Dave Rooney is working on a new album called Entertainer. I own two of his albums and listening to each is always a great musical experience. He is a fine musician who is rooted in the folk and Irish tradition but never losing that pop sensibility. If you like The Waterboys, Wet Wet Wet and Luka Bloom, then I don’t see why ou won’t pick up releases from this talented artist. Here’s our little conversation:
What’s the title of the new album?
The new album is called the Entertainer. I’ve folkafied and re-recorded previous tracks and written 6 new ones for this one I’m really happy with it, sounding very contemporary Irish. All the songs are woven in to the the story line, looking forward to getting on the road. What can listeners expect from this album?
It’s pretty much a life work for me. Introspective,and a big story line based on a character I met in Temple Bar.That’s where I got the idea for the musical. So a few of the songs are about him,with all the songs based on his life.
Are you working with the same guys whom you worked with in your previous album?
Same studio, Sharon Hussey fiddle player, {this is my home} new drummer, accordion player, pipe player ,double bass player,so on…I’m going back to the acoustic more contemporary out of Ireland sound
That sounds amazing! How do you maintain your amazing singing style and how to you keep being up to your toes during tours.
A lot of people ask me that, how do you find time what with a family and all.
The singing comes naturally, simply because I gig 10-12 shows a week, So I’m singing in my sleep. With regards to tours, I love traveling, gigging in different places and I think once your doing what you love it creates and energy and a zest that gives you the ability to stay on top of it.
Thank you Dave. I will be posting this little interview soon and I hope to get a preview of at least one of the songs to let it build anticipation.
As soon as I have a mastered copy, you’ll have it.
thanks a mill Baxter!!!
Dave Rooney performs his new single ‘She’s Not Here’ Live at the Candlelight Sessions in Buskers Bar, Temple Bar, Dublin. 05/04/11
“Since we are now a band based in Germany, Scotland and Ireland, a lot of travel is involved in live gigs and it feels like a long distance relationship. So the title reflects that, but it also reflects about how we feel about the new band members. “
The history of knowing this band came from a conversation I had with my friend Tim. He gave me the link to the track called Rain. The name of the album is Long Distance Love. There’s something about the track and the title of the album that made me look for the band online and learn more. They struck a personal chord inside. I think they did the same to countless listeners out there who might have found something to connect. Be it the personal messages of the songs or the well researched s background of each track that makes you take the band seriously. A week ago, Jimmy gave me a copy of their album In Colour (their debut album) . Now I have two Cara albums. One I got from the band courtesy of band member/bodhran player Rolf Wagels. He was teaching bodhran over the weekend when he got my interview.
1. How did Cara came to be? What made you guys sit down and form a band?
Rolf: We had been friends for years, and met through sessions and festivals in Germany. We always said: We should do something together, but it took until 2003 until it happened. After Claus and Sandra had left due to family commitments, we looked for two new members. I knew Ryan Murphy from a festival in Ireland, that I attend to teach Bodhran and Cara had played a gig there as well, so the other members knew him too. So we asked him and he was delighted. Jeana we found through another band we are friends with: Beoga! It was difficult to find somebody that plays piano, a melody instrument and is a strong singer, so we are glad Beoga recommended Jeana.
2. I love the liner notes because there are song commentaries . There’s also a bit of history lesson there. Do you guys make it a point to describe the origin of each song?
Rolf: Yes, the liner notes are important to us. Every song, every tune has a story and we all like to explore the story behind it and then share it with our audience. Also in live shows, we often tell the stories behind the songs and tunes and the audience seems to like that as well.
3.The mood of the whole album is uplifting…even the saddest songs like Rain makes you smile. Are you guys into upbeat tracks or it’s a concept exclusive to Long Distance Love.
Rolf: Well, we are all upbeat people for a start, but we also like sad songs, and songs with murder and tragic. If you look at Sweet Williams Ghost, it’s all about a ghost and the tragedy behind it, and an previous recordings we had songs like “Sailor Boy” where the main character dies as well. But we are not depressive and like the craic 🙂
4.Why the title Long Distance Love?
Rolf: Since we are now a band based in Germany, Scotland and Ireland, a lot of travel is involved in live gigs and it feels like a long distance relationship. So the title reflects that, but it also reflects about how we feel about the new band members.
5. How do you gather materials for recording? Do you research and gather materials before bringing the experiences inside the recording studio or is everything random?
Rolf: Yes, everything is researched and tested before we go into the studio. We try to play a few sets live, to see how they feel, but sometimes things just happen in the studio and if we like that, we keep it. Since we are all so far away from each other, the recording time is precious and you need to be prepared. On the other hand, Juergen Treyz, our guitar player, owns the studio and he does the producing.
6. How do you guys record your songs? What’s the recording studio like, the atmosphere of the place and also the recording gear you use. I can’t help but notice the great deal of sound engineering you do in your works…there must be something there that we , your listeners would be interested knowing about.
Rolf: Juergen Treyz, our guitar player, also has his own studio, the artes recording studio. This is where it’s all happening, Juergen is a well known producer for acoustic music in Germany and he has a lot of experience. If you want to know more details about the equipment used, let me know, I will forward your email to Juergen.
7.What brought Irish/Scottish music into your life?
Rolf: Well, everybody has her/his own story. Gudrun came to the music through her brother who played Irish music, I was on a school orchestra trip to Ireland when I first got in touch with Irish music. Juergen studied guitar, and played Breton music before playing Irish music. Ryan grew up with the music in his homeland Ireland and won 7 all Ireland titles on the pipes. Jeana grew up on the Orkney Islands and studied for a BA (Hons) in Scottish Music at the prestigious Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and won the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award 2008 with her singing partner Siobhan Miller.
