Shay Anthony Lea

I’m Shay Anthony Lea, a Co. Wicklow-based singer/songwriter. Born in Dublin, a musical family, a lover of language, attracted to strong lyrics allied to good melody. Early influences and favourites include James Taylor, Simon, Dylan, Cohen, Joni Mitchell etc.

After years singing and playing guitar, I finally got round to writing in 2019, perfect timing for the emptiness of COVID and lockdown! I’ve now written and recorded many tracks. My songs are emotional, introspective songs, love songs, comments on the human condition and reflections of the world we live in. They are fresh and original, there’s hurt there, also joy, strong lyrics demanding your attention. I’m a solo artist, many of my songs are finger-picked, livelier ones are strummed!

Genre? Singer-songwriter, folk-rock, adult contemporary. I try not to limit what or how I write or sing, it’s always a blank canvas when I sit down to compose. I often use my phone to record melodies and/or lyrics that magically appear in my head spontaneously! The fun starts then with my guitar, working out a melody and writing and polishing lyrics.