Get Folked

It's January. The Christmas tree is still up. Its lights blink on and off, each merry flash a taunting reminder of the Christmas that is no more. The only chocolates left in the house are Quality Street. The only biscuits are Butter Scottish Shortbread. You think to yourself, "If only someone would take down my decorations for me and distract me from the post-Christmas blues".Well, fear not. Andy and Ed have your back (not with the decorations, take them down yourself ya feckin' lazy-bones). With their voices now recovered from The Wren Hunt they will provide you with some oh-so soothing distraction as you re-emerge drowsy, cranky, possibly smelly from that annual festive gorging state. Welcome, dear listener, to the year 2025, to the future, and to the second year of The Get Folked Podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit getfolked.substack.com

This episode truly has it all: merry-making, singing, charitable giving, heartbreak, seduction, rejection, elation, and mind-controlling fungus. And making her second appearance on the show, Irene helps the guys recount their shared Wren Hunting escapades of St Stephen's Day 2024 which took place in Mitchelstown, County Cork. Like a shining beacon she led them as they and fellow musicians Steve (Cojon and Vocals) and Carol (Guitar and Vocals) raised money for the local Mitchelstown voluntary group "Special Friends". So settle in and enjoy the last episode of 2024.https://specialfriendsmitchelstown.ie/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit getfolked.substack.com

The season of good cheer is upon us. A time of merry-making with friends and family, a time of carol singing with fellow bards, a time of anxious reflection on the tensile strength of ones belt and whether it can contain the inevitable expansion wrought by all those delicious mince pies and sausage rolls. Indiana Joneses will be watched. Brussels sprouts will be boiled. Many dinners will be eaten.Andy treats us to his own renditions of some Christmas folk songs found off the beaten track. While Ed shares a recording of Carolan's Concerto on the tin whistle from one of the Westward Ho Heroes. And, as St Stephen's day approaches, the guys discuss The Hawkin' Twang tried and trusted method of hunting that pesky wren. Will they catch it this year in Mitchelstown? Does another Christmas miracle await? The answer to these and many other questions will probably be "one more pint please."Happy Christmas and we'll see you all on the other side. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit getfolked.substack.com

It's almost a year since the guys started the podcast and it looks like they have finally stumbled into their first full-blown Get Folked scandal: Andy has been operating a computer for over 20 years without obtaining a European Computer Drivers License. Honestly, this could sink them. Ed (a fully qualified European Computer Driving License holder) would be well advised to cut all ties with Andy, lest the fallout attach its stink to his stank.But amidst all this controversy, Andy and Ed find time to share their respective cultural wanderings of this past week. Ed reflects on the awesome power of the G, C, and D Chords on the guitar when played as the stars of drunkenness, overly-aggressive dancing, and a session align. While Andy reveals insights into the world of contemporary hip-hop and provides tips on how best to torpedo a conversation which you would really like to join, but later wish you hadn't.As usual, there's lots to learn this week on The Get Folked Podcast. It's just slightly unclear by whom. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit getfolked.substack.com