Reconnecting with Music

Dear Reader –

I was out with some friends last night, and we spoke about the crucial moments in our lives where the musical spark was lit, where things just clicked, where the real connection began. It was amazing to hear the different ways and the different ages at which it happened for each of us. If you’re looking to find or indeed re-discover this feeling for yourself, please read on.

*All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

Two big things today - especially if you’re an adult who wants to reconnect with your creative side, improve your musical skills, or meet other like-minded people in a fun and informal way. Read more below.

Piano tuition classes.

Music Club.

Term for both courses begins on Sept 20th, so please get in touch ASAP if you’re interested.

kieran@kieranquinn.ie

Where else but Sligo?

A young Italian gentleman recently got in touch to ask if I knew of a piano he could play a couple of times a week over the next few months. He’s studying in Sligo IT for a while and wants to keep up his playing while he’s here.

He was possibly looking for some lessons too and came out last week for the first time to have a chat. After a brief conversation, I asked him if he would play something for me. He was a bit nervous, as he hadn’t played for a few weeks, but then played Debussy’s Arabesque and just blew me away.

He began to pack up and said he hoped to come back next week, but I wanted to hear more. I asked him for something else, and he played Chopin’s Nocturne in Eb, and I immediately asked if he would play again. This time it was Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. One more beautiful than the next. I then asked if he would like to stay a bit longer, and a smile lit up his face.

He stayed for almost two hours. I went into the other room and got on with my work, accompanied by some of the most beautiful music that this building in Strandhill has ever heard. And while no doubt it helped that he played really nicely, the real joy was in watching and listening to his emotions while reconnecting with his instrument. Some people just aren’t meant to be apart from their music for long.

What’s New?

1. I have had to delay the release of tickets for last week’s promised upcoming gigs while the good people in the Hawk’s Well Theatre are told the details of what last week’s government announcement means for them. In the meantime keep the dates in your diary - they’re very soon! Teenage Theme Nights Sept 15 and 16. And a very special welcome back show for Theme Night fans on September 18th. Subscribers to this letter will hear any announcement first.

2. I loved this honest hour-long chat between Roy Keane and Gary Neville. Keane’s intelligence, wit, and general cop-on shine through.

3. The Long and The Short of It is one of my favourite podcasts at the moment. 15-20 mins, a quick conversation between two intelligent minds, and I’m always left with plenty to think about. Here’s one of my favourite recent episodes.

Finally…

Thankfully, reconnecting with the music in your life doesn’t require the emotional turmoil that reconnecting with people can bring!

Till next time - Kieran.

(Almost) Announcements...

Dear Reader –

Our hopes of a return to live music have been dashed many times in the last 18 months. Today will tell if our time is finally coming again.

*All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

I wrote last week about one particular stand-out moment for me when learning the piano by ear as a teenager. But playing the piano can be lonely, and so the other big moment for me as a young musician however was discovering the joy and fun the is possible when playing with others. There’s nothing like it, and it’s something we have all missed so much over the last 18 months.

So I’m delighted to announce the formation of a new music club starting this autumn. If you are an adult and sing, play piano or indeed any other instrument, and are looking for like-minded people and a forum in which to play regularly, well then this will be for you.

I don’t have all the details for now, I’m waiting to hear what might be possible in the coming weeks, but here’s what I do know.

• We will meet in some capacity one evening each month.

• We will learn together about music and look into what makes the songs you like so great.

• We will make music together in various combinations and perform for each other.

If you think this might be for you, please let me know and express your interest by sending an email to me at kieran@kieranquinn.ie in order that I can get planning. I hope to have full details in next week’s letter.

Where else but Sligo?

Trying to ‘make it’ is one of the most difficult things you can do as a musician. There are lots of ways in which you can ‘make it’ of course, and everyone’s definition of success is different. However, sticking with your dream of making a career as a touring artist/band with your own music is not easy, and I always admire anyone who does so.

