My Weekend: 'I'm a social butterfly and would spend the rest of my days at a gig'

Tell us about yourself:

My name is Tyra-Lee Spry. I was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, and moved to Ireland in 2016, to Waterford and then to Cork in 2022.

I am currently doing a master’s in music at the Cork School of Music.

My passions in life include going for sea swims, writing music, spending time with friends and family, and going on a cheeky holiday.

When we moved to Ireland, we found things to be very different and tough going at the start. Making friends was difficult up until I did a school musical and joined my school choir, and that’s where I knew I belonged.

Moving to Cork was the best decision of my life; I really can’t put into words how important it was for my growth to be surrounded by like-minded people and fellow musicians/creatives.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

Definitely out on the town. I am a social butterfly and really would spend the rest of my days at the barricade of a gig, and I will be happy.

I also enjoy a tequila soda lime, which is also a benefit.

Lie-ins or up with the lark, which is for you?

Up with the lark. I’m a very business-headed person and often have a lot of errands to run or side hustles on the go that force me to get up.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Work does creep into my weekends because, as a musician, I suppose you can find creativity anywhere, and I sing in the shower a lot, so yes, it definitely creeps into the weekends.

If money were no object, where would you head to on a weekend city break? And who would you bring with you?

I would go straight back to New York.

I lived there for three months last year and worked in a great restaurant in the Upper East Side called Sojourn Social.

I would definitely bring my sister and drink cocktails near the Brooklyn Bridge.

Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries?

For me, it’s not very easy to go there, but when I visit South Africa every few years, I feel like that’s where I feel most at home and at peace with myself and creativity.

I always find after seeing my family and eating in our favourite restaurants and having BBQs (we call them Braais) it’s truly where I find the most joy and peace. If I could say one specific place, it would be my aunty’s house, having a few drinks on her patio while my uncle plays guitar.

Do you like to catch up with family/friends at the weekend?

Yes, definitely. My weekends are either spent being in Cork, Dublin or Carlow, where all my best friends live, or spending my weekend with my family in Tramore and walking the dogs on the beach.

Do you get to indulge any hobbies? Even as a spectator?

For sure. I love catching a good movie with my friends in the Arc or going for a swim in Kinsale.

Entertain or be entertained? If it’s the latter, do you have a signature dish?

If anyone made me any sort of sushi or seafood pasta, you win the key to my heart.

We have so many places to eat out in Cork — where are your go-to spots for coffee/lunch/special meal?

Best coffee and lunch has to be 5 Points Cafe; not only is it good coffee and great sandwiches, but the staff are the soundest bunch ever.

Sunday night comes around too fast.. how do you normally spend it?

My Sundays are usually spent doing some washing and really setting myself up for a relaxed week where I can reduce any of the household stress, so it’s the day for spring cleaning

What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday?

My alarm goes off at 7.30am and is snoozed till 8.30am with no judgement passed

Anything else you’re up to right now?

I suppose I’ve been trying to get into my fitness and the gym so I’m fit and ready to be a pop star.

• Tyra-Lee Spry is an Irish pop artist bringing sharp songwriting, big energy and an unbelievable presence to the stage. Originally from Johannesburg, Tyra-Lee has carved out her own sound somewhere between punchy pop and ballad bangers, pairing honest lyrics with music you can still dance to.
• Tyra-Lee Spry will perform at Live at St Luke’s on October 22 as part of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. She will be joined by fellow Irish talent Ezra Williams, Maya Libbey and Mirrors. Tickets on sale on https://guinnesscorkjazzfestival.com/