Born to Sing

Hannah Roddy was a star struck nine-year-old when she met Imelda May at a meet and greet. Now at the age of eighteen she will perform as a backup vocalist on the singer’s new album.

At just nine years old aspiring singer Hannah Roddy was given the chance to meet her musical icon, Dublin born, Imelda May. The pair met at a meet and greet where a young Hannah was blown away by her idol as the pair engaged with one another complete with matching hairstyles.

Fast forward nine years and so much has changed for the young Irish fan. This month Imelda May releases her new album, ‘11 past the hour’ with backup vocals performed by none other than Hannah Roddy.

“I was singing Imelda May back then and now I am featuring on her new song, Made To Love, doing backing vocals” laughs Hannah speaking to Ryan Tubridy on his show on RTE Radio One

It was because of Hannah’s very supportive uncle, Michael Roddy, and the London Irish Centre in Camden that Hannah’s dream came true. Imelda May took part in a charity auction for the Centre giving one lucky aspiring musician the chance to learn all her tricks of the trade and even perform alongside her. When the news broke Roddy’s uncle decided to take part in the auction where his bid was successful securing the opportunity of a life-time for his niece.

“My uncle got talking to her and he told her [that she performed as Imelda on the toy show when she was nine] after that I think they were going to invite me to Trafalgar Square and I would’ve been singing a song on St Patrick’s Day but Covid hit so I couldn’t go over.”

''Then when they knew I was mini Imelda, they asked if I wanted to do backing vocals on the album.”

The adventure began via video call between both Imelda and Hannah where the musician offered many inside tips on the music industry, life as a professional musician along with advice about performing.

The pandemic meant that Hannah had to record her backing vocal contribution from her home in County Meath, instead of attending at the studio in London. However, Imelda has said that she hopes they can work something out once restrictions end.

Imelda May is a long standing supporter of the London Irish Centre and recently sang for it’s virtual St Patrick’s night show. The auction that Hannah’s Uncle, Michael Roddy (who is on the board of trustees for the Centre) successfully bid, was held last summer, and the item was completely unexpected.

"I was invited to sing at an event and had a lovely time," the singer explained. "I was about to start recording the album and when the auction started, on the spur of the moment I said they could add a lot for someone to sing on my record. I saw a guy on my table bidding away for his niece and won."

From a young fan left in awe at a ‘meet and greet’ concert to Imelda May’s backup vocalist, for Hannah Roddy, at just eighteen years old, it doesn’t get better than this as an aspiring singer.

“I have just left school and I want to pursue a career in music - to sing for the rest of my life, if I can. I’m excited to start this journey” says Hannah.

The London Irish Centre is a charity founded in 1955 to help support the Irish diaspora. TV personality Dermot O’Leary and singer Ed Sheeran are patrons - one of the most popular fund-raising events held was in 2018 when Ed Sheeran performed and auctioned off one of his guitars for €20,000.

Imelda May's sixth album 11 Past The Hour features Noel Gallagher on the track, ‘Just One Kiss’, and feminist activist Gina Martin and guitarist Ronnie Wood feature on ‘Made to Love’. “I wrote this song from the perspective of love itself as a living thing and how much it has suffered for simply being. It frightens some with the power of its simplicity, purity, truth and breathtaking beauty. It puts a mirror to us and only through it can we see our true selves,” she posted on Instagram to announce the new single.

Imelda May was born and raised in The Liberties and was discovered by Jools Holland, who asked her to support him on tour. Since then she has become one of Ireland’s most acclaimed singers performing alongside Lou Reed, Smokey Robinson, Jeff Beck and featuring on iconic albums for Jeff Goldblum and Ronnie Wood.

Imelda May's sixth album 11 Past The Hour, featuring Made to Love, is out on Decca Records on April 23.