Eoin O Neill is a musician, radio presenter and podcaster. He came to Doolin for an afternoon forty years ago and has been living and breathing traditional music in Clare ever since. As Christy Moore said "There is no better person on Irish Radio for supporting our native music and song." Ive played in many of Eoins sessions and hes always exceptionally welcoming to newcomers and usually manages to find and encourage a song or a dance out of the listeners..
Through the Eoin O Neill podcast he has also sought out the lesser known stories in the music world and in his Clare FM radio shows is always giving a leg up to those who need it.
I chat to Eoin about the ups and downs of life as a musician, the self protection that's needed, the wild sessions of Doolin in the 70s and 80s where he learnt his craft
Carrying on from my last conversation with Nuala Kennedy we chat about his experiences of playing with Kitty Hayes, the concertina player from West Clare who kicked off her music career in her 70s.
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Eddie Lenihan on Music as.. a gift from the 'Otherworld'
In this episode (and in the spirit of the celebration of Samhain) I talk to renowned storyteller, folklorist and author Eddie Lenihan about the stories he has been collecting for forty years on the local landscape, the otherworld and the fairy folk. He tells me in these stories, outstanding skill in music or sport was often credited as a gift from the Otherworld. Eddie describes what an encounter in playing music with the ‘good folk’ would likely entail and had some great advice to offer if you should meet them yourself. We also talk about the fiddle player and storyteller Junior Crehan and the kind of music around Brosna, County Kerry where Eddie grew up Thank you to Creative Ireland Clare and Clare County Council for the support in making this episode.
If you would like to support 'The Music As..' in creating future episodes you can do so at https://ko-fi.com/musicaspodcast
Photo credit Brendan Hayes
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Nuala Kennedy on Music as 'Solace' and as 'Grounding'
I loved chatting to internationally acclaimed singer and flute player Nuala Kennedy about the solace that she finds in the old songs, the sense of connection she feels with fellow musicians and her recent research project on using old Irish lullabies for young babies. Nuala sings me a beautiful clip of one of these lullabies during the interview, based on an old melody called ‘A Cow’s Croon.’ We also talk about the powerful project Ag Lorg ár LÃne where herself and Tara Breen researched and virtually collaborated with influential and inspiring female Clare musicians including Kitty Hayes and Nora Cleary.
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Sorcha Costelloe on Music as.. a 'warm blanket,' & as 'heart' connection.
It was so inspiring to talk to Sorcha about how she has overcome nerves in her musical performance. We talk about the East Clare tradition being music of the 'heart,' which she experiences as a 'warm blanket' and how she has challenged herself on so many levels through her Music Therapy training.
We also talk about the influence of her mother, concertina player Mary McNamara, her upbringing in such a musical house and how she has also forged her own path in her musical practice.
If you enjoyed this episode you can support the creation of future episodes using the following link: ko-fi.com/musicaspodcast. See more episodes at www.louise.ie/musicaspodcasts
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Matthew Noone on Music as DraÃocht (Magic)
I really enjoyed chatting to Matthew about the elusive ‘draÃocht’ or magic, the feeling that goes into music, and the otherworldly places that it can take you. Matthew tells me about his journey to India, and his process of apprenticeship in Indian Classical music and how he found his way to a deep immersion in Irish traditional music in East Clare.
Matthew also pays a lovely tribute to Tony McMahon, a man deeply in touch with the draÃocht who sadly passed away shortly before this interview.
A podcast which celebrates the role that music plays in our lives. Ill be talking to people from all walks of life about what they describe music 'as'..
Ireland