Get the Theme Night album this Friday!

Dear Reader –

Let me give you the bad news first…

*All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

Supply chain issues.

The catchphrase of 2021 has struck again and unfortunately delayed the release of the forthcoming Theme Night album. Not for long, but just enough to change plans. Next week’s letter should have more on this, but enough on that - it’s time for the good news!

It’s great to be able to say that many months after this project was conceived, you will finally be able to listen to the Theme Night album from this coming Friday 19th. It’s a limited digital release, and here’s how you can be the first to hear it.

Click here to buy a Digital Download of the album (available from Friday 19th November). You can choose either a CD or Vinyl copy of the album along with this digital download. These will be posted to you on release date (CD estimated early Dec 2021 and Vinyl estimated February 2022.

**NB - If you supported the crowdfunding campaign earlier this year or you sang/played on the album, I will be sending download codes to you on Friday anyway, so no need to purchase anything.

Where else but Sligo?

The tree in my front garden looked like this when this project began.

Now it looks like this…

What’s New?

1. Teenage Theme Night #24 (live) will take place in The Model on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th November. It’s a whole new gang of teenagers, and hopefully they will get a better run of live shows than their predecessors. Tickets for both shows available here.

2. John (The Map) Callanan continues to update his guide to all the best music in Sligo - on and off-line. Live music is happening in some places, while others are providing online entertainment. All details here.

3. Tommy Higgins was our guest on In The Lamplight last week. He has lived an amazingly full and interesting life, from younger days as a DJ and League of Ireland referee, to a ringside seat at the heart of the ticketing business as it grew hand-in-hand with the live entertainment industry. You can listen to the episode here.

Finally…

We were on the other side of the country for a few days last weekend, and my wife started singing this song. The weather was sunny and calm, and she had seen ‘the falling leaves’ drifting by our window. Funny - she had never been reminded of this song on our side of the country - possibly because here the leaves tend to be blown off the trees!

Nat King Cole explains it best.

Till next time - Kieran.

As Time Goes By...

Dear Reader –

I spent some time with a few really good friends at the weekend. It’s the first time we met since we all turned 40. And the conversations were a bit different as a result.

So this letter is all about time.

*All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

Firstly about the small amount of time left before the Theme Night album and book come back from the printers. This has been THE big thing of 2021, and I can’t wait for you to hear and see the results of the hard work many of us have put into this project.

Here’s a pic from early in the process , with Sinéad, Georgie and I obviously delighted after coming up with a new arrangement of a song they sang together all the way back in Theme Night #8.

All details in next week’s letter.

Where else but Sligo?

Kian Egan was our guest on In The Lamplight this week, and it was very much a Sligo story he told.

One about Mary McDonagh and the Feis. About sold-out shows in the Hawk’s Well Theatre, The Record Room and James Blennerhassett. And ultimately, one about fairytales and heartbreak.

It was so interesting to hear him describe how a stadium show is put together from start to finish, and he also told us why he chose Sligo as home for his family.

Click on the image below to listen (and to find out why Kian’s pic is flanked by the German flag and a rock-climber).

What’s New?

1. In keeping with the theme of the letter, this week’s featured song on pianowithkieran.com is Clocks. Click here to learn how to play the melody of this signature Coldplay song, or here to challenge yourself with 6 ear-training questions.

2. Here is last week’s column for the Sligo Weekender - on whether November is actually in autumn or winter.

3. And finally, my favourite quote about time…

   “Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana”.

Finally…

Who better than Mr. Sinatra to tie up this week’s letter. Just listen to his phrasing!

And if anyone ever tells you your work is no good, take heart from the fact that there are 120 people out there (at time of writing) who dislike even this masterpiece!

Till next time - Kieran.

Yeah, but who wrote it?

Dear Reader –

Even the best writers need great players to bring their music alive, and even the best players need great writers to make them something nice to play. There is no need to pitch one profession against the other.

*All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

So - as promised - if any of you didn’t get tickets for Theme Night #28 this December, more will be on sale from 11am tomorrow (Wednesday).

What’s more, there is now an extra show on Sunday 19th December, so as of tomorrow morning there will be tickets available for all 4 nights. I’m looking forward to lots of great music and laughs with everyone again. Here is the link you need.

Where else but Sligo?

I wrote a couple of months ago about Gabriel Connelli - a young Italian man currently studying in Sligo IT. He asked for the use of my piano so he could practise a couple of times a week, and blew me away with his playing. You can read his story in the Where else but Sligo section of this letter.

Someone who did just that was regular letter reader Imelda Harte, who got in touch and suggested I pass Gabriel’s details onto Anna Houston, in the hope that she might consider him for one of the IMA gigs she helps to run in The Model.

