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Who is Esther O' Connor?

A rock and roll princess!

I understand that you have been working in youth clubs - what made you want to work with young people?

I remember going to youth clubs when I was young and it was great fun and something to do on a Friday night. I started volunteering when I was 16. It is good having a place young folks can come to that is safer than hanging out on the street.

A couple of summers ago I ran an arts school over the summer, with dance, singing, art and drama. The kids are so creative and full of energy... It was a really fun project.

You've recorded an album - is being a recording artist something that you will run alongside your youth work or have you left that behind?

I did both for a good while, although the music is taking over at the moment. To release an album and give it the best chance to do well, you really have to focus. I am involved with a community radio station however that is run by young people in the east end of Glasgow. This is a great project called Bolt FM. It is fantastic seeing the young people really empowered and being given a lot of responsibility. Lots of them have their own show's and it is so good seeing their skills and talents being used and discovered.

You go to church does this mean that this album is a "Christian" album?

For me my passion is to make music that relates to people in reality. My faith is an integrated part of my life so it is in and through my music, and creativity is inspired by God.

I am not just interested in making music that only related to Church people but just people in general... So yes and no to that question depending on how you see it...

How does your faith influence what you write, how you perform - and how does the world influence it?

We all live on this earth and live lives and experience things both good and bad, so I think that all that shapes who you are and what you create and how you live. Having faith means that there is hope in all of this, even when it is hard to see.

What is the main message behind your album?

To let the situations that your life throw's at you, shape who you are. The things you can't fix and you can't change and you can't control, are the things that change you. In my experience that is the place you meet God.

You have a well-known dad, could you tell us who he is and how do you think he has influenced your career choice?

He plays guitar for Wet, Wet, Wet. It is great seeing the band perform live. They really know how to put on a fantastic live show. I remember being at the gigs at a very young age and loving the whole vibe of the shows. I think maybe I caught the bug then...

My Dad is also a wonderful songwriter himself. I have learned lots from him in the craft of song-writing and communicating. We wrote the title track of the album together ''The Place Where We Are''. He wrote this beautiful guitar piece and gave me a rough recording of it. I was on the way back home from London and I was writing the lyrics on the plane. I ended up in tears, because he really told a story with the melody on the guitar... I think the other people on the plane must of thought I was a bit mental!!!

Do you have any words of wisdom for our readers who have a dream?

Work hard. Expect nothing. Celebrate.

How did you decide that Christianity was for you?

The way of life Jesus shows convinces me... I read a book in the last couple of weeks that puts it the best way I have ever heard... I am convinced that being generous is a better way to live,

I am convinced that having compassion is a better way to live,

I am convinced that forgiving others and not carrying around bitterness is a better way to live...

Its simply acknowledging that everybody follows somebody and I am trying to follow Jesus. - Rob Bell in Velvet Elvis