Cliffs of Donegal is deeply private, written as a tribute to your late aunt. What was the second that first sparked the music for you?
I knew it was a music I used to be actually compelled to jot down so I used to be form of knocking completely different approaches for the music round in my head after which I obtained the primary line: “little chook you couldn’t keep.” From that line out poured the music.
The monitor responds on to her poem Pictured Rocks. How did you method translating her phrases into music?
Her poem “Pictured Rocks” was about my grandfather. It’s her imagining him within the place she remembers him the happiest after his dying. In my music I Think about her in a kind of legendary model of Donegal, surrounded by her favourite issues. I additionally work a few of her poems into the music!
You’ve described the music as “a celebration of life and dying.” What does that stability imply to you as a songwriter?
I actually see the 2 as interconnected and possibly that’s partly what the music is about. Demise as a passage to new life. Demise as a second to rejoice a life lived. I feel after we take a look at dying like an ending or “a battle misplaced” we’re lacking the teachings dying has to supply us.
The fiddle on the finish appears like such a grounding contact of Eire. How necessary is your heritage in shaping your sound?
My heritage is massively necessary to me in shaping my sound. Truly my Aunt would ship me these combine tapes of Irish music after I was a child and I ate it up. I’ll admit after we completed this one I used to be like “man that sounds fairly Irish.” It simply got here out like that.
Your journey has taken you from Oregon to Brooklyn to locations like Tanzania and India. How have these completely different landscapes filtered into your music?
Oh as an artist I undoubtedly determine as a sponge. I really feel influenced by all of my musical coaching and experiences. I’m so grateful my musical thoughts has been formed by so many various musical traditions. I’ll add, I all the time goal to present credit score the place credit score is due!
You’ve labored on collaborative initiatives earlier than however are actually absolutely leaning into your solo path. What feels completely different about this chapter?
I completely love collaborating and truthfully I’m actually a pack animal at coronary heart. Having a band makes a number of sense to me. And even on my solo journey I find yourself enjoying music with numerous people! However truthfully it simply turned necessary to me to share my very own tales and my very own songs. I wished to problem myself to try this.
When listeners press play on Cliffs of Donegal, what do you hope they take away from it?
I hope it helps them take a look at endings in a constructive or a minimum of cathartic mild. I hope that it helps relieve the ache of a grieving particular person. I hope it brings some peace to individuals.
