Aoife Scott wants to challenge herself to write a song for every country she’s visited – so that not only will she have her memories in tow, but something that will last much longer. It’s a testament to how this Dublin born folk singer lives through her music, evident in her debut album Carry the Day, which she will be showcasing on her first Australian solo tour later this month.
“It really is a dream come true to have my own solo tour of Australia,” says Scott. “It was such a daunting undertaking originally, but when I got invited by Port Fairy Folk Festival and the National Folk Festival, it made my dreams a reality.”
Hailing from the prestigious Black family, a Celtic music ensemble, Scott is gal pals with fellow Irish native Aine Tyrrell, whom she met on Scott’s first trip to Australia.
“I met Aine for the first time when I came out for a week and she made me stay for two weeks! We fell in love as gal pals and I’ve written songs about her from my album too.”
The song she’s referring to is a track called ‘Gypsy Warrior’, where she describes Tyrrell as someone who “rules with love.” However, a lot of Scott’s main inspiration draws from the land she calls home.
“I’m hugely influenced by the Irish Culture and its history every day in my life. I sing about historical figures in Irish history,” says Scott, referring to Eleanor Ambrose an advocate for the poor during the potato famine.
“I write about who we are as a nation. That even though we have had a really hard time of it as a country over the past 30 years, we still stand up for who we are and hold on to our culture, our language and our music.”
It’s apparent that Scott, who is fluent in the Irish language, is passionate about the rich tapestry of Ireland’s history, something that she feels “translates culturally,” due to people from other countries own experiences of Ireland.
“I like being able to tell stories about the things that influence me,” Scott explains. “I think that Irish music is an open source of music to enjoy from any culture. It’s rich sound is deeply enriched with heritage and you don’t have to be from Ireland to be able to connect with it.”
However, Scott isn’t afraid to perform music that has influenced her, a song she covers speaking about her own experiences as a person.
“I do a cover of a song by Bruce Cockburn called ‘Wondering Where the Lions Are’ and it’s basically a song where I explain how when I first heard it, I was in a bad depression and had stopped singing and performing. When I heard it, it brought me a new place,” says Scott.
“I understood the power of what one song can do… It didn’t cure me of my sadness but it inspired me to make music and I felt grateful for hearing it.”
Rehearsing more for this tour, “you’ve got to make sure you bring your A game, as I think Aussies won’t take anything less than that!” the singers excitement for touring down under is palpable.
“I’m looking forward to meeting loads of people,” she laughs. “And because I’m from Ireland – I can’t wait to see some sun!”
When and Where: Port Folk Fairy Festival, March 11 – 14, Irish Murphy’s, Geelong, March 14
Written by Caitlin Haddad
