Newcastle artist Fran O'Hanlon acquired the name AJIMAL in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, as the result of an encounter with a voodoo priest. As a classically trained pianist and medical doctor, AJIMAL's unique life experience has enabled him to combine a soaring grandeur with a deep and enduring sense of intimacy.

His album "As It Grows Dark / Light" is out now. "I've Known Your Heart" is a song that explores human connection, with the song title referencing a quote from the film Dogville: "I've known his heart just about as long as it's been beating." That feeling of intensity and spiritual communion is celebrated in AJIMAL's inimitable style of quiet eloquence and melodic purity. The video for the song emerged out of a discussion with director Alex Moy about a character in Jeanette Winterson's Sexing the Cherry. In it, AJIMAL explores the concept of platonic love, while creating an animation that hints at restlessness and peaceful solitude. AJIMAL's second full-length releases finds him continuing to create his own blend of sensitive pop, and touching on the artistic temperament of Rufus Wainwright with a stunning vocal range and riveting emotional maturity.

AJIMAL's music has been featured on several Spotify editorial playlists, with fans at radio including Phil Taggart at Radio 1, Tom Robinson at BBC 6 Music, John Kennedy at Radio X, BBC Introducing’s Nick Roberts, and Jason Kramer at KCRW. This song is featured on our Rainy Day playlist.

Photo credit: Fraser Taylor