Interview with Luke Fraser of The Bombadils

I wrote a post about The Bombadils working on a new album. What I haven’t told you os that I made an audio interview with Luke Fraser and it is finally here. This is the first audio interview with him and you can tell that we made a good team.

Luke is one of the four members that comprise The Bombadils. He plays the guitar, mandolin and other stringed instruments. He also played for Raftmen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfMHJ8HPRAw

Original song written by the Bombadils. Copyright 2012. Filmed and recorded by Denis Martin at Stewart Hall – Point Claire, Montreal, Canada.

Order their CD online:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/thebombadils

The Bombadils are:
Sarah Frank – fiddle, vocals
Luke Fraser – guitar, mandolin, vocals
Anh Phung – flute, Irish whistles, vocals
Evan Stewart – bass

Visit their website:
http://www.thebombadils.com/

Become a fan on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/thebombadils

Book them at:
thebombadils@gmail.com

 

Here’s an old video of Luke Fraser and Kit Soden made four years ago, shot in Sutton farm in rural Quebec…

 

 

St Patrick’s Day Essay and Podcast#28

There comes a time when existential blues happen to any blog. I think it is the discontented feeling of doing the same thing again and again that gives rise to this feeling. And it is good to be someone who gives you the latest in our music community. But I found out that this blog has grown into  a more structure routine-without my overt opinions. And I feel that like any relationship, things have to change. Perhaps stir on a different direction. Maybe spice things up a bit. I also realized that my mind has become cluttered as I am thinking of so many things these days. Perhaps it’s the new work that I found. It’s blowing me into a different direction. So yes things have become less personal and more sterile. It is time to shake the apple tree until the fruits fall.

We all grow. Perhaps we grow together or apart. It’s the same with friends. There are those we meet for the first who give their best foot forward. Always smiling and friendly. Then one day things become confusing. Unlike friendship, music gives us a choice. Either we listen to the same artist or probably explore other styles. But life is always like that. It is full of uncertainty. We offend someone though we don’t mean to. Or it could be all in our heads. Who knows? Sometimes we do embarrassing things and we make a fool of ourselves. In the end our greatest adversary is our own minds. I know it is hard to let go of someone’s approval; especially if that person means a lot to you. But like anything else in this world, nothing stays forever. Whether we like it or not. So things have to change.

I’ve finished uploading the radio show from last Saturday. I am happy being an online DJ. It’s something different from the usual blogging that I do. And I don’t want to impose myself on anyone. That is why I am doing less promotion on my personal page because if people really like what you do, there is no need to tell them ‘hey listen to me, what I do is cool.” And it should not be an obligatory thing because friendship should be about freedom. I’ve learned that the more we force or expect people for their time, attention and effort, the more we are imposing ourselves to them and friendship becomes strain. And the other party will start feeling trapped.

So I think whatever it is you are doing, whatever it is you are passionate about; just do it. And people will just come along. I have more than seven hundred friends in my facebook personal page. I only correspond to around five percent. But I can’t delete those who added me from my previous job. I can’t delete those who added me for the sake of Celtic music. I don’t think it is necessary. But sometimes the feeds can be too much.

I think when you are an artist, the greatest asset that you have is not really your style or talent. Everyone has style and talent. It is either you are very good or good enough. It is what you say or the ‘unique’ things you bring to the table that makes you remarkable. I am just a blogger. I am not a ‘writer.’ But I think I have something to say(like all the bloggers out there). I have opinions. I have visions and things that not everyone thinks about. And this side doesn’t really get itself known because I have followed a strict rule of doing ‘just that.’ But this is not work. This is not something I owe anyone. This is my house. And I think it is time to say whatever I want to say. And even though we can’t please everyone, as long as we are happy with what we do then we are alright.

Oh and happy St. Patrick’s celebration to all of you.

***

Sounds you should hear.

It’s been ages since I visited my soundcloud stream page. I found several artists you will enjoy. One is Scottish singer/harpist AnnaMcLuckie. Her vocal style is contemporary. She puts a cool spin to pop tunes.

I like demo tunes from established musicians. We all know that these demos or ‘live’ recordings will find their way into an album but it is always good to see the progress of the music. This time it’s Sir Phillip McHugh (slip jig) performed by Enda Seery: Vincenzo Di Mauro C Flute and James Hughes: Fiddle tuned to C.

