‘We Are Awakening’ – out 29th October.
First single to be released under their creative collaboration ‘JAC Music’
October 30, 2021
INXS drummer, Jon Farriss, and Northern Irish songwriter and performer, Ciaran Gribbin, are excited to announce a new creative collaboration called ‘JAC MUSIC’. Their first single ‘We Are Awakening’ will be released on 29 October.
Jon Farriss is the man steering the rhythm ship for the iconic band, INXS, and he’s acknowledged by industry peers, including super producer Nile Rodgers and the legendary Ringo Starr, as one of the greatest drummers ever. Jon developed the unique and distinct drum sound that helped give the super-group their funk.
Ciaran Gribbin is a Grammy-nominated songwriter and performer who has worked with top-tier artists such as Madonna, U2, Paul McCartney, Snow Patrol, and Al Pacino. He received his Grammy nomination for co-writing Madonna’s hit, Celebration and has toured the world as the singer of INXS.
Listen to ‘We Are Awakening’
JAC MUSIC has been formed by Farriss and Gribbin to deliver great vibes to the world through the love of music they each share. The duo state that; ‘JAC MUSIC is here to sing for peace, play for love and bring unity to the world through the power of song. If we release it, it’s because we love it!’
The first single ‘We Are Awakening’ was written seven years ago and both Gribbin and Farriss are excited to finally be releasing the song. Jon Farriss said; ‘We are not here for self-promotion or to further our music careers. Ciaran and I have both been given a gift as musicians and we want to share that gift with the world. Our goal is not global domination of the music scene, rather we want our music to uplift society, connect communities and bring joy to people’s hearts.’
Farriss went on to say about the first single We Are Awakening; ‘the premise of the song is that it starts from within, it’s about evolution and organic growth. The world is in a great time of change right now and if you’re awake to what’s going on with this world, you’ll share the message that lies within this song.’ On the creative partnership with Ciaran Gribbin, Farriss said; ‘I’m super excited to be releasing new music again and to be collaborating with a quality artist like Ciaran Gribbin. He is such a talented singer, songwriter and performer.’
Ciaran Gribbin said; ‘I can’t believe the timing that we are releasing this single at a time when the world has been suffering the pain of the COVID-19 pandemic. This song is about peace, humanity and coming together, something we need more than ever in the world right now. I had the honour of standing on stage with Jon when I toured with INXS and to now be collaborating with Jon to write and release new material under JAC MUSIC really is a dream come true for me. I’m excited about our future and also looking forward to announcing in 2022 other artists we will be collaborating with under JAC MUSIC.’
We Are Awakening is produced by Jon Farriss, Ciaran Gribbin and Paul Beard. Paul Beard produced and performed on Lily Allen’s UK hit ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ and has also toured extensively as keys player and Music Director for Robbie Williams, James Blunt, Art Garfunkel and Brian Ferry (Roxy Music).
We Are Awakening – released 29th October.
ABOUT JON FARRISS
INXS are one of the greatest rock bands of all time and the man steering the rhythm ship for the iconic band is Jon Farriss.
Acknowledged by industry peers, including super producer Nile Rodgers and the legendary Ringo Starr, as one of the greatest drummers ever, Jon developed the unique and distinct drum sound that helped give the super-group their funk.
Jon co-wrote INXS album tracks including ‘Old World New World’ (Shabooh Shoobah), ‘Melting In The Sun’ and ‘Red Red Sun’ (Listen Like Thieves), ‘Faith In Each Other’ (X) and ‘Back On Line’ (Welcome To Wherever You Are). Some of Jon’s co-written hits include: ‘Disappear’ in 1990 (X) and ‘The Gift’ in 1993 (Full Moon Dirty Hearts). He also wrote and sang several INXS B-sides including: ‘You Never Used to Cry’, ‘I’m Over You’, ‘Everybody Wants U Tonight’ and co-wrote ‘Deepest Red’.
The INXS’ tribute album, ‘Original Sin’ features several tracks that were co-produced by Jon Farriss. The album featured artists: Rob Thomas, Ben Harper, Tricky, John Mayer, and Pat Monahan.
On several occasions over the years Jon has enjoyed successful creative collaborations with legendary producer, Nile Rodgers. One occasion was in 1983 when Jon worked alongside INXS and Rodgers. They recorded at the famous ‘Power Station’ studio in New York, creating INXS’ hit single ‘Original Sin’ – which went on to hit Number 1 in many countries around the world. Nile likes to recall that Jon did his drums in one take.
Nile Rodgers was also invited and recognized Jon on stage in Sydney’s iconic Opera House, where Nile recalled, “My inspiration to work with INXS was after seeing their drummer Jon Farriss perform live.”
Jon has been invited on stage by some of the most prominent and well-respected musicians of all time. In a defining moment of ‘the pupil meets his master’, Jon appeared on stage with Ringo Starr in February 2013, during Ringo’s All Starr Band performance in Sydney. With Ringo singing, Jon played Ringo’s drums to The Beatles’ song ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’.
Jon was one of the first on the block to use computer-sequencing software in the mid to late 80s. By integrating digital sampling and electronic augmentation early on, he solidified his trademark ‘locked in like a machine’ drumming style.
Up until the end of 2020 Jon has spent much of the past seven years away from the limelight focussing on family and establishing a new home in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. 2021 has seen Jon bring focus back to music and he’s been enjoying spending more time in his studio writing and recording new material. The release of ‘We Are Awakening’ with JAC Music is just the beginning of a new path for Jon Farriss!
ABOUT CIARAN GRIBBIN
Ciaran Gribbin is a Grammy-nominated songwriter and performer who, in addition to working with world class artists such as Madonna, U2, Paul McCartney, Snow Patrol and Al Pacino, has toured the world as the singer of INXS.
Ciaran was born during the Northern Ireland conflict and grew up in The Troubles. As a young musician he cut his teeth doing gig after gig in the tough bars of Belfast and Derry. During this turbulent time, Ciaran witnessed the bombs and bullets of sectarian violence and the paramilitary attacks that enflamed a divided society.
Ciaran was a founding member of the popular Irish band ‘Leya’ which toured for seven years with major acts including Snow Patrol and Embrace. The band also released the critically acclaimed album ‘Watch you don’t take off’. The band was nominated for Best New Act at the Irish ‘Metor’ Music Awards.
Ciaran’s first big break came in 2010 when he received a Grammy nomination for Madonna’s worldwide hit single ‘Celebration’, which he co-wrote with the American megastar and English producer Paul Oakenfold. Ciaran soon became a regular drawcard at music festivals around the world including Brazil’s Rock in Rio. He has opened concerts for acts such as Paul McCartney, Crowded House, The Script and Gotye.
Just as his reputation as a performer kept growing, his career as a gifted composer continued to flourish. He has worked on multiple movie soundtracks, including writing all the songs for the U2-supported feature film Killing Bono.
In 2011, Ciaran became the singer of the legendary Australian band INXS. He has toured extensively with INXS throughout South America, Europe and Australasia.
Ciaran’s song ‘Hey Baby Doll’ which was sung by Al Pacino in the critically-acclaimed movie Danny Collins received an Oscar shortlist nomination.