Last month, the new doom folk band ØXN [pron. ‘oxen’], featuring Radie Peat (Lankum), John’ Spud’ Murphy and Eleanor Myler (Percolator), and Katie Kim shared their first single ‘Love Henry‘, ahead of the release of their debut album CYRM [pron. sy-rum] via Claddagh Records on Fri 27th October 2023 (Pre-Order Vinyl/CD).
Today they have unveiled their epic nine-and-a-half minute long single, ‘Cruel Mother’, with an accompanying video featuring Irish actor, Olwen Fouéré who has been the recipient of a string of awards over the course of a career in film and theatre that spans almost four decades, including the Dublin Theatre Festival Samuel Beckett Award, the Herald Archangel Award of the Edinburgh Festivals, the Irish Times Special Tribute Award for outstanding achievement and contribution to Irish Theatre, and The Stage Award for Acting Excellence.
ØXN say of the track: “‘Cruel Mother’ is a traditional song, possibly originating from the mid-18th century, intended at the time as a cautionary tale. Women were considered criminals if they had illegitimate children; were considered demonic rather than suffering from mental illness or distress. It’s a song of persecution, abuse, infantilism and guilt based on the version by Andy the Doorbum.”
Directed by Thom McDermott and Eleanor Myler, the video places Olwen Fouéré centre stage as she works her magic in front of the camera. Powerful stuff.
CYRM, the debut album from ØXN, will be released on Friday 27th October. The band will play two completely sold-out shows at The Sugar Club, Dublin, on Tue 31st October and Wed 1st November. Presented by Enthusiastic Eunuch and Foggy Notions, support will be from Iona Zajac (31/10) and Poor Creature (1/11).
CYRM is a six-track album featuring traditional folk songs and covers. Just over 45 minutes in total length, it features ‘The Feast‘, written by Katie Kim; original arrangements of traditional folk songs: ‘The Trees They Do Grow High‘, ‘Love Henry‘ and ‘Cruel Mother‘ – the latter uses parts of an arrangement by Andy Fenstermaker (Andy The Doorbum); and two covers (‘The Wife of Michael Cleary‘ by Maija Sofia and ‘Farmer in the City‘ by Scott Walker).
CYRM TRACK LIST
1. Cruel Mother
2. The Trees They Do Grow High
3. Love Henry
4. The Feast
5. The Wife of Michael Cleary
6. Farmer in the City
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