Dublin-born singer, songwriter and comedian Síomha Hennessy has released her new single, This Party. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
The track is featured in her upcoming Edinburgh Fringe one-woman-comedy-cabaret 30 Under 30, which grapples "with questions plaguing late bloomers everywhere: is it ever too late to become the person we want to be? Is there success beyond the lists of 30 under 30?"
Speaking about This Track, she says, "I wrote it in the throes of 'the fear' - which is a uniquely Irish term that describes the doom filled sensation of remembering the absolute sh**e you talked after a few drinks, and to whom you might now have to apologize, in the cold light of day.
"However, under the comedy of the lyrics, the song has a deeper message - about our longing as humans to connect with each other, to feel understood, and to be seen.
"These are also the themes that run through my Edinburgh hour as well - it’s basically one big question asked in many different ways..."Am I a freak, or do you feel this way too?’’
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I write songs that are funny - and sometimes sad. I’m bringing my one woman show 30 Under 30 to Edinburgh Fringe this August, at Gilded Balloon. Tickets here! I quite badly need to get an assessment for ADHD.
How would you describe your music?
My songs are a melodic depiction of the daily humiliations of simply being alive. But underneath the comedy of the lyrics, the songs have a deeper message - about our longing as humans to connect with each other, to feel understood, and to be seen.
Who are your musical inspirations?
This project is definitely influenced by music at its most theatrical - cabaret, musical theatre, and pop. Right now, I adore Chapell Roan - her camp theatricality combined with that amazing vocal and those melodies. I’ve long been a fan of Amanda Palmer’s boundary pushing, and I love the feminist punk of Kathleen Hanna. On the more comedic side, Bo Burnham shows how it can be done, and so does the absolutely hilarious Catherine Cohen.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
I would assume a gig of my mother’s - she sang with her brothers in Irish traditional family band Na Casaidigh.
What was the first record you ever bought?
I think I asked for a Charlotte Church CD one Christmas when I was ten - myself along with all of Ireland’s grandmothers got it in our Christmas stocking that year. I have no idea why I asked for it. I think my friend had it, so I was copying her. It’s hard to overemphasize how ‘not in the cool group’ we were. However, history has actually shown we were on the right side of things, because Charlotte Church has turned out to be mad cool.
What’s your favourite song right now?
I’m listening to Chapell Roan’s Good Luck Babe on repeat. I even found a dance workout video for it on YouTube and attempted it the other day. It was quite a pathetic sight.
Favourite lyric of all time?
I don’t have one favourite lyric but I love "Love is just a bourgeois construct, So I'm giving up the bourgeoisie, Until you come back to me" - Pet Shop Boys - Love is Just a Bourgeois Construct.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I have literally put off this interview for a week because I can’t come up with an answer to this question. So, I’m just going to pick one of the many songs I love - Romeo & Juliet by Dire Straits.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Spotify, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube.
Alan Corr