There have been many great examples of Sligo bands doing this in the past. Most notably (in my memory) Indian, Those Nervous Animals, Rackhouse Pilfer, Oddsocks, Old Hannah, to name a few. The standard-bearers locally in this regard at the moment however are Moxie - a Sligo/Limerick collaboration. Doggedly pursuing innovation and excellence, they have undergone changes in line-up and musical direction in pursuit of their vision - going beyond their traditional roots and letting their music be a reflection of the times we live in.

Their new album, The Dawn of Motion is out this Friday 3rd September. You can pre-save it here, or watch the video for the second single from it below.

What’s New?

1. GIG NEWS! We have been promised a roadmap on the return of live events today. Indeed by the time you read this letter it may already have been announced. If the news is positive I hope to put on a show in the Hawk’s Well Theatre on Saturday September 18th, as well as some Teenage Theme Nights on Sept 15th and 16th.

   As a reader of this letter, you will get first news on tickets, and there may well be a special letter with this news before the end of the week, so keep an eye on your inbox.

2. I have a strange affection for a section of new road, and so yesterday evening I very much enjoyed my spin on the new N4 between Collooney and Castlebaldwin. Smooth and shiny!

3. Last week’s letter contained two puzzles. Click on the hyperlink and scroll down to the bottom of it if you want to attempt them before reading the answers (as promised) below. Thanks to all the readers of the letter who responded - you are a smart bunch!

   So - the answer to Puzzle 1 is option 1. The second option is a subset of the first, so cannot be more likely. And the Answer to Puzzle 2 is that the coin is obviously a forgery. Nobody in 544 BC knew that it was 544 BC.

Finally…

A friend sent me this during the week and it’s great! Levon Helm in The Ryman with what looks like their equivalent of a theme night finale. We’re daring to hope once again…

Till next time - Kieran.

The Last Week of Summer

Dear Reader –

Depending on your circumstances, this week will signal the imminent end of freedom, the dreaded return of colder weather, or perhaps the welcome return of routine. I hope you’re feeling OK about it.

*All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

If the big job last week was to get the album finished, this week it’s to put the finishing touches to the teaching timetable for the new term. Another sign that summer is coming to an end.

But with every ending comes a beginning, and September, along with January and June, is one of my favourite times of the year to start something new. Or figure out a better way to do the things we already do.

And so I’m enjoying this book at the moment - the author describes it not as a how-to book, but rather a when-to book. It’s full of interesting anecdotes and useful tips regarding things like why the afternoon can be dangerous, what time of the day is best to exercise, and the ideal length of a daytime nap.

AND it opens with a great Miles Davis quote - ‘time isn’t the main thing. It’s the only thing’.

Where else but Sligo?

Ransboro, end of August 1996.

My sister was heading to secondary school for the first time and so we rented Forrest Gump on video and watched it as a treat the night before. She headed off the next morning and I must have had a couple more days of holidays, because I remember asking my parents if I could hold onto the video for the morning. Not with the purpose of watching the film again, but to try and pick out the melody of the piano theme playing through the opening scene that had caught my ear. It’s beautiful - have a listen.

It was around the time I began trying to work out melodies by ear, and so I rewound and fast-fowarded that VHS over and over again, determined firstly to pick out the tune, and then the altogether more difficult part of the left hand. Our piano must have been out of tune, because it was only when I went to play it with the Sligo Academy of Music Sinfionetta more than 20 years later that I realised it was in the key of G, not Ab as that piano had misinformed me all that time previously.

It’s a lovely memory from this time of year.

What’s New?

1. As mentioned last week, I do hope to announce something exciting for adults who like to play piano and/or sing over the next few weeks. I’m just waiting to hear from our government as to what will be within public health guidelines. More for you as soon as I have it.

2. Limerick won the All-Ireland hurling championship last Sunday for the third time in four years, and they look like they are here to stay. In 2018 they won their first All-Ireland in 45 years by a point with a score of 3-16. On Sunday last they had beaten that score BY HALF-TIME (3-18), and went on to win by 16 points. Scary.

3. Back to the book mentioned in The Big Thing - the opening chapter contains two interesting mind puzzles. Have a go and I’ll give the answers next week. I got one wrong - but as the book would say, maybe I just attempted it at the wrong time of the day!

