Grada

Catching Up with Stephen Doherty(Grada and Celtica instrumentalist)

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments

Artist profile:

Name : Stephen Doherty

Instruments: Flutes, whistles, melodeon, bodhran, cajon

Plays for: Grada and Celtica

Website: http://www.stephendoherty.ie/, http://www.gradamusic.com/ and http://www.myspace.com/stephendoherty/music

Stephen Doherty (Flute), David Doocey (Fiddle) and Patrick Doocey (Guitar) performing a selection of jigs ‘The Hag’s Purse’ at the Pub ‘An Trá Buí’ in Dumha Thuama’, Co. Mayo, where the program ‘Geantrai’ has been presented by Box Player Fiachna Ó Mongáin.

This interview has an interesting background. It took me weeks to finally get something out of Stephen due to his rigorous schedules. Last time he talked to me, he was in London. I was finally able to catch up with him while playing in Switzerland.

Stephen is a down to earth fellow. He actually apologized for not being able to answer the questions due to his commitments. It think it’s funny because while I was reminding him( yes I am a very aggressive music reporter) he was all over Europe!

I discovered Stephen Doherty through the Irish band Grada.  His flute and melodeon sound gave the band their bright, exquisite signature. Listening to the music reminds me of picking up a bunch of fresh mint leaves in the morning. There is that undeniable sweetness + optimism + poignant atmosphere whenever you listen to each of the track from the band.

Celtica

Celtica

Celtica are:

Gary Smyth – Guitar and vocals
Eamonn Walsh – Drums
Sean Hynes – Guitar and Bass
Ciara Walsh – Fiddle, Bass and Vocals
Stephen Doherty – Bass and Accordion

  1. Being a multi-instrumentalist, what’s your most favorite instrument .I find it hard to decide between accordion and flute, but i think flute is my most natural instrument,

    2. Tell us about the style of traditional music you make.

    I’m involved in various shows and bands, buts it all mainly based around Traditional Irish music, in the ceili bands, we play a straight fast traditional style, while when Playing with Grada, its more Contemporary and original twist on irish music, with some of our own compositions and some improvisation, and whilst playing with shows, the music can be slightly more commercial at times, i enjoy all these styles, but like to fall back to traditional music of the heart,

    3. List at three musicians who influenced you.
    Michael McGoldrick, Mairtin O Connor, Frankie Gavin

    4. You started early, and while people your age dig pop artists; why traditional Irish music?

    Traditional music was strong in my family and area, so I was surrounded by it growing up!

    5. What’s the trend in Irish music today?

    There are many trends! I think festivals are a great meeting point for sessions and craic and meeting other musicians. Many people  are still sticking to traditional styles whilst others trying to progress the tradition to new things, all are great in their own way.

    6. Where did you learn playing the box?
    I learned box from brother, in the C#D old melodeon style, and developed my playing listening to people like Mairtin O Connor, Dermot Byrne, David Munnelly.

    7. Tell us where we can catch you next in performance.
    I’m currently in Switzerland Playing Ceilis for the weekend, Back in Ireland Next Weekend playing at Beofest in Connamara with Fuaim Connamara, and then a 10 day tour of Denmark with Grada kicks off on April 28th

  2. Grada in Folk Up, Germany

    Grada in Folk Up, Germany

Catch more of Stephen Doherty through Grada and Celtica(LIKE them in facebook).

From Dublin to France, Michigan to Germany

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 1 Comment

Lives, Music and Snail Mail…

The lives people lead. Fascinating. It’s great to have friends on the Internet to help one realize that people are the same wherever you go. There’s the good and the bad, the beautiful and the not so. I used to engage in letter writing (snail mail) in high school. There’s this local music mag with a forum. I like to read it every week . I would usually tell my mom if she’s going out to the market to buy me one. Of course there was no Celtic music at that time (my repertoire was not that wide yet). Only popular artists like Sinead O’Connor, U2, Van Morisson and Elvis Costello. I would occasionally read about The Pogues and I know somewhere a long the way the band Clannad was mentioned but you see, when your interests were different you had to wait a couple of years before something hits you musically that will turn you around-the record stores.

The means of getting into the forum was through snail mail-as every kid of my generation had to bear with. I had to labour late at night just to scribble my thoughts on a yellow pad and send it to the editor. I had to wait  for weeks before I read my note published. But I really appreciated the exhilaration of being able to send something out to the world. The fact that my name was somewhere there, joining these people in a conversation about music was really an amazing feeling.

Because of this hunger to meet interesting minds, my letter writing got  me into  correspondences with people around the globe. I did  not really form a lasting bond with them but it is great to be able to receive a letter written by someone else not from this country. I remember opening each envelope slowly and feeling the texture  and the smell of the paper. I think everything that comes from a Post Office does smell awesome. The handwriting and the thoughts of a friend , the images and experiences they imbibed me-they’re my windows to the world.

Now people seldom take time to write a really long thoughtful letter. Perhaps it is this sadness that lead a lot of us to blog. This is our love letter to the world when we feel that there is no longer that long-lasting sincere connection because what we have are just phrases or sentences. Sometimes friend only ‘poke’ us and we ‘poke’ back. I know I am spoiled by all the snail mails I had in the past. But perhaps it is not too late to make another go with ‘letter writing’ in the age of Internet.

