Traditional Irish, Bluegrass and Americana

 Featuring:Patrick D’Arcy, Neansaí Ní Choisdealbha, Kyle Carey and Noriana Kennedy

Introducing Piper Patrick D’Arcy

For some musicians and listeners, simplicity is everything. Patrick D’Arcy sets an example of how one instrument can give out so many layers to observe, savor and glorify. His simplistic use of the uilleann pipes, unadorned by other instruments sort of magnifies that soul of the instrument making its core radiate.

Most of us usually take the drones for granted as our attention is focused on the play of notes and also interplay of other instruments. Patrick makes every angle of sound posses that bulk and electricity. I am amazed how beautiful the drones can be when your ears don’t process too much information.

Patrick D’Arcy is now based in Woodland Hills California after leaving his hometown of Dublin several years ago. He manages five websites. http://www.patdarcy.com/ is a directory of all his other sites.  One of them is web and print design called www.darcycreative.com while www.patrickdarcymusic.com is about his music. http://www.uilleannobsession.com/ focuses more on the instrument and also learning it.  http://www.socalpipers.com/ is a place where all pipers meet around  Southern California.

It might surprise you to know that this passionate piper studied classical guitar at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Why did he give up guitar and chose the uilleann pipes? That is what I will find out one day! He just released a traditional album called Wallop The Spot composed of 13 tracks. You can buy the album here: http://patrickdarcy.bandcamp.com/

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The breezy music of Kyle Carey

Real life is HARD. But Kyle Carey does a good job of transporting us into lazy afternoons, visions of orange blossoms and fireflies at dusk. Her various styles(Bluegrass, Irish and New Age) create a satisfying experience that leave you with a feeling you get after a good nap-fresh and clear headed. There are gentle guitars and lurking banjos in the sea of fiddles and vocal harmonies. Her voice has this silky feel reminiscent of Alison Krauss and Grada. To be able to escape for a moment into the music that channels the power of kindness and childhood innocence is really worth your time…maybe an hour a day would be good for you.

If you love original music that will stand the test of time then Kyle Carey’s Monongah is for you. Buy her albums here: http://www.kyleannecarey.com/

Visit: http://soundcloud.com/kyle-carey to sample her music

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Neansaí Ní Choisdealbha

Presenter and producer: Neansaí Ní Choisdealbha

Neansaí Ní Choisdealbha is a head radio presenter at RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.  If you want to know the phonetic way to say her name it’s “Nancy”. I listened to her recorded shows and they are truly informative and exciting. They are geared towards the traditional music audience. Her approach to hosting is relaxed and once in a while she inserts anecdotes. There’s never a dull moment. Throughout her career, she moved between Galway which is her hometown and the United States, back and forth. Her favorite quote is: I can resist everything but temptation! Don’t we all? Especially if the temptation are those beautiful Irish tunes!

Visit: http://soundcloud.com/neansa-n-choisdealbha To hear her recorded shows.

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Noriana Kennedy

The Bluesy Noriana Kennedy

A few months ago, I feature a video by Galway based singer who is working on her album with her band Wildflowers. According to her recent post to her website:

We made a merry start to recording the new Wildflowers CD last weekend. Myself, Nicola Joyce, Noelie McDonnell and Gerry Paul spent the weekend at Larry Kelly’s beautiful Finnish log-cabin home in Tuam, Co. Galway.  We put down new versions of  ‘Dear My Maker’ and ‘Poor Ellen Smith’ along with three other brand new tracks.  We’ll give it another blast next month to finish it off…all going well the CD will be fit for filling stockings in December!  Big thanks to Liam Caffrey, our patient and gifted engineer and of course Larry and Olivia for the generous loan of their fabulous home, the gourmet menu and constant feed of happy vibes.

I know there are friends who are excited to hear something by this amazing singer/songwriter with a unique voice that can deliver a full range of emotions.

Visit:http://www.norianakennedy.com

and also : http://soundcloud.com/noriana-kennedy to sample her music.

Wood Soul: Interview with Scottish Wooden Flutist Calum Stewart

Also in this edition: Lori Watson and Rule Of Three and Kernowpods

Calum Stewart and the cover art of the new album.