   1. Meet Linda. She’s 31 years old, single, outspoken and very bright. In college, Linda majored in philosophy. As a student, she was deeply concerned with issues of discrimination and social justice, and participated in antinuclear demonstrations. Before I tell you more about Linda, let me ask you a question about her. Which is more likely?

      1. Linda is a bank teller.

      2. Linda is a bank teller and is active in the feminist movement.

   2. Ernesto is a dealer in antique coins. One day someone brings him a beautiful bronze coin. The coin has an emperor’s head on one side and the date 544BC stamped on the other. Ernesto examines the coin - but instead of buying it, he calls the police. Why?

Finally…

Surely the quintessential end-of-summer song…from our 2020 Summer and Sunshine Theme Night…

Till next time - Kieran.

North Dublin's finest...

Dear Reader –

I’m channeling my inner Bertie Ahern this week as we bunker down in Luke’s studio to put the finishing touches to the Theme Night Album.

*All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

One of the big jobs this week will be to put the tracks in order. Earlier this week, I revisited a 2013 email from Steve Wickham in which he gave me some advice on just this when I was doing the same with my first album that year. The following points are a mixture of his advice and things I have learned since.

1. It’s commonly said that many people don’t listen to albums in their entirety any more. If you are worried about this, don’t release an album. Release a series of songs instead.

2. If you are releasing an album however, treat it like an album, not a series of individual songs.

3. So - bring the listener on a journey. Can you create some sort of narrative?

4. Be mindful of tempo changes - consider pacing it like a concert.

5. Start and finish strong.

6. Be aware of the effect of going up/down a key from song to song.

7. Avoid staying in the same key from song to song unless you are doing it for a reason.

8. Be mindful of the balance and spacing between songs and instrumental tunes, big and small arrangements, happy and sad pieces.

Where else but Sligo?

Steve was always someone to whom I looked up. Someone who lived locally but played and toured the world with an internationally renowned rock band. When I was starting out as a musician 16 years ago my Dad suggested I ring Steve for a chat. I met him in town and he suggested I write 10 songs and give them to him for a listen. I never did - I wasn’t ready to write. Great advice though.

Like the email mentioned above, this is an example of someone experienced helping someone starting out. The passing of wisdom from one generation to the next. I wrote this article about it for the Sligo Weekender recently.

Generously sharing processes and practices. Not like what memorably happened with one piano player years ago. I heard him play a killer lick and asked him to show it to me afterwards. He refused, saying it was his and didn’t want to share it. As if it had never been played in the history of music before and wouldn’t again.

The opposite of Steve. and thankfully, many others in our community.

What’s New?

1. Our podcast - In The Lamplight- will return in the coming weeks. We’re shaking it up a bit, with new features and people involved. I’ll share more with you as soon as I have it. For now, here’s the interview we did with the aforementioned Steve Wickham last year.

2. “We’re going to take them all the way tonight Mary-Ann”. Epic commentary as always from Mike Finnerty & Martin Carney on Midwest Radio at the end of last weekend’s historic win for Mayo in Croke Park.

3. Back to Bertie - I met him once in a North Dublin pub. He spotted the Sligo GAA jacket I was wearing and immediately had a positive comment about the time we played Dublin a few years previously. You may not agree with his policies and actions, but he was skilled at knowing his audience and playing to it. It was the cornerstone of his success.

   I’m not sure if he ever took Matthew Carey’s Audience By Design workshop, but if you’re looking to find ways to better connect with your audience, this ticks all the boxes, and a new session is beginning in a couple of weeks.

Finally…

Here’s a song of Steve’s we did with him earlier this year.

Till next time - Kieran.

What's The Motto With You?

Dear Reader –

Thanks for reading this week’s letter. Inspired today by Kellie Harrington…

*All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

“Perennial winners end up just being satisfied with not having lost. For new winners however, there is a different level of ecstasy”.

So said a friend of mine (from a traditionally more successful county) to me when we discussed the Sligo U-17 (Minor) GAA team winning the Connacht championship for the first time in 53 years last week. Indeed it was the first Connacht title at any level for 14 years so football fans in the county got justifiably excited.

But it also applies to Kellie. Malachy Clerkin of the Irish Times wrote yesterday, “by most measures, being an Olympian is an insane thing to do with your life”. And he’s right - Olympians and wannabe Olympians commit to huge sacrifice and putting most areas of their lives on hold for no financial gain and a small chance of success. Due to these reasons, and the 4-year cycle of the event, most Olympic gold medallists are also new winners, which can lead to a huge emotional payoff for athletes and fans alike.

Which is why the winning stories are all the more special.

My favourite story about Kellie came from the Second Captains podcast this week, specifically an interview from 3 years ago in which she described her first fight. Getting ‘the head beaten off her’, apologising to her opponent on the rare occasion she did land a punch, and most importantly, the determination she noticed once the fight was finished, to train and train and exact revenge on that poor girl from Cavan a year later when she got the chance.

So let’s allow ourselves to be inspired for a moment.

It doesn’t have to be the Olympics, or a Connacht title, but we all have triggers that inspire greater effort and tenacity in us. Setting ourselves challenges and trying to reach them can lead to a more fulfilled life. So what’s it going to be? Let me know if you want.

Where else but Sligo?

“Sligo is just class”.

So said an old friend who happened to be in the pod next to mine at the Máirtín O’Connor Trio gig last weekend in the Peace Park in Sligo town. He had lived away for years but is now back and settled here with a family. He told me that his Sunday consisted of a dip in the sea, a few holes of golf and then a gig in town - all within 10 minutes of his house. He was full of the joys of life around here - he’s into his GAA, so maybe the big win had got under his skin, but his enthusiasm was infectious and got me even more in the mood for the gig.

I ended up being there on my own, so the bit of conversation was very welcome, but it was also nice to sit there and get lost in the music and the atmosphere. I hadn’t done this for a while and it was nice to rediscover the feeling of being alone with music, and the way it can bring you to a different space and inspire new thoughts.

This particular trio is one of my favourites, and it was so nice to see the three lads looking and sounding great together. A word too for the local Fleadh Cheoil organising committee. Sligo stepped in at short notice this year when Mullingar decided they didn’t have the capabilities needed to stream the event. Sligo not only streamed the entire Fleadh, but put on 5 live outdoor gigs in a safe, welcoming, and professional manner. Well done to all.

What’s New?

1. September is coming soon, and with it the start of a new teaching term, and this year a new book to accompany my tuition methods. More details on adult programmes in the coming weeks, but for now if anyone of school-going age is interested in starting, there are still a small number of slots available. Email kieran@kieranquinn.ie if you are interested.

2. Regular reader of these letters Imelda Harte was one of the volunteers who helped make the Fleadh gig described above such a friendly occasion. And - she alerted me to an initiative currently ongoing between Sligo and its German Twin Town. The mayor of Kempten is looking for musicians and other creative people from Sligo to send on creative work to be uploaded on a special website. I have just sent my contribution, and would like to encourage you to do the same.

   More here.

3. It’s always nice to see your picture in the national press - thanks to the Arts Council and Sunday Independent for highlighting some of the great work being done at local and national level in these trying times.

Finally…

It has been one of the most popular songs among young piano students over the past few years, and then was all over the news this week as Kellie Harrington revealed it as her motto. Starring Timon, Pumba and Simba, click for the music but you’ll stay for the jokes…

Till next time - Kieran.

Our Time Has Come Again

Dear Reader –

This week’s letter celebrates musicians who haven’t let the pandemic stop them.

Surely though now it’s time to let us all get back to work.

*All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

Musicians are creative by nature. We have found and will find ways to adapt - it’s part of who we are. But it’s important that we get back to doing what we do best. And soon.

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin released a statement last weekend in which she commits to giving us a clear roadmap to reopening by the end of this month. Well-known blogger and champion of new Irish music Nialler9 responded with this statement, in which he says that that is too late.