And the last but not the least is something from Scottish piper/flutist Fraser Fifield.

Cumha by Brendan Ring and Podcast #27

A sample of his new harp cd ‘Cumha’.
Pibroch Prelude/Sheila’s Cumha

This week’s big shout out goes to harp maker Timothy Des Roches who recommended this video to me. Through his keen sense of music I was able to listen to more of Brendan Ring . I think it is a kind of music I can listen to all day and just forget that world out there is chaotic. There is that delicate style that he has mastered playing this amazing Celtic harp. The instrument is small but boasts a resonating factor to the soul.

Brendan Ring

Brendan Ring

Cumha is his new album. It is a Scottish Gaelic term which is synonymous to the following: lamentelegydirge. The first part is really slow and sad but it builds up into something hopeful. It’s saying something like, physical death is not the end of everything. There is another world that continues to live on after this world is gone. The Celts have this deep belief in the immortality of the soul. All things are interrelated. I think this makes sense in a level of quantum physics. We continue to live as our energy is transformed into something else. And there is also that theory of parallel universe and the many versions of us based on the decisions we make in life.

It is wonderful how music reminds us both of our humanity and also that we are made of the same stuff as the stars above. Brendan Ring has creative a ripple in the Celtic music world with his beautiful music and what it stands for.

***

I really enjoyed last Saturday’s radio show as I introduced tunes you probably never heard anything yet.

Creeds Cross -The Irish Band
Brutus’ Daughters-No Battle
Steven Hawson-Interview
Connie Dover-Shenandoah
J.P. Kallo-Us Against the World
Once a Tree-Light me Up
Once a Tree-Coastal Rain
Twist to Break Seal-I Ran
Layne Greene(Gregory Alan Isakov Cover)-Second Chances-
Samuel Smith-Bantry Bay

Skype Interview with Steven Hawson

Here is one fun interview I did with musician Steven Hawson over the weekend. This has a better quality than the first take we did. I like the way he clearly explains his ideas about music and how to stay motivated in the midst of the changes that’s been happening in the music industry. It’s really crazy how things have changed in the past ten years. Anyone can make a lucrative way of living as an artist if he/she knows where to market the art.

He also tells me about writing and performing music because that’s how things are. Being a musician is all about that and the rest follow. It is a condition where there is no cure but to just do it. I invite you to listen, learn something from his experience and if possible give your own ideas under the thread. This will benefit musicians and fans of the musical culture.

 

Naoned Whisky by The Maggie Whackers plus Podcast #25

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After almost two years, French band The Maggie Whackers are back with a new EP called Naoned Whisky. And yes they are from Nantes France. A great place of music! Drunken Sailor is timely because it’s a decade of the mainstream’s fascination with Pirate movies and tunes. There are strong Breton elements in their songs especially in Sans Regrets Sans Remords which is my favorite track due to its beautiful use of the bombarde. Fucking Goblins show their punk side. I’m A Man You Don’t Meet Everyday is shocking with its tenderness and melancholic melody. Burn in Hell showcases the joint forces of traditional Breton instrument and Clash-inspired guitar playing.

Naoned Whisky is the testament to the band’s continuing energy. Their songwriting has evolved since the release of their self-titled EP. They have  great sense of musical and visual style. I am sure their live shows are really entertaining. Listen below and go to http://themaggiewhackers.bandcamp.com/album/naoned-whisky to buy the album.

For bookings and any question:

The Maggie Whackers
06 33 72 49 44
themaggiewhackers@gmail.com

***

The Baxteria Podcast #25 is Up!

The Baxteria Podcast #25(Celtic and Indie variety) by Baxter Labatos on Mixcloud

Feauturing:

Sharon Corr-We Could Be Lovers
Brishen-Live at the Victoria International JazzFest 2013_ “Coquette”
Bachue-Rumble Thy Bellyful
Jacob McCauley-December 2010 Concert Part 6_ Bodhrán Solo
Moya Brennan-Sailing (radio edit)
Jack Raven’s whores-Bad Trip
The High Kings-Gucci
Arctic Monkeys-Arabella
Beth Orton-Something More Beautiful
J.P. Kallio-Too Late to Say
Fiona Joy Hawkins-The Journey (600 Years in a Moment)
Rebecca Brandt-The Moment
Fleet Foxes-English House

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