In conversation: GRAMMY nominees Aoife O’Donovan and Rhiannon Giddens
This GRAMMY’s season saw Ireland making its artistic presence known with 18 nominations in categories from ‘Best Pop Album’ to ‘Best Choral Performance’. Among the nominees, were Aoife O’Donovan and Rhiannon Giddens, whose Irish connections, have influenced their music throughout their careers.
For St Brigid’s Day, the Consulate General of Ireland in Los Angeles hosted a special event as part of the TRASNA initiative – a transatlantic creative network that connects Irish arts with international creative industries. This gathering was in celebration of Aoife O’Donovan and Rhiannon Giddens, joined by Los Angeles based Irish artist Lenii, in collaboration with Women in Music at Hotel Café in Hollywood.
Aoife O’Donovan, whose Irish-American heritage is deeply reflected in her sound, was nominated for Best Folk Album and Best American Roots Song. Rhiannon Giddens, who hails from North Carolina and lives in Limerick, was nominated Best American Roots Performance of ‘The Ballad of Sally Anne’, and plays the banjo and viola on Beyoncé’s triple nominated album ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’.
In story and song
In conversation with Head of Cultural Affairs, Síobhra Quinlan, Aoife O’Donovan and Rhiannon Giddens shared insights into both of their careers, the meaning behind their art and the duality of home – embracing both Ireland and the US.
Listen to the conversation below
Their conversation concluded with a special duet between the artists, playing traditional tunes ‘Pretty Saro,’ ‘The Lakes of Pontchartrain’ and ‘Cliffs of Moher.’
