Aileen Donohue Unveils New Christmas Album, "It Feels Like Christmas"

Greet the holiday season with fresh tunes from Rosslare singer Aileen Donohue! With her latest album, "It Feels Like Christmas," set for release on December 1, Donohue reinvigorates the festive spirit just when everyone else has stored their decorations away. The 13-track collection promises a blend of cherished classics and original songs, crafted with love and creativity amidst unexpected winter inspiration.

A Journey of Musical Memories

Typically, January signifies a time for reflection and recuperation after the holiday festivities. Yet for Aileen Donohue, this month marked the beginning of a unique venture into the world of Christmas music. “We started recording in January during our touring trip in Scotland,” she shared. “It felt fresh in our minds after just celebrating Christmas, and we thought we’d finish the album in about a week.”

However, as with many creative projects, the journey led to unplanned detours. While aiming for a quick turnaround, the recording process required more refinement, prompting a summer trip to France for enhancements. “We realized we needed to tweak a few things, which led us to record in a small church in western France,” she added excitedly.

Celebrating Timeless Classics

"It Feels Like Christmas," produced and arranged by Robert Scott, captures the essence of the holiday season. The album features beloved traditional songs like Wexford Carol, O Holy Night, and Auld Lang Syne, along with two original tracks: the titular song and Doris Christmas Day, inspired by their decade-long Doris Day tribute show.

Recording sessions took place at various locales, first in London and Wexford, escalating to an impressive performance in a 13th-century church in France. During a break, Aileen tested the acoustics by singing “O Holy Night.” The enchanting ambiance led to a spontaneous decision to capture those moments on tape. “It was magical; the acoustics were incredible,” she remarked.

Launch Event and Accessibility

Mark your calendars! The official album launch will take place on December 5 at 1 p.m. in the Wexford County Council buildings in Carricklawn. Aileen’s fans can get their hands (and ears!) on the album through various channels:

• Streaming on all major platforms starting December 1.
• CD purchases for €15 via aileendonohoe.com or Westgate Design.
• Availability at upcoming Christmas shows throughout December in South Wexford.

Special Performances and Nostalgic Connections

Among her performances, Aileen will return to the church in Our Lady’s Island for a concert on December 7, bringing personal significance to the venue where she married her partner Pete. “I’ve never done a concert there before, so it feels very special,” she noted.

Partnering with the Lagoon Junior Choir, Aileen aims to create magical moments for attendees. “They’re brilliant, and it’s very exciting to work with them,” she expressed. Accompanying her will be Robert Scott, whose extensive background includes conducting on West End and Broadway.

A Timeless Christmas Experience

As the festive season approaches, Aileen hopes her music will become part of family traditions throughout Wexford. "For me, the most exciting part of Christmas has always been the lead-up, especially those last few days preparing in the kitchen with my mother playing Nat King Cole,” she recalled. “I think the ideal time to listen to ‘It Feels Like Christmas’ is Christmas Eve, as you’re winding down with some tea or mulled wine."

Join the Celebration

With the warmth of cherished songs and the joy of original compositions, Aileen Donohue’s "It Feels Like Christmas" is set to be the perfect backdrop for your holiday moments. Stake your claim on a copy of the album or join Aileen at her shows this December. Don’t forget to share your thoughts—what songs celebrate your holiday season? Explore more about Aileen and her festive journey on her official site and support local artists during this wonderful time of the year.

Beyond the musical arrangements, how does the⁤ collaborative effort with the Lagoon Junior ‌Choir and Aileen’s tribute performances ‍reflect the community ​spirit present ⁤within ​the album?

## Interview:⁣ Aileen Donohue’s⁢ “It Feels Like Christmas”

**Introduction:**

Welcome to World Today ⁤News. Today‍ we have the ‍pleasure of interviewing two guests:

* **Aileen Donohue**, ⁣the talented singer-songwriter behind the new Christmas album,⁢ “It Feels ​Like Christmas.”

* **Robert Scott**, the ⁢renowned musician who produced and arranged Aileen’s album.

Aileen, your new Christmas album has been generating considerable buzz.

**Part 1: A ⁢Unique Recording Journey**

* Aileen, according to your bio, you began​ recording in January,⁤ which is not⁤ the typical time for Christmas music. What ⁣inspired this unconventional approach?

* Robert, what were some of the challenges and opportunities of recording⁢ during unexpected locations like Scotland and France?

* Aileen, ‍you mentioned the impromptu recording session in the 13th-century church ​in ‌France.​ Tell us how ‌that magical moment ​unfolded.

**Part 2: Blending Classics and Originals**

* ‍Aileen, your album includes⁣ both classic‌ Christmas songs and original compositions. ⁤What made ​you choose these specific classics, and what stories do‌ your original tracks‍ tell?

* Robert, what was your approach to arranging these diverse tracks, ensuring a⁢ cohesive and ⁤captivating listening experience?

*⁢ Aileen, “Doris⁢ Christmas⁢ Day” seems particularly special. Can you share the inspiration behind this original song and its connection to your decade-long ⁤Doris ‍Day tribute show?

**Part ​3: Collaborative Effort and Community Impact**

* Robert, how did your ‌expertise and experience ⁤conducting for the West End ‌and Broadway influence the making ‍of this album?

* Aileen, collaborating with the Lagoon Junior Choir for ​your concert in Our‌ Lady’s Island sounds‍ wonderful. How did this partnership come ​about? Why is including young voices​ in your performances⁤ important to you?

* Both of ⁣you, how⁣ do you see this album contributing to the festive spirit in Wexford and beyond?

**Part 4:⁣ Looking Ahead: Tradition and Innovation**

* Aileen, what ‍are your personal favorite Christmas traditions, and how do you hope your ⁢album will enhance those traditions for listeners?

* Robert, in ‌your experience, how has the genre of Christmas music evolved over‍ time?Where do you see it going in the future?

* Aileen, for those who are just discovering your music, what message ⁣would you⁣ like them to ‍take away ⁤from “It Feels Like Christmas”?

**Conclusion:**

Thank you ‍both​ for sharing your‌ insights and passion for ⁢this wonderful album. We encourage our listeners to check out ‌Aileen Donohue’s “It Feels Like Christmas”, available for ⁢streaming ‌and purchase⁣ now.

Support local⁤ artists and let the holiday spirit fill your hearts.