Cork singer Lyra is set to released her new single, 29 Box, and tours Ireland in in the coming weeks. She also opens for Westlife on their UK arena tour. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
Lyra coined the term '29 Box' in reference to the most common size dimension of Snapshots used to create the perfect aesthetic on social media sites.
"While social media is an invaluable tool and networking system, it can consume you and a small percentage of people can make it a dark place," she says.
"I feel like we live in a world with two lives, our glossy online self, when in reality we all have our own pressures. I wanted the record to resonate with my fans, we need to celebrate our individuality."
Lyra plays: Thursday 27 October - Spiegel Tent, Wexford, Friday 28 October - Cyprus Avenue, Cork (sold out), Saturday 29 October - Cyprus Avenue, Cork, Thursday 3 November - Monroe’s, Galway (sold out), Friday 4 November - Limerick Big Top, Limerick, Saturday 5 November - Monroe’s, Galway, Sunday 6 November - INEC, Killarney, Tuesday 8 November - The Olympia Theatre, Dublin, Thursday 10 November - Limelight, Belfast Friday 11 November - The TLT, Drogheda, Saturday 12 November - Set Theatre Kilkenny (sold out), Sunday 13 November - The Haven, Waterford.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I’m going on tour in October which I can’t wait for! I love to sing Adele in the shower and my neighbours hate it. I can’t bake cakes to save my life. My favourite biscuits are Jaffa cakes. I make a mean roast dinner. And obviously I can’t count because you only asked for three.
How would you describe your music?
Big, dramatic, and a touch of darkness. I love to add a bit of drama to everything I do as I’m sure you can look by my stage outfits, and I love nothing more that writing big choruses.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Sia for her amazing powerful vocals and banging melodies, Enya for her cinematic vibe and countless harmonies, Beyoncé has always been an inspiration for her staging it’s one of the best shows I have ever seen. Although I can’t dance anywhere close to the Queen B I still take inspiration from her presence onstage.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
It was Michael Jackson. I mean I can’t remember much because I was super super young but I remember my dad taking me and my older sister and being on his shoulders so I could see for the whole show.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Holy Nora! I can’t remember!!! I think I bought Spice by Spice Girls in a car boot sale hahaha.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Sam smith and Kim Petra’s Unholy. What a banger and I love, love, love the vocal production on it.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"I never feel good enough I’m always second guessing myself. I never know what I am worth because I can never truly just be myself". It’s one of mine and every time I hear it, it reminds me of the moment I wrote it and to not be so hard on myself.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Africa by Toto - what a classic and always puts a smile on my face.
Where can people find your music/more information?
On every social media platform you can think of! I’m on Insta @thisislyra my music is on Spotify and I’ll be on tour this October and November. Oh, and I have a website.