I did, and promptly forgot that I had done so, until lo and behold this week I got a request from Gabriel for a few extra hours at the piano this week, because he needed to brush up on some Chopin and Debussy pieces for a gig this Sunday. I smiled to myself - Sligo had struck again. Well done to all and good luck Gabriel.

And the good news is…that audiences are once again allowed at these gigs, but tickets MUST be booked beforehand. You can do so by clicking on the pic below.

What’s New?

1. You’d swear after getting well beaten in the county final I wouldn’t want to talk about it again, but there has been great interest in it over the past week. So, despite the result, this video (made by Rory Maitland) about our day out at the game is worth a watch. So well made.

2. And this column I wrote about it for last week’s Sligo Weekender is a longer version of what was published in last week’s letter.

3. I love this new version from Sive and Danny G & The Major 7ths of Paul Brady’s The Island.

Finally…

I love playing this song on gigs, indeed I played it on my last album, and I often get asked if I wrote it. The answer is no - it was written by Michael Rooney, our guest on this week’s podcast, which by the way is worth a listen to hear Michael’s approach to melody-writing alone.

And it was so nice to get to play it with him on the show.

Till next time - Kieran.

How to make friends...

Dear Reader –

This James Clear quote links the first two sections of today’s letter nicely.

“Friendship happens on the way to something else. If you “try to meet new people” it feels weird and forced. The more you aim for friendship, the more it eludes you. But if you aim to learn or achieve something with others, friendship happens naturally during the shared pursuit.”

*All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

As a regular reader of this letter, you will know that a new season of our podcast In The Lamplight started a couple of weeks ago. Our fourth season, even though it’s called Season 3 (don’t even bother going there). And it’s a joy being back.

Luke Devaney, Rory Maitland and I started this podcast a year ago in order to find a vehicle to continue a great working relationship that had been born during the online theme nights in 2020. It got us through much of lockdown and gave us the opportunity to make music with people at a time when there really wasn’t much of that happening.

And we have kept it going. Together we have written music, recorded with some of our favourite musicians, and gone cliff-jumping. Now Mícheál Kearney has joined us, and has brought extra energy and expertise to the group.

Possibly my favourite part of it is the chats however. Be they with the lads around whatever comes up each week, or with guests, but being on air means that the conversations can take on a different energy.

We have already spoken to Ian Dempsey, Eamonn O’Hara and Michael Rooney this season. Kian Egan was out with us last night, and like the others it was a pleasure to be in his company and hear his story.

New episodes come out every Wednesday, and you can listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Where else but Sligo?

It was county final weekend in Sligo this week, so Tourlestrane won. Again.

They beat my club, Coolera-Strandhill. Well. Just like they did in the 2019 final. And the 2018 semi-final replay. And many other times in recent years.

It was dispiriting, deflating, crushing even. Go to the thesaurus and pick your word. It probably applies.

We thought we had a chance this time, and I had never seen the parish so well-decorated. Former players travelled back from all around the country for the game, and many made it out for a pint and a chat afterwards.

And as the evening progressed, and the company and craic started to defeat the disappointment, we thanked the players for the fantastic football they played this year, we told each other that we mustn’t leave it so long next time, and we said that life goes on and nobody died.

Congratulations to Tourlestrane. 6 titles in a row is an amazing achievement. Sligo Stats summed it up nicely on Twitter this week.

What’s New?

1. Today is Tuesday, and so maybe somewhere in a pub in Co. Sligo lads are embarking on the third day of either celebrations or drowning their sorrows after last Sunday’s county finals. This is an audio version of a brilliant and insightful short story called ‘The Third Day’.

2. We were told last week that we can now have full houses at seated theatre gigs again. So if you missed out on tickets for December’s Theme Night #28, next week’s letter will have details of a further release of tickets for these shows.

3. In last week’s letter I mentioned two weekly sessions in Sligo that had been running for 15 years or more. Thanks to regular reader Eddie Lee for getting in touch to inform me that the Shoot The Crows Wednesday session featuring Eddie and other members of No Crows has been running for a similar length of time. Really hoping that all these sessions can return soon.

Finally…

Speaking of No Crows, here they are at their best…

Till next time - Kieran.

Go ahead - Jump!

Dear Reader –

“Firstly, you need to decide whether you’re jumping or not. If the answer is yes, then take small steps to make sure that happens”.

*All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

The above quote is my interpretation of the advice Rory Maitland gave us when he brought us cliff-jumping last week. As part of the new Rory Recommends slot on our podcast.

Obviously jumping off a cliff is a big enough thing in itself, but the reason I’m including it here this week is because I think the below video he made to document the trip is top class.

Where else but Sligo?

Ringmaster of this storied Sligo session, Gerry Grennan, announced this week that he will be seeking a new home for his Tuesday gig. By my reckoning (COVID times not included), this brings to an end (for now) the longest-running weekly session in Sligo. Seamie McGowan’s Sunday session in The Strand is the only one that comes close to my knowledge. Please let me know if I have neglected to mention any.