Between working with the London Philharmonic orchestra, recording for the next “Lord of the Rings” film, “Hobbit Movie” and completing being part of Jamie Smith’s Mabon’s Windblown, Calum Stewart took the time to talk to us about his career and how it all started.

Greetings! It is a lovely the month of October Celtic music followers. Our guest for this week is flutist Calum Stewart. He made a lot of collaboration with other bands. The new album Wooden Flute and Fiddle is out in the market! It is a collaboration with fiddler Lauren McColl and other musicians. If you don’t have a copy of the album yet, I want to tell you it is an amazing thing to have as part of your traditional music collection. Like what I mentioned in my last article about the album: This is an album that every traditional music listeners will want in his or her collection. This is due to the huge effort that the two and the rest of the session musicians placed on this album. There are slow and fast tunes. Expect variety in instruments and grand artistry that only musicians of their caliber can provide. And even if you are not really into Scottish or Irish trad music, you will still warm up to this one for its melodic and relaxing merit. Love it love it!

This interview was done in a relaxed manner. He has a tour this autumn and  you can nominate Calum as traditional Scottish instrumentalist of the year here http://www.scottishcultureonline.com/blogs/nominate-your-favourite-act-for-mg-alba-scots-trad-music-awards-2012/

All musicians started with something that they consider memorable. I helped him trace back on how it all started-with the release of his debut album Earlywood.

Can you tell us a little background as to why is  the debut album Early Wood?

“Earlywood” is my first solo album, and reflects my home tradition of the north of Scotland, with many tunes from Morayshire. There are also several compositions, which sit side by side the older repertoire, all arranged for Wooden Flute, Fiddle and Piano: my main interest has always been finding strong repertoire, interesting arrangements and powerful sounds, in acoustic settings. The title “Earlywood” refers to the inner growth circles inside trees. The “Earlywood” stage is the time when the tree grows the most… “Latewood” is the other time, and perhaps when the tree takes stock, during winter. Earlywood seemed a good title, because it was my first solo recording.

Since recording “Earlywood” and touring with my trio, I’ve had the opportunity to continue work with Lauren MacColl (Fiddle), with whom I’m releasing a new album with now (featuring Eamon Doorley of Danu, and Andy May). ( Go to www.laurenmaccoll.co.uk/shop )

I’ve also been working closely and touring with Breton guitarist Heikki Bourgault; we released our first duo album last year, with plans for a second one in 2013 (visit www.calumheikki.com for details).

Jamie Smith’s MABON has released Windblown. What can we expect from your musical contribution in this album?

I am featured as a guest on several of the tracks of their new album “Windblown”. Although I can’t play as a core member of JSM and Mánran now, because of my own project commitments, I really enjoy working with them when the occasion arises, guesting on recordings or sometimes at concerts / festivals. We are all very good friends and keep in touch about our own separate projects, and enjoy meeting when our projects cross paths, playing at the same festival!

Early promo pic of Jamie Smith’s Mabon

You are known to play hide and seek between time zones with multiple natures: you are in demand as a musician! How’s the experience of working with different artists and how this shaped your artistry?

Working and collaborating with different artists from different genres is really important, enabling one to have a more open perspective. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some really inspiring people and they’ve really shaped my approach. However I also think it’s good to concentrate and develop one’s own musicality, ones own musical journey. Whilst you may encounter many influences along the way, fundamentally you must find your own voice.

Your musical development was traditional since you are originally from the North of Scotland and brought up with the traditional music of your native Morayshire. How do people in your hometown respond to your international success?

I always really look forward to playing on home turf, and it’s great to catch up with those musicians whom I played with when I was growing up. I try and “re-charge my batteries” when I’m back in Moray, usually remembering old tunes, learning some new ones or writing some, and most importantly remembering why I enjoy playing music in the first place! I still have family in my home village, although I don’t live there anymore – so I really enjoy going back there.

I realized that although your name is synonymous with the wooden flute, you are also and expert in playing the uilleann pipes and whistle. What are the other instruments that you play?

