The New York Irish-American sibling band blends Celtic heritage, folk, rock, and Nashville songwriting on its six-track EP.
Some of the most meaningful stories aren’t told on a stage. They’re shared around a kitchen table, passed between generations over cups of tea, family dinners, and conversations that stretch late into the night. For New York-based Irish-American sibling band Celtic Cross, those memories provide the heart of their new EP, Meet Me in the Kitchen, released October 9, 2026.
Comprised of siblings Kathleen Fee, John Vesey, and Ken Vesey, Celtic Cross has spent more than three decades building a sound that reflects both their Irish heritage and their New York upbringing. Their latest six-track project brings those influences together, exploring family, belonging, celebration, and the traditions that continue to connect generations.
The EP opens with its title track, “Meet Me in the Kitchen,” a song inspired by the gathering place at the center of the siblings’ childhood home. Written by Kathleen Fee alongside Paul Jenkins, Lance Miller, and Elisha Hoffman, the track establishes the project’s central theme: home is more than a physical place. It’s the people, memories, and shared experiences that give it meaning.
That sentiment carries particular weight for a band whose history is so closely intertwined with family. Raised by Irish immigrant parents from County Mayo and County Longford, the siblings grew up surrounded by the music, stories, and traditions of Ireland while absorbing the diverse sounds of New York City.
“Dancin’ Belfast,” co-written by Kathleen Fee and Marti Frederiksen, brings another dimension to the project, connecting its Irish identity with the band’s contemporary songwriting influences. The song’s title evokes the spirit of celebration and cultural connection that has remained central to Celtic Cross throughout its career.
The instrumental “JFK Set,” credited to John Vesey, Ken Vesey, and Frank McCotmick, provides an opportunity to spotlight the band’s traditional musical roots. With Ken’s fiddle and John’s accordion integral to Celtic Cross’s identity, the inclusion of an instrumental set reinforces the importance of the Irish musical traditions that first brought the siblings together.
“Slán Go Fóill (Goodbye For Now)” introduces the idea of farewell, a fitting addition to a collection centered on family, memory, and the passage of time. Its Irish-language title also serves as a reminder of the cultural heritage that continues to inform the band’s work.
On “Toss It Back,” Kathleen Fee joins Grammy-winning songwriter Rebecca Lynn Howard and Elisha Hoffman, bringing another Nashville songwriting connection into the project. The collaboration reflects Celtic Cross’s willingness to draw from different musical traditions without losing sight of the identity that has defined the group since its earliest performances.
The EP closes with “Right Now,” written by Marti Frederiksen, Elisha Hoffman, and Kylie Sackley. Its placement at the end of the record offers a fitting conclusion to a project that looks toward the past while introducing the next chapter of the band’s career.
Throughout Meet Me in the Kitchen, Celtic Cross’s greatest strength is the personal history behind the music. Kathleen’s expressive vocals and songwriting, Ken’s fiddle, and John’s accordion form the foundation of a sound that bridges traditional Irish influences with folk, rock, country, and Americana.
The band’s story is equally compelling. Formed in 1990, Celtic Cross began performing in Bronx pubs as teenagers before going on to appear at venues including Joe’s Pub, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, and PNC Bank Arts Center. Following years of touring, raising families, and pursuing individual projects, the siblings have returned with a renewed creative focus.
That perspective gives Meet Me in the Kitchen its emotional foundation. The siblings who once listened to their parents’ stories around the kitchen table are now the ones carrying those stories forward, preserving their heritage while making room for new memories and musical influences.
Rather than separating Irish tradition from contemporary songwriting, Celtic Cross brings both into the same conversation. The result is a project built around the idea that heritage isn’t something left behind. It evolves through the people who continue to celebrate it.
With Meet Me in the Kitchen, Celtic Cross opens the door to a new chapter while keeping the traditions that shaped them close to home.
Meet Me in the Kitchen – Tracklisting
- Meet Me in the Kitchen
- Dancin’ Belfast
- JFK Set
- Slán Go Fóill (Goodbye For Now)
- Toss It Back
- Right Now
Meet Me in the Kitchen is available now on streaming platforms.
For more information on Celtic Cross, please visit
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About Celtic Cross
Celtic Cross is a New York–based Irish-American band led by siblings Kathleen Fee, John Vesey, and Ken Vesey, whose music sits at the intersection of Irish tradition and lived experience. Rooted in Celtic heritage and shaped by contemporary folk, rock, and pop influences, their music centers on narrative songwriting that reflects themes of migration, memory, and family within the Irish diaspora.
Formed in 1990, the band began playing in Bronx pubs as teenagers, motivated to honor their Irish heritage while reflecting their New York upbringing. Raised in America by Irish immigrant parents (one from County Longford and the other from County Mayo), they were steeped in Irish music and culture from an early age, absorbing stories of departure and resilience that would later find their way into their songwriting.
At the heart of the Celtic Cross’s sound is Kathleen Fee’s expressive vocals and songwriting, supported by Ken Vesey’s fiery fiddle and John Vesey’s rhythmic accordion. Together, they blend traditional instrumentation with modern arrangements, creating songs that feel equally at home in an Irish session, a folk club, or a contemporary music festival. Rather than treating tradition as something fixed, the band approaches it as a living language that continues to evolve with each generation.
Over the years, Celtic Cross has released three albums: Last Call (2001), Shores of America (2007), and Saoirse’s Heart (2014), building a body of work that reflects both musical growth and changing perspective. Their music has been featured by Irish-American outlets including The Irish Echo and IrishCentral, and the band has performed widely across the Northeast, from intimate New York stages like Joe’s Pub and the historic Kenny’s Castaways to larger venues such as The Theater at Madison Square Garden, PNC Bank Arts Center, and the IZOD Center as a supporting act. Their sound has also reached broader audiences through radio support from outlets like WFUV (Fordham University) and national television appearances, including Fox & Friends.
After the release of Saoirse’s Heart, the members of Celtic Cross spent years touring selectively, pursuing individual projects, raising families, and living full lives beyond the band. Their upcoming EP, Meet Me in the Kitchen (coming in Fall 2026), marks the beginning of a new creative chapter: one shaped by time, perspective, and renewed focus, with more new music planned and live performances returning across the Tri-State area and beyond.
