Irish musicians joined by high profile guest stars on charity single released to mark World Down’s Syndrome Day 2024.
Several years ago when volunteering for Northern Irish Down’s Syndrome support group, ‘Families With Ups and Downs’, I was told that the first thing this parent-led group told new parents of Down’s Syndrome children was, “Congratulations! You have a child with Down Syndrome!”. While initially, a parent’s natural reaction to their child being born with such a challenging life ahead of them may be one of devastation and overwhelm, those with some experience of raising their own children with this syndrome, having primarily felt the same devastation and overwhelm, were empowered to encourage newer parents about the incredible blessing and reward that their unique child with this particular set of challenges would bring.
Indeed, congratulations were in order for Ballyhackamore’s Stefan Murray, his wife Susana, and their first born son, Miguel (now 6), as they welcomed their beautiful blonde new-born son, Killian Angel Dean Murray into the world on 31st March 2022. However, while every parent’s dream is to bring their child home from hospital without incident to live happily ever after, this wasn’t meant to be for Stefan’s family. Some long days and nights lay ahead for them as baby Killian fought for his life in hospital, and they realised these would not be the first or last difficulties their boy would face in life.
As is so often the case though, the darker days of Stefan’s experience as a second-time father gave way to much light. Not only in the incredible blessing of Killian himself, but in the inspiration for a song that would bless Killian, his family, the team involved in its production, some Belfast based charities, and others by spreading Down’s Syndrome awareness.
“Downright Incredible” was inspired by Stefan’s awe of Killian during the early ups and downs of his life with Down’s Syndrome, and music and lyrics were written by the doting father himself and co- written by Iron Heart’s Shaun Nelson. This is not the first time such inspiration has ignited songwriting in the genres of rock music, traditional Irish music or even the Belfast rock arena.
Following US punk band, Devo’s (now glaringly unwoke titled) 1978 hit, “Mongoloid”; an unconventional story of an adult with Down’s Syndrome learning to push through the challenges of being overlooked by society;
“He was a mongoloid… happier than you and me… one chromosome too many… his friends were unaware… no one even cared… and he had a job and he brought home the bacon…” (Devo, “Mongoloid”)
“Downright Incredible” forms a triumvirate of Irish fathers compelled to compose songs about their own sons born with Down’s Syndrome, as singles by Phil Coulter, and Cormac Neeson have preceded Stefan Murray’s.
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Derry’s Academy Award-winning folk artist, Phil Coulter, wrote, “Scorn Not His Simplicity” about his son, Paul, a few months after his birth.
“Scorn not his simplicity but rather try to love him all the more…” (Phil Coulter, “Scorn Not His Simplicity”)
The song was first sung by Luke Kelly (1940- 1984) on Irish folk band, The Dubliners 1970 album, Revolution; later recorded for Coulter’s own album, Classic Tranquillity in 1973; and covered further, by other Irish artists including, the late singer songwriter, Sínead O’ Connor (1966- 2023) on her 1994 album, Universal Mother.
More recently, Irish hard rock band, The Answer’s (Newcastle and Downpatrick) frontman, Cormac Neeson raised awareness of Down’s Syndrome following the birth of his son, Dabhóg, in 2014. Neeson raised funds for UK learning disability organisation, Mencap with his beautiful song, “Broken Wing”;
My little boy’s got a a broken wing, needs a little help with most everything but when he grows up he’ll be a king…perfectly beautiful, beautifully perfect” (Cormac Neeson, “Broken Wing”)
This from 2019 solo album White Feather, inspired by Neeson’s firstborn, and marking World Down’s Syndrome Day the same year.
All in all, a rich heritage of expression of fatherly love from an island historically notorious for its patriarchal inability to display affection, as documented in Irish literature over the years, for example, in playwright Brian Friel’s, 1964 Philadelphia, Here I Come! It seems the times and culture of Ireland are- a-changing – another blessing helped brought about by these amazing kids.
Heritage and progress aside, Stefan’s song, like its little muse, is remarkable in its own right, not only in how it blends the two genres of traditional Irish music and hard rock, but additionally, in the amazing group of artists its story and lyrics inspired, that banded together to bring it to fruition.
The Ups and Downs incorporates a host of the local music scene’s staple rock musicians with Stefan Murray as lead vocals and acoustic guitar; Matthew Dowie on guitar (local lad with a background in teaching and playing trad music); Jim Seymour (Sinocence) and Plunkett McComb (Pat McManus Band) on bass; as well as long time friend of Stefan’s whom he met once upon a time on holiday in Berlin, Texan Dustin Gauvin (Epi III) on drums. Frankie McClay who produced the song also plays keys and sings vocal melodies on it.
