• State Faces

    state.ie names its artists to look out for in the 12 months flowing from January each year, and accompanied by original photoshoots from our team of photographers.

Cherym

Effervescent punk rock trio from Derry.

Photographed for State’s Faces by Colm Kelly

How did you all come together as a band?

Well we all kind of knew each other through school but Hannah already had established Cherym with another bassist and drummer, but along the way things didn’t seem to work out so me and Nyree ended up where we are now and we’re all pretty happy with the way things turned out.

Was it easy to find gigs at the start?

We all played in bands before so we already had an idea of who to ask for gigs and other bands to contact for support slots, so we were lucky in that sense but I also think people were sort of reluctant to book us considering it took us so long to get any sort of recorded music online.

Do you think there Is there enough encouragement for young musicians?

I think there is some encouragement for young musicians with things like the hothouse in Derry’s Nerve’s centre and with the Oh Yeah centre in Belfast, like with the girls rock school NI being set up for young women in the music industry especially, so I think there are a lot of good opportunities for young people looking to join a band or get their name out there.

You seem to be gigging an awful lot…

Aye and wha?

Photographed for State’s Faces by Colm Kelly