Since I discovered Ooberfuse for our blog in late 2024, the duo have proved themselves a singular prospect.
By Graeme Smith
Consisting of London-based Cherrie Anderson and Hal St. John, the pair have a history of collaborations with some of the most unexpected artists and organisations. They’ll sing about mental health with a UK-based talent, then jet off to the Philippines to perform with a home for girls. They’ve even laid down a track with the legendary Snoop Dogg.
Theirs is an international flavour. They’ve played in South America, to two million people on Spain, and beyond. Here in the UK, they’ve had the honour of performing for the House of Lords.
“Every show has its own magic, but the massive gathering in Spain was overwhelming in the best way, feeling that collective energy from so many people was surreal,” say Ooberfuse. “Playing for the House of Lords was uniquely impactful because it placed our music and message at the heart of political discourse, which is often where the call for peace needs to resonate most.
“On the road, the most memorable moments are usually the unplanned connections like the times after shows where people share personal stories of how a song touched them. Those human conversations are why we do this.”
This reviewer has certainly been touched and never misses a chance to share new music from them.
Their latest single, To Love To Peace Today, is a pertinent one given ongoing war in Palestine and the Christmas nativity. For it, Ooberfuse took themselves to Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus Christ.
“Recording the track and filming in Bethlehem, specifically at the Soul Bar, was a profoundly humbling and authentic experience,” say the band. “It wasn’t about parachuting in for a scenic backdrop. Soul Bar is a vital creative hub for local musicians.
“Sharing that stage, hearing the blend of guitars, oud, and percussion in a place where music is a form of resilience, was incredibly powerful. It transformed the song from something we wrote into something we co-created with the spirit and sound of the city. It was raw, real, and unforgettable.”
It’s a track that strikes you right from the off through its combination of the traditional and modern. Intricate musicianship meets global accessibility as the slow burning first verse welcomes you into its world.
The message is simple and uplifting, hitting profoundly in the chorus. There’s as much fire as there is reconciliation in its lyrics, giving them plenty of impact.
St. John and Anderson share vocals in a pleasingly contrasting way, setting up the track’s triumphant big finish.
“While the timing aligns with the season, the song’s message is urgent and year-round,” say the band. “To Love To Peace Today is a direct call to action. It moves peace from a distant ideal or a seasonal sentiment to a personal, daily commitment.
“It’s about the active choice to love and to pursue peace in the present moment, especially in places where that struggle is a lived reality… We wanted to create something where peace stops being theoretical.”
One of the most fascinating things about the track and video is how it highlights Bethlehem as a modern city. “The world often reduces Bethlehem to a historical symbol or a Christmas card image,” say the band. “We felt a responsibility to show the living, breathing community that exists there today, full of families, artists, entrepreneurs, and musicians.
“By recording there, we ensured the message comes from Bethlehem itself, not merely about it. We wanted to highlight their vibrant culture and their daily struggle, to ask people not to look away. Peace isn’t just a concept born there; it’s a desperate need lived there.”
To Love To Peace Today will be released on 16 January 2026 to coincide with the World Day of Peace. The band want to do their bit to amplify the day’s message peace. After that, they’re working on new material and teeing up new collaborations. We’ll surely be sharing more of their music soon.
“The journey with Bethlehem feels like a new chapter, not just a single release,” say the band. “We encourage everyone to listen to the single, watch the video, and remember that Bethlehem, and the pursuit of peace, is about real people in the present day… Let’s keep the conversation about active, daily peace alive.”
Supported by Musosoup #SustainableCurator