Music Alerts
We are hitting the road with more music news this month.
Autoharp 101 Interview with Marc Gunn
Answers from the Godfather.
I have been a Marc Gunn newsletter subscriber for as long as I started blogging. He writes, performs and at the same time reviews Celtic music. One day I had this idea to drop these questions and see what comes out of them. Read below:
1. How did you learn to play the autoharp?
It was 1997. My band, Breastfed, just broke up. I was playing mostly
punk, alternative, and grunge music. My songwriting was really bad.
I wanted to write better songs with more compelling melodies and
lyrics. However, I was limited by being a bad guitarist. I couldn’t
focus on good melodies when I had to focus on creating the right
chord. So I picked up the autoharp.
I took one of my dad’s autoharps to college with me. When the band
broke up, I picked up an autoharp songbook and started strumming. I
played these strums over and over again. When I felt I knew the strum,
I created my own patterns and I wrote a song.
Every morning as I walked to the Texas Department of Health, where I
worked, I had finger picks on and practiced strum patterns. Then I
went home and practiced them with the autoharp and wrote another song.
It worked great for me.
> 2. It looks like a complicated instrument but can you give us a closer look at the instrument? What are the things you learned about it and how do you start learning it?
I love the autoharp because it has a short learning curve. You can
start playing the instrument quickly. To play well… that takes a
bit more time.
It has five octaves. That’s amazing for most folk instruments.
However, it is limited by only 15-21 chord bars. That means if you
wanna play a diminished 6th, you can’t UNLESS you replace a chord bar.
My 21-chord autoharps include most of the major, minor and 7th chords.
When you learn to change chords quickly, you can play melodies on the
autoharp fairly easy. It takes time though.
I play with a lot of flourishes. My fingers dance on the strings.
That makes it look more complicated than it is. However, most
everything I learned about the instrument came from that Mel Bay
autoharp book. With time, you learn to hit the right string in a
chord while your fingers dance around the strings. It just takes
time.
But at the basic level, just press a button and strum.
> 3.Who are your vocal influences?
Elvis Presley was my first vocal influence… Well, actually probably
my dad. He was always good with voices. I can sing with my voice or
an accent imitating someone else. When I started playing Celtic
music, I listened to an old cassette of Irish drinking songs. The
singers were very nasally. So I started singing with a nasal sound.
Christy Moore was part of that early education as were The Balladeers
and The Dubliners.
My last band broke up in 2008. After that, I really started singing
with my own voice.
> 4. How many albums ave you released so far?
Ummmmmm…. A lot! My label, Mage Records, has well-over forty albums
to my various names, personae and bands. My old band, the
Brobdingnagian Bards, released 12 official albums. I have 14 that are
currently out. My latest is “Don’t Go Drinking With Hobbits”. It an
album hobbit drinking songs.
My success has largely been based on releasing a lot of music. I give
away a ton of music, for free in fact (see
http://www.marcgunn.com/folk_music/ ). I want people to hear my music
more than anything. Since I started doing that in 2000, I’ve given
away literally millions of MP3s. It’s pretty incredible.
> 5. You are an amazing media guy when it comes to spreading Celtic music awareness…can you share with us the tricks in keeping everything together?
LOL. Oy. I’m not sure. It’s never been easy. Google Alert is pretty
cool for that. For a while, I spent 60-80 hours per week doing all
aspects of my music business. I’m married with a baby now. So I
can’t do that any more.
Now days, I try to get as much help as I can. My Celtic Music
Magazine and Irish & Celtic Music Podcast are invaluable tools for
promoting Celtic music. Most Celtic bands come to me. I get press
releases and emails. The toughest part is organizing that information
so I can share it. I have a bunch of notetab files for that purpose.
Sometimes I remember.
> 6. What advice can you give me about maintaining my blog?
Blog often. Keep at it. Email any band you feature in it to let them
know they are featured. Ask them to post a link to your blog. Read
Problogger. (http://www.problogger.net ). I’m not sure blogging for
profit is possible in Celtic music… or least not much profit. But
it has some great advice for building a reader fan base.
Slainte!
Marc Gunn
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Cunla Band,It gets better and better!
Check this band out. I think they are awesome. Thanks to my friend Jimmy for posting these guys.