Music News….


Currently listening to Grada’s Biodegradable track from their Endeavor album(2005). I like the title. It is one of their eye-rolling instrumental pieces. The music is really Irish with hints of Jazz , Blue Grass and New Age . I got into them after hearing their Landing Step album. If you don’t have Grada in your collection yet, I suggest you get the Landing Step first and everything will follow. More here: http://www.amazon.com/Endeavor/dp/B0012N6CCY

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Guidewires performing before Capercaillie at the Festival de Cornouaille in Quimper, 21rst July 2009.
Padraig Rynne: concertina
Tola Custy: fiddle
Sylvain Barou: wooden flute
Paul McSherry: guitar
Karol Lynch: bouzouki

Guidewires are composed of seasoned musicians in the Irish traditional scene. They have a new album out and it’s really worth a listen. Check out the official website for more info. And yes this video will tell you why you need to check them out. That’s the craic!

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Been looking for the lyrics to a song of Christy Moore called  The Piper’s Path. If anyone can give me a link , would be very much appreciated. I heard it twice in a week now  while listening to www.liveireland.com

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And while you’re tuned in to your Irish stations, don’t forget to listen to our brothers in Brittany. Check this young act out. They are interesting: http://www.myspace.com/kvgroupe

FIACH & CIERAN CANNING

Time
04 April at 21:00 – 05 April at 00:00
Location
The Back Door Session @ Chaz Bar Wexford 

Commercial Quay Wexford
Wexford, Ireland
Created by:
More info
FIACH http://www.myspace.com/fiachmusic Has supported Wallis Bird on many a tour 🙂 has, until now, been one the Irish music scene’s best kept secrets but is now ready to be launched into the hearts of music lovers the length and breadth of the country. 

Fiach Moriarty is a 27 year old Dubliner, well respected and loved for his beautiful songwriting, exceptional voice and fantastic guitar playing and is fondly known as the ‘Hardest Working Artist in Ireland’, but it was his talent that found him sharing the stage with the cream of Irish and international artists such as Ray Davies, Eddi Reader, Mary Black, Damien Dempsey, Kila, Freddie White, Sinéad O’Connor, Damien Rice and Paddy Casey
CIARAN CANNING http://www.myspace.com/ciarancanning

Celtic Woman,Celtic Highway,Scottish Web and Grada on Tour.

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It’s kind of funny when people you don’t really feel an affiliation to suddenly talks to you about music. You realize that your pre conceived thoughts (negative they may be) seem irrelevant and powerless against the building enthusiasm. Sometimes, with the deception that the world around us builds, music is like this little port in a storm. You realize that there is really nothing impractical about music collection. It’s the kind of topic that really sparks up dinner table conversation. After all, music is like an archeological study. The more you collect, the more you gain insight into the culture and the times. Happy digging.

Fans of Celtic Woman will be excited to know about this one night concert Songs from the Heart. Expect to be enchanted and captivated with this group that made international headlines since Riverdance. See information below(and the link to purchase tickets).

BUY TICKETS

For those going to Scotland this year, Discover Scotland is a great site to bookmark. Information about  musical events supporting all genres can be found in this website. Very informative links to places to see, history, humor etc will help you a lot …..

I have been listening to Celtic Highway since I have become a VIP member of Live 365. For those who love both New Age and Celtic Music, this is for you. I was really surprised when The River Sings by Enya (Amarantine) gets a decent airplay. Golden Brown by Emer Kenny which is a remake of a nice song done by The Stranglers also gets exposure here. Of course, bands like 2002, Dagda and those with similar bend can be heard here. A DJ occasionally introduces a song . I will write more about 365 when I get to explore all of the stations.

Irish band Grada will be touring the rest of July in the Czech Republic. But before that they will be in Country Mayo as part of the Summer Music series at Aras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet, 8pm and ending the month in Italy.

Here’s the schedule for the rest of July:

10th – Mayo County Summer Music Series, Aras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet, 8pm

x Czech Republic ***

x July 22nd – Kurim (castle courtyard)

x July 23th – Keltska Noc Festival, Plumlov

x July 25th – Namest n/Oslavou (castle courtyard)

Italy ***

31st – Italy, Camerano (Ancona)

Grada: Softly…Surely!

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 4 Comments


Once in a while  there come a band with a bit of everything and yet sounding like no other. Grada’s approach to traditional music is fresh, evocative and often times laced with optimistic spirit that soars high. I came across The Landing Step recently and realized that I have been missing something. The music is close to American Blue Grass with Annie Marie O’ Malley’s lead vocals sounding a bit like Alison Kraus(current vocalist Nicola Hayes is closer to  Sandy Denny of The Fairport Convention).

From the first track “Tread Softly to the last ” A l’Envers” one is drawn into a Folk, Acoustic and Alternative experience.  The band has a new album out called Natural Angle(released January 26, 2010 with previews available) You can check more info about the band, each members and tour dates right at their official website:

Band members:

NICOLA JOYCE vocals & bodhran GERRY PAUL guitar, banjo & vocals ANDREW LAKING double bass & vocals DAVID DOOCEY fiddle, whistle & concertina STEPHEN DOHERTY flute, whistle, accordion, bodhran and cajon

Sources: http://www.myspace.com/gradamusic

http://www.gradamusic.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gr%C3%A1da