In Conversation: Bróna Mcvittie

Ulster singer‑songwriter, harpist and biologist Bróna McVittie returns with The Stolen Child, the luminous lead single from her forthcoming album Supernatural, due for release later this year, is a companion to McVittie’s recently published book A Way with the Fairies, a richly woven folklore anthology exploring Irish fairy lore alongside mythic tales from across Europe. The track offers the first glimpse into what promises to be McVittie’s most ambitious and immersive project to date. We caught up with Bróna to learn a little more...

We are so excited about your new single, The Stolen Child. Canyou describe it for us?

An otherworldly musical interpretation of the 1886 poem of the same name by Irish poet and playwright W. B. Yeats adorned with shimmering harp and shuddering low-end bass and rhythm, the words evoking the mystical landscapes of Sligo, which inspired his imaginings of the fairy world.

And what is your key ambition?

To transport the listener to another place and to inspire people to explore the poetry of Yeats, if they have not already

Bróna McVitti Photo: Marc O'Sullivan

We want to get to know a little more about your musical taste. Tell us a song that makes you:

Smile: In Walked Bud by Thelonious Monk (I have imagined so many different Buds.)
Cry: Carl Nielsen's Violin Concerto, Op. 33 played by Yehudi Menuhin (without fail this piece of music brings me to tears)
Laugh:Windowlicker by Aphex Twin (probably because when I hear it, I think of the video)
Feel nostalgic: Coat of many colours by Dolly Parton (I probably first started singing along to Dolly Parton records, and this song has always been one of my favourites)
Dance in the kitchen: Bamboleo by the Gipsy Kings (it’s irresistibly rhythmic; no one could resist the impulse to boogie).
Sing in the shower: Patricia the Stripper by Chris de Burgh (one of my all-time favourite sing-in-the-shower-maybe-a-little-bit-out-of-tune songs)
Message a friend immediately: Killing the Blues by Allyson Kraus and Robert Plant (this song got me through a really hard time recently, so I would message my nearest and dearest)

What was the best gig you have ever been to?

I got to see Prince live twice. The first time at the O2, he played Sometimes it snows in April on a white piano that emerged up from the stage, which was in the shape of the symbol – it was extraordinary and I will never forget it



What is the best show you have ever done?

It’s probably the National Concert Hall in Dublin, when I really connected with the audience; they were laughing at my jokes and everything! When I played WOMAD in 2019 with my trio, I really felt the love from the audience, which is something I feed off. Those gigs stand out but are closely followed by playing Kings Place with my band as a 5-piece band.

What stage have you not performed on that you dream of?
The Albert Hall in London

Lastly, you can achieve one thing by the end of the year, what is it?
To win the lottery so I can keep on making music and not worry about the cost!

Follow Bróna McVittie
https://bronamcvittie.com
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Order the Book here
Spring library tour