15 years of Tuesdays in McLynns, and in Gerry’s own words, “I have great memories of all the people I introduced to this famous old pub to start their musical journey. The joy and pride I felt when they came in to play their first song, full of nervous energy and courage.....a special time”.

A special time indeed, and by all accounts a special session too. Many times I heard of the welcoming atmosphere, the fun and great music for which these Tuesdays were renowned. No surprise, as these are qualities that Gerry himself always brings in abundance.

This session would be a huge addition to any pub or venue, and if anyone has any ideas for Gerry as regards a new home, he can be contacted on Facebook. Otherwise reply to this email and I will pass on your suggestions.

What’s New?

1. Cliff-jumping is a great metaphor for making leaps in life. Here is a brilliant blog on figuring out when is best to do so.

2. Three great songs with ‘jump’ in the title.

3. Teenage Theme Night #24 will take place in The Model on November 26th and 27th. The teenagers have just decided on the theme - it’s Now That’s What I Call Music, specifically any song from an album with that title. There are only the 109 of them (!) and anyone interested can go through them all here. Send an email to kieran@kieranquinn.ie if you or someone you know is interested. Go ahead - jump!

Finally…

One more jumping song to finish - the piano riff at the beginning of this number always drew me in. Don’t be fooled by the lyrics though - most times we make big jumps in life there is no parachute, but this makes it all the more exciting when your feet do leave the ground.

Till next time - Kieran.

Going to the chapel...

Dear Reader –

After a few really special gigs over the last month or so, things have calmed down for a while, and I am looking forward to a few big weddings in my circle of family and friends over the next few weeks.

*All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

But firstly…our podcast In The Lamplight returns tomorrow (Wednesday) with Episode 1 of Season 3.

Luke, Rory and I have a new co-host on board (see vid below for the big reveal), we’re trying loads of new things this season and our guest on tomorrow’s episode is none other than Irish broadcasting legend IAN DEMPSEY.

The show will be out first thing on Wednesday morning. You can hear first about every new episode if you sign up to our email list at lamplightpod.com

Where else but Sligo?

I’m not sure will any of the upcoming weddings have a floral display quite like this one with which I was recently greeted at a wedding gig in Markree Castle.

For context - that is a baby grand piano being dwarfed by this arrangement.

Worthy of its place in this section for the picture alone I think!

What’s New?

1. Theme Night #28 sold out in less than 48 hours last week. Thanks so much to you all for supporting the return of these shows. We hope to be able to release more tickets later in the month if more COVID restrictions are lifted. Again you, as a reader of this letter will hear first.

2. I read this quote during the week - and thought it was worthy of sharing with you.

   “If you’re overthinking, write. If you’re underthinking, read.”

3. Two new songs have just been published on my Piano With Kieran YouTube channel. You can now learn to play the melody of Imagine (John Lennon) and Halo (Beyoncé). Follow the links in the descriptions of the videos to find 6-question ear training challenges on each song.

Finally…

A few years ago when I was a regular on the church wedding circuit with Sinéad Conway, the most popular song among brides and grooms of that era was without a doubt Nella Fantasia - a vocal version of Ennio Morricone’s Gabriel’s Oboe from The Mission.

A few of us from Sligo had the pleasure of performing this piece of sheer beauty under the baton of Mr. Morricone a few years ago. The publisher won’t let me display it here, but click through - it’s worth it.

Till next time - Kieran.

Announcement - Theme Night #28

Dear Reader –

I’m excited today to show you the title and cover art of the forthcoming Theme Night Album…

*All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

…and to announce Theme Night #28!

The first live theme night in almost 2 years will happen this December, 10 years to the month since the first ever theme night took place.

The title for the show is ‘How Can I Keep From Singing?’ - named after the Theme Night Album (which will be released by then). We will be playing songs from the album as well as spreading some Christmas cheer in the manner of the first ever theme night in 2011.

As a subscriber to this letter, you can purchase tickets before they go on sale to the general public. Just make sure to be at your computer, phone or the Hawk’s Well Theatre itself between 10 and 11am tomorrow (Wednesday).

So to confirm - these shows will take place on the 16th/17th/18th of December and you can get your tickets from 10am tomorrow (despite what it may say on the Hawk’s Well’s website). Click on the album cover below for ticket and show details.

Where else but Sligo?

Saturday night was another milestone on the road to the return of the live entertainment industry. And what a special one it was. So many highlights - Francie Lenehan’s solo on Tennessee Whiskey, sparks flying in the duets between Emily/Sinéad and Cathy/Sandy, playing with Joe Hunt again, and the volume of you guys in the crowd singing back to us. And the downpour that came seconds after we struck our last note. Amazing.

