New to Hot Press: Laura Mulcahy

Although able to play piano and sing in tune by age four, Laura’s musical career developed much later in 2014 to almost instant critical acclaim. Glowing reviews both at home and abroad for her second album Funeral, Home, Lizard were an unexpected surprise for the Ennis-based performer.

“When you make music,” says Mulcahy, “there is no telling how it will be received. When you realise there’s anyone out there who likes it that’s great, nevermind a big audience.”
The refined, personal and emotionally charged nature of Mulcahy’s songs are have earned her a growing fanbase. Her distinctive songwriting approach could well be down to her background in playwriting and literature.

“I thought that songwriting could be a great new direction to take my writing in,” she notes. “Each piece is a like a short story with a beginning, middle and end. If you listen to my latest album, you will see that all the songs are standalone pieces that address a different subject.”

She adds: “what’s going on around me influences me the most. In terms of melodies and soundscaping, my songs need to reflect the mood of the piece.”

Laura has a confident DIY approach to every aspect of performance, from songwriting to music videos. Indeed, the singer even painstakingly crafted the puppets in the fantastic promo for ‘The Affair’, which she shot alongside her first cousin.

Laura Mulcahy plays The Washerwoman, Ballina, Tipperary, April 13, Central Arts Centre, Waterford May 15 .