Dear Reader –
I’ve seen your picture. Your name in lights above it. This is your big debut. It’s like a dream come true.
Or is it? You tell me.
All hyperlinks in bold.
The Big Thing
Many of you nice people are asking me these days what it’s like to be back gigging. And it’s great - see last week’s letter, but (please don’t laugh) I’m nearly more happy to be able to plan again. Not being able to do so was really frustrating over the last two years.
I had one such chat with Ciaran in my local shop last weekend. He said to me ‘your head must be bursting with ideas’. And it is. But while ideas can be exciting, if they’re not the right ones they may not lead you where you want to go. So first you have to figure that out. And that can be scary. Because while you may want to go somewhere really cool, another part of you will no doubt pipe up and tell you you’re not good enough to get there and not to bother trying.
So the big thing this week is that there’s no big thing. Not yet anyway. But there will be. I don’t know exactly what it’s going to be, but it will be exciting. And as soon as I have something to share, you will be the first to hear.
For now here are some dates. Details aren’t finalised so don’t go looking for tickets.
Teenage Theme Night #25: The Model, March 4&5.
Theme Night #29: Hawk’s Well Theatre, May 5-7.
Where else but Sligo?
We had another wonderful Monday gig in Connolly’s last night. Cathal Roche (above, second from right) joined Seamie and I and we put our collective memories (muscle and otherwise) to the test by throwing out songs and tunes that we hadn’t thought of, let alone played since early 2020.
Halfway through the gig I spotted a face in the crowd who brought me back not two, but 22 years, to a Sigerson Cup match in The Mardyke in Cork at the age of 20. I was in first year in college, and this man was in his final year. He was the resident midfielder on the college team and I was a raw fresher. But the manager must have seen something in me, because a few days before the most important game of the season, he named me at midfield. Ahead of Joe. My big debut.
It was a bit controversial at the time, but we had fun about it last night. Joe was with his wife and some friends, and they took pleasure in stirring the pot. In a more serious moment though, I told Joe and the gang that at the time, being selected ahead of him made me feel like an impostor. Not good enough. Not deserving of my place. And something I had to actively battle in the lead-up to the game.
Anyway, we’re still friends (!), and it was by chance that they walked into the pub where we were playing, so we had a drink after the gig. It was lovely to hear that Joe and his group have had a great few days away. Good food, golf, swimming and a bit of music to top it off. On a Monday. Where else but Sligo indeed.
What’s New?
IMPOSTOR SYNDROME: I think this is a good definition: ‘an internal experience of believing that you are not as competent as others perceive you to be’. If this is something you have experienced, this is a great (and short) listen about how to look at it differently.
MY FAVOURITE BOOK QUOTE: Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend; Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.
SLOWIN DOWN: Theme Night regular Joe Hunt does much more than sing. That was clear from his contributions to Theme Nights #26 and #27. Below is his latest project - a look at the locked-down world from some incredible angles. Beautifully produced and with a great soundtrack.
Finally…
Hopefully some of you guessed what this was going to be today! It’s so good.
Till next time - Kieran.
