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. 

LYRICS

Sight set on the silent place;
The stone that shifts the fearing face,
The cunning vixen watches on,
In hope the men have been and gone,
With haste, I tremble, winds that scrape,
The taste of racing to escape,
Body be with me, breath and beat,
Steal away, flee and seek

Chorus

Sanctuary at the Witches Stone,
By the harebells stained,
Like thy veins
Awoo-Awoo
Awoo-Awoo 

Scent of the quickthorn, salt and sea,
Edge of the earth, they're coming for me,
Act out the mischief, Fae-Puck knows the lies,
Stones and the sticks, bones and the cries,
Flooding their pathway, stirring the skies,
Pluck goblin's thimble, watch rivers rise,
Each gasp resounding, crow's sounding, unrest,
Cold, sweat, clutching my chest

Chorus

Still sanctuary at the Witches Stone,
Flowing water,
Like thy veins
Awoo-Awoo 
Awoo-Awoo 

 Relief, at last, what lies before,
 My saving grace, my evermore,
 Look back, too late, their hands berate,
 I grip the stone; a violent fate,
 Clutch, rip, tear and shred,
 Gouge, spit, blood-shed,
 The end, in stone, scarred with lore,
 Trace each line of my nevermore 

Chorus

No sanctuary at the Witches Stone
Her markings made a map
Like thy veins
No sanctuary at the Witches stone
Her markings made a map
Awoo-Awoo 
Awoo-Awoo


CREDITS:
Lead Vocals / Harp / Keys: Claire McCartney. Claire is a Musician & Vocal Coach known for her work with Cormac Neeson & The Unholy Gospel Band. 

Backing Vocals / Bass / Synth: Beccy Henderson. Beccy is an Actor & Puppeteer, known for Derry Girls & Netflix's The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.

Drums / Percussion: David McLaughlin. David is an Actor & Musician known for his work with The Blue Man Group.

Recorded/Mixed/Mastered by: Rocky O'Reilly at Start Together Studios, Belfast

Cover Art: @caitydesu

Sanctuary (The Witches Stone)

Somebody

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80’s tinged, electronic pop. Both musically and lyrically, VOKXEN draw influences on Irish folklore, feminism and cult film. 'As seen on' BBC 2, (TV Series, I Lár an Aonaigh, December 18’) & Listed as ‘one to watch’ for 2019 by Dublin’s The Last Mixed Tape. 

Single ‘Running’ was released February 2018. The song was well received with reviews from Clash Music & a feature from Hot Press Magazine as ‘Track of the Day’. Running also achieved a commercial radio playlisted spot on, Cool FM. Bewitching single, ‘Crystal Eyes’ followed this success, in November 2018. The song was inspired by the writings of Film critic, Laura Mulvey; Feminist theory, ‘The Male Gaze’ with lyrics based on the 80’s cult film classic ‘The Dark Crystal’. 

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* Band Fun Fact: Synth player, Beccy Henderson features as the character, Aisling in Channel 4’s hit comedy series, ‘Derry Girls’. *

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