I concentrate on the Wooden Flute although I do play Uilleann pipes too, and really enjoy the different voice this instrument has. However the Wooden Flute takes up almost all of my concentration. Although there are different qualities in the pipes and the whistle, and sometimes they are useful – the Wooden Flute is really my musical voice, so I prefer to concentrate on this. I have a very special old flute, which I use for all my musical projects – its a Rudall Carte & co, made in the 1930’s. Its made from cocus wood, and has been with me in every musical situation since I found her! I use wooden headjoints by Tobias Mancke with her. In addition I own a brilliant Wooden Flute by Peter Worrell which is based closely on my original. As I don’t like owning many flutes and changing flutes, I take my Rudall Carte & co. with me, wherever I go!

Ewen Henderson at Clickimin Centre.

What is the recording process in making an album?

Every recording I’ve been involved with has been different. Although usually after the initial concept or inspiration, there follows a period of collecting / writing / arranging, before either rehearsals or concerts and then recording. Sometimes it’s possible to play music for a long time in concerts, developing ideas before the studio, but sometimes the music takes shape in the studio – there are no rules!

 

   After a big performance, how do you chill?

Usually, there is a lot of work to be done after a performance. I always try and meet the audience personally, making contact after the concert. Often there are interviews to do, CD signings and meetings – so it can be quite busy! After all this is over, and my flute is put away… I usually hang out with my band and quench my thirst.

What are other projects that you are working on?

This summer I’ve been working with the London Philharmonic orchestra, recording for the next “Lord of the Rings” film, “Hobbit Movie”. As well as that, I’ve recorded with fiddler Lauren MacColl, joined by Eamon Doorley (Danu / Julie Fowlis), and Andy May – this is available via: http://www.laurenmaccoll.co.uk/shop .

Otherwise, I’ve been guesting on recordings such as the new JSM album, and preparing new repertoire for a 2013 release with my duo.

What can fans expect to hear from the new album now that it is out?

Quite a traditional repertoire, coupled with some new offerings: based strongly on the interplay between the wooden flute and the fiddle

You are a huge influence to young people who are trying to learn traditional instruments. What can you advice them in how to make it like you

Play music that you believe in and always be yourself.

There you have it readers. Another exciting moment with Scottish musician Calum Stewart. I am looking forward to the “ Hobbits” soundtrack knowing he is part of the music. Also get your copies of the new album and drop by his website to say Hi. He is really down to earth and has an amazing sense of humor. I enjoyed this interview with Calum and it is really fun talking to artists and getting to know how they create their music. Have a great week ahead!

Check out his website:

http://www.calum-stewart.com

Video samples:

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Featured band:Lori Watson and Rule Of Three

Genre: Acoustic / Folk

Location Scotland, UK

http://www.myspace.com/loriwatsonandruleofthree

Sweetness! Lori Watson has a voice than can melt your heart like butter. But don’t let this sweetness fool you. This amazing musician plays music with such intensity and break neck speed. Her band is gaining a wide following all over with their fusion of traditional and contemporary style.

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Kernowpods: War an gwyns – remix

Cornwall has her own thriving community of painters, photographers, musicians and people doing their own art. One of those who help define the Cornish cultural identity is Matthew(Matthi) Clarke. He is part of Sue and Phil Aston’s circle and they are doing a LOT of diverse things with music and visuals. This is one of the songs Matt uploaded in his podcast.

Phil Aston,Dan Aston, Sue Aston, Matthi Clarke and James Perkins-An Derow.

Thanks for reading folks. More album reviews coming up very soon.

Weekend Edition with Music and Album Release!

In this edition: Fraser Fifield, Carmel Gunning and Calum Stewart

Fraser Fifield, EDINBURGH, Britain (UK)

The Music of Fraser Fifield

My last edition covered music from Ireland, Wales and Brittany. Our new edition unleashes another talent from Scotland by the name of Fraser Fifield. I became familiar with his work after seeing videos of Salsa Celtica. This is the same band where Kenny Fraser of Music Scotland(who was our featured artist/interview) plays the fiddle in.