8.What are the things that await the band this 2012?
Rolf: We are gathering material for a new album, but I can’t give you an exact date for a release, we are touring a lot, including gigs in Germany, Holland and Italy, and hopefully head to the States and Canada in the second half of the year.
So stay tuned 🙂
P.S. Thanks to Nancie who decided to drop the CD of Long Distance Love inside a bag of a friend as a Christmas gift…and found its way to me. The joy of sharing through music. May the long distance friendship that we share grow into a closer one through the years.
Listening to Mickey Coleman. I am in the mood for ballads. Songs of longing, missed soul mates, loss, nostalgia and hope. I think these themes are close to my heart than anything else. But Mickey’s songs are also a variation of those and fast tunes. I also heard funny ones. The thing that carries his tunes is his style of singing-part choir tenor and part brew that brings smoke into your eyes. Highlands of Belfast and Coaisland Girl make you sit down and really listen. Somewhere Else Instead became my song today. I urge you to come and join me. It’s the right time and the right mood.
I love the feeling of being preoccupied. It makes you dwell less on memories. It makes you more of a human being than a helpless victim of fate. When the mother of my boss passed away, she felt so terrible that all she could do was throw herself on her job. She worked and worked to deal with pain. She had over time and she was doing a lot of things. She told me that if she even contemplate on it , would feel so bad that it would consume her. I remember giving her a tight hug because there’s nothing else to say. You can’t know the extent of pain a person feels until you’ve been through the same situation.
Music is a healer. I think time and music go hand in hand. Can’t say too much about mine but we are all travelers and we all deal with pain our own way. Next time, let us be kinder to others in our words and deeds. Because kindness begets kindness. …
Bodhrán Music Session in Cavan Rugby Football Club During Fleadh Cheoil na hÉirinn 2010. Recorded by http://www.drumlinmedia.com
An exciting thing happens in Ireland and the rest annually. The Fleadh has been a subject of articles as well as media coverage, because it has been around since 1951. It is great to see artists play in a casual setting , sometimes on a small stage or just within a crowd . I think this is where you get the “Celtic spirit”. I went to The Fleadh website and found this info:
About the Fleadh
At the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann inaugural meeting in September 1951 it was decided to create a national festival named Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (Festival of Music in Ireland).
County, provincial and worldwide Fleadhanna are very important events in the traditional Irish music calendar and annual Comhaltas events include Fleadh Nua, Fleadh na Breataine (an All-Britain Fleadh Cheoil), regional Fleadhanna in Britain, Japan and the USA.
The goal of the Fleadh Cheoil has been to establish standards in Irish traditional music through competition. The Fleadh has developed as a mainly competitive event, but also includes showcases of concerts, céilithe, parades, pageants, and street sessions.
The continued growth in the number and standard of Fleadhanna held have facilitated competitors to qualify from county, provincial and regional levels for the All-Ireland finals at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
The Fleadhanna at each level provide a platform and a meeting place for over 10,000 musicians, who carry on the great tradition of playing and cherishing our music, songs, and dances.
And when the competitions are over, many impromptu sessions take place which sometimes last until the early hours.
Check out the website of The Fleadh for more info.
As part of the Traditional Harcourt Sessions!Concert starts at 9pm
Tickets €10 in advance from Hotel – Bookings to 01 4783677. Admission on the night €12. Student/OAP Concessions with ID.NicGaviskey are:
Sean Gavin on Flute from Detroit
Sean McComiskey from Baltimore, Maryland on accordion
Caitlin Nic Gabhann from Co.Meath on Concertina and dancing
Bernadette NicGabhann from Co.Meath on fiddler and dancing
+plus some very special guests!
NicGaviskey are a band comprising Irish and American members. They play traditional tunes. They’ve been associated with festivals like the Cavan Feadh as well as other live sessions. After all the meeting of the members happened that way-impromptu playing which resulted to them deciding to really stick together. What i love about this group is the fact that they show us an example how music can bring us close together in friendship. There’s no other type of music that has this magic than Celtic music. There is this fervent devotion it inspires which almost borders on being possessive. I know this feeling. And I miss this too. Check out the group’s website: http://www.nicgaviskey.com/
Donal McCague (fiddle): Sep 20, 2011 Unitarian Church, Dublin( with Dave Sheridan (flute) and Michael McCague (bouzouki)
A friend told me that the mother of the dog that he has passed away. On top of that I have this frustration that I find hard to describe except this: the feeling you get being nominated several times but not bagging even just one award. So what to do? Nothing. But the feeling of being confined eats you. In times like this only music is the way out. Let me give you a list of performers that merit a listen in situations like these artists:
Eden’s Bridge: Grow- Taken from the upcoming The Longest Day EP. The freshness of this track will carry you into caress of waves and prairie leaves. Transporting, uplifting, let it carry you to the silver lining of your personal clouds:
Explosive shimmering interpretation of traditional pieces from this young Irish fiddle player. The golden album cover speaks of the tracks-utterly timeless, radiant and mesmerizing. Here’s the preview:
Nuala Kennedy creates a mood that kicks off the blues. This Scottish singer/flutist has made a following of her own with her style. Check this info from reverbnation :
Based in her adopted homeland of Scotland, Irish singer and flautist Nuala Kennedy performs a range of material from across the Irish and Scottish traditional music repertoires.
She also composes her own idiosyncratic brand of traditional music and tours in a variety of lineups from duo and quartet to a nine-piece festival band.
She has a new album (Tune In) released on Compass Records in March 2010. It was described as ‘A Picaresque Adventure and A Delight’ **** by THE IRISH TIMES
Currently recording… 
Celtic Music Fan 