Cunla band plays traditional and contemporary Irish music, with a little pinch
of world music. Cunla are:Ella Jackson Shlomi – vocals, Bodhran.
Elad Yifrah – flute, tin-whistle, accordion.
Oded Navon – guitar.
Ofer Groman – vocals, bodhran, uilleann pipes, tin-whistle.
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Sharing songs
Now my friend Christi will have an idea where I also get my ideas. Believe me my friend Jimmy is a better scout when it comes to Celtic music. I do wish Tim will start posting too so I can steal his ideas(wicked laughter).
Mick Flannery
Now this song from Eleanor McEvoy is not just compelling because of its beautiful acoustic arrangement, driven by the piano. It is also because of the lyrics to quote: It is a simple love song about not wanting to face life and wanting so much for someone to make it all better – “Will you be a harbour? / At my shoulder / Always watching over / Try to hold me closer / Shelter me and shield me from the world”.
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I featured Le Vent du Nord several moons ago and I am glad to be reminded of them and their brand of music once again.
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Despite how outrageous the title sounds, it is actually an amazing show by The Friel sisters. It says: The Friel sisters play a few tunes in the bathroom in the Hall in Milltown Malbay during Willie Clancy Week 2008.
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Now here’s Mick Flannery who reminds me a bit of Richard Harris-the guy who gained fame through the song McArthur’s Park. His voice has that vulnerability found in crooners and the confidence that is inherent in most Irish singers. I got to read his website bio and got a kick out it. He seems funny and doesn’t really care about fame and all that glitter. Just a guy who loves to sing his heart out and tell you his story through his songs. I think he is on my top list of male performers for this year.
Learn Celtic Fiddle with Gillian Boucher
Hi folks. Just discovered this wonderful fiddle musician/ teacher . I think my time on social networking sites like facebook exposed me to materials posted by other Celtic music lovers. Like all best fiddle players that Cape Breton can offer, Gillian leads her pack like comets blazing the night sky of Celtic music. Fiddle playing has never been sweeter, infectious and explosive the way she does it. For those who are audience of Celtic Colors then you might have noted her performance from2008 to 2011. She already earned the Nova Scotia Music Week Award in 2009 for Roots Traditional Recording of the Year and an East Coast Music Award Nomination in early 2010 in the same category. Her playing is transporting and I can close my eyes and reach places in the mind that is not possible to access in the physical state.
This site http://gillian-boucher.com lets you hear tracks from her album Elemental(2008). She is working on a new album to be released this year.
I dedicate this post to my friend Nancie in Lyon France who is a fiddle player herself. I hope that one day I will hear her play.
Continental Celtic Music:Julien Jaffrès
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A certain Alice Delsarte sent me links to sites of Julien Jaffrès. I am amazed by this man’s talent with the guitar. He brings freshness and verve to the European continental Celtic scene. He is worth checking out.
KCLR 96 FM:Pipers with Martin Bridgeman Later.
Been tuning in to KCLR 96 FM in Carlow Kilkenny Ireland with Martin Brigeman. His shows are:
The Eclectic Light Programme( Saturday 9pm to 11pm)-”it’s music you won’t hear in the mainstream and it’s all good stuff”. There are new bands, features with local bands, acoustic sessions and some classic rock thrown in”.
People In Profile (Sunday 6pm to 7pm)-”where each week he talks to one people from Carlow and Kilkenny about their lives, their work, their passion and their personal musical choices”.
Blas Glas ( Sunday 8pm to 11pm)-”which features of folk and traditional music from around the world”.
He will feature pipers for his Sunday night show later so this is something that we should never miss. For those who love pipe music, I invite you to listen to Martin’s show later with me.
Click the icon to listen
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See my friend Rachael McCormack
The Ballads of Mickey Coleman
I am listening. 
Listening to Mickey Coleman. I am in the mood for ballads. Songs of longing, missed soul mates, loss, nostalgia and hope. I think these themes are close to my heart than anything else. But Mickey’s songs are also a variation of those and fast tunes. I also heard funny ones. The thing that carries his tunes is his style of singing-part choir tenor and part brew that brings smoke into your eyes. Highlands of Belfast and Coaisland Girl make you sit down and really listen. Somewhere Else Instead became my song today. I urge you to come and join me. It’s the right time and the right mood.
