Dear Reader –
In my early days as a musician in Sligo, I remember a friend coming up to me at a gig and marvelling at how good one of the musicians was. “What’s his name”, he asked, “and how was he never discovered”?
*All hyperlinks, as always, in bold.
The Big Thing
We have a running joke on our podcast about ‘being discovered’. One of the co-hosts (Rory) often plays up to the role of someone waiting to be spotted and launched into the big time and Luke and I enjoy rising him about it.
The point was brought up one week however that the thing about being discovered is that you’re leaving the decision of what exactly you are discovered for up to someone else. So for someone like Rory, who is a hard-working barber, a talented cinematographer, a great singer and many other things, being discovered for one of these things may mean leaving the others behind.
I was reminded of this when I came across an old piano on a recent trip away. It was in the reception room of a beautiful old house, and when I saw the portraits and lamps on top of it, I immediately thought it was one of those pianos now used more as a piece of furniture than a musical instrument.
Because while some pianos are there to sound good, the function of others is merely to look good, and it’s the owner who gets to decide. Which is a bit like being discovered - the person who discovers you will probably want a say in what direction you go next.
Thankfully in this case my initial impression was wrong. This piano sounded great, and I thought that maybe it’s not the end of the world if you’re never discovered. Then you can be both a beautiful instrument and a pretty piece of furniture, should you choose.
Where else but Sligo?
I received the first dose of my COVID vaccine in Sligo during the week. And I must say, even for someone who hates the sight of needles, it was a joyful experience from start to finish.
From entering the car park and being greeted by friendly faces (someone take that megaphone off Vinnie Higgins – he’s dangerous with it), to the nurses and staff, who were so professional and caring. A special thanks to Mary who had read last week’s letter and made me feel at home straight away when she asked me how my trip to Cork was.
My one regret - not getting a sing-song going with some Oasis/Blur/Pulp or something else from my teenage years - because you could be sure everyone there that day would have known the words.
What’s New?
The Hawk’s Well Theatre is reopening after 9 long months! On June 26th with a great line-up of performers. I have my tickets booked - who’s coming??
Speaking of 9 months, I’ve been writing a weekly column for the Sligo Weekender for about that length of time now. Here are two recent ones, on Sligo’s young army of horn players and when you’re not OK.
This is a great challenge. I first heard of Blkbok (born Wilson Charles) on Matthew Carey’s Studio Time podcast. He is a pianist/keyboard player who has toured with Justin Timberlake and Rihanna and is now writing and recording his own music. This is him attempting a timing challenge inspired by the great drummer Chico Hamilton. If anyone knows the name of the man laying down the challenge please let me know as I’d like to credit him.
Go on - give it a go.
Finally…
The name of the musician in today’s opening story? Seamie O’Dowd. And for someone who has never been discovered, the fact that he couldn’t do something with me recently because he was off recording with Christy Moore says it all really. Here’s one from a few years back.
Till next time,
Kieran.
