- Culture
- 25 Jun 20
In our next Q+A, Roisin O chats to Hot Press about her love for all the women participating in 'Dreams', and growing up listening to The Cranberries.
Róisín O grew up surrounded by music – you'd be safe to say it's in her blood. As a songwriter from a legacy family in the Irish industry, Dolores O'Riordan was massively important to Roisin. "Growing up, it wasn't often you’d see a woman fronting a rock band, and I was hugely influenced by her. Her no shits given attitude and her completely unique (and Irish) vocal style was totally awe inspiring."
So, when RuthAnne called to ask Roisin to take part in the 'Dreams' cover for Safe Ireland, she said yes immediately. "I said 'why haven't we done this sooner?!'" she enthuses. "She completely took the lead on all this and got everyone involved. The names on the list just grew and grew and it was so lovely to see that huge amount of positivity in the email thread. My second thought was when is this big girls night out gonna happen to celebrate??! Waiting for the call from RuthAnne on that one!
"Women in the Irish music industry support each other wholeheartedly," she continues. "Sometimes it can feel like we’re struggling on our own to find our place as women in a male dominated profession, but there is room for us all, and we’re all cheering each other on to succeed."
As for the Safe Ireland campaign, Roisin agrees that it's crucial to be supporting them during the time of the Coronavirus. "We talk about women supporting women in the industry and I think this sentiment is just as important in life," she says. "Especially now when domestic violence has taken a jump. Covid-19 has been difficult for everyone but I can only imagine the nightmare it would be if you had to isolate in a place you don’t feel physically or mentally safe. Safe Ireland are working to make Ireland a safer place by changing our culture and transforming the response to domestic violence, it’s a great feeling being able to help them in some way."
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- Text SAFE to 50300 to donate €4 to Safe Ireland.
Watch 'Dreams' below.