• Her Heart and Her Voice: Remembering Sinéad O’Connor

    Galway-based folk artist Brigid Mae Power fondly remembers Sinéad O’Connor’s incomparable influence and authenticity Illustration by Loreana Rushe  When people ask me in interviews, “Who are your musical influences?” I usually respond with the same people who come to mind. “Aretha Franklin, Duke Ellington, Joni Mitchell, Tim Buckley’ etc. Recently I wondered, why don’t I ever say “Sinéad O’ Connor”?  I have realised that Sinéad has been far more of an influence and inspiration to me than the above artists and for a much longer time. I feel like her music, singing, songwriting and personality is embedded in me so…

  • A Sacred Heart: Remembering Aengus Friel Lawrence

    Jude Barriscale pays tribute to her close friend, and much-loved TTA favourite Aengus Friel Lawrence, aka Shammen Delly, who sadly passed away in February Illustration by Loreana Rushe We’re at an afters house party, all of us sat in a circle in the living room. I ask for the acoustic guitar from someone who’s just played a Fleetwood Mac cover to great acclaim. Ill-advisedly, I play a song I’ve been working on, which isn’t ready and I’m far too inebriated to do it any justice. The cringe monster crawls up my spine as I approach the end and I trail…