In 1711, women were persecuted as ‘witches’ for simply drinking, swearing, being out after dark or being deemed as ugly. We haven’t come very far from that. For us, Forbidden Fruit is safely walking home alone. It’s being able to leave your drink unattended and wear what you want. It’s freedom to exist. A unique music collaboration between VOKXEN and Alice McCullough (Poet, BBC’s Culture in Quarantine: Earth to Alice). Highlighting the magic that can be made when like-minded women come together through juxtaposing art forms. Credits: Claire McCartney - Songwriter, Lead Vocals, Keys Beccy Henderson - Songwriter, Backing Vocals, Bass Synth Alice McCullough - Spoken Word David McLaughlin - Session Drums, Percussion Rocky O'Reilly of Start Together Studio, Belfast - Producer, Studio Engineer Claire Roi Harvey - Backing Vocals, Puppeteer, Set & Prop Design, Video Production Caitlin Kerr - Cover Art Design With special thanks to Dr David Hume (Ulster University) & George McGrand of The Gobbins Tourist Centre, Islandmagee for their historical knowledge and research assistance on the subject.

A breath of fresh 'Eire', this celtic infused electronic pop song is based on the Northern Irish folk story of The Witches Stone. Bathed in atmospheric soundscapes, emotive vocals, harp riffs and earthy drums, the track rises and swells - just like the sea by the mystical coastlines of Islandmagee Co.Antrim, on which the song is based. It commemorates the historical Islandmagee Witch Trials some 300+ years on. 'Sanctuary (The Witches Stone)' tells the story of a woman condemned as a Witch. She is caught as she reaches the sanctuary of The Witches Stone, which she clings to tightly as she is grabbed and taken away. Such is her desperation, the marks from her fingers gripping the stone remain present to this day. A truly spellbinding single with haunting harmonies, earthy percussion and delicate harp riffs. The video fuses the old with the new, combining the contemporary electro-pop sounds of VOKXEN with shadow puppetry and a unique 18th century visual storytelling technique. Dedicated to women throughout history, who were persecuted as witches. The video features a handmade cranky box, originating in Europe in the 18th century, inside, is an illustrated scrolling panorama operated by a 'crank' handle. The cranky box is then back lit to add another visual layer to the story through shadow puppetry. Credits: Claire McCartney - Songwriter, Vocals, Harp, Keys Beccy Henderson - Songwriter, Backing Vocals, Bass Synth David McLaughlin - Session Drums, Percussion Rocky O'Reilly of Start Together Studio, Belfast - Producer, Studio Engineer Claire Roi Harvey - Puppeteer, Set Design Annie Brooks - Puppeteer Dominic Creagh - Video Production Caitlin Kerr - Cover Art Design Lyrics inspired by Audrey Kyle's fictional tale from the Northword story collections, 'The Witches Stone' and Dixon Donaldson's words on 'The Witches Stone' in the book, The History of Islandmagee. With specials thanks to Dr David Hume (Ulster University) & George McGrand of The Gobbin's Tourist Centre, Islandmagee for their historical knowledge and research assistance on the subject.

'Demon In Me' is a dark, haunting, electro-pop tune about trying to escape poisonous habits.  A response to the current fascination with witches and occult trends in mainstream media - We decided to explore the ideal of these devilish women facing their inner demons. Co-written with fellow DIY musician Alice La.

Produced by Definitive Film.

An uplifting electro-pop anthem about struggle, perseverance & pushing forward until you get what you want. #Vote100 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/track/3ZPepCNtPDrxJAtq9P53kG ITUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/running-single/1346403548 BANDCAMP: https://vokxen.bandcamp.com/track/running SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/vokxen/running Director: Tommy Hughes D.O.P: Thomas McKeown Producer: Ryan Early Gaffer: Alex Harper Stills: Peter Conall Grew Production Assistant: Fiona Stewart Shady Dolphin Studios Dancer (M): Dmitry Vinokurov Dancer (F): Yasmin Mello Cabrera Recorded by Rocky O'Reilly, Start Together Studio Belfast Mastered by Jon Moorehead, Moostronix