Bio

The Ramblings is one of those collaborations that neither party saw coming, yet the timing was perfect.

Long time friends Madeline O’Donoghue and Anj Barton first met in Poneke (Wellington) around 2007 while Madeline was completing her fine arts degree and Anj - having recently finished music school in Whakatu (Nelson) - was completing a BA in criminology and playing in originals and covers bands. Madeline and Anj quickly bonded over their love for music, photography, film and everything in between, although they never played music together at that time. A few years later, Madeline relocated to Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland), then headed overseas for adventures in places such as London, New York, LA and Australia.

Fast forward to 2019 and Madeline returned to Aotearoa with a wealth of experiences and emotions that were waiting for a narrative to be constructed, and the outlet to be created. Anj was still in Poneke, having been in various bands over the previous decade such as Little Vices, The Ruby Licks and most recently the singer/songwriter for pop-punk duo Ready Sett. Madeline and Anj rekindled their close friendship now that they were both living in Aotearoa, and shortly before the country went into their 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, the pair were discussing everything music, initially with Anj teaching Madeline the guitar. That however, was short-lived. Perhaps being blissfully unaware that Madeline had vast amounts of lyrical content waiting in the wings, Anj one day sent Madeline a guitar riff she had made up and within minutes, Madeline had sent back a vocal demo for what would be their first song Cold Spring Blues.

Since then, the duo have been collaborating between Whangamata and Poneke and given the long-distance nature of their relationship, 2021 has seen them pour all their energy into writing, recording and releasing with two EPs now under their belt. Record One was released in May and sophomore release, Record Two following in October. The two EPs delve into memories and experiences that create cinematic narratives across the tracks, like you are a character in their film right there with them on the journey.

Record One is both haunting, vulnerable, and at times takes on unexpected directions in its moods, containing a sound that is both brand new and completely mature. Like different scenes from a film playing on loop, O'Donoghue's intimate, emotional vocal style is coupled with lyrics that are fraught with restlessness and explore the depths of human darkness and the spaces they inhabit. Record One’s tracks manage to possess a depth and breadth about them while retaining a minimalist acoustic-leaning sound.

Record Two is a purposeful lift out of the darkness and is a much fuller, rounded out sound. Although there is still a focus on tension, frustration and narratively similar qualities between the two EPs, Record Two is emotionally lighter in feel and brings a welcome release from the darker twists and turns of Record One.

Band Members:
Madeline O'Donoghue
Anj Barton

Links

• Youtube Page
• Instagram Page
• Bandcamp Page
• Spotify Page