IN FOCUS: Safire

Safire is a Northern Ireland female fronted high energy classic classic rock band with a bit of a modern twist.

Formed in 2013 the founding members are singer Saffron Gorman, guitarist Tim Torrens and drummer Cozy McAuley.  They met in 2012 when Tim and Cozy heard Saffron singing at a function and were blown away by Saffron’s powerful vocals and stage craft. They found they had similar musical influences and they became firm friends.

Safire started writing and recording songs such as Under my skin, Fallen Angel, Sunshine, Cross, Miracles, Mystical land, and Turning you.

In 2015, former Donum Dei bassist ‘Dean Kane joined the ranks to make the line-up complete, after that the band made it’s live debut on the local NI rock circuit to positive reviews.

I first saw them at a Rock Therapy NI gig in O’Reilly’s, Banbridge and from that first glimpse I was immediately impressed. I already knew Dean from Donum Dei, and a nicer bloke you could not find, quiet, unassuming but with a glint in his eye and a cheeky grin. Here though I met Tim Cozy and Safire for the first time, and found them immediately to be well grounded, approachable and genuine people. A rarity.

Safe to say their show blew me away. Saffrom’s powerful vocals glided along perfectly with the riffage that Tim pumped out seamlessly. Cozy pounded out the beats while Dean, well, was Dean, an almost indescribable grooved out bassist who you can’t take your eyes of out of pure curiosity about what position he will throw himself into next. They are all quite individual personalities on stage, but musically and presence wise they gel perfectly.

They played a great set and I felt privileged to see them perform. As ever the sound was perfectly delivered by Level PA.

They have played quite a few shows since I saw them and supported acts like of Maverick and Raveneye and have played at a number of music festivals like . I got to see them again as they were supporting The Raven Age in the Limelight, and boy did they put on a performance.

In 2016 they crafted and released a three track EP in Manor Park Studios called ‘Under My Skin’ and boy does it. It is an EP you just have to listen to again and again. ‘Under My Skin‘ is a finely crafted Ep comprising of ‘Under My Skin’, ‘Fallen Angel’ and ‘Sunshine. You can listen (and of course buy) to the EP on Bandcamp.

They are currently trying to raise enough money to fund  full album. Part of the needed funds are being raised through PledgeMusic. They really are working hard to make this album and I have to say I have pledged to them already and i would suggest you do the same.

If ‘Under My Skin’ and their live performances are anything to go by, this album will be a real diamond. They are over halfway there and just need that little bit more to push it over the finish line. If you like them and their sound definitely give them a donation or buy some of the offers they have on in their store.

They even have an awesome competition for pledgers.