Mayo artist shares her debut solo album

Award-winning instumentalist and composer Alannah Thornburgh has shared her debut solo album, Shapeshifter, and to celebrate the album release, she will perform a special launch show at the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, on April 4.

With a focus on traditional Irish harp, Alannah's music explores her family heritage, reimagining melodies from the Irish harping and American folk and jazz traditions.

This cross-genre interaction and juxtaposition of old melodies with contemporary harmonies and technique is interwoven throughout her music, described as being ‘unforced, fluid and utterly at home in her own sound’ (The Irish Times).

Shapeshifter is a captivating collection of compositions deeply inspired by the rich traditions of fairy folklore and mythology from rural Ireland, particularly her native Co. Mayo. The project began when Alannah was commissioned to compose a piece for the Linenhall Arts Centre’s New Music in Mayo series, curated by traditional musician Emer Mayock.

“I was always fascinated by the fairy fort behind my grandad’s house,” Alannah shares. “A conversation with him about the tale of ‘Mick na mBréag’ (Mick the Liar), who crossed the fairy folk, inspired the composition of a piece that ultimately became part of this album.”

This sparked a journey of exploration into the world of fairy lore, which would culminate in Shapeshifter.

With the support of the Arts Council's Next Generation Award, Alannah conducted interviews with nearly 50 historians, storytellers and locals, collecting stories and experiences that inform her music. These conversations are woven throughout the album, adding an authentic and archival quality.

Musically, Shapeshifter draws heavily on traditional Irish and folk influences – sounds that shaped her upbringing. Some tracks embrace subtle jazz elements, reflecting her childhood experiences. Alannah’s father contributes saxophone to several pieces, creating a poignant full-circle moment in her musical journey.

Inspired by Seamus Fogarty's The Curious Hand, she also incorporated snippets from her research to enhance the album's narrative depth.

“Let us go forth, the teller of tales, and seize whatever prey the heart long for, and have no fear. Everything exists, everything is true, and the earth is only a little dust under our feet,” says Alannah, quoting W.B. Yeats. “Creating this album taught me the importance of respecting the fairy folk, not fearing them.”

Alannah is nominated for two awards in the 2025 RTÉ Folk Awards – Best Folk Instrumentalist and Best Original Folk Track for her composition on the shapeshifting quality of the hare, ‘Chasing the Hare’. The awards take place at Vicar Street, Dublin, on February 26.

The Mayo artist also featured on an RTÉ 1 documentary, entitled A Note for Nature, in collaboration with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, performing her interpretation of a Conor Walsh composition, ‘One Swallow’, while her compositions have featured on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta podcast series ‘Scéalta’.

Shapeshifter is available on CD and digital via Bandcamp. Tickets for the album launch show in the Linenhall, Castlebar, and subsequent dates on the Irish tour are on sale now on Alannah's website.