Cliffs of Donegal is deeply personal, written as a tribute to your late aunt. What was the moment that first sparked the song for you?
I knew it was a song I was really compelled to write so I was kind of knocking different approaches for the song around in my head and then I got the first line: “little bird you couldn’t stay.” From that line out poured the song.
The track responds directly to her poem Pictured Rocks. How did you approach translating her words into music?
Her poem “Pictured Rocks” was about my grandfather. It’s her imagining him in the place she remembers him the happiest after his death. In my song I Imagine her in a sort of mythical version of Donegal, surrounded by her favorite things. I also work some of her poems into the song!
You’ve described the song as “a celebration of life and death.” What does that balance mean to you as a songwriter?
I really see the two as interconnected and maybe that’s partly what the song is about. Death as a passage to new life. Death as a moment to celebrate a life lived. I think when we look at death like an ending or “a battle lost” we are missing the lessons death has to offer us.
The fiddle at the end feels like such a grounding touch of Ireland. How important is your heritage in shaping your sound?
My heritage is hugely important to me in shaping my sound. Actually my Aunt would send me these mix tapes of Irish music when I was a kid and I ate it up. I will admit when we finished this one I was like “man that sounds pretty Irish.” It just came out like that.
Your journey has taken you from Oregon to Brooklyn to places like Tanzania and India. How have these different landscapes filtered into your music?
Oh as an artist I definitely identify as a sponge. I feel influenced by all of my musical training and experiences. I’m so grateful my musical mind has been shaped by so many different musical traditions. I will add, I always aim to give credit where credit is due!
You’ve worked on collaborative projects before but are now fully leaning into your solo path. What feels different about this chapter?
I absolutely love collaborating and honestly I’m really a pack animal at heart. Having a band makes a lot of sense to me. And even on my solo journey I end up playing music with lots of folks! But honestly it just became important to me to share my own stories and my own songs. I wanted to challenge myself to do that.
When listeners press play on Cliffs of Donegal, what do you hope they take away from it?
I hope it helps them look at endings in a positive or at least cathartic light. I hope that it helps relieve the pain of a grieving person. I hope it brings some peace to people.
