Ten years ago, I discovered an Irish singer-songwriter by the name of Fionn Regan when listening to WXPN, a truly phenomenal member-supported public radio station from the University of Pennsylvania in my hometown of Philadelphia.

Despite my love for all things Italian, I am of Irish descent and two years ago gained citizenship. In addition to feeling more connected with that part of my history, it’s also incredibly convenient, as an opera singer who frequently travels internationally, to possess an Irish passport!

Fionn’s music was instantly appealing: mellow, relaxing, with nimble finger-picking patterns and interesting chord progressions. Lyrically, his songs are incredibly poetic. I would wait eagerly for him to complete each phrase, curious as to which direction he was heading. His rhythmic use of words and his sense of imagery are commendable. Lyrically/musically, he evokes Dylan…both Bob Dylan and Dylan Thomas, that is. His 2006 first full-length studio release The End of History remains one of my favorite albums of all time. Songs such as “Snowy Atlas Mountain”, “Abacus”, and “Bunker or Basement” are sensational, but for today I’ve chosen “Be Good Or Be Gone” and its absolutely ingenious music video consisting of numerous multi-location performances spliced together.