Paris, Stravinsky and heartbreak. Joelle Charan’s dreamy new release was inspired by a whirlwind romance on the Rue de Rivoli.
Known for blending contemporary influences with more tradition sounds, Joelle Charan has always pushed boundaries with her music. Her 2020 EP Ashira was received with critical acclaim, and lead to her collaboration with producer John Reynolds. It was John, who has worked with the likes of Sinéad O’Connor, Brian Eno, U2 and Damien Dempsey who convinced her to step away from the piano and introduce the cascading sounds of the harp to her newest release, Blue Moon Bird.
Blue Moon Bird, the first release in anticipation of her debut album early next year tells the story of a young man she met in Paris, a whirlwind romance that could never last. Her lyrics are descriptive and almost picturesque in their story telling. Charan has a photographic memory, often storing moments which are later transformed in to sounds in her mind. The single draws inspiration from Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite and Vince Mendoza’s harp arrangements on Laura Mvula’s 2013 Sing To The Moon album. The harp is the core of the piece, painting a narrative of the fluttering heart and beautiful voice of a fickle, free-spirited songbird.
“Although the blue moon bird sings more beautifully than any creature on this earth, his song for me cannot last longer than one night. He can never stay, never belong. All throughout the song there's a duet going on with the Indian sarod, endlessly replying to my voice and the harp. Like they're sharing stories.”
Blue Moon Bird is out today from all digital stores. Connect with Joelle on
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