“This song ‘Tell Your Ma’ is one of the first songs I ever wrote. It has been in my mind since I was 17. It took me 20 years before I decided to record it. I didn’t want to record it if it wasn’t ready, because I like to be able to do live what I can in the studio. The groove had to be perfect too” – Jeremy Engel on ‘Tell Your Ma‘
If you’re getting excited by the headline already, it is time to check your pulse. As for the heart, well, the French-born acoustic rock singer-songwriter Jeremy Engel has been pouring his out for Ireland with the release of ‘Tell Your Ma’, a crowd-pleasing single release. The highly anticipated anthem reflects the singer’s personal journey as a true man of the world, while exuding emotions of escapism, since he couldn’t help but be drawn back to Ireland as the core inspiration behind it.
Working as a UN conference interpreter by day and writing as an ambitious musician by night, Jeremy’s work has immersed him in diverse cultures across the furthest reaches of the globe but, deep down in his heart, a particular connection with Ireland has been developed. After 2006, Jeremy Engel’s world was transformed for the better by watching Rory Gallagher’s ‘Irish Tour 74’.
“Learning about Rory Gallagher in that film introduced me to one of my greatest influences” – Jeremy Engel on the cinematic inspirations in his music
After moving to Dublin and working in the Guinness storehouse, Engel fell in love with the city. Taking the measures one step further, Engel has even recently taken a DNA test which revealed that, despite having roots in Ukraine and Luxembourg, his heritage is 52% Irish. He expresses this sentiment by including the Dublin-located landmark The Customs House on the ‘Tell Your Ma’ single cover and actually recording the single itself at Windmill Lane Recording Studios in Dublin.
His goal, it seems, is to give audiences an authentic taste of his obsessions with Ireland and guide them through falling in love with the city in the same way that he did. This cultural love is evident on the highly impassioned track, which captures the feisty spirit of Dublin with its sharp guitar riffs and sing-a-long lead guitar hooks. Tight drums and acoustic hooks stir up the definitive sense of optimism to the record, but the raspy vocals evoke Engel’s sensitive, yet honest personality. Unsullied by any artifice by denying the involvement of auto-tune to the track, the sound is a classic rock ‘n’ roll one where a subtle stream of consciousness takes us down the main root of the problem at heart, as we are all searching for somewhere that we may call home.
A tight rope walk between richly woven guitar-driven hooks and stripped back verses that soar with his patriotic delivery, Engel keeps his Irish roots prominent while crafting an inviting classic rock anthem that could connect with anybody who is seeking direction in this ever-shifting world.
Words by Jacob Braybrooke
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