Ali Comerford
Interview conducted on September 26, 2022
By Dan Locke
Classically trained violinist, violist and songwriter from Kilkenny, Ali Comerford releases her newsong ‘Cool Girl’ Sept 29th. A unique and original mix of classical performance techniques mixedwith pop production and melody, gives Ali Comerford a unique space in the Irish music scene.
Cool Girl is just an acknowledgement that it’s time to stop playing along with what’s not good for you and to commit to what’s best for you.
You were born and raised in Co. Kilkenny Ireland. What is your up bringing?
I grew up in the countryside. I have 3 older siblings so we would just roam about and go on adventures. I always think of my childhood so fondly, it really shaped who I am today.
How did you start to write music?
I used to write poems as a child and when I started playing guitar it just seemed natural to give these poems a melody.
You started to play guitar at 14. How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
My brother let me use his guitar! I have no idea where it is now, it was a small nylon string and I absolutely loved it!
What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make and model? Does it have a name?
I play a Taylor Academy 12, it doesn’t have a name yet but I’m working on it!
You have 2 masters in music and have toured the world as a world class musician. What made you go back to your roots?
The pandemic originally made me come home and then once I was here being around family just made me not want to leave again. That and the fantastic community of people here in Kilkenny.
Describe your music.
I think that my music varies. My first album was acoustic and folky but Cool Girl is what I would call orchestral pop! Big strings, drum bass the whole deal.
What was your first performance at like?
I played on stage first when I was five playing the violin in a little group. I remember battling my way to the front so that I could be seen!
What makes a good songwriter?
Anyone that can make you feel something is on it. Being able to see yourself in someone else’s music is also a big thing.
Tell me about the single “Cool Girl” which came out Sept. 29th?
It was such a different experience for me than making my first album. I knew what I wanted musically but in terms of production, beat that kind of thing I was really open to what my collaborators thought. I came in with a giant score and recorded all of the strings before doing anything else. Something that feels different with Cool Girl is that the strings are the lead instruments. They’re not supplementary to a guitar or piano, they are themselves the body of the song. So once they were down and we worked together to bring the rest of the song to life it was massive!
How was it working with Shane Tobler and Sean Montgomery Dietz?
I loved the experience. Both of them are incredible at what they do. Sean has an amazing imagination and is extremely creative and Shane just knows what works. Shane also mixed the track which was a massive undertaking and one that I wouldn’t have trusted to anyone else.
How was it to perform in an empty amphitheater at BallyKeeffe Amphitheatre in Kilkenny, Ireland?
It was really amazing, it’s such an iconic venue but it really hit the pandemic home playing to an empty space.
What is your happy place?
Probably where I grew up surrounded by family!
Anything you would like to say in closing.
I hope that people will go and listen to Cool Girl. So much work went into that track and I think it was a big step for me from my album.