The fascinating thing about his work is his love for improvisation and fusion. His bio states this interesting info: “A Piper and Low Whistle player who improvises like a jazz musician. A Soprano Sax player playing the traditional music of his native Scotland like it had always been played on that instrument.” I think one of the most haunting track in his compositions is Softly Spoken, with its hypnotic arrangements and syncopated beats. He has other gems in his soundcloud page and I am sure you will definitely buy his albums when you hear his tracks. He has other equally wonderful tracks and your way of relating or liking them will depend on how you respond to the music upon hearing each track.

I am doing a correspondence with him which will be a structure for an upcoming featured artist/interview. I embedded few tracks of my choice but I recommend for you to click Fraser Fifield’s soundcloud channel http://soundcloud.com/fraserfifield to listen to the music continuously.

For more of his music, visit the following links:

http://www.youtube.com/user/tanarrecords

http://www.fraserfifield.com/

https://twitter.com/fraserfifield

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Carmel Gunning

She moves between two worlds. The fast paced playing and the delicate execution of some tracks. A native of Sligo, she came from a musical family. I think she is one of those amazing artists who contribute their efforts in making sure Irish music gets national and international

Carmel Gunning

recognition. I wonderful info I uncovered about her:  She runs The Carmel Gunning School of Music all year round in Sligo town and runs a festival annually in August. She has written 2 books on music and song and currently working on another. She has produced 5 CDs to date and is working on a singing album currently. Many of her past pupils, Liam Kelly of Dervish being the most well known, are top class in their field today.

With this kind of music and also a unique way of playing the whistle, I am sure she will conquer more ears. Let there be more albums from her then!

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Calum Stewart has a new album out!

Wooden Flute & Fiddle

Calum Stewart & Lauren MacColl
with Éamon Doorley and Andy May

  1. Eoghainn Iain Alasdair
  2. The Gordons
  3. Alzen
  4. Rise Ye Lazy Fellow
  5. Stoidhle Nèill Ghobha
  6. Crow Road Croft
  7. Aileen’s
  8. Tomnahurich
  9. Boys of the ‘25
  10. A Highland Lamentation

Now available for Pre-Order worldwide. (Please be careful to select worldwide delivery if you live outside the UK) All orders will be dispatched on 15th October, one week ahead of the official release date of 22nd October.

Scottish wooden flutist Calum Stewart just released an album with Lauren McColl. It is called Wooden Flute and Fiddle. This is an album that every traditional music listeners will want in his or her collection. This is due to the huge effort that the two and the rest of the session musicians placed on this album. There are slow and fast tunes. Expect variety in instruments and grand artistry that only musicians of their caliber can provide. And even if you are not really into Scottish or Irish trad music, you will still warm up to this one for its melodic and relaxing merit. Love it love it! A track from this album was featured here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01mwz99

Buy Wooden Flute and Fiddle here: http://www.laurenmaccoll.co.uk/shop/

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Wild and Sensual

A new promo posted about The Pogues

In this edition: The Pogues, Jamie Smith’s MABON, Atlantean and  Gwenael Kerleo

I am sure you have notice the energy I placed on editing the pictures of the artists I posted here. It was a great practice of visual creativity on my part. At this point in time I am confident to say anything I can and post anything I want. It is fun discovering new acts and re discovering legends. Last time, I released an interview about Scottish percussionist/producer Dave Martin. It was an eye opener for me. It is inspiring to know that Scotland is a country of thriving Celtic fusion music. Music embraces all aspects. I think it is sad if we all think that Celtic music should only be about acoustic instruments and traditional songs. It is an expanding genre while it is also keeping in touch with its past. It is like an interesting person you met on a date. Someone who possesses a keen sense of culture but is also attuned to the current times. I think I’d date that person anytime.

 It’s The Pogues and I am Doing Pogo Dance!

It’s been a while since I last visited the wonderful, explosive and punk inspired music of The Pogues. As always when you think of the Pogues always expect something unconventional both in the musical and also how they project their image to the world. You know, when I get depressed the Pogues are always reliable in cheering my mood up. This song is called Fiesta. My big thanks to Irish Music Forever for posting this video.

