Photo credit: Karen Cox
Official Video (by Ruth Clinton): https://youtu.be/A_JDyNRGW0s?si=bVcK22UuJsoc_X2e
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/2O3oxUoAKVsNqlziWhzbg3?si=939524edc32e4466
Pre-order the album: https://alannahthornburgh.bandcamp.com/album/shapeshifter
Alannah Thornburgh recently announced her debut solo album, Shapeshifter, arriving on February 12, 2025. Following the first single and video, “Chasing the Hare”, Alannah gives us another taster from the album with new track “Away with the Fairies.”
Speaking about the tune, she says, “’Away with the Fairies’ warns of the cursed ‘foidin meara’ or ‘stray sod’ – a patch of enchanted woodland that if stepped upon, sends you into a state of disillusionment and confusion that can only be rectified by turning one’s coat inside out. It is said to be a curse cast by the fairies as a warning to passers-by to not get too close. I first learned about ‘foidin meara’ after a conversation with Swinford woman Bríd O’Connell.”
Musicians performing on the track include Alannah Thornburgh (Harp), Lorcan Byrne (Percussion), Rob Thornburgh (Saxophone), and Cian Hamilton (Electric Bass).
ABOUT THE ALBUM:
Shapeshifter is a captivating collection of compositions deeply inspired by the rich traditions of fairy folklore and mythology from rural Ireland, particularly her native County Mayo. The project began when Alannah was commissioned to compose a piece for the Linenhall Arts Centre’s New Music in Mayo series, curated by traditional musician Emer Mayock.
“I was always fascinated by the fairy fort behind my Grandad’s house,” Alannah shares. “A conversation with him about the tale of ‘Mick na mBréag’ (Mick the Liar), who crossed the fairy folk, inspired the composition of a piece that ultimately became part of this album.” This sparked a journey of exploration into the world of fairy lore, which would culminate in Shapeshifter.
With the support of the Arts Council’s Next Generation Award, Alannah conducted interviews with nearly 50 historians, storytellers, and locals, collecting stories and experiences that inform her music. These conversations are woven throughout the album, adding an authentic and archival quality.
Musically, Shapeshifter draws heavily on traditional Irish and folk influences—sounds that shaped her upbringing. Some tracks embrace subtle jazz elements, reflecting her childhood experiences. Alannah’s father contributes saxophone to several pieces, creating a poignant full-circle moment in her musical journey. Inspired by Seamus Fogarty’s The Curious Hand, she also incorporated snippets from her research to enhance the album’s narrative depth.
“Let us go forth, the teller of tales, and seize whatever prey the heart long for, and have no fear. Everything exists, everything is true, and the earth is only a little dust under our feet.” says Alannah, quoting W.B. Yeats. “Creating this album taught me the importance of respecting the fairy folk, not fearing them.”
ALBUM LAUNCH TOUR DATES:
4th April – The Linenhall Arts Centre, Co. Mayo
11th April – Levis’ Cornerhouse, Ballydehob, West Cork
12th April – Maureen’s, Cork City
17th April – The Cobblestone, Dublin
27th April – Prim’s Bookshop, Kinsale, Co. Cork
9th May – The Duncairn, Belfast
10th May – Fennelly’s, Kilkenny
For full show information, and tickets, visit: https://www.alannahthornburgh.com/shows
‘Away With the Fairies’:
Official Video (by Ruth Clinton): https://youtu.be/A_JDyNRGW0s?si=bVcK22UuJsoc_X2e
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/2O3oxUoAKVsNqlziWhzbg3?si=939524edc32e4466
Pre-order the album: https://alannahthornburgh.bandcamp.com/album/shapeshifter
About Alannah Thornburgh
Alannah Thornburgh is an award-winning instrumentalist and composer from the wild west of Ireland, focusing on traditional Irish harp. Her music blends her family heritage with elements of American folk and jazz, resulting in a sound described as “unforced, fluid, and utterly at home” (The Irish Times).
A nominee for two RTÉ Folk Awards in 2021 and 2022, Alannah has also collaborated with various artists in the folk and traditional music scenes. She is a founding member of Alfi, a trio that fuses Irish and Appalachian music, and released their debut album, Say Old Man, to critical acclaim in July 2023.