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shaz OYE releases debut album
Truth according to shaz OYE
Shaz OYE (pronounced “Oh Yay”, as in the town crier) released her debut album “Truth according to shaz OYE” on Friday 10th March 2006. The album was launched by the poet and author Theo Dorgan at a celebratory gig that evening in Radio City, Dublin 1.
The ten-track CD is released on her own label Radical Faeries. Rather then seek major label backing, along with her partner and now manager Patricia Kennedy, she set up her own label Radical Faeries Records and set about self-financing the first album. The album launch is the culmination of more than two years commitment to her music career. A career which already boasts a critically acclaimed EP and debut single and has seen her featured on RTE’s Rattlebag and Capital D, and play alongside many of Irelands top performers, including: Juliet Turner, John Spillane, and Hazel O’Connor. Her exclusive web download “Do Not Stand at my Grave and Weep (Requiem)” spent 5 weeks on the playlist of RTE Radio 1.
Born and raised in the heart of Dublin’s Docklands; Shaz grew up surrounded by strong women, her single-parent mother, her granny and her “Aunty” May. She regularly delved into their record collections, which featured Lena Horne, Nina Simone, and Elvis. When she discovered Paul Weller's “A Town Called Malice” shaz realised that working class youth could find their voice through music. Writing songs became an outlet for her growing disaffection with a hostile world.
It wasn't until 2000 that she bought her first guitar in Las Vegas and taught herself how to play it. Her unique voice and expressive guitar playing are all the more astounding when you realise she’s never received any formal training. Leaving her position as Director of Dublin AIDS Alliance five years ago, Shaz embarked on her music career and began gigging in 2002.
This album is a collection of ten tracks each rooted in issues that resonate with shaz, from redemption to injustice, obsession to grief and loss. "My own material has been unearthed from the dark ground of my soul. Truth simply is: A principle born of honesty, strength and valour; chivalrous qualities I admire in others and aspire to myself. It can be weighed and measured yet we cannot see it with the naked eye, but when Truth presents itself, we recognise its unique signature. All I am offering is my Truth, nothing more"
Audiences and critics alike consider her voice outstanding and many have tried to find comparisons; it's complexity is best summed up by Hotpress, “OYE's voice, … has all the weight of a Leonard Cohen or a Nick Cave allied to the swooping flexibility of Kate Bush.” Say it loud and say it clear Oh Yay, Oh Yay, Oh Yay. Shaz OYE’s name will soon be tripping off the tongues of one and all.
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PRINT
MEDIA
'Bursting
with intelligence, beauty and amazing emotional depth…a knee-buckling,
hair-on-the-back-of-your-neck-raising, shiver-down-your-back inducing
album that will have you hooked after just one listen. It’s that
fucking good!'
Adrienne Murphy, Hotpress, NINE/TEN
View Article
"Tough urban hymns with a history…probably the most intense collection
of songs you'll hear this year."
Eamon Carr, Evening Herald
view
article
“Her voice is truly remarkable; a versatile and velvety croon that
is full of rich textures and heart-melting soul...Songs steeped in intelligence
and insight.”
Four Stars! Eamon Sweeney, Irish Independent Day &
Night
view
article
“The most extraordinary voice ever to come out of Ireland...
As OYE says... ‘All I’m offering is my truth, nothing more.’
We may not have a right to expect more from any artist – but it’s
usually far less than we get. Shaz OYE brings us truths we need to hear
– perhaps now more than ever.”
Jackie Hayden, Hotpress
View Article
“The
voice is large and Amazonian… Imagine the operatics of Diamanda
Galas, the soulful depth of Nina Simone and the elegiac androgyny of
Antony and the Johnsons blended into one intense timbre.”
Sinead Gleeson, The Ticket, Irish Times, 3 Stars
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Article
“...a sizzling
performance by Ms. OYE and her fine band”
Hotpress
Phantom
View
Article
“The
Long and Winding Road..the musicians tipped for stardom”
Tony Clayton Lea, Irish Times Magazine, 7th January 2006
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Article
"Oye... has an extraordinary voice which can reach parts other voices don't even know exist. Some debut from one of the finest vocalists ever to come out of Ireland."
Enterprise Magazine, June 2006
View Article
Irish Times
"Who's who of Irish Rock."
View Article
Flashback Magazine
"Lighten up the dirty old town... shaz OYE is a force to be reckoned with."
View Article
"Shaz OYE is no pussy and she's going to be huge".
Rachel Andrews, GCN, April 2006
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"Shaz OYE is out, proud and has a debut album"
Brian Finnegan, Capital, March 2006
View Article
"Oye is a woman who knows exactly who she is and is a great role model for young Irish Women."
In Dublin Magazine
RADIO
& TELEVISION
shaz OYE has featured twice on RTE Radio 1's Arts Show, Rattlebag. Also for RTE Radio 1 she has been interviewed and played live, in-studio sessions on Today with Pat Kenny and on the John Creedon Show. She has been interviewed for the 'First Time' segment of John Kelly's Mystery Train. She joined the panel discussion and played live on Eamon Keane's Round Midnight. Her web download, 'Do not Stand at my Grave and Weep' was playlisted for five weeks by Radio 1. Around the country she has been interviewed and played live sessions for Mike Knightson, Limerick Live 95FM, Roddie Cleere, WLRfm, Alan McGuire, South East Radio, Liam Merriman, WLRfm and John Richards, Galway Bay Fm.
On Television shaz has featured on RTE 1's MONO talking about her life and her music. She has preformed live with her band on John Kelly's The View and on Capital D she was interviewed by Anne Cassin about Dublin's Docklands, the area she was born and raised in.
Shaz OYE performs 'Blood on the Bone'
The View, RTE 1, 2nd May 2006
Watch the Clip
"One
of the best voices to emerge recently onto the Irish Scene."
Myles Dungan, Rattlebag
listen
on-line
“An absolutely beautiful voice”
Eamon Keane, Round Midnight, RTE, 20th February
listen
on-line
Shaz
OYE talks to Anne Cassin about the regeneration of The Docklands
Capital
D, RTÉ 1, 9th March 2006
Watch the Clip
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Praise
for child of original sin EP
“If
you can imagine Sade with real balls, you’re getting close to what OYE
can do. She writes songs that show her as a consummate musician...a
real find … it will be a serious omission if she doesn’t work her way
into the affections of all and sundry, at home and abroad,”
Jackie Hayden, Hotpress.
"Listen
to this haunting, ballsy, original performer, OYE’s voice sends
tremors down the backbone. A stand-alone debut." GCN
“She’s a singer-songwriter in a league all of her own.”
The Sunday Independent
“A unique talent” Pat Kenny, RTE Radio 1
"Incredible voice" Tom Dunne, Today FM
"shaz is a promising light in this dirty old town"
Hotpress
"Gifted musician" The Irish Independent
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