Classical crossover contralto Grace Foley will bring a special program celebrating female music icons to the INEC Club in Ireland on Sunday, May 29th. She shared a little bit about the special program in store.
CCM: Tell us how the concept of “Women of Note” came about?
Grace Foley: I had been thinking for quite some time about doing a themed or concept style show. I found myself singing all these great songs by incredible female artists down through the years and I started to think about the impact they’ve had on me and my singing. I then had the idea to have a show that not only showcases really beautiful music, but also allows the audience to learn more about the women behind the songs. We live in a world where women are speaking out and demanding respect and equality. I wanted the word ‘Woman’ or ‘Women’ to be in the title as that is the most important aspect of this show. WOMEN have shaped the music industry for decades and it certainly hasn’t always been easy for them.
CCM: Have there been any special “Women of Note” in your own career?
Grace Foley: I’m blessed to have always had really wonderful women in my life. I’m an only child and have always had a very special relationship with my own mother and I also had a huge bond with my late grandmother. In terms of women in the music business, I have met some really wonderful and strong women through singing. My first singing teacher was Aine Nic Ghabhann and she shaped my entire career. The technique she taught me was very solid and she also taught me to always learn the fun songs as well as the serious ones! In my final college years, I was so happy to work with Virginia Kerr. She became not only a teacher and mentor, but a friend too. She saw the person behind the voice, and for that, I will be eternally grateful. Virginia is still a dear friend to this day. I am currently part of the most special friendship group with Emer Barry, Mary-Jess and Joanna Forrest and they have honestly changed my life. I always found that singing can be quite a lonely career, but not anymore! We are best friends and also co-workers! A day doesn’t go by that we don’t talk or message and no topic is off the table. There is a generosity within the group where we always share our knowledge and skills in order to help each other and no one ever tries to ‘keep the good stuff for themselves’. We genuinely want each other to succeed. We pick each other up when we are down and celebrate all the victories too.
CCM: Take us behind the scenes into what it’s like to produce a show like this?
Grace Foley: Well, I would love to tell you that it is really glamorous, but it really isn’t! I had this exciting concept but, as is often the case, money was a bit of a road block. I applied for funding which takes a lot of time and energy. I was thrilled to get some funding and started working on the script. There are 12 songs in the show so that’s 12 artists to research. This is an ongoing job. It’s really interesting work but also quite all-consuming. Outside of working on the show itself, posters had to be designed, people invited and all relevant paperwork for the funding side of things has to be carefully kept in order. Posters are now printed so they will need to be hung up all around town. The show includes a slide show so all these images must be chosen carefully. I have been in contact with as many media outlets as possible so I have some interviews coming up in the coming weeks. It is extremely hard to tie down great musicians these days but thankfully I now have two wonderful guys working with me and our first rehearsal is coming up very soon. I always feel a weight is taken off once the first rehearsal is out of the way. The show is being narrated by actor Laura Reidy who some of you may remember from her incredibly moving performance in the music video for my song, ‘Close The Door’. I am sending Laura parts of the script as I work on it and we will be having a meeting about that very soon. As for the songs, well, I try to practice those while I’m waiting for the kettle to boil or the rice to cook!
CCM: Can you share anything about the songs you may be performing and what they mean to you?
Grace Foley: I’ve chosen songs that I feel really suit my voice type. The vast majority of the women whose songs I am singing are contraltos or mezzo sopranos so my voice brings the right color to the melodies. A lot of the songs are favorites of mine from my lockdown online concerts so it is very emotional for me to finally bring these onto a stage with me, in front of a live audience. I’m particularly excited about songs like, ‘Fever’ and ‘Always Remember Us The Way’, as they have always been so warmly received online. The only new song I had to learn for the show is Jessie Buckley’s ‘No Place Like Home’ from the film, ‘Wild Rose’. I really wanted an Irish woman to be represented in this show and I couldn’t think of anyone more perfect than Jessie. She is a huge star now and I remember hearing her first at a local singing competition when she could have only been an early teen and, even then, her star shone so brightly. I am proud to sing her song.
CCM: You have some special guests lined up for the concert including, Noel O’Sullivan, Padraig Creedon, and Laura Reidy. Tell us about how you connected with them?
Grace Foley: I have known Noel for years as we worked on various Church music projects together and he regularly accompanies me for different events. I think the most memorable thing we have done together was our ‘Songs of Hope and Healing’ performance at an empty Cathedral in Killarney during the pandemic. I will never ever forget that experience. Noel is the dream accompanist. He takes every breath with the singer and really allows the singer to tell the story while giving such beautiful support on the piano. I have often heard the wonderful Padraig Creedon playing and I’ve seen his highly energetic performances on stage and thought, I’d love to share a stage with him… And now I will! Padraig exudes positivity and fun and I think he will be a huge addition to the show. I met Laura in the most interesting of places… On a film set! I was an extra on a movie where she played a lawyer and I was part of her legal team. We had to pass paperwork over and back and we started to have our own fun during filming by writing little notes and stories to each other on the pieces of paper! Very bold legal team! As I mentioned, we then worked together on my music video for, ‘Close The Door’, in which Laura plays a homeless woman. Her performance was quite something to witness up close on the day of filming and she really touched people’s hearts when the video was shared with the public.
CCM: Performers have been so generous with their talent during the pandemic and it’s now it’s time for the public to support them in return. Can you share your thoughts on the importance of live theater/performances?
Grace Foley: I think we lived in a very unusual bubble during the pandemic. Everyone was locked in so many musicians took to their social media to entertain the public and the public loved it. Our numbers on social media, in terms of viewers, were at their peak during this time as music served as a great escape from what was a very scary reality. This music bonded us and gave us hope and comfort. We laughed, we cried and we made new online friends. There was a type of ‘easy access’ for the online audiences as they simply had to just turn on their phones or computers to tune in. We now need these people to come to venues to see us perform. It would be incredible for those online numbers to translate to bums on seats. We want to meet all these people who commented on our live videos and we hope they want to meet us too.
Women of Note premieres Sunday, May 29th at 8:00 PM. Funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media’s Local Live Performance Programming Scheme with support from Kerry County Council’.
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