Campbell explained that second-generation Irish identity is often misunderstood, with artistic expressions of that heritage frequently provoking mixed reactions.
Artists he said, did not simply “decide to become Irish”.
“They grew up feeling Irish. It was just an organic sense of identity.”
But of the many second-generation, political pop efforts, he said Nash’s recent recording stands out for being so “overt”.
“She’s tackling one of the really big issues in Anglo-Irish politics and history,” he said.
“It’s quite a brave thing to do.”
Nash believes that while many people in England engage with Irish culture, they are avoiding harder conversations about history.
“For English people, it’s really important to appreciate more than just the food and the culture and the Guinness,” she said.
“We need history, we need context, we need to understand things.”
Kate Nash performs at The Mac in Belfast on 6 August as part of the fringe programme for the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