And he may well be correct - it’s hard to know. Government has had to tread a fine line over the last year and a half and it’s impossible to get every decision right. However by now it has gone on so long for us. Longer than almost every other industry. Many people are frustrated, broke, and understandably looking for someone to blame. In fairness I believe this minister has a good understanding of what artists need, and while her department has made mistakes, they have shown the ability to learn from them. Funding and pilot events have been welcome and have given much needed short term employment to many. But the next step is crucial.

The most recent figure I saw was that 72.4% of adults in this country are now fully vaccinated. That number will be significantly higher by the end of August. Once the health service is able to cope, there must be a time where what we as a society decide to do with our time comes down to personal choice. Like exists now in almost every other sector.

The lack of an established lobby has no doubt counted against us, but our industry is full of intelligent, conscientious and creative people who have been and will continue to be responsible. It’s time to let us plan for our futures and work on a consistent basis again.

Where else but Sligo?

It has been a big week for North Sligo. Mary Gaynor, who is now one of the few natives of that area who isn’t an Olympic Finalist, commented online last week – “it’s a fantastic example of what can be achieved when we support each other”. Not about Mona or Chris mind you, but about the Theme Night Crowdfunding Campaign. And that sums up how I feel after we reached our target last week.

I made this thankyou video the morning we crossed the line (pardon the pun) - apparently my newly-relaxed and relieved state of mind comes across loud and clear in it - so much so that one friend asked me how much I had to drink before filming it!

So have a quick look at the video if you haven’t seen it already. I say and sing everything I have to say there. If you are one of the many who contributed I’ll be in touch in the coming days to arrange delivery of your rewards. Thankyou all so much.

What’s New?

1. Theme Night Regular Amy O’Hara has just released her debut album. A huge achievement in these times or indeed in any time. Watch this video - it showcases all of Amy’s talents brilliantly and will tell you all you need to know about whether you will like the album or not. Hint - you probably will! It’s called A Blue I Can’t Describe, and you can buy it here.

2. It took place last night, and they’re already calling it the greatest race of all time. Complete with guttural roars from the victors.

3. Eddie Lee is a musician who has completely reinvented himself over the last few months. His photography exhibition opened last week in the Hyde Bridge Gallery, Sligo and runs until August 24. Congratulations Ed on an amazing collection of photos. The exhibition is definitely worth a visit.

Finally…

We’ll leave the last word today to Michael Christie and The Kings of Cool - who have been consistently releasing new music during the pandemic. It was once again lovely to be asked to play some piano on this track with the lads. Here’s the chorus lyric from their latest song.

“We all know what we went through, and we did what we could do

We fell so fast it’s hard to comprehend.

All the pain and sacrifice - but we found the strength inside

And now at last our time has come again”.

Till next time - Kieran.

The Summer of 2002

Dear Reader –

Most of you will remember back as far as 19 years ago - the summer of Saipan. The original Ronaldo scored two goals to win the World Cup for Brazil, and George W Bush was making plans before invading Iraq later that year. What were you up to?

I would love to hear some stories - email kieran@kieranquinn.ie

*All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

We have less than 2 days to go on the Theme Night crowdfunding campaign…and we are so close!

As I write, we are 90% funded with less than 48 hours to go, which means that we are just under €1800 short of our target. I’m very hopeful that with your help we can make it, and as promised in the video below I’ll sing a song on guitar for you all if we do!

You can make a contribution and help us reach that target here. But it has to be done before you go to bed on Wednesday (tomorrow).

Where else but Sligo?

But back to the summer of 2002, because it was also a famous summer for Sligo GAA. It was the one year I can remember when our football team was genuinely competing with the top teams in the country.

Thanks to balls.ie, (and Colm Mullen, Ciarán O’Malley and Brendan Tierney) for reminding me of this during the week, and for this picture (also featuring Eamonn O’Hara and Aidan ‘Scoop’ Carty). It was taken in Croke Park after we beat Tyrone (2003 champions) and we would go on and narrowly lose to Armagh (2002 champions) in the quarter-final after a replay. Great days, even if there is a lingering sense of wonder as to how far we could have gone.

What’s New?

