The Theodora Byrne Ensemble OV: Home Playlist

As part of Other Voices: Home at the Guinness Storehouse we asked the acts about the songs that 'bring them home' and why. In this OV: Home playlist members of the Theodora Byrne Ensemble take us on a journey of the songs that bring them home, from Joni Mitchell all the way to The Beach Boys.

‍River - Joni Mitchell: (Theodora Byrne, Tenor): This song reminds me of home because my parents have always been huge Joni fans, and it brings back memories of sitting at the piano in my family home. Our house at Christmas is warm and cosy, and this song warms my heart. In my teens, I learned to play it on piano and since then it's been one of my favourite songs to sing.

Drive - The Cars: (Joe Furlong, Bass): This is my Mam and Dad's song, so anytime I hear it it always brings me back to driving back home after visiting family.

O Tannenbaum - The Vince Guaraldi Trio: (Geoff Warner-Clayton, Bass): This song reminds me of Christmas - the only time of year when my whole family are guaranteed to be together. It's a family favourite song at Christmas and it reminds me of home at its best.

Just My Imagination - The Cranberries: (Evelyn Finnerty, Soprano): My Mam was always a massive Cranberries fan; Dolores O Riordan’s voice frequently filled the rooms of our home growing up. One of my earliest singing memories is performing this song in my grandparents house at the tender age of 8 or so, clad in Christmas PJ’s & belting this out to whoever was in earshot.

Heartbreak Warfare - John Mayer: (Ciara O’Connor, Soprano): My mum is a big John Mayer fan and his album “Battle Studies” is often the soundtrack to our family breakfast when I’m visiting home. “Heartbreak Warfare” is the first song on this album and it instantly sets the scene of toast popping and the smell of coffee, family members sleepily arriving to the table in their pj’s, mum setting flowers from the garden on the table and dad cooking up a storm.

Sloop John B - The Beach Boys : (Alma Kelliher, Soprano): This song is a Kelliher household staple, all of us howling along with the record. The lyrics about being homesick are a pure coincidence - this song is home because we sing it together, each with our harmony.

Don't Wake Me Up - Lianne La Havas (Helen Murray, Tenor): When I first discovered Lianne La Havas, I was doing my leaving cert and I listened to this album inside out on repeat and in all honesty it got me through the leaving cert. The harmonies and her voice in this song was like nothing I heard before and I was so inspired by it.

The Best Day - Taylor Swift: (Jane Patterson, Alto): This song really reminds me of growing up and how my mom was always there for me no matter what. We would listen to it on long drives when I came home from Dublin and reminisce about our relationship and it always made me feel very grateful for the home I was coming back to.

Wild Mountainside - Eddi Reader: (Alannah Hewitt, Tenor): This song instantly reminds me of my parents. They had the album and this was the track that they’d play on repeat. I remember listening to it as a 7, maybe 8 year old and desperately trying to hear the lyrics through her thick Scottish accent. It took me a while, but I now know every inflection like the back of my hand.

Peaceful Easy Feeling - Eagles: (Caoimhe Barrett, Alto): My mum said she would always sing this on her way to meet my dad when they first started seeing one another and they still sing it to one another now. I always end up singing it to myself when I miss home. The harmonies are stunning and lift the song, making it feel light hearted and care free.

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Listen to the Theodora Byrne Ensemble OV Home Playlist now

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Don't miss the Theodora Byrne Ensemble at Other Voices: Home at the Guinness Storehouse on 15 December.

Full Other Voices: Home at the Guinness Storehouse line up: Pillow Queens, Bell X1, Maverick Sabre, Ryan McMullan, John Francis Flynn, Loah + the Theodora Byrne Ensemble

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