Pat Fitz is an Irish musician well-known around Ireland from his gigs to his appearances as a contestant on You’re a Star and The Voice of Ireland. In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Pat chatted with us about celebrating in Ireland, his recent trip to NYC, and sang one of our favorite songs “Galway Girl” especially for upfrontNY.
upfrontNY: What is it like celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland?
Pat Fitz: Patricks Day in Ireland is like Mardi Gras in New Orleans (to which I’ve been), crazy, anything can happen, music everywhere and the one time we absolutely live up to our alcoholic stereotype. ;D
upfrontNY: What are some of the best places to celebrate?
Pat Fitz: Dublin is the obvious one but ’The Real Capital’, Cork is way better, easier to get around, a lot more music and people are friendlier! Check out Sober Lane, Brick Lane and Soho!!!
upfrontNY: What is your favorite part of St. Patrick’s Day?
Pat Fitz: The moment i sit down on my own couch, after 3 crazy , mad gigs and have a quiet glass of wine!! Also, technically its not St Patricks, but the day after is always great fun. the crowds have gone, there still music in the air and its mostly musicians and hospitality staff having beers, so many sessions happen randomly!
upfrontNY: When performing who are some of your go to Irish Musicians/ Irish songs?
Pat Fitz: Galway Girl is always the go to! Christy Moore! The Saw Doctors are brilliant, good trad rock. Also check out Paul Bradys acoustic versions of ‘The Lakes Of Ponchtrain’ and ‘Arthur McBride’
If I’m not working and there’s a sing song which I’m just enjoying and I’m asked to sing I love ‘Peggy Gordon’. Its an old song my grandfather used to sing, i have very little memory of him but its nice to keep that memory alive when i sing it.
upfrontNY: Favorite thing about your first trip to NYC?
Pat Fitz: Every single thing about the city, there’s too much to mention. I adored just getting up early, walking out onto the street and just taking everything in, the sounds, the smells and the people!
upfrontNY: Favorite NYC meal?
Pat Fitz: Every morning i got a bagel in a different little cafe and it was magic!
upfrontNY: Favorite NYC restaurant?
Pat Fitz: Can’t remember the name but I got ‘spag-bol’ in the most stereotypical restaurant I could find in Little Italy and it changed my life ;D
upfrontNY: Favorite NYC bar?
Pat Fitz: We went to every piano bar we could find and sang ALL the songs ;D
upfrontNY: Favorite spots you visited in the city?
Pat Fitz: We spent every day doing every tourist thing we could fit into the 24 hours, we were exhausted, but one of my favourites was rowing a boat through Central Park. Great way to see it.
upfrontNY: Was there a place you would like to perform one day?
Pat Fitz: Obviously Madison Square Garden but I would settle for something smaller ;D I am currently organising a mini Irish tour , we’re going to play the whole soundtrack of ‘A Star Is Born’ live with a full band and last year we toured the album ‘Clapton Unplugged’ (www.unplugged.ie) so to bring anyone of those stateside would be a dream.
upfrontNY: Would you visit again-if so what would you want to do that you didn’t get to?
Pat Fitz: I can’t wait to return, because we spent so much time getting to all the tourist spots, I would like to return and just chill, drink some beers, find music in the local spots, and not be rushing to squeeze everything in.
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