1. Not music-related, but a stunning achievement and definitely deserves to be highlighted. Theme Night Regular Katelyn Ressler has written, directed and produced a play. She describes it as an original short absurd play about transformation. It was filmed in The Glen, features local actors, and will premiere here on Facebook at 4.30 this Saturday August 1, and you can tune in then, or indeed any time afterwards to watch it.

2. In last week’s letter I highlighted a video which was released to raise awareness of FleadhFest, one of the biggest music festivals in the country which takes place in Sligo next week. Find out all you need to know here.

3. A nod today to a lady who turned 2 in the summer of 2002 - Mona McSharry of Grange, Sligo and Ireland, who this week became only the second Irish swimmer to reach an Olympic Final - an incredible achievement.

Finally…

2002 also saw Eminem at the peak of his powers. That year he released his fourth album and this song from his film 8 Mile which would go on and win an Oscar. And although it was released in October of that year, it could have been written about the Sligo football team of that summer.

“You only get one shot - do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime”.

Till next time - Kieran.

The Story of Number 6

Dear Reader –

Firstly, sorry for the letter being late this week - it’s the fault of Number 6!

Secondly for you all today, an update on the Theme Night crowdfunding campaign. At the time of writing there is just about a week to go and we are currently 74% funded so a huge thankyou to everyone who has helped to get us this far.

The target is now in sight, and so if you are thinking of contributing and haven’t already, now would be a great time to do so! Just click here.

*All hyperlinks, like the one just above, in bold.

The Big Thing

I read Seth Godin’s book ‘The Practice’ at the start of this year, and decided that one of my practices in 2021 would be to spend 45 minutes every weekday morning being musically creative – be that writing new music, new arrangements or simply noodling at the piano and seeing what comes out.

The second part of the title of the book is ‘Shipping Creative Work’. Because it’s one thing to write something new, but it’s another thing entirely putting it out into the world.

So I decided I would set myself the target of ‘shipping’ twelve new pieces or arrangements this year – on average one a month. We’re just over halfway through the year now, and it’s great to be able to present my first 6 to you, including the reason this letter is late today - Number 6.

It’s hot off the press - a brand new collaboration between myself, Seamie O’Dowd and Micheál O’Domhnaill on ‘Music’s Harmonies’ – a new arrangement for FleadhFest, which will take place in Sligo in early August.

1. In the Lamplight - longer theme tune (new solo piano piece)

2. Something Beautiful (new arrangement featuring Niamh Crowley)

3. The Saunter (new tune featuring Eddie Lee, Niamh Crowley, Seamie O’Dowd)

4. Moments (written with Luke Devaney and Rory Maitland). Also featuring Dave Flynn and Tony Travers.

5. Waiting (collaboration with Corcra, Luke Devaney and TemperHound.

6. See vid below…

Where else but Sligo?

My brother and his family were down in Sligo last weekend, and we all took part in a Scavenger Hunt organised by artist Miriam Needham and the Hawk’s Well Theatre in Carns Wood.

And what a spot! Right on the outskirts of town, I would have driven past the entrance plenty of times, but would never have known that it was there. A beautiful forest walk, made all the better by the various pieces of art (see below) made by all the scavengers.

What’s New?

1. Sligo Jazz 2021 takes place this week live on Facebook - just search for Sligo Jazz..

   I spoke to the main man Eddie Lee about it recently and he’s so happy with the showcase of Irish and International jazz musicians the team has put together this year. If you’re looking for recommendations on what gigs to watch during the week, you won’t go far wrong with Paul Frost’s Music of Mingus project on Saturday and the Ashley Pezzotti Trio on Sunday.

2. It’s a year this week since the last theme night took place. And if you want a summer soundtrack for the week ahead, here’s a full YouTube playlist of the performances from Theme Night #27 - Summer and Sunshine.

3. I got this recommendation from The Long and The Short of It podcast. Bobby McFerrin literally dancing a tune out of the audience. Only 3 minutes long, but an amazing video.

Finally…

Here’s Liane Carroll and Meilana Gillard from Sligo Jazz 2018 with a beautiful version of Ol’ Man River.

It’s one of those weeks to just keep rolling along…enjoy the sun.

Till next time - Kieran.