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“Setting a new benchmark for sensitive pop in 2013″ The Line of Best Fit
“Soporific, pianistic folk…displaying a charmingly earnest approach.” The Fly
“Touches of Bon Iver and Jeff Buckley ring true, however Ajimal sculpts an illimitable soundscape that is entirely his own.” Crack in the Road
“An unearthly, eerie and incredibly beautiful set of sounds that will capture the imagination of a much wider listening public before long.” Drowned in Sound
“Remarkably beautiful.” Flying With Anna
Following the acclaimed release of ‘Footnote to Love [Part One]‘ and hugely popular live session ‘I’ve Known Your Heart’, Ajimal returns with brand new single ‘This Human Joy’.
With a name inspired by a Haitian witchdoctor, Ajimal is a shape-shifting collaborative project led by Newcastle’s Fran O’Hanlon with the aim of writing about the interplay between ideas from music, medicine, art, ideas, literature, science and stories. Jumping between piano, delicate acoustic, reverb guitars, loop pedals, singing bowls and saws, with the one constant of expressive and beautiful vocal melodies and lyrics, Ajimal specialises in grandiose haunted pop.
Previous single ‘Footnote to Love [Part One]’ secured plays from Huw Stephens at Radio 1, XFM’s John Kennedy, Amazing Radio and 6Music’s Tom Robinson and the likes of Drowned in Sound, Crack in the Road and Flying With Anna were all quick to pick up on Fran’s ambitious and emotionally complex songs.
Follow up live session ‘I’ve Known Your Heart’ secured yet more love from blogs who have tipped Ajimal for 2013, as well as the patronage of Lucy Rose who personally selected Fran to open her sold out London show late last year. Ajimal has also performed at The Roundhouse, Evolution Emerging, Southsea Festival and The Sage Gateshead and has supported the likes of James Vincent McMorrow and Malcolm Middleton. A UK tour with Little Comets has been followed with dates in Paris and Melbourne and an upcoming tour to support the single. Live, Ajimal converts his grandiose ideas into truly intimate moments, experimenting with dynamics and new interpretations of his songs.
‘This Human Joy‘ is a hopeful song about finding peace in the beauty of small and simple things, when often it’s easy to slip into feeling frustrated or irritated by the world, routine and to stop taking chances and risks. It’s about accepting the fact that we can’t always know where we’re going or what will happen to us and embracing those mysteries.
“Stripped back, beautiful and as always, brilliant.” Communion Music
The achingly beautiful song could warm even the coldest heart. Featuring guest harpist Emily Hoile, and produced by Mick Ross (Frankie & the Heartstrings, Let’s Buy Happiness), ‘This Human Joy’ is released on March 25th.
Currently studying medicine in Edinburgh, Fran has just completed work on concept mini-album ‘Childhood‘ which involves a cast of 50 musicians (including members of Frankie & The Heartstrings, Little Comets and The Lake Poets) and explores the ideas of youth, potential and play. Fran takes his classical music upbringing and experiences to create rich orchestral arrangements, bouncing ideas with producer Mick Ross to create a beautiful, flowing set of songs.
Contact
Manager: Joe Frankland – joefranklanduk@gmail.com / 07932 518 183
Online: Ben Ryder-Smith, Theo PR – ben@theo-pr.com
