The Oh Yeah‘s flagship talent development programme Scratch My Progress returned again over the past year, supporting four new artists from the North. That support has led a Scratch My Progress EP featuring new music from each of the artists. 2023’s four artists are Balcony Sunrise, Fya Fox, Niall McDowell and Rachel Craig.
This year’s EP marks the eleventh year of Scratch My Progress, a scheme which has supported multiple musicians each year through mentoring, workshops and guidance. Previous graduates include NI Music Prize winning Kitt Philippa and fast rising punks Problem Patterns who just signed with label Alcopop.
First on the eclectic release is ‘LET’S GO‘ by Balcony Sunrise. After a busy couple of years, this is the first 2023 release from artist and producer David Ferris. A collaborative project with brother Stephen, awash with atmospherics ‘LET’S GO’ funnels synths and rhythmic guitars into an 80s sounding mix.
Fya Fox‘s collection of alt pop tunes often range from the quieter to swing for the fences hits, with ‘GHOST‘ leaning towards the former. A subtler mix of sounds, Fya Fox’s emotive vocals breathes through well produced instrumentation including basslines and gorgeously low-key percussion.
Niall McDowell‘s ‘I Have Given Up‘ channels their smart lyrics into the perils of a life in music and personal relationships. As always there’s a strong emotional core to Niall’s lyrics portrayed through their soft crooning vocals.
Derry songwriter Rachel Craig continues her recent achievements with ‘Ghost of You‘. A heavy track where the sparse production and cold toned guitars combine with Rachel’s searching vocal for an emotional gut punch.
