Across the Pond feels deeply personal, what moment or memory first sparked the idea for it?
The first spark for Across the Pond came years ago on my aunt and uncle’s farm when I was 12 years old. I wrote a song called Is There Room For Me In Ireland? — it captured my love for the country after years of visiting from New York with my family. I’ve always felt this deep connection and longing for Ireland; it’s shaped me in more ways than I can count.
Growing up in an Irish-American community in New York, singing in a family band, and spending time in Ireland all played a huge part in who I am. This EP feels like my most authentic self — a blend of original songs and the traditional ones that mean the most to me, the ones I grew up hearing across the pond.
You blend traditional Irish songs with your own writing. How do you decide which stories belong together?
I saw the EP as a journey, so the order of the songs was really important in telling that story. It begins with an original, Lose Me To Dublin, about being pulled to Ireland from the States — that’s where the journey across the pond starts.
Then there’s Freckles (In an Old Pub), which brings you right into a familiar Irish day — after a late night out, you wake up and see where the next one takes you. It’s about meeting someone on a whim and ending it with a classic Irish goodbye. That flows naturally into Galway Girl, a song that’s close to my heart after spending a semester at NUIG. In my mind, it’s almost like the story continues — the guy from the pub goes off to meet his Galway Girl and I’m probably off still having a pint somewhere.
Finally, Willie McBride closes the EP. It’s a haunting, beautifully told story about love, war, and loss — one I grew up hearing my dad sing at family sessions. Ending with that song felt like coming full circle and immersing myself in the culture while I am settling in to my new home.
After your spinal cord injury, what role did music play in your recovery and rebuilding your confidence as an artist?
Music was everything during that time. While in the hospital and inpatient rehab, I listened to it constantly — it helped me mentally “play” piano or strum guitar again, even when I physically couldn’t. The doctors had a pretty grim prognosis; they said I wouldn’t walk again, fitted me for a leg brace, and told me my right arm and hand would likely remain paralyzed.
But with music, incredible therapists, and a lot of perseverance, I was able to defy those odds. Music gave me purpose and hope — it reminded me of who I was beyond the injury and helped me rebuild not just physically, but creatively and emotionally too. I left the hospital and got on my piano to write a few songs with a hand that only partially worked at the time, but I felt such inspiration to get my thoughts out there.
You’ve spent time in both Ireland and Nashville, how do those two worlds shape your sound and songwriting?
Both places are rooted in storytelling — that’s the heart of what I love most about songwriting. From Ireland, I take the atmosphere, the traditional instruments, and that cheeky sense of humor that shines through so many Irish songs. From Nashville, I’ve learned the craft of really writing — collaborating with incredible writers and being inspired by artists who lead with authenticity.
Blending those worlds feels natural to me; it’s where my stories truly come alive.
Lose Me To Dublin stands out as a focus track. What does that song mean to you personally?
Lose Me to Dublin is deeply personal. It came from a real experience — a relationship where the person I was with didn’t want to move to Ireland. I felt torn between him and the life I envisioned for myself in the place I feel most at home. Ultimately, I had to choose the path that stayed true to me.
It also feels like a full-circle moment from that song I wrote at 12 — Is There Room For Me In Ireland? — only now it’s the grown-up version, with more life lived and love behind it. My bond with Ireland has only deepened since spending extended time there, building friendships, memories, and roots on top of my family and ancestral ties.
Looking ahead, do you see yourself continuing to bridge tradition and contemporary storytelling, or is the next chapter something entirely new?
I definitely see myself continuing to blend storytelling with those traditional Irish influences — but I’m excited to see how that evolves. I’m a storyteller at heart, and my experiences in Ireland, New York, Nashville, and everywhere in between will always be part of my sound and message.
There’s still so much more to explore in this era, and I’m eager to keep expanding on it and sharing it!
