The best time of the year...

Dear Reader –

I love January! An opportunity to reset. The year stretching out ahead of us, full of possibility…

*All hyperlinks in bold. Below image by Mark Basarab on Unsplash.

The Big Thing

The internet and newspapers this time of year are full of the subject of New Years Resolutions. The best way to achieve your goals. How to be smarter with your money. Follow this routine and lose weight. Some worthwhile, others not so much, and sometimes difficult to tell the difference.

Here’s the best thing I read in this regard. I found it on Zain Kahn’s Twitter feed. It’s a summary of Yale’s most popular course in it’s 320-year history. How to live a happier life.

Where else but Sligo?

I was lucky to spend most of 2021 in Sligo. For my last Sligo Weekender Column of the year I wrote about a few of my favourite things from the last 12 months.

I forgot to include the below song though! Such fun we had writing and recording it.

You can read the column here.

What’s New?

1. PIANO LESSONS: One job for this week is to finalise my teaching timetable for the new term (staring this month). A very small number of slots are still available for students aged 7-18. Reply to this email or contact me on 087-2390710 if you are interested. Info on adult classes to come.

2. GET BACK: I mentioned it in the article in the Where Else But Sligo Section, but I am loving Get Back at the moment. Amazing historic footage. I keep pinching myself to check it’s real. Available on Disney Plus.

3. THEME NIGHT VIDS: All theme night #28 vids are now uploaded to YouTube. Here is a link to the playlist. 34 vids in total!

Finally…

I was talking to a former student this morning about Keith Jarrett’s Koln Concert. Well known music YouTuber Rick Beato goes into detail on two minutes of the legendary recording below.

And…if you’re in the mood, you can listen to the full concert on Spotify here.

Till next time - Kieran.

The difference between good and great??

Dear Reader –

Soccer pundit Eamon Dunphy used to be very clear on the difference between a good and a great player. More on this below, but mostly in this week’s letter I will be looking back on 2021 and looking forward to 2022..

*All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

Firstly, here are 4 new pieces and 8 new arrangements in which I was lucky to be involved this year...

The first 6 are from earlier in the year, the second six all from the Theme Night Album.

1. The Saunter (Quinn) - see below

2. Something Beautiful - new arrangement (Quinn)

3. In The Lamplight Long Theme (Quinn)

4. Moments (Devaney/Maitland/Quinn)

5. Waiting (Brennan/Devaney/Feehily, arr. Devaney/Quinn)

6. Minstrel Boys and Girls (new lyrics O’Dowd, arr. O’Dowd/Quinn) - for Fleadh Cheoil 2021 - no longer available online.

7. She’s Always a Woman - new arrangement (Courell/Quinn)

8. That Was Your Mother - arr. Devaney/Quinn

9. I Started a Joke - arr. Concannon/Quinn

10. How Sweet it is (To be Loved by You) - arr. Conway/Gorman/Quinn and Theme Night Ensemble

11. How Can I Keep From Singing? - arr. Flynn/Quinn

12. Going Home - arr. Quinn

Where else but Sligo?

Given we are approaching the end of the year, I decided to celebrate some of the great people who make up our local music scene for last week’s Sligo Weekender. Including Felip Carbonell.

You can read the article here.

What’s New?

1. The videos from Theme Night #28 are steadily appearing online. Thanks as always to Kris and Dominika Manulak for their consistently great work in this regard. Check out this playlist to see if your favourite is up yet.

2. Tommie Gorman wrote this beautiful piece for The Currency on the positives taken out of an aborted trip to Italy.

3. Courtesy of James Clear’s newsletter…a thought as we go into 2022…

   "The difference between good and great is often an extra round of revision.

   The person who looks things over a second time will appear smarter or more talented, but actually is just polishing things a bit more.

   Take the time to get it right. Revise it one extra time."

Finally…

This was Oonagh Monahan’s 6th Theme Night, but her first time singing out front on her own. Worth waiting for however…this was beautiful.

Till next time - Kieran.

Is love alive??

Dear Reader –

More about this week’s title shortly, but we certainly kept the Theme Night spirit alive last week. A magical five nights from start to finish, and a huge thanks to everyone who made it so - musicians and audiences alike.

*All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

I loved every minute.

• The incredible energy brought to the stage by the likes of Tabby, Jamie and newcomer Cuan Durkin.

• The horn section outdoing themselves on White Christmas.

• The gong!

• Sinéad Conway getting out of her pyjamas to fill a late gap at the end of the show on Wednesday night.

• And the way the half-capacity audiences seemed determined to make as much noise as if we were playing to a full house.

There were so many highlights, but I have to pick out the moment at the end of Sunday night’s show when aunt and niece Aileen and Cara stood singing the words ‘is love alive’ to each other as if there was no-one else in the room.

Watch the below video and the answer to that question is clear.

Where else but Sligo?

We found a way for New Zealander Chris Baillie to join us for the shows even though he lives on the other side of the world. He may no longer be living in Sligo, but is very much with us in spirit.

One of his legacies was the donation of his famous golden jacket and the suggestion that it goes to the person who best embodies the spirit of each Theme Night once the run of shows is finished.

Previous winners include Luke Devaney, Therese O’Loughlin, Maev Gallagher, Rory Maitland and Sinéad Maguire, and there was great anticipation as we gathered briefly in the foyer of the Hawk’s Well post show on Sunday.

Realistically, there was only going to be one winner this time, and if I’m honest, she had it sown up long before the curtain ever went up on the shows.

Because the work done behind the scenes in the weeks preceding the show to make it happen was immense. From COVID risk assessments to an ever-changing budget to the huge task of reassigning tickets when the new 50% capacity rule came in. Not to mention her in-show jobs of playing violin and stage management.

Marie O’Byrne - you are such a deserving winner of the Golden Jacket. You’re simply a star and we are blessed to have you here in Sligo as part of our Theme Night gang.

What’s New?

1. To thank you for reading this letter each week, there is a special offer of 50% off all Theme Night albums, books, t-shirts and hoodies TODAY ONLY. Order here by end of today (Dec 21) and if you’re in Sligo I promise to get your purchases to you before Christmas. Use the code THEMENIGHT28 at checkout for 50% off all purchases. Available today (Dec 21) only.

   **Note - Hoodies not available until Jan 2022.

2. This two-line blog was published on Saturday by Seth Godin and couldn’t have been more appropriate for the week we had.

   “Markets often persuade us that we don’t have enough. Communities remind us that we do”.

3. A small bit of sad news to finish. Our upcoming gig in Vicar St on Feb 17 has been called off. A casualty of the pandemic unfortunately. All ticket-holders will be refunded. I hope to announce Theme Night #29 early in 2022, but we’ll let the dust settle for a while before doing so. As always, you as a weekly letter reader will hear any news in this regard first.

Finally…

Seamie O’Dowd has written a Christmas song! And it was a huge hit all week at the shows.

Have a listen below, or head to Seamie’s Bandcamp page where you can download it in aid of Focus Ireland.

Till next time - Kieran.

Theme Night #28 starts tomorrow!

Dear Reader –

It’s all Theme Night news this week - a huge week of 5 shows ahead of us - and I can’t wait!

*All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

As you will know by now, the album is out, but the second BIG part of the Theme Night 10-Year Celebration arrives today, and I’m excited to see it!

It’s a hardcover coffee table book, a comprehensive pