Posts Tagged ‘Stephen Mullen’

Ursula Burns - photo courtesy of Joanne Ham Photography

We, at thecomedyscoop have been excitedly following the progress of the inaugural Irish Musical Comedy Awards since their conception and it was with great pleasure that I got together with their eventual winner, Ursula Burns for a little chat.

I hope you enjoy the interview as much as I did!

Ursula, I have to start off by saying congratulations on winning the IMCA’s last month! Tell me, how does it feel to be in the history books as the winner of the first ever Irish Musical Comedy Awards?

Ursula

I never usually win anything. I always wonder why I never win the hamper , or the holiday, or the car. I suspect if I had won a bus trip to Newry in a school raffle, I would have been delighted.  Therefore can you imagine how good I feel to be the first ever WINNER of the IMCA awards!  I love songs! I have been writing songs all my life – I started at age 3 with a song for my parents entitled ” I have been long enough with you”. Nothing is more important to me than writing songs ( except my son). To get an award for my songs makes me so deeply deeply happy.

Wow! You started writing songs at 3 but this is your first time winning a competition, it’s great to hear you’ve finally gotten the recognition you deserve! There were a lot of great musical acts competing in the finals with you, what do you think was the secret to your success on the night?

 Well, what I am doing is Unusual – Unusual Ursula to be exact! My mother is a harpist and traditional folk musician, my dad likes to party and sing funny songs. What won me the award is being 50% of my mum and 50% of my dad all rolled up into one strange me! As for the voices… I have no idea where they come from and have no-one to blame that on. The harp’s image needs roughed up a bit, I am breaking it out of its box. It’s not what people expect of the harp. That gives me an advantage. It is unique and rare. I am experienced at performing so I managed to get the crowd on my side after a long night of listening, I think that stood in my favour.

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