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Autumn Tour for Jamie Smith’s MABON

Their official facebook page has confirmed this news: “The first batch of Windblown pre-orders are on their way! Huzzah! UK orders should arrive tomorrow and internationals early next week. Any future orders we receive will be dispatched within 48 hrs. Get your copy now at www.jamiesmithsmabon.com/windblown

Cheers folks :)”

Check out this new single from this amazing band based in Wales!

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Atlantean: A Unique Documentary

Take a look at this folks. Other segments of the story can be found in youtube. It is amazing how much wealth of information is stored out there waiting to be discovered.

A segment from Irish filmmaker Bob Quinn’s four-part documentary on the maritime heritage of Western Ireland and it’s links to North Africa. This scene includes examples of Conamara dancing, called “Battering”, and it’s relation to Flamenco.

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Gwenael Kerleo – Brand new skies 

The sound of the electro harp is always invigorating. A few days ago, Layne and I were discussing about cool harp designs and he said that the one on top of his list is the electro harp. It was right after I showed him the link to the Corrina Hewat interview I did. In this video we hear another addition to our growing collection of Breton artists. Gwenael Kerleo makes music that has that maritime appeal wrapped in haunting melodies. What I like about her voice is its tender quality that has an almost child like innocence and urban sensuality.

Une chanson extraite de l’album “QUAI N°7” de Gwenael Kerleo (distribution Coop Breizh). Musique : Gwenael Kerleo – Paroles : Louis-Jacques Suignard. Avec Kevin Camus à l’irish tin whistle et au uilleann pipe et Yvon Molard aux tablas.

Les photos ont été prises sur la plage de l’Aber à Crozon (pointe de la Bretagne) en mars 2012.

Brand new skies

When your love burns so deep

Everything melts inside

When you’ve gone past the need

To sort out wrong and right

When your words take the hues of brand new skies

May your will and your way walk side by side

When your love burns so high

Setting your skies on fire

Looking down on your pride

And yielding to desire

Then it turns into gold all rocks and stones

And that sand once so cold a new bed of strokes

It blows on and whispers and sings

Never waits for any man

It knows about everything

And laughs in waving hands

When it takes you away

To the thrones of High Kings

It is then you start to pray it never ends

Dave Martin: Designing the Modern and Electronic Edge of Celtic Music (Interview)

Also in this edition: Jamie Smith’s MABON and Alison Kinnaird

The many musical sides of Dave Martin

From The Big Fat Electric Ceilidh to his own collaborations with other artists, Dave Martin is trekking the frontiers that combine technology, ingenuity and tradition. And yes he loves his fashionable kilts! 

http://soundcloud.com/dave-g-martin

 

http://www.bigfatelectric.co.uk/

www.electrolabs.co.uk

I am fascinated by fat sounds. You know the kind of thing that hits the floor and sends your neurons flying. This is brought about by beats that only electronic music can produce. Here’s an artist that bridges the gap between tradition and technology.

Dave Martin isn’t your typical Celtic band member. You don’t see him playing any traditional instrument on stage (usually). Instead he has an arsenal composed of a 17″ Macbook pro, Akai APC 20 and 2 Traktor Kontrol x1’s and M Audio firewire audio interface and run Traktor Pro 2 or Ableton Live. He works in both worlds-Traditional Scottish and Electronic music. He doesn’t find the conflict between the two. In fact he enjoys the contrast.

He loves working with different many people from different musical backgrounds. Culture fascinates him. He notes the pleasure to have worked with musicians and artists from Sierra Leone, Egypt, France, India, Pakistan, Poland, Germany, Ireland, America, Scotland, England and Wales which has been really great and inspiring.

There is a great joy in the idea of mixing electronic with acoustic music and performing in weird and wonderful places like castles, churches, multi storey carpark, forests as well as nice venues and festivals. He adds that it is a nice mix going between working and performing with electronic music and also performing and working as a percussionist.

