You may have heard us playing Standing By The Ocean and Broken Beyond Repair from Erris recently on Phoenix FM – but who is she?  We caught up with her to find out a little bit more about her life and music …

When did you first start to develop a passion for music?

I started music lessons quite young in the West of Ireland, took classical piano lessons and violin lessons, then later taught myself guitar.

How did your songwriting develop?

I always composed classical pieces but work and life took over and only during covid when heart break entered my life did I have the lyrics to go with the music.

I am currently building my album with the help of producers Tim Bond and Larry Hogan. I live in Cambridge so Tim is close by at Bookmatch Recording Studio and Larry is a quick flight away at the fantastic Dublin Studio Hub.

I have a whole host of produced songs, demo songs, me on guitar singing in my car into my phone and poems on my Soundcloud page as well as a whole load of songs not yet recorded. I have at least 3 albums ready to record.

Which artists do you enjoy listening to at the moment – and do they influence your work?

Have to say, as I was out and about in the 90’s, I love Oasis, Natalie Imbruglia, Blur, Suede, Sixpence None The Richer, Macy Gray, David Gray and a wee secret crush on good old Rod Stewart himself. Of course Sheryl Crow and so many others.

Do you have any artists that really inspire you?

I am inspired by Mary Black; I sang in London in pubs for many years and sang many of the songs on her The Collection Album and The Woman’s Heart Album – great Irish folk songs of the 90’s.

I also love Jimmy McCarthy and would be blessed if I could write like him, but I don’t so that’s a pity. I am working on my song writing skills all the time and recording songs that would suit in various genres. Some Country, Folk, Soft Rock, Pop, Ballads, lots of ballads.

To be a songwriter and woman with a guitar I also look up to Mary Chapin Carpenter with great awe. She is amazing. Love her tone, writing styles, her guitar finger picking styles, her wittiness and photographs.

Who would your dream collaboration be with?

My dream would be to collaborate with Roisin O’Reilly, Mary Chapin Carpenter and of course Emmy Lou Harris. I just love old folk songs, you know. I have some jazz/blues songs as well – one is being made presently, it’s powerful.

What do you do besides making music?

I drive a taxi in the town of St Neots, a great town for music and live gigs, tribute acts, open mic nights, comedy and karaoke nights. Taxi business affords me to buy the equipment I need, the recording fees and instruments. I’m looking to put a good band together who is passionate about music and playing in front of crowds and at festivals. My children have grown up now and if I have a second chance at life in the music industry and I’ll grab it with both hands.

What are your plans for the future?

I’ve signed up to Avenue AR and have sent my songs to labels there. We will see what happens.