Gemma Hayes and her band play De Barra's on 21 September as part of the Clonakilty International Guitar Festival, which takes place from 15 to 24 September. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
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The ten-day festival in the West Cork town will also see gigs by Altered Hours, Aoife Nessa Francis, Eoin Ó Ceannabháin, Gwennifer Raymond, John Spillane, George Lowden, and Jon Gomm.
Check out the full line-up and how to get tickets here.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I'm a songwriter from the majestic county of Tipperary. I have a secret desire to be in a four-piece punk band. Performing on stage still terrifies me to the bone but once the nerves leave there is nothing like the sense of aliveness you feel when your heart and soul are amplified.
How would you describe your music?
Folky, synth, acoustic.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Patti Smith, Tom Petty, Nick Drake, 80s one hit wonders, Feist and Gillian Welsh to name but a few. Also, my little girl has a real punk sensibility to her made up songs. I’m learning how to be less self-conscious musically by watching her be so free.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
My Dad’s band, The Hill Billies. They played every weekend. When I was around ten years old I would sometimes go along and pack up all the cables at the end of the gig. After that it was The Frames in a venue near Issac’s Hostel when I moved up to Dublin for college, my jacket got stolen! I think I might have seen Linda Martin and Brush Shiels in a marque in Ballyporeen as a kid, but I may have dreamed that.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Bobby Brown - Don’t be Cruel. I loved that song My Prerogative. Puberty angst set in soon after that as the next record I bought was Nirvana - Nevermind.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Emily by boygenius.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"Like a bird on a wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir, I have tried in my way to be free" - Leonard Cohen
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pink Floyd’s Live version of Comfortably Numb featuring Van Morrison or my little boy humming away to himself.
Where can people find your music/more information?
The usual suspects - Instagram, twitter, Facebook and my website.
Alan Corr @CorrAlan2
