What are you listening to?
I’m absolutely loving Caroline Shaw’s work at the moment, but also Gazelle Twin, Laura Cannell, Kronos Quartet (always) and Esperanza Spalding.

Your all-time favourite albums?
Different albums come along at different times to make their permanent mark – OK Computer shaped my adolescence, while Different Trains by Steve Reich with the Kronos Quartet changed forever the way I understood composition and string music.

Musician you most admire?
Joni Mitchell – listening to her feels like talking to a dear friend in a bar. She’s helped me through various transitions in my life and I suspect she always will. She’s the best example of someone being fiercely themselves without compromise.

Memorable musical encounter?
I supported John Martyn years ago in Belfast, about a year before he died. I also received kora lessons from Sona Jobarteh during my master’s degree. She was incredible.

First album you ever bought?
The Return of the Space Cowboy by Jamiroquai. I was 12 at the time, I think.

What’s your hidden talent?
I teach yoga and occasionally make short films, either music videos or audio-visual work. I love it.

If you weren’t a musician, what would you be?
Probably a psychotherapist… 

Read the review of Ruby Colley’s Overheard 

This interview originally appeared in the October 2022 issue of Songlines. Never miss an issue – subscribe today