My favourite moment was during Jackson - Seamie out of his comfort zone - complete with lyric sheet and sunglasses - was being led around the stage by the aforementioned Sandy, until he realised that he had borrowed Marie O’Byrne’s music stand and had forgotten to give it back. So halfway through the walk-off and goodbye at the end of the song, he excused himself, ran back on stage to bring the music stand back to Marie, and returned to link arms with Sandy and say goodbye once more.

Thanks to Sligo County Council and Sligo Live for making this gig happen - it was a huge tonic for us, and hopefully you too.

Finally, while winding down from the gig, my wife and I ended up on Rossnowlagh beach yesterday morning. And we realised that we hadn’t been there since Sunday March 15th 2020, when we took a similar trip in anticipation of the fact that soon we may not be able to travel outside our county boundary.

And as we reflected on everything that has happened in between, a wave of gratitude washed over me, and so I want today to thank you. You who read this letter and before it my blog, you who were in town at the gig last Saturday or the Hawk’s Well a couple of weeks ago, you who made the forthcoming theme night album possible, and you who in whatever way supported what I do and what we in the music business do throughout the last difficult period. I’m really looking forward to another step along this road with you in December.

What’s New?

1. Once again EJ Menswear looked after me brilliantly in decking me out for the big gig on Saturday night. Thanks to Eamonn, Tom and the gang in there for their expertise and trademark welcome.

2. Another great Sligo business, Tiger Print, have come up with the goods again in producing an updated edition of my piano tuition workbook. Lots of happy students receiving this at their lessons this week, so thanks to Eamon, Sean and the crew there.

3. And let’s make it a hat-trick - big thanks too this week to Kevin Noone at Nooneboy Design for all his hard work on the album artwork. I hope you like the album cover, and I look forward to showing you the rest of it in due course.

Finally…

Definitely on my list of top 5 favourite songs of all-time is Billy Joel’s Scenes From an Italian Restaurant. It was released in 1977, before music videos were a thing, so Mr. Joel decided to belatedly make and release a video for it last week. It’s great!

Till next time - Kieran.

From a Distance

Dear Reader –

From a distance, our younger days look blue, we forget the clouds and rain.

From a distance, I want to trust in you, even if you cause me pain.

From a distance, this week there’ll be harmony which will echo through our town.

It’s the sound of hope, it’s the sound of joy. It’s the sound of music coming home.

*All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

Last week, the number of publications which have chosen to use my written work doubled!

As a regular reader of this letter, you will know that the Sligo Weekender has been taking a chance on my writing for a year or so, and now in the last few days, The Lilliput Press have published the 5th edition of Trinity Tales, which includes an essay I wrote on all sides of life as a Gaelic footballer in Trinity College in the early 2000s.

It was a wonderful experience. I got to work with a fantastic editor - Sorcha Pollak - and it made me get in touch with many old friends and teammates in order to confirm scorelines, timelines and stories.

You can find out more about the book here.

Where else but Sligo?

A powered speaker of mine needed servicing recently, and I had heard from a colleague of mine that there was a really good guy working out of a workshop in the Rumble Reherarsal space in town.

Covid made it more difficult than usual to find the necessary parts and even be allowed in to meet the man in question, but the speaker was ready last week and I finally met Shane Benjamin when I picked it up.

Now to be honest, I won’t know what kind of job Shane did on my speaker for a while, possibly ever. It works now, which is a great start (!), but for someone like myself who doesn’t know the first thing about the inside of a speaker, there has to be a certain amount of trust involved in a situation like this.

And Shane excels in building trust. Firstly in this instance, there is the fact that he was recommended to me by a colleague. Secondly he is a musician himself, which will naturally make another musician believe in him more. Thirdly, his customer service, professionalism, honesty and attention to detail are second to none.

And finally, you couldn’t walk into his workshop (see below) and not be impressed by his use of space and the meticulous ordering and hanging of parts and equipment. And that adds significantly to the atmosphere of trust that the above factors have created, because If the inside of my speaker looks half as tidy as Shane’s workshop does, I have a feeling it will last long after it should have packed it in.

You can find out more about Shane and his workshop here.

What’s New?

1. All 16 performances from Teenage Theme Night #23 are now live on YouTube here.

2. My Piano with Kieran tuition videos and challenges are back. Test your musical ear on the Glasgow Love Theme here or Falling Slowly here.

3. The big Sligo Live gig this weekend is almost upon us. I believe tickets are sold out but if you were one of the lucky ones to get one, please make some noise on Saturday night!

Finally…

The setlist for the aforementioned gig has been chosen to keep you all moving and dancing. As always, variety is the spice of life however, and we have chosen a few special slower numbers too, including a new arrangement of this one which features two of your favourite singers singing together for the first time. I can’t wait to see you there.

Till next time - Kieran.