‘Aslan’s new singer has big boots to fill...but good luck to them’
KIERA ‘DOESN’T BEGRUDGE’ WORKING MUSICIANS
THE daughter of the late Christy Dignam has broken her silence about Aslan’s decision to replace her father so soon after his death — saying new frontman Lee Tomkins has “big shoes to fill”.
Kiera Dignam admitted in December that her dad “didn’t speak” to Aslan in the final seven months before his death and it emerged Aslan would not be taking part in a special tribute concert taking place tonight dedicated to Christy.
In February, the band announced Lee was replacing Christy just eight months after the Finglas star’s death.
Members
Now Kiera has broken her silence about Aslan, saying “best of luck to them” — but she admitted she hasn’t spoken to any of the band members.
Speaking exclusively to The Star, she said: “I haven’t talked to them. I personally don’t know anything about Lee. I haven’t gone to see them or anything like that.
“With Aslan... I’d like to listen to my dad and listen to him fronting the band. For me, that is where my memories are, that is where my heart is — but best of luck to them. I know they are back out gigging.”
Asked if she was surprised they hired a new frontman so soon after her father’s passing, Kiera said she doesn’t begrudge them as they are working musicians.
“Yeah, I think a lot of people were shocked by it but at the end of the day they are musicians and they’re working musicians and that is what they have done all their lives,” she said.
“I wouldn’t begrudge anybody that. Maybe because I am a musician myself, this is how I make a living and they are exactly the same so I’d never want to stand in the way of somebody making a living and doing what they love.”
And she said of Lee: “It is big shoes to fill but I can get that sometimes as well when people compare me to my da, but I have my own voice, I have my own sound — even if I am singing one of his songs, it is my interpretation of it.
“I’m sure it’s hard for Lee because people will be putting that comparison up there but, I mean, he’s chosen to put himself into that position.”
It’ll be a year since Christy’s passing next month and tonight Vicar Street is set to host ‘Christy Dignam: A Celebration, which will feature a variety of Irish artists performing the star’s songs. Kiera said: “Obviously I’m going to be singing a few songs and we have guest artists, people who have worked with dad over the years.”
But Kiera admitted she has been “struggling” since her father’s death.
“I’m not in a great place at the moment,” she said. “It’s rough. Rough isn’t even the right word, I don’t even know how to word it. I think anybody in grief can relate to that.”
Legacy
Kiera was speaking as she joined the bill of Rock Against Homelessness in aid of Focus Ireland on May 26 in Dublin’s 3Olympia. She will carry on the legacy of her father on the night as he performed with Aslan at the Rock Against Homelessness event in 2021. Kiera said: “It was something my dad was very passionate about because of the situation that we are in.”
The night also features two-time Grammy winner Corinne Bailey Rae, Aimee, Toshin, Isaac Butler and The White Horse Guitar Club.