It was a case of ‘fair play’ for a Russian classical pianist and mezzo soprano who left Moscow to live on a beef farm in Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath, going on to make a name for herself on the Irish country music scene, recently winning an international award.
Larissa Tormey was selected for the accolade as she released her new album ‘Breath of Fresh Air’. The 14-track collection includes ‘Why Don’t You Love Me?’ which won the award for the ‘most amazing female/male voice for a folk/Americana cover’ at the Fair Play country music magazine’s red carpet awards show.
The Fair Play award ceremony was scheduled to take place in Holland but went online due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis and Larissa was nominated in several categories.
“I was so surprised. I was not expecting it at all. With my new album coming out, all of my attention was on that. I have to say a big thank you to all the organisers for nominating me and to the big international jury for giving me the award at the Fair Play show,” said Larissa, who left behind her career in Moscow after meeting her husband Christy when he visited Russia in 2001.
“I am delighted and grateful for the recognition, I really am. And of course, my congratulations to all of the other nominees and winners from the night as well,” she said.
Third country album
Larissa’s ‘Breath Of Fresh Air’ album was already shaping up to be one of her most popular to date, containing several radio hits from the last few years including her versions of ‘Far Side Banks Of Jordan’, ‘The Wind On The Hill’, and the Big Tom classic ‘Going Out The Same Way You Came In’.
Her own songs include: ‘You Miss My Smile’; ‘Old Fashioned’; ‘Inner Angel’; and her latest single, the album’s title track ‘Breath Of Fresh Air’.
“I’m really happy with this album. I think it represents so well who I am as an artist. My new single, which also features the extraordinary talents of my friends Dave Sheriff and Brandon McPhee, was so much fun to work on. They are two very special performers and I was delighted to have them join me on ‘Breath of Fresh Air’.
“It’s the first track on the album, and was co-written by the wonderful Irish songwriter Michael Commins who also wrote ‘The Wind On The Hill’ for me.
“As a songwriter myself, it’s a great honour to actually have a song written about me and for me. So that song is very special to me for so many reasons,” Larissa said.
“This is my third country album now and to also have a song on there which has been recognised by an international audience in this way, it makes my heart feel very full,” she said.
It’s been a tough year for musicians everywhere, and we really don’t know what to expect from 2021 either. But it’s important that we keep finding ways to make music, and to release music if we can. And when it leads to moments like this – both receiving such an award, and soon being able to present another album to my fans – that joy makes it all worthwhile.
‘Breath Of Fresh Air’ includes recent singles ‘Only My Heart’, and ‘One Drop Of Water’ as well as ‘Things’ from Bobby Darrin; Buddy Mondlock’s ‘Coming Down With The Rain’; Loretta Lynn’s ‘The Big Man’; and the Eaton/Aeschlimann co-written ‘Here Comes The Love’.
‘Nothing can beat live mart sales’
Meanwhile, Larissa, who is originally from Central Russia, is busy on the farm at Kilbeggan.
“We just finished buying stock for the new year and I had to get involved big time because sales had gone online, so I had to help Christy with the iPad. He is very good at it now but we still think that nothing can beat live mart sales.
I was ringing Gerry Connellan, Elphin Mart manager, who recently retired, during live sales to ask him to wipe off the camera. The cattle were sniffing it and we could see nothing on the screen.
“We also went through Bord Bia quality assurance inspection via the internet which was very unusual too but we again got the highest marks as producers of quality assurance beef.
“Our butcher shop is very busy and we see it as a positive change. We have a lot more young people as customers now. They are cooking and I am delighted with it. I am very big into homemade food myself.”
Signed CDs are available on Larissa’s website and more information is also available on her social media.