Oldham-based Marie releases song inspired by world crisis

Marie Hynes

A former Oldham shop owner has released a single inspired by the sense of togetherness brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Marie Hynes, who previously ran the People In Need shop in Shaw has turned her hand to songwriting for the first time, and has released 'Together' to purchase online.

Marie says it's something new for her: "I’ve never done anything like this before but wrote because of the inspiration of how people have come together throughout this world crisis. Some of the money will be donated to food banks and also a video will be made by myself to go with the song."

Marie's original idea was to produce a short film about the abuse NHS workers receive in the course of their jobs, but lack of funding meant the project was never to be.

However, Marie felt 'Together' was a strong enough song to be released without the video.

"It made me think about telling a story through music, so I wrote the song.  I asked my friend John Bradley if he would put music to it, and the song begain to take on a life of it's own.

"When Mick McKillop joined, he added the keyboard and to me it really took shape. It now stood alone as a song."

Musician John said: "I play in an acoustic duo called the Dollar Bombers presently.  Have been playing and writing in different bandson and off for 25 years. My 1st band was all lads from record shops in Oldham and my first proper gig was at the castle pub - no longer there. ‘Together’ was the 1st time I'd written music for someone else's lyrics."

Mick is currently a piano player with Blackburn based band The Slydes.  Due to lockdown restrictions, he's unable to rehearse or perform with the band and Marie's project came at an ideal time.  

"Making this song was a great way to keep myself going through these difficult times. Marie came to me and asked if I would help, and listening to the song, I knew wanted to get involved. I put piano and strings to it and think we have made something lovely."

The song was recorded under strict Covid restrictions at Studio Studio in Rochdale with both the boys recorded separately.

Marie says the project is a labour of love: "To me it is a message to remind people that we have all come together and worked together through very extraordinary times. It’s shown us that we are all ‘Together’ as 1 race."

"Coronavirus has no prejudices and neither should we. We have been reminded of the things that really matter and it’s not anything materialistic. It’s something we all have and can have for free. Compassion and love towards others. It's what miss the most. This is what the song is about."

10% of money raised by 'Together' will be donated to local foodbanks and the single can be downloaded here.

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