Photo credit: Sean Fisher @mr.bootstraps
Singer-songwriter and fiddler Jessica Willis Fisher plays Your Roots Are Showing festival, which takes place between 13 and 18 January 2026 in Belfast's Waterfront Hall and ICC Belfast. We asked Jessica the BIG questions . . .
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Now in its fourth year, Your Roots Are Showing - Ireland’s Folk, Roots & Traditional Music Conference - makes its Belfast debut this January and opens with Folk in Fusion, a concert at the Waterfront Hall on 13 January.
Jesscia will be part of the line-up, alongside Crystal Gayle, Rissi Palmer, Ron Block, Wyatt Ellis, Dee White and Irish artists Wallis Bird, David Keenan, Paddy Keenan, Gerry O’Connor, Brendan McCreanor, and Clare Sands.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
If I’m not writing, I’m reading. If I’m not reading, I’m probably crafting. If I’m not crafting, I’m hopefully exploring the great outdoors.
If that doesn’t already count as three things, I am the oldest in a family of 12 home-schooled kids.
1000-piece jigsaw puzzles scratch a corner of my brain in a way that nothing else can. Same for thrifting shopping.
How would you describe your music?
Largely autobiographical, shaped by my Chicago-born Irish roots meets Nashville upbringing, an open-door interpretation of new folk-Americana.
Who are your musical inspirations?
As a fiddle player, Liz Carroll and Winifred Horan, the bands Solas, Flook, Beoga, Lunasa, and Altan. As a singer, my early influences ranged from Alison Krauss, The Corrs, and Enya to Nickel Creek. I greatly admire the artistry of Gregory Alan Isakov and I’m With Her and so many more. I was also greatly inspired by the peers and fellow artists I met and grew up alongside, like David Howley and Mair, and of, course my siblings/bandmates through my early years.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Barring church and the music played by family members, the Chicago Celtic Fest and Milwaukee Irish Fest were what I remember experiencing first. We had started Irish dance lessons when I was super young and the CDs we brought home from those festivals were played on repeat until the tunes and songs seeped straight into my bones.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Well, the childhood CD collection was curated by my parents and due to the oddities of my raising, I wasn’t allowed to buy my own clothes, books, music, etc. until I was around 24 years old. I do collect vinyl now and hunt for my favourite artists in the vintage shops.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Technically, the track I keep playing most on repeat these days is an instrumental by Våsen and Hawktail called Strykarepolska. I’m almost loving the latest I’m With Her album, particularly Ancient Light and Find My Way to You. ALSO, anything by Niall McCabe.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Oof. If you can’t tell, I struggle with questions of favourites . . . what’s coming to mind now would be Shadows by Gordon Lightfoot. (I particularly love the Tony Rice cut. The whole thing. Gets me every time.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Probably anything by Aoife O’Donovan. Her voice is so calming to me and no matter my mood, it soothes and lifts me every time. It’s always the right time to listen to Aoife.
Where can people find your music/more information?
I have two solo albums (Brand New Day and Blooming) and various additional songs on all the streaming platforms, and available for purchase on CD and vinyl at my website. I would say to keep up with my socials - @jessicawillisfisher - and join my email list (also at my website) to keep up with future gigs, touring, new projects, and more! I return to Ireland performing at The Your Roots Are Showing Event and Conference on 13 January as part of Folk in Fusion at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.
Alan Corr
