By Amy Pollock
A SONGWRITER from Millisle has spoken of her delight as her debut album is shortlisted for a prestigious award at the Northern Ireland Music Prize 2025.
Taylor Lally’s self-titled album is one of 12 that passed through two rounds of academy votes and a public vote, ranking alongside artists such as Snow Patrol, Sister Ghost and Ciaran Lavery in the final list for the Album of the Year award.
The winner will be announced at the Northern Ireland Music Prize awards ceremony on November 12 at the Ulster Hall in Belfast.
The news follows an already successful month for the local singer. At the start of September, she released new music after working with esteemed producer Ian Barter, whose previous collaborations include Amy Winehouse, Dermot Kennedy and Paloma Faith. She also played a sold-out solo show at The Court House in Bangor last Thursday, with lots more gigs in the calendar until the end of the year.
But her recent achievements haven’t come without serious graft. When she learned about the NI Music Prize nomination, Taylor immersed herself in promoting her music across the borough and beyond to help her chances.
She said: “I knew I had to throw myself into campaigning, but I didn’t expect it to be that much fun.
“I played open mics in Bangor, busked in Bangor and Donaghadee while my friends handed out the flyers, and at my weekend gigs I shouted about it and played my originals to get people on board.
“I then printed flyers with my album cover and went round St George’s Market introducing myself and encouraging people to check out the music and vote if they liked it.”
Taylor added: “It was really full-on, but genuinely such a buzz and I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. I had to push myself because it felt uncomfortable interrupting people’s day if I’d never met them before, but most were lovely and happy to give me a minute of their time.”
She said to have her debut album which was ’10 years in the making’ be shortlisted feels ‘amazing’.
“It’s a collection of songs I wrote growing up. From teenage heartache to fighting with your parents, to experiencing exciting things for the first time and then dedicating yourself to carve out your own path against the world’s expectations – none of my work will be as innocent and radical as the perspective of the teenager growing into an adult.
“For this to be nominated for Album of the Year solidifies all those experiences because it feels like I’m being seen and related to,” she said.
“I’m honestly so delighted, and to be shortlisted alongside a band like Snow Patrol is wild.”
Taylor said the experience has even spurred her on to create more music.
“I’d love to win it, not just for myself, but because of all the effort my friends and the people who like my music put in to vote and spread the word. Their support has meant absolutely everything, and it’s lit a fire in me – it’s even pushed me to bring forward plans for my second album,” she said.
The momentum she has garnered in the last month has also seen other local creatives come out in support of her.
“Pushing myself to get out there and talk to new people has opened up loads of opportunities, too. I started working with a cool guy who does videography and is helping me with social media content, and another girl who’s an actress wants to be involved in my next music video.
“Just meeting all these new people who now listen to the music has been a win in itself for me already.”
With just over a month until the awards ceremony, Taylor said she has ‘a few tricks up her sleeve’ to maximise her album’s reach.
“I’ve got some collaborations with local creatives, and hopefully a couple of video projects to keep the music alive in new ways.
“The aim is to celebrate the shortlist honour with as many people as possible, while keeping the momentum going right into the ceremony,” she said.
Those interested can follow Taylor’s journey on social media at www.facebook.com/taylorlallymusic