His idea of relaxing is spending time with his fiancé Jen. She is one of the world’s leading contemporary sporran makers-http://www.sporran-nation.co.uk/. She provides designs for the kilts he wears on stage. He likes reading history books with few glasses of whiskey, playing the tabla, walking by the sea, cooking and eating with friends. He is  also a movie enthusiast! He mentions that he has plans of learning the Hurdy Gurdy (one of my favorite instruments!-CMF). He recently found someone who plays and teaches and he is very excited about it.

Today, he is heavily involved with education as a percussionist and electronic musician. He runs workshops in schools and communities throughout the UK and also teaches bodhran and drumkit privately. Teaching and working with young people are two things he is passionate about.

 CMF:The spectrum of your musical influence is really wide. You must have had a terrific background growing up to be this eclectic musically.

Dave Martin: My ears were always open to music and I grew up with my parents regularly having parties with music being played a lot. I can also remember hearing different styles of music that made me feel good, excited, weird, funny – all sorts of emotions when I was growing up. Music from films, the radio, tv programmes, my parents and my parents’ friends. My ears seemed to be very receptive to all different styles. I loved those Hindu devotional programmes. I remember watching on BBC 2 when I was a kid. That’s where I first heard the Tabla! Hearing Gary Numan on the radio and music programmes on TV, punk which I was fascinated by especially the Sex Pistols was exciting. I can remember watching a Beatles documentary which had an impact on me especially with the Sergeant Pepper album. So even at a young age I enjoyed and was very open to all different styles of music.

..and they dance to the beats: Check out his gears!

 

The Big Fat Electric Ceilidh is an amazing project and I think it beings two sides together: tradition and expansion. What are your plan for the BFEC?

The Big Fat Electric Ceilidh has been amazing to work on and is having such a great impact in Scotland because it is taking this old Highland tradition and is giving it a very modern edge mixing up club culture and ceilidh culture which are both all about music, dancing, having fun, mixing with people. A lot of Scottish Culture and identity can be quite old fashioned in some ways but there is also a lot of really great contemporary work happening in Scotland which is very exciting, ie – the highland dress, music etc and we want BFEC to take the ceilidh scene into the 21st century mixing it all up and giving it a very modern edge bringing all sorts of people together – people who love ceilidhs and people who would never normally go.

We had a show at the Assembly Rooms Edinburgh during the fringe and we were told by the director of the promotion company who organised all the acts, which were pretty major, that BFEC was the highlight of their 2012 Assembly rooms programme because he had never experienced or seen a ceilidh like that before and loved it. He also wants us to come back next year to run it during the whole of the festival. People are loving it because of the modern and electronic edge.

 How did you get involved with the Kevin McKidd project? I think that video is fascinating.

I grew up with Kevin in our home town of Elgin and he was putting this project together to raise money for a children’s charity that he is involved with and I got invited because they were needing a percussionist who has lots of experience in Scottish Trad and folk music. Great project to be involved in. I hadn’t seen Kev for a long time and it was great to see that he was still so connected to his roots and was still involved with music, especially Trad and Folk even though he has been a part of the big Hollywood Machine.

Dave plays percussion in the Kevin McKidd project.

I listened to your own tracks via soundcoud and I really like what you do with electronic music. What is your plan with this medium? Up to what extent are you expanding your experimentation being a percussionist and producer?

I love electronic music and love how it makes me feel when I’m working with it. I’m not bothered at all about CD releases because it’s the live thing that excites me and it is amazing to make and play music that creates a particular vibe where people respond to it and have a good time dancing to it. It is all emotional and that’s exciting, it’s about how it makes me feel and is great therapy. I’m always learning and trying new things, some tracks can sound shit but also some can sound good to my ears. I’m still crafting it though and constantly learning.

I’m also very passionate about drumming and have spent a long long time learning, playing, studying, travelling with it. I have a love affair with world percussion and the different styles and techniques of playing from other cultures and am a junkie for it all especially Indian and North African and Middle Eastern. That really excites me and is also good therapy!!!! It’s great being involved in the Trad Scottish scene as a percussionist and educator.

I also play as a percussionist with a whole host of musicians particularly Scottish Traditional and for these trad gigs I’ll play mainly Bodhran, cajon, Drumkit, Tabla. For other percussion gigs I’ll play other drums like conga, dholak and bongos.