“Downright Incredible” also features a range of special guest stars with County Tyrone’s renowned Pat McManus playing violin; Surrey pop punk band, Magic Eight Ball’s frontman, Baz Francis as guest vocals; along with Scarborough’s Little Angels and Wayward Sons frontman, Toby Jepson.
The latter, is a songwriter who is no stranger to elevating the marginalised, having written 1992 anthem, “Womankind” celebrating the wonder of the historically under represented (especially in the music industry) female sex that would perhaps be a fitting tribute to mummy, Susanna, who Stefan describes as ‘the rock’ of the family.
“Woman woman woman womankind, every day you seem to blow my mind… It’s not the same without you, it’s essential what you bring…” (Little Angels, Womankind)
The song was produced by the esteemed Frankie McClay of the legendary Einstein Studios (Antrim), with Stefan, Matthew and Jim recording in the studio, and the rest of the band’s parts added remotely, a form of collaborating that has become more common place since lockdown allowing musicians to work together across the globe with greater ease. For Frankie, getting onboard with this project was a no- brainer due to his knowledge of both Stefan’s character (by all accounts a genuine, humble, and well thought of bloke in the local community and music scene), as well as being truly moved by the heartfelt love and devotion inherent in “Stef’s beautiful lyrics” (Frankie).
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A passionate promotional campaign was spearheaded by Mark Ashby of Belfast’s Paradise City, who was also struck by the strength of the song and how much it is, “from the heart”. All in all, team work that made the dream work.
Stefan has said he has no particular further musical plans for the future except to possibly create a music video for “Downright Incredible” at a later date, and stating that the one- off single was just something he very much wanted to do for Killian.
Proceeds from purchases of “Downright Incredible” (available on Bandcamp) will go to Down Right Incredible, Saintfield. This is a cross-community support group aiming to establish relationships between families and children with Down’s Syndrome, as well as Hanwood Down Syndrome Football Team. A team for Down’s Syndrome kids coached by Norman Kelly, past player for Oldham Athletic, Wigan Athletic, Dunfermline Athletic, Linfield F.C and Glentorran F.C, along with, Irish actor, James Martin – the first person with Down’s Syndrome to win an Oscar, who is also referenced in the song:
“You can have an Oscar in your hand, everything is possible for you… (The Ups and Downs, “Downright Incredible”)
James is known for Tom Berkeley and Ross White’s short movie, An Irish Goodbye, (2022), for which he won an Oscar; Netflix Original, Marcella (2016-2021) and; Eoin Cleland’s 2019 TV Movie, Ups and Downs.
The song’s title, “Downright Incredible” is a triple entendre. Literally being inspired by baby Killian being downright incredible; the title phrase going over and over in Stefan’s mind as he sat by his hospital bedside; as well as, doubling up to reference the phenomenon of Down’s Syndrome (a condition caused by an extra chromosome, and causing various levels of learning difficulty), and; thirdly, referencing the geographical area in which the Murray family resides, Northern Ireland’s County Down.
The song begins as a traditional Irish lament which seamlessly segues into a rock anthem, characteristic of other charity singles released over the last several decades, and symbolic of the subjective experience of Stefan and Susana’s journey from natural pain, grief and worry, to the miracle of love that ultimately is parenting, with its inevitable devotion, pride and joy, and all the emotions in between.
“When you came into our lives, so much pain and so much strife, hanging out in the hospital wards, that was all we seen. Now it seems you’ve turned a page, seeing life in a different way, I can’t believe all the joy you’ve brought to me…” (The Ups and Downs, “Downright Incredible”)
What struck me personally the most about the song, was its intrinsic generosity of spirit in how relatable it is to parents of all children with challenges. Perhaps, in part due to Stefan and Susana’s older son having a diagnosis of autism. In Stefan’s own words, ‘these kids need all the love in the world; not just Downs, but all the kids who need the best love in the world’.
Having two autistic children of my own, I’m no stranger to the stereotypes and judgment that often accompany a child with a diagnosis. I’m also keenly aware, however, of the amazingly rewarding calling it is to nurture children who, while facing more challenges than most, are defined not by their diagnosis but by the strength of their own identity in spite of them.
“Downright incredible, downright up, downright down, downright You.” (The Ups and Downs, “Downright Incredible”)
This is something that is often not understood by onlookers unless they share a similar experience with their own child and it is hoped that the release of this song will go some way to change such misconceptions. All too often when we feel like we’re helping these kids, they’re actually the ones helping us. To see clearer, to feel deeper, and to live better.
So give the single a listen, stream it, share it and purchase it, to raise awareness and funds, so that Killian and many other downright incredible kids can help us all to be more in tune with them, that we may may become all the more incredible too.
