Stephanie McCourt, whose dad Christopher hails from Dundalk, performing in Camden recently
A UK-based singer with strong connections to Dundalk is making a big impression on the music scene on both sides of the Irish Sea at present.
Stephanie McCourt, whose father Christopher hails from the town, reached number four in the iTunes singer/songwriter chart last week with her new single ‘Hard Living’.
Her EP ‘Stripped Back’ also charted at number 16 as her whirlwind rise to prominence continues.
In February Stephanie signed a deal with the Unstoppable Music Group and since then the Londoner has been in big demand, recently selling out the legendary Jazz Café in Camden Town and appearing on BBC London.
Stephanie is the daughter of Christopher McCourt, who moved to London in the 1980s. The McCourt family are well known in Dundalk, with Stephanie’s grandfather Jim a lifelong Dundalk FC supporter, along with his wife Audrey (née Hande from Cluan Enda).
Stephanie’s mum is Zambian and she credits her African and Irish roots to a diverse taste in music.
She revealed though that it was from her dad Christopher that she got her soulful voice.
“My mum can’t sing at all but my dad definitely has a voice and a lot of people say I inherited mine from him. He’s a massive Elvis fan and I grew up on that as a result.
“He is really delighted at how well things are going for me. My family back in Ireland have also been really supportive, especially Marie-Clare, who has been promoting me like crazy over there.
“Dad left Dundalk when he was a teenager but he still loves Dundalk and Ireland and I enjoy going back there too. During my childhood I was back and forth every summer and I hope to get back again in the next few months,” she said.
Indeed, one of Stephanie’s first ever gigs came when she performed locally at the Century Bar in Roden Place.
“That was a while ago but it was great fun and I’d like to thank Darren (Kerley) for having me.
“I’m told I’d be welcomed back anytime and it would definitely be my pleasure to perform there again next time I’m home.”
Stephanie admits it’s “all go, go, go” at present but she does hope to make a visit back to Ireland in the not-too-distant future.
Before then, she will be performing at a couple of festivals in the UK, while she hopes to release her video for ‘Hard Living’ within the next fortnight.
“The last few weeks have been a whirlwind really,” she admitted.
“It has all been a bit crazy but I’m just enjoying it all and I’m very grateful that things are going so well.”
You can hear Stephanie’s music via her website www.mccourtofficial.com or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.