I work a lot with Visual Artists, especially my buddy Graeme Roger and love the relationship between music and visuals whether it is projected images, dance, movement but especially projections. I also love performing and being involved in site specific installations in interesting and exciting places and mixing up the electronic thing and percussion thing.

I’m always learning whether as a percussionist or in producing. I love both worlds and the way they make me feel and with the people I meet and work with and play with. It’s all about variety and trying new and different things because it pushes you and which can only make me a more competent musician. It’s all about learning, connecting with people, variety, being taken out my comfort zone and being pushed in new directions. I wont grow otherwise and I don’t like doing the same thing all the time, that’s one of the reasons I like working in the Theatre and Arts Industries because it’s always offering new challenges.

 

Music has brought you to different places. In your own words, what are the things about being involved with music that you find enriching?

Learning, developing, honesty, experimentation, working with people, creating, therapy, passion.

I’ve been absolutely blessed by being given the opportunity through music to go to a lot of different places all over the UK and overseas which has been just amazing and in these places I’ve met and worked with some fantastic people and had truly wonderful experiences. That for me is what it is all about. That is what is so enriching about music – it connects you with people from all over the world and is great therapy!!! Wow!!!!

Can you share your performance ritual? What are the things you do, the things you avoid and also important things that you need to take with you on a big night.

Before a gig I try and chill out and relax and in my head go over the set. I will also chat with everyone that they are happy with everything – monitor mixes, knowing the material and talk about the show and what to watch out for and remember ie cues and that kind of things.

I usually wear my Kilt and and my beautiful Jen Designs Contemporary sporrans that I wear with my kilt.

If given a chance to work with other artists can you give me at least five names?

I would love to work with

Bjork – (Amazing choice. I have 4 Bjork albums myself-CMF)

Jamie Catto (faithless)

Trilok gurtu

Imogen Heap (I have two of her albums and she does amazing things with electronic and acoustic sounds-CMF)

Devin Townsend.

What do you think listeners should do to help their favorite artists? I know we are in a transition right now where everyone is given a power to make a difference. So what can fans do so that the music scene won’t die?

It’s important that people pay for music either through downloads or CD sales and go to see shows to support the artists and venues. Venues need the punters and artists need the venues to perform in. We need decent venues that can attract pretty decent audiences and pay artists an acceptable fee which is generally down to marketing and getting the information out to people.

Supporting local musicians and groups is important which can create a scene and vibe, especially in areas around the country that struggle with the amount of venues and good live music that is available to see.

It is hard work to make a living out of music and artists work hard at crafting their music, albums, shows etc and their work deserves and needs to be bought and heard and their shows seen.

Thank you Dave. This has been an enlightening experience for me knowing about your musical direction and plans. There you have folks. Dave martin of The Big Fat Electric Ceilidh. Be sure to catch them when they are performing near you. Let us support the scene because it is something that enriches us emotionally and spiritually. And yeah, pop and (mainstream)rock music are so overrated. Give something different a try.

A new and Intense electronic Ceilidh Experience hitting the country. Mixing up Club and Ceilidh Culture with live original Big Fat electronic music fused with traditional music. davemartin@bigfatelectric.co.uk

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Samples from Windblown, the new album by Jamie Smith’s MABON

One of the best Celtic albums to come out this year from a Welsh band that brought us fantastic music through the years.

Visit: http://www.jamiesmithsmabon.com to buy the album.

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Reflections… the art of Alison Kinnaird – Part 1

This artist has been getting attention due to her unique works.

Alison Kinnaird MBE has an international reputation as an artist in glass. Working in the ancient and demanding technique of wheel engraving, she creates contemporary artworks which are now in museums, art galleries and private collections throughout the world, including a recent major commission – the Donor Window – for the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

This short film looks at this project and Alison’s career to this point. Part 1 of the film traces Alison’s development as an artist. Part 2 of the film then goes on to look at the Portrait Gallery project in some depth and gives some insight into the skills and work that were involved in its creation.