Rose Betts is someone whose music I enjoyed years ago, but about whom I completely forgot. Sorry, Rose! I first heard the singer/songwriter’s music on Grey’s Anatomy, which has been the source of many of my favorite indie artists. Betts has been described as a ‘once in a lifetime talent,” and listening to her, it’s clear why she earned such a lofty title. She has found the sweet spot between traditional Irish music riffs and a voice that’s definitely contemporary. If I had to categorize her original songs, I would have to go with Celtic pop, but I’m not sure that’s even a thing.

Betts grew up in England, but her mother’s family are all very, very Irish, so she grew up around Irish culture. Of course, this has made her very mindful of the clash between the English and the Irish, and her music recognizes that conflict within herself.

“My mother says I have Irish eyes.
They go ever so blue under stormy skies,
But they’re never so blue as when I let them cry.

My father says I have English Hair,
Brown like the bark of an oak somewhere
Like the bed of a lake where the hemlock grows,
Like the thorn in the stem of an English rose.

My nana says I have traveling feet,
Slippers for princesses don’t fit me.
But I dance to my own drum bright and bold,
And my traveling feet always get me home.

I’m a map of the world and the ones before,
One foot in sea and one on shore.
Every step, every hope flung high.
I’m a map of them all with my Irish eyes.”

– Irish Eyes by Rose Betts

You can follow Rose Betts on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.