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ATL Review of Aunty Annies gig 23rd April 2008, William Johnston
"The Cherries. Initially, 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 eccentricity 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 jazzy bluesy, fantastically different to the usual fodder of lads and their guitars, and distinctly un-Irish sound in its soulfulness. Taken' is described as 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 the sheer enthusiasm is beyond catchy. They would work well with say, Greg Dulli. And then there's their covers - Portishead's Glory Box', and, to finish off, Walk On The Wild Side. If you get the chance to see them, then you definitely should pop your Cherry"
Tipped by The Irish Times as being one of thee bands to look out for in 2008, The Cherries bring you their exciting and unique blend of dirty blues, sleazy cabaret, theatre, classical orchestral sounds and funk. It is almost impossible to define their style as it encompasses elements from so many different genres but at the same time, the music in its own right offers something really special and fresh. The Cherries are an eclectic four piece who formed in November 2005.
Joanne Kieran - Keys and Vocals
Gemma McGowan - Vocals and Shape throwing
Rosana Schwarsacher - Cello
Jareth Tait – DrumsVertigo Girl, the debut album by the Cherries takes you on an amazing journey to many different places. From the delicate and vunerable Small World through the passion of Fruit of the Forest to the chaotic Avalanche. It is an album rich and wonderful, dedicated to all flavours.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 to the ensemble. Add London boy Jay, with his beautiful subtlety and strokes of pure genius on the drums, and you have a unique blend of classical, jazz, blues, dance, trance, 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 a true event!Over the last 2 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 this, their debut album, Vertigo Girl. To date they have played with various artists such as Mark Geary, The Revs, Roy Seven, Cowboy X, The Evil Harrisons, Ham Sandwich and Em Gryner - all to high acclaim and great interest.'The Cherries...might be onto something. 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'Fronted by Kells woman Gemma McGowan and musically engineered by Drogheda musician Joanne Kieran (with assistance from Rosanna Schwarzacher ..o and Jareth Tait on drums), The Cherries fuse a kind of cabaret sound (hints of Brecht/Weill) with a challenging dynamism last heard on long lost albums by Laura Nyro. They're not to everyones taste, which means there has to be something good going on, and have just released they're debut album 'Vertigo Girl'
Tony Clayton-Lea, The Irish Times. 2008: Hear it here first!! 28/12/07
