Dublin singer Pamela Tully new single, Paranoid. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
A brain tumour diagnosis in the middle of the pandemic with a possibility of having speech complications as a result of brain surgery led to Pamela, who is from Kilnamanagh in Dublin, taking chances and realising dreams.
"My genre of music is inspired by pop rock, think Lady Gaga meets Pink," she says. "Since releasing my first single in 2022 I've been exploring my songwriting ability, getting more creative pushing the boundaries with this new single, Paranoid.
"I am an advocate for brain tumour awareness and the need for continual research working with Brain Tumour Ireland for the past two years on their Brain Tumour Awareness week.
"In 2022 I had the honour of being asked to sing at the Irish Cancer Society's Living well with and Beyond conference alongside Dr Eddie Murphy and Adapted Adventurer Nikki Bradley, see video link below:"
Speaking about Paranoid, Pamela says, "This song is all about battling with your inner demons and letting those voices inside your head take control. Imagine being out on a night out and not feeling comfortable in your own skin but the music is there to try to bring you back and let it all go."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I am a brain tumour survivor (2020) who happened to take a really traumatic experience and turn it into fulfilling a dream of making my own music which started with my first release in early 2022. I am a mammy to my little mini me daughter Alix, who is four. I work in HR for a tech company and have just recently finished my Masters in HRM having had to dip out halfway through it due to the tumour diagnosis. I received a first result in the end which was a great achievement given everything that happened.
How would you describe your music?
I would describe my music as pop rock inspired, think Lady GaGa meets Pink. I love mixing pop melodies with a little bit of rock grit in there too.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I am inspired musically by strong female vocalists like Pink, Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, Becky Hill, Miley Cyrus, and many more. I love how these types of artists have come on to the scene and moulded really inspirational careers and tested so many different genres of music. Take Miley Cyrus for example, one could argue her music has gone from bubblegum pop right through to her current album which is probably the rawest music she has ever released.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
My first ever gig was Boyzone, I was mad about them when I was younger and they are and will always be a national treasure:)
What was the first record you ever bought?
I had a yellow Walkman that I used to play for hours and I think one of my first tapes (imagine a tape!) was one of those Now That's What I Call Music. I remember playing Toni Braxton's Unbreak My Heart and loving Ultra Nate’s Free as well as Eternal.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Right now, if I want a good bop I'm listening to Becky Hill’s Disconnect but another amazing song is Burn by Tom Walker, which he has just released. I think the lyrics and his voice are just magic. I love to sing along to Lady Gaga's Always Remember Us This Way.
Favourite lyric of all time?
This is a tricky one to answer as there are so many good hooks but Taylor Swift’s It’s me, Hi, I'm the problem, it's me" is brilliant from her song Anti-Hero. We joke in my house that we use that lyric all the time for anything that goes wrong. Again, if I go back to some of the classics Bon Jovi's Bed of Roses, what a song! "Sitting here wasted and wounded at this old piano, I wanna lay you down in a bed of roses, for tonight I'll sleep on a bed of nails."
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
It's a really personal one as it reminds me of my dad, who sadly passed away in 2014 but his favourite song was Come on Eileen by Dexy Midnight Runners. It just brings back nothing but happy memories.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Spotify.
Alan Corr
