Track of the Day: Cherym - Kisses On My Cards

Northern Irish trio Cherym signed a record deal with UK indie label Alcopops! Records back in February, releasing the feisty ‘Kisses On My Cards’ to coincide with the news.

A razor-edged banger, the track is noticeably polished as a number which will help to launch the outfit who formed originally as kick-back against the local music boys club scene.

“‘Kisses On My Cards’ is a power pop banger about my hot bi-sexual self falling in love with a guy for the first time in a long time," vocalist Hannah Richardson explains of the track.

"All the right signals are there, but both parties are too weird ‘n’ awkward to know how to proceed. It’s an anthem for all hot stubborn gays of the world feeling the emotional pressures of admitting to an attraction without the whole ‘my mate wants to know will you kiss her?’ routine."

Inspired by bands like The Smashing Pumpkins, Bikini Kill, American Football, PUP and Pixies; Cherym met in college and bonded over a joint love of garage rock and pop-punk.

The group's self-released 2018 debut EP Mouthbreatherz amassed over 20,000 organic streams and garnered them fans all over Ireland, earning them slots at a number of prominent festivals and support roles for local legends And So I Watch You From Afar...and Fangclub. The outfit also performed on the Hot Press Lockdown Sessions' Y&E Series last September, which you can watch here.

Cherym went on to win the ‘Oh Yeah Contender’ award at the NI Music Prize in 2019, and were named one of Hot Press' Hot For 2020 acts on our annual list.

The band released previous singles ‘Abigail’ and ‘Weird Ones’ in May 2020, with support from Spotify editorial playlists and national radio. In February 2020, the band embarked on a series of dates with Brighton rock band Yonaka, including sold-out shows in Dublin and Belfast, ending the year with ‘Abigail’ nominated for best single at the NI Music Prize in August 2020.

Commenting on the band's signing to Alcopops! Records, Label Owner Jack Clothier stated:

“Signing Cherym was one of those rare positives that came out of 2020...And with it came the realisation that we’d inadvertently started working with one of the nicest (as well as the most exciting) bands coming out of Ireland right now!"

"Taking advantage of a rare non-lockdown moment we popped down to see them in a castle of a studio somewhere outside of Warwick to hear the forthcoming hits coming together, and it was an absolute dream moment," Jack added.

"This band is an embodiment of optimism, inclusivity and everything that’s good about the world… They will be your new favourites!”

Check out 'Kisses On My Cards' below: