Ed Sheeran says he identifies as ‘culturally Irish'
English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has said that he identifies as culturally Irish.
The 34-year-old hitmaker, who was born and raised in England, has said that the Emerald Isle is where he is most successful 'musically.'
'I class my culture as Irish. I think that's what I grew up with,' he said on The Louis Theroux Podcast.
Ed Sheeran spoke to Louis Theroux (Ian West/PA)
News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday June 10
'My mum's family is very, very small, it's her and her parents, and my dad's family is… he's got seven brothers and sisters.
'We'd spend all of our holidays in Ireland. My first musical experiences were in Ireland, I grew up with trad music in the house,' he continued.
'So I identify culturally as Irish, but I was obviously born and raised in Britain.
'I do feel like my culture is something that I'm really proud of and grew up with and want to express,' he added.
Sheeran said just because he was born in Britain, doesn't mean he has to be 'British.'
'There's loads of people I know that are half this or quarter this,' he said.
'I don't think there's any rules to it. It should be how you feel and how you were raised and what you lean into.
'I'd say [Ireland's] basically my second home musically. I'd say Ireland is the place that I am most successful musically.'
The Galway Girl singer recently recorded the music video for his new song 'Old Phone' at an pop-up Irish pub in Boston.
'The Old Phone' was open to fans for one weekend only, as Sheeran performed the track to lucky attendees.
'Inspired by a journey through time, The Old Phone is a place where memories are celebrated and new ones are made,' a description of the bar reads.
'Blending the nostalgia of times gone by with the comfort of your favourite local establishment, guests are a part of something much larger than just a night out.'
His highly anticipated eighth album Play is set for release on September 12th.
He said the LP is one of five new albums in the works, and said the next four will be called Pause, Rewind, Fast Forward, and Stop.
The albums will complete the cycle he began with his first five albums titled +, x, ÷, =, and –.
He said he was inspired by Quentin Tarantino's idea of crafting a 10-film legacy.
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