QU ISSUE 16: Spring–Summer 2014 | Page 6

HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE idea of what they want to Most teenagers have only a vague Down singer-songwriter do with their lives, however, County dream career was since Triona Carville has known what her Teconnaught, Triona she was just a toddler. Hailing from er to musical success and regularly is already on the ladd es such as at Belfast's showcases her talents at top venu and right here at Duke of York, Dublin's Vicar Street ition for you! Queen's. Now that's raw amb ught guitar player As a self-ta of nine, is music from the age ted something you've always wan to be involved in? 4 llenge is really getting my music out ld hear it so that there and being able to let the wor e and connect with my songs. people can relat The biggest cha ted just a few months old my Dad star picked it up, ever yone to learn the guitar. Ever y time he it extremely hard would disappear as they all found only a wee baby, I couldn't escape. to listen to! Being ever y now and then I was my Dad's only audience and the beat of the music. my little foot would tap in time to tive seeds were sown I believe this is when the first crea and passion for music began. and where my love 's guitar – which When I was nine, I picked up my Dad my Dad could he was just as big as me – and asked e I had mastered show me a few guitar chords. Onc my Dad's old guitar books these I began to look through . Whenever I began for a song that I could sing and play sly that this was to sing and play I knew instantaneou when I was older. something that I really wanted to do Yes. When I was By Emma-Louise Gibson At the tender age of 18, County Down singer-songwrit Triona Carville has big music er al ambitions. Her blend of Americana country, lit-up la rg with an enchanting homespu e voice, has already captured n hearts of music fans across the the Island of Ireland. QU Ed ito Emma-Louise Gibson caught r with the stellar young songst up for a chat about music, life, ress Queen's University Belfast an what it's like to perform with d Grammy Award nominee. a performer from a small As a young challenges do you face town what sic industry? trying to break into the mu you supported Grammy Last year ading. Award Nominee Joan Armatr What was that like? t feeling in the world! I got to perform venue on the same in front of a huge crowd in a great elf! The adrenaline stage as the amazing artist hers audience were and buzz lasted for weeks after. The appreciative and I honestly couldn't so attentive and e. This has to be have asked for a better experienc journey! the highlight so far of my musical It was the bes s forming in Dublin's famou After per any local Vicar Street, are there such as venues you'd love to play, Mandela Hall? the d ance was in 2011 at a local hotel calle eone phoned me to ask if I would La Mon House. Som St Patrick's Day. perform for an hour in the hotel on knew if I had thought I agreed immediately because I said: "no way, twice about it, I definitely would have a that!" I'd just turned 15 and I was I could never do being asked to that very shy sort of girl, however, I knew m come true. and sing in front of people was a drea play g asked to play the Odyssey It was as though I was bein big deal for me. I Arena in Belfast; it was just such a say: "yes, I'll do it!" had to take a leap of faith and just me would I be After that gig, the hotel then asked over the moon! interested in some more gigs. I was rent places saw me When other people from diffe es star ted to performing in the hotel, other venu r funny, I wanted to perform but neve book me. It's happened! asked if I could – somehow it all just My first perform as to play some cool local venues such play the Odyssey even the Mandela Hall. Maybe one day m come tru R