Meet The Artist: Ursula Burns

Ursula is a performer and composer from Belfast known as the Dangerous Harpist. She has been working for 25 years in the industry, getting her start at a young age at Medieval Banquets in Carrickfergus Castle. 

Ursula describes the genre which she creates in as ‘self expression’ stating she drags the harp where no harp has gone before. But doesn’t like to be put in a box and has created in many mediums including theatre and circus. 

What would you consider your biggest achievement?

I have some personal ones and some career ones alongside some epic failures. With regards to my career there have been many highlights. Playing the Albert Hall (twice). My first solo album nominated for a Hot Press award and winning the Irish Musical Comedy Award in 2012. It’s not the glamorous ups that I consider to be the achievements in my career. It is the number of times I have gone to the edge and peered over, wondering how to step forward. It is the fact I managed to keep my wee ship afloat on wits and grit alone.

What would you consider to be the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your industry?

Britain’s Got Talent. They asked me to participate for 4 years and my instinct screamed NO, so for 4 years I told them to walk on. Then they offered to make it easy for me. They came to my studio, filmed my audition, and offered to fly me to London, to play the Palladium. I played for 10 mins and got a standing ovation and 4 yeses. It was exciting and I enjoyed that part. I was shocked at the sensationalised edit, when they aired the show. I got hated on Twitter and shamed in The Sun newspaper on Easter Sunday. I had a week of panic attacks and I tried to leave but I was contracted in. Then the real manipulation started. I could not go forward with my own material. It’s the modern Gladiator ring. They don’t care if a performer gets love or hate if they get ratings. I was kicking myself. I needed counselling to recover. Always follow your instincts.

Ursula Burns performing. Photograph taken by Debbie Deboo.

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

I think we are now in our third lockdown. The same challenge that every person who earnt their living from live gigging, performance, theatre, and circus work. For the last 25 years, all my income was from live gigs. I am not alone with this. Everyone I know is dealing with this same issue. I am resistant to living my life on Zoom. Singing is illegal here. I’m not sure how to move forward.

Tell us a little about your personal life, are you married, kids, hobbies etc?

I am quite the hermit. I used to balance my hectic touring and gig life with plenty of alone time. Songwriters need ample time in the tower of song. The solitary place.

I don’t like the term “single”. I have never used it. It implies something is missing and I feel quite complete. When I was touring and doing shows, it would be very social, and I needed time alone after that to recover my energy. I liked the balance. Since the gigs stopped, I have been struggling with the solitude not having a counterbalance to the dynamic.

I am so grateful to have a beautiful teenage son. He keeps me going. He is taller than me so I can’t really tell him off anymore. We live together and we get on very well. He keeps me grounded and no matter what I must turn up and make sure I hold things together. That’s great.

I started swimming in the sea for health reasons over four years ago but now I think I need it so it’s more than a hobby. I was worried about this winter so in the summer, I started a diploma. I think it is the first time I have ever used that side of my brain. Considering I failed my tests when I was at school. It was amazing to pass the Christmas test. I was so happy, I drunk half a bottle of wine, ate pringles and smoked a fag whilst doing 20 laps of my yard singing Chariots of Fire at the top of my voice, then shouting up the stairs at my son “Yer ma’s a genius”.  It was quite the party, a 2020 highlight. I had a desperately sore head the next day.

Tell us about your most recent work? 

I was awarded the resilience grant from the Arts Council NI in October and set to writing my version of “La Belle et la Bête”. A one woman show presented on harp and piano. I could not perform it live at Vault Artist Studios this Christmas because of the singing restriction but I did manage to film it for Stendhal Children’s Festival, ArtAbyss.

I was lucky to have some filming work for Achill International Harp Festival. ‘Out to Lunch’ is one of my favourite festivals. This festival warms the heart of what is usually dull cold wintery month, It breaks the back of the winter and by the time the festival finishes you can almost smell spring. I was delighted to be invited to film for the festival as part of the Belfast Brussels exchange and it will be aired on the 19th January.

What would you like us to tell people about?

Patreon! When I lost all my live work in March I set up Patreon and started a video diary there. It has turned out to be quite the body of work. I love connecting with the people there and it has kept my wee fingers nimble. I’m very grateful for the support of the patrons. It has kept me going. I was delighted to join Duke Special in the studio to record some harp and vocals on his new album. I loved the tracks so look out for that and support his work if you can.

I’m also performing as part of the A Taste of Belfast and Brussels event organised by Culture Night Belfast and The Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels for the Out To Lunch Festival on Tuesday 19th January – tickets here. 

Credits by Michael McNulty. 

If you had to describe your work to someone who has never heard of you what would you say?

Everybody knows harps are so dangerous….

What’s the funniest experience you’ve had in your business?

I was playing at the first ever enchanted evening in Botanic Gardens. All the trees were lit up and I was playing alone to a small audience, surrounded by 1000 candles. It was very atmospheric. An American gentleman kept asking me questions about my harp. What’s your dream he said. He handed me a piece of paper at the end of the gig. When I got home I realised it was a cheque for $1000. The next morning I received a card from Norbert in Austria saying “your harp of great wonder is ready to purchase”. I had the money in my hand. To this day I still can’t believe the luck or the timing.

What would your advice be to young people hoping to pursue the same industry?

Pick something and make it yours. Get good at it and bring your own angle. Be unique. Break the mould. Break the rules. Find your passion and follow it deeply. Put the hours in.

Who do you look up to and why?

I admire people who are honest. I read a book about truth once and it changed my life. I wish I could remember the title. It’s way more difficult than any of us let on. Although I aspire to authentic, I don’t always achieve it. Truth! That’s what I admire in other people.

You can stay up to date with Ursula’s work here>> www.ursulaburns.co.uk

 

Ursula Burns will be one of the artists performing at this year’s A Taste of Belfast and Brussels at the Out To Lunch festival as part of the Culture Night Belfast and Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels showcase.

A Taste of Belfast and Brussels will also feature musician Ciara O’Neill and Anthony Toner and poet Stephen Connolly.

Pre-recorded at Rosemary Street Church before Christmas, the event will be broadcast at 1pm on Tuesday, January 19 2021.

To book your free ticket go to >> https://cqaf.com/a-taste-of-belfast-and-brussels 

 

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