Listen to his tracks here: http://www.mickeycoleman.com/gallery.html
January 20 Marks the Birthday of Roma Ryan
Happy Birthday Roma!
I want to pay tribute to one of the amazing people in the history of music who shaped my life. Roma Ryan. She is the poet lyricist for Enya which is a Trio of Enya herself, producer Nicky Ryan and of course Roma.
Roma and Nicky Ryan met Enya in 1978; Nicky was managing Enya’s family’s band Clannad. Enya had just finished secondary school when Nicky Ryan rang her, asking if she would become a member of the group. The Ryans and Enya left Clannad several years later to focus on their own musical careers. Enya originally wrote instrumental melodies. Roma found these melodies “very visual” and suited to film work; she began to write lyrics to them.
Roma is originally from Belfast Northern Ireland. She is a visual artist as well as a poet and writer; her artwork, as well as selected poems, may be viewed at her official website, www.romaryan.com
One day, one night, one moment,
with a dream to believe in.
One step, one fall, one falter,
find a new earth across a wide ocean.
This way became my journey,
this day ends together, Far and Away.
This day ends together, Far and Away.
Far and Away.
That video above is taken from the movie Far and Away. Have you seen that movie? I admit it is a long one. But it is a beautiful story about Irish immigrants and a race for lands in the United States. “find a new earth across a wide ocean”..I love this line. For those who hope for a better place, a new beginning, this song echoes it all. Sometimes our journey to freedom from oppression doesn’t really mean going into another country…sometimes it is a feeling we just have to overcome. And for those who f0und themselves out of bondage and pain, this song goes to you.
Nice Tunes and Drum Magazine Feature
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Neat Trad Group!
Hi guys, how are you doing? I am listening to The Ivy Leaf’. I never heard of them before but I saw my friend Jimmy posting the link to the band’s site. It’s refreshing to go back to traditional music and feel that toe tapping appeal that is only found in this kind of music. My exposure to this kind of music goes all the way back to The Chieftains and Altan-the first bands who introduced me to the style. I learned that these guys are based in Boston MA. I also love the name they choose for their group. It sounds like Christmas. Just click the image below to go to their Reverbnation site.
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Drum Magazine Feature
My friend Jacob McCauley got featured in Drum Magazine. He is flying to Scotland to give workshops in selected venues. He promised to update us from time to time. Way to go Jacob!
Who’s Feeling Young Now? New Album by Punch Brothers
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Bluegrass masters Punch Brother‘s new album Who’s Feeling Young Now will be available everywhere on February 14. But fans need not fret because the album can be pre-ordered through the official website. You can listen to the album’s opening track ” Movement and Location” for free download through this link: http://www.punchbrothers.com/news/whos-feeling-young-now/. All you need to enter your email address. That song blew me away. Chris Thile’s playing is intensely electrifying that it makes you wonder if this guy is human. More news about the release here: http://www.punchbrothers.com/
Album Tracks:
1. Movement and Location
2. This Girl
3. No Concern of Yours
4. Who’s Feeling Young Now?
5. Clara
6. Flippen
7. Patchwork Girlfriend
8. Hundred Dollars
9. Soon Or Never
10. New York City
11. Kid A
12. Don’t Get Married Without Me
Celtic Adrenalin Rehash And Shishonnah
It’s now time to bring back Gavern’s Celtic Adrenalin.
Check this blurb:
Gavern’s music encompasses many sounds and atmospheric textures that range from orchestral pieces suited for soundtrack to ambient/electronic and Celtic Chanting pieces. The music is composed to evoke emotion and help the listener enjoy the experience by either relaxing, dancing or reminiscing. Gavern plays piano and keyboards, works with synthesizers and plays percussion. He enjoys dancing, designing, imagination, performing, computers, and collaborating. He also does sound engineering, sound design and production work for other musicians.
To contact, please email: info@gavern.com
Follow regular updates at: http://gavern.blogspot.com
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Elysian Dreams now out!
The new album from Shishonnah has been launched. I encourage friends to listen because it is worth the wait. Jenne has been updating us with news about the recording and the promo. It is great to see this project take flight and reach many ears.
Happy New Year everyone, Shishonnah’s new album is out and in music stores now! The St. Patricks Day schedule will be announced soon.
-Liz and Jenne
Click to go to itunes
