Christmas Abroad: "I'm a Christmas fanatic, and I miss the cold weather," says Donna
Donna McCaul, the well-known Athlone singer and former Eurovision contestant with her brother Joe, has been based in the US for the last decade. She lives in Los Angeles with her wife Shanna.
How's life treating you in LA?
LA is great - I would never change the decision to move here. It's been amazing and keeps getting better and better. I love this time of year, as the weather does cool down a bit so it starts to get that homely feel to it.
What would you say are the best and worst things about living there?
I really don't have anything bad to say. I do love living here and I think the worst thing is probably when summer hits and I feel like I'm living in a full-time sauna! But the city is amazing, the people are great, and I'm having a great time living here.
Could you tell me a bit about your involvement in music these days?
Right now, I'm doing great with the music. I'm working on a lot of new original material that I will be releasing in 2024. My new band is called Identity Theft, and our original music will be released under Donna McCaul. We're playing a lot of different private events and corporate events out here, which is great.
There are five of us in the band. We have Gino on drums, Ben on the keys, Marc on bass and also Mark on lead guitar. The new sound with this band is very upbeat and very powerful, which I love. We are hoping to get back to Ireland in 2024 for a tour, so I'm really looking forward to that.
What are some of the things you'll miss about Christmas in Ireland?
I'll obviously miss being with my family and friends. I'm a Christmas fanatic. I do miss the cold weather, and I love a bit of snow which we don't get here in LA.
Is there any message you'd like to send to your friends and family in Athlone?
I'd like to wish all of my family and friends a very, very Happy Christmas, especially my mother Helen, my sister Catherine, and my brothers Jared, Patrick, Kenneth and Joseph. And, of course, all my nieces and nephews, and sisters and brother-in-law.
Wishing everyone a peaceful Christmas and best wishes for 2024. Lots of love from myself and my lovely wife Shanna.