Andy Drozdziak
A Catholic singer-songwriter from Belfast who only started singing publicly in 2021 is hoping to win fans and heal hearts through her debut album.
“I’ve been writing songs since I was 12,” Zoe McCann, 38, told the Universe.
“But it was always something I did in private. I never thought I’d have the confidence to get up and perform.”
Belfast-born support worker Zoe now sings at church services throughout the city and she has released her debut album of songs inspired by her Catholic faith called My Soul Shall Be Healed. Zoe described her transformation as ‘an incredible journey’, since she never dreamed she would sing professionally.
In 2021, Zoe started singing at St Matthew’s parish in Short Strand, where she shared her songs-and received rave reviews. “People responded really well to the songs and started asking me where they could get a recording of them, which is how the album came about,” she said.
With a unique voice, and produced by Broughshane-based sound engineer Andrew Dougherty, the album contains prayerful and contemplative tracks like Handmaid of the Lord and Arise. Fans of St Thérèse of Lisieux will appreciate the album’s opening track, Little Flower.
My Soul Shall Be Healed also includes the track Two Mothers, which has become a regular request at funerals. Zoe explained the reason for the song’s popularity.
“I wrote Two Mothers as a tribute to Our Lady and to earthly mothers everywhere,” she said.
“I think the reason it’s touched hearts is that people can relate to it. We all love our mums and it’s a way of thanking God for the gift of motherly love and honouring those mothers who are no longer with us.”
Zoe’s album can be downloaded from Spotify and copies of her CD can be ordered via her website: zoemccannmusic.com