A little bit of this and that…

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In this edition: Damien McCarron of Mile High Celtic Radio, Karen Victoria Smith, Dan Coleman, Celtic Twist and Moxie!

Mile High Celtic Hour : You ultimate guide to Irish and Celtic music.

Got the feeling that you need to update you Celtic music collection? Work schedules and classes can sometimes take you away from what’s going on with the ‘scene’. Well worry no more.

Mile High Celtic Hour is guaranteed to put you ahead of things Celtic. This is a show based in North America, featuring a playlist  that is diverse. You get to hear bands from all over the world and get to sample their best songs plus video via livestream.

Damien McCarron grew up in Howth outside Dublin and was immersed with  Irish music and tradition. As a musician, he shared stage with amazing musicians  in the  field including members of Solas. This is a very exciting time for Irish music and the rest of  the Celtic world. Damien is definitely in the right track and the right time, with the right crowd

Damien talking between music. .

Here is the page where you can watch and listen to his show:

http://www.livestream.com/tradiovdenver

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Celtic Twist Autumn Renovations in Scotland.

Celtic Twist

The website of the duo Celtic Twist is updated! I met Phil Holland and Dave Palmley over a year ago and I have enjoyed their albums. They are doing  interesting things with their diverse musical backgrounds by mixing them up with Celtic style.

They moved to Scotland  from Italy around two months ago and Phil is taking her time drinking the sight of the beautiful Scottish landscape. This is where she grew up and Scottish music makes a huge part of her musical influences.

Dave Palmley’s pop rock influence creates a radio friendly balance for Celtic Twist. He likes experimenting with various instrument including the synths. Have you heard of a harp tune using the effects pedal?

If you are looking for something interesting on the web, do drop by their website: http://hollandandpalmley.wix.com/celtictwist and say hi.

Notes:

This piece was originally inspired by the native north American people and their loss of land and cultural identity, but it is really in homage to all people of all races and creeds wherever they may be in the world, past, present and future, who suffer the indignities of invasion and oppression.
Phil: Celtic harps, Violins, Voices and Piano.
Dave: Guitars, Voices and percussion.
This will be on our forthcoming album, to be released later this year.
More news to follow.
http://hollandandpalmley.blogspot.com/

Notes:

Dedicated to a dream come true,moving back home to the west coast of Scotland.This meditative and hypnotic piece of music is entirely written, arranged and performed by Celtic Twist (Phil Holland and Dave Palmley).We wanted to share with all our followers this beautiful place and its magical atmosphere.

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Dark Dealings Book Interview via Rock On Radio

Having a great time at the Draft House

Yes our musical culture has a literary friend in the form of Karen Victoria Smith. She wrote the book Dark Dealings which talks pretty much about Irish mythology, Wall Street  vampires, shape- shifters and what they like to listen to in their ipod. You might think I am kidding about that last bit but I am serious. There are a lot of r references to Irish music in the novel and I think she is doing an amazing job pushing the culture and mixing it with the hip, the supernatural and how the money world works. I had to reread the book after it is done because I can’t part easily with the characters. They stay with you like long lost friends.

My friend Christi and I had a blast listening to her interview via Rock on Radio hosted by Dan Coleman and the gang. It was a wacky show and Danny asked a lot of interesting questions about the book. There’s a chat room where listeners can interact with the hosts.  We also met Karen’s best pal Deedee who also happens to be part of an indie rock band Strumberry Pie. The internet made this world a better and smaller place. Christi’s in Michigan and I am in the Philippines. And we all had a blast!

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Introducing Moxie

Moxie

Genre:  Irish Contemporary Music / Jazz / New Age Bluegrass / Folk

Members : Cillian Doheny Tenor Banjo / Nylon & Steel String Guitar / Mandola

Jos Kelly Button Accordian / Keyboard

Darren Roche Button Accordian / Nylon String Guitar

Ted Kelly Tenor Banjo / Tenor Guitar / Mandolin

Paddy Hazelton Percussion

Hometown:   Limerick / Sligo

What Lies Behind the Wall has notes tapping with suspense at the beginning of the track. It is like watching a flower bloom in hyper speed. Like all remarkable Irish bands playing traditional music, Moxie offers fresh approach to a tradition that has been around and is determined to stay.

Their sound is vibrant and the arrangements are intricate. This is traditional music with a cool twist. Sophisticated style blends with rustic simplicity making them one of a kind Irish band. In Elixir’s Walts, they took advantage to pauses and trance like melodies to create a dramatic effect that blends organic percussion with luminous instrumental delivery. This is the music of a butterfly’s wings flapping in a near flight.

Bug and Bear’s further showcase the hypnotic capacity of the banjo and guitar especially when it is given to the right hands. There are three tracks available for sampling in the band’s site http://breakingtunes.com/moxie. I am sure what’s on the site is just the tip of the iceberg.

Band bio: Formed in late 2011 as part of the annual folk festival, Sligo Live, Moxie are a Sligo and Limerick based band that formed through years of musical friendships from playing together at certain festivals around Ireland. The band incorporates Irish music with other genres such as folk, rock and new age bluegrass. A vibrant new band playing an exciting mix of traditional based compositions with richly developed layers of fantastic harmony. The band includes JPTrio members, Ted Kelly (banjo, tenor guitar, vocals), Jos Kelly (button accordion, keyboard, vocals), Paddy Hazleton (percussion, vocals) and Limerick based musicians, accordion and melodeon powerhouse Darren Roche and virtuoso banjo & guitar player Cillian Doheny.

More here:

http://www.myspace.com/moxiemuso

https://twitter.com/#!/Moxiemuso

https://www.facebook.com/Moxiemuso?ref=tn_tnmn

Kinfolk: The Story Behind the Album (Interview)

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 Also in this edition: Janet M. Christel and Maeve Mackinnon

 Brian McDaid explains how Irish music shaped both their styles and also the new album they are working on.

I was interacting with Gerry Power before this interview started. Brian McDaid arrived a week ago for a few gigs. Gerry decided to hand the questions to Brian and he took the honor to answer in behalf of them. I think this is a nice turn since I am curious as to what Brian thinks about their musical career.

This whole thing started because I love the work they put out in the Kinfolk album This Land. I think that as a music lover, the satisfaction doesn’t end in hearing the entire album. One needs to KNOW the process behind and the inspiration plus perspiration that gave way to a beautiful album.

So to quench your curiosity if you are one of those who bought This Land, then this is it! Enjoy.

It’s been years since the release of Kinfolk which is in impressive album wrapped in both traditional and modern beauty. When will we hear another album from you and Brian?

We are currently working on a new album and hope to have it completed by early next year.

I noticed that a lot of Irish artists who are based in the UK getting more visibility in the scene these days. How is the state of Irish music in Britain?

Irish music has been pretty strong in the UK for a number of years. However with the resurgence in popularity of the general folk scene in the UK, with bands such as Mumford and Sons, Irish Music has also benefitted and is attracting more and more young people to listen to and appreciate this genre of music.

Can you name the 5 albums that changed your life and made you love being in the music industry?

Pretty difficult. I have been influenced by numerous types of music, but as a youngster, if I was to name any album which really made a difference it would be ‘Harvest’ by Neil Young. Other influences include James Taylor, America, The Eagles, [which readily explains our use of harmonies!], Steely Dan and Led Zeppelin. Pretty wide and diverse really.  However as a young boy and having Irish parents our house was always resounding to the sounds of Irish and folk music and I particularly remember the songs of the Clancy Brothers and the sounds of Planxty. Also being a Glasgow Celtic football fan and with their Irish traditions, many Irish folk songs are sung on a regular basis by the fans. And when you hear 60,000 people singing together it can certainly raise the spirit and influence you!

I love your song Donegal and it is a love letter you wrote for a place. How huge is the influence of County Donegal to your style of making music?

Gerry in studio

Quite simple. This is a song about my Dad who likes many young people from Ireland, left Donegal when he was a young man and came to find work in the UK. As a child I often went on holiday to Buncrana in Donegal visiting relatives. On their retirement my parents were lucky enough to be able to build a house there overlooking Lough Swilly which all the family still visit on a regular basis and the view from the house is what influenced ‘Wonderful Day’ on the Kinfolk Album. So in answer to your question County Donegal has obviously influenced my song writing!

 I know that Bound for New York City strikes a universal chord to the Irish diaspora. What sparked the idea of writing this track?

This is a song which came about while we were recording ‘This Land’. We had been working in the studio all day and were trying to find a middle eight for one of the tracks [I can’t remember now which one]. It was about 11 o’clock at night and we were obviously in the ‘zone’ and between us we came up with the idea and had most of it recorded within 2 or 3 hours. Sometimes it just seems to happen like that and sometimes it can take forever!

From the time you both worked on this project, what do you think has changed?

We feel our songwriting has developed and we have grown as musicians as a consequence of playing with various bands and playing a variety of styles. We hope to show this on the new album while still maintaining our strong Celtic influence.

 If given a chance to collaborate with other artists what are the names that you both would like to work with?

Brian in studio

There are a lot of great song writers that the both of us admire. As far as Gerry is concerned he would like to to work with Steely Dan for their gorgeous harmonies and groove, Mark Knopfler for his tasteful country folk playing and Paul Brady, a long standing hero of Gerry’s, who has written some of the best songs he has heard. As far as I am concerned I must agree with what he says about Steely Dan and  someone who I particularly admire as a songwriter is Christy Moore. His songs tend to have a great ‘mood’ and I could learn a lot from his use of lyrics. However what I would like to do is spend more time with a good instrumentalist, fiddle player or accordionist, and explore and mix some of my more contemporary ideas together with the traditional. The idea would be to create something a bit more individual.

How do you two work on a song? What’s the collaborative process?

We have no set process. Sometimes one of us will present a complete song. The both of us will then work on it and ‘tweak’ it to give it the distinct ‘Kinfolk’ sound. Sometimes one of us has the initial idea lyrically or it may be a sequence of chords or a riff that starts the ball rolling. Other times one of us comes up with a chorus and we take it from there. We have actually written the ideas for a song over a pint in the pub – amazing how creative you can be after a couple of drinks!

There you have it. Another interesting moment with a musician and getting to know the process behind the song. Watch out for their upcoming album that will be out, hopefully early next year. Now that it’s done I will give This Land another spin and get lost among the beautiful tracks.

Buy the album here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kinfolksongs

You can also listen to their tracks here: http://www.myspace.com/kinfolksongs

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Exquisite vocal siren Janet M. Christel

Photo: MK-Fotografie — at 37. Bardentreffen.

I miss vocal music! This is really refreshing. The voice and accent of Janet M. Christel are things that make her singing really distinctive. The arrangements are striking. Her music is a delectable bar of dark chocolate wrapped in soft caramel hazel nut core. Listen listen listen!

http://www.janetmchristel.com

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Maeve Mackinnon Her Music is like a Force of Nature.

Ok I got goosebumps listening to the style of Maeve Mackinnon. The music haunts you. Like the swaying tree amidst the howling wind, her voice is a spiritual force that can rattle the walls of your soul and open the sky of rain. This is the kind of music that draws me and it is hard to say no…to such music as Maeve Mackinnon’s. Her music page says: 1st October 2012 sees the release of “Once Upon an Olive Branch”, the second album from acclaimed contemporary Gaelic singer Maeve Mackinnon.

http://www.maevemackinnon.com
http://twitter.com/maevemackinnon

Contemporary Celtic Rock, Jazz, and Instrumental Music

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In this edition: Sahara, Declan Sinnott and Dave Hum

A great weekend to all you readers of this page. We have great albums worth listening and I will tell you what I like about them. Enjoy and listen to the music samples.

Sahara: A New Beginning

Genre: Original Contemporary Celtic Rock Jazz Eclectic

Members: Dave Long vocals, guitar keyboards & sequencing

Trish Long vocals, sax, flute, flageolet, recorder keyboards & sequencing

Release date: October 2012

Sample track:

Fans of Bruce Hornsby, Van Morrison and Marc Cohn will certainly welcome Sahara’s A New Beginning with open arms. The duo of Trish and Dave long incorporate a broader spectrum of musical styles. There are hints of smooth jazz, pop rock and Celtic. In terms of instrumental delivery, I’d say hands down to both of them. Their years performing on stage and recording  the way they want their albums to sound, ripened and made their music intoxicating like fine wine. It is the confidence brought about by the test of time, elements and LIFE that we all go through. There are certainly events that shake us rendering us incapable of moving. But it is the call of artistic desire that always brings us into a sense of purpose. This optimistic thought is present all over the album’s 10 tracks.

Sweetness, pain, laughter: these are emotions that surround A New Beginning. There are other atmospheric surprises like The Promise which possesses a definitive Celtic sound. The vocal layering and melody lean into Clannad and Loreena McKennitt. Other titles like Right the Wrongs and A New Beginning are songs that anyone who has gone through tough times can relate to.

The Sweetest Thing, track four, delivers the “get into the Irish pub” kind of sentiment. It has that relaxed atmosphere of being with someone you loved through the years. It says that you don’t have to hide anything because you can be who you are with the right person.

Let’s Unite affirms the belief that we can all get through our differences if we  realize our similarities. I reflected on this and also remember all the natural disasters like earthquakes, famine, disease and poverty. We aren’t invincible. So why should we fight each other when nature is already fighting us and diminishing our numbers? Must we also contribute to the pain? The song has that Irish marching beat.

It Could be True is an example of someone continuing to “court”  a beloved through the years in the relationship. I think it is telling us that winning someone’s heart doesn’t stop after marriage. It continues and there is never a morning when you wake up with a sense of wonderment and challenge to continue loving against all odds. The nice sound of the recorder glides throughout like a nightingale.

Renovating my Igloo is groovy. Fans of Talking Heads can relate to the 80’s New Wave style. Another tribute to being with someone through thick and thin and also the idea that nothing is constant but change. But love the a unifying and constant force.

Is it only Me has a rocking feel. Both vocal and instrumental arrangement set the example of musical excellence. Rainy Day At Shady Creek explores the world of Jazz and Bluegrass. It sounds like traditional Irish music gone crazy. I love it though. Such a nice ending for this album that needs repeated listens.

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Declan Sinnott: I love the noise it makes

Genre: Folk Rock

Players:

Declan Sinnott: Lead vocals, guitars and various instruments

Owen O’Brien: Keyboards, piano.

Release date: September 2012

Sun Shine In is the carrier single off this new album by former member of Horslips (before they became official) and Moving Hearts. He is associated with both sisters Mary and Frances Black. He currently plays and tours with Christy Moore. “ I love the noise it makes “( a quote he loved from John Lennon when asked whether in music it is the lyrics or the melody he prefers ) was released on 7 September 2012 in Ireland and on 10 and 11 September in the UK and USA respectively.

There are twelve tracks. They are on the easy folk rock style that’s catchy and groovy. Everything in this album sticks together. The sonic quality is amazing, partly through the efforts of Tim Martin and Ian Cooper courtesy of Metropolis Studios. The album has a nice packaging imitating the cardboard style CD. The liner notes are informative and excellent especially in terms of visuals. There are photos of Declan with co-songwriter Owen O’Brien in the studio. The consoles he uses for recording will make a record junkie drool. In one photo, there is a room filled with ethnic instruments (African), synthesizers, assorted guitars and drums.

This album feels like a bunch of hay stacked and tightened in great detail. Craftsmanship and art are combine creating a collection of songs that is timeless and also at home with today’s folk rock top 40. His voice is just the right combination of time tested roughness and whiskey smoothness that goes down easily. Sun Shine is bound to stay in your head for  along time with its melody and easy breezy delivery.

Other tracks like Blood Rushing Through These Veins, I See the World From Here, Corrina, Corrina, Broken Glass and Circle Round the Sun beg for covers due to their amazing sentiments, and heartfelt lyrics. Other tracks like Me and My Dark Companion and Ocean are bluesy and finely executed that they will spawn more covers and jams in years to come. One sweet surprise is the ambient track called Orbit found at the end of the album. It is actually a remake of a traditional tune. I think it is an awesome way to close such excellent album. I like the fact that I won I love the noise it makes and yeah I love it…I love the music it makes!

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Celtic and Bluegrass 5 String banjo Album 2

Genre   Instrumental – Celtic – Bluegrass – Old Time – Traditional – Original – Banjo Music

Banjo – Guitar – Mandolin – Bass – Harmonica – Keyboards – Percussion – Programming-All by Dave Hum.

Released Date: August 2011

Sample track:

Album two is a progress to album one of Dave Hum’s top notch banjo playing. I haven’t met anyone who plays like a deity. Expect tracks combining Irish, Bluegrass and Celtic music. Album 2 is composed of 21 tracks. Other artists would have released this as a double album. But you see folks, Dave Hum doesn’t boast his talents through promotion. He relies so much on the word of the mouth and social networking to showcase his craft.

He does everything here. But the star instrument is the banjo. It would be unfair not to mention his expertise in the guitar, bass, mandolin, keyboards, harmonica and percussion. Cluck the Old Hen is a track that has been around in youtube and never gets old. Check out his wild harmonica intro in this track. This is good bluegrass music. Other tracks really hardcore trad music because these are titles that are not familiar to me. He plays them all like he has known them all his life. One fine example is Nashville Blues which is track 15 in this album.

Everything in this collection has the polished sheen of expensive and worn pair of shoes. You could never go wrong picking up this album. I think it is the best banjo album I have heard in years.  His artwork has also flourished. It shows bolder and deeper colors. The Irish Traveller has come  a long way and is trying to explore new territories. Dave Hum has a wizard’s fingers and a chemist’s intelligence in merging and breaking apart the mystery of tunes. His playing is innovative yet rooted deeply in the past. Album 2 of Celtic and Bluegrass 5 String Banjo is a must have and it plays well in any season.

Traditional Irish, Bluegrass and Americana

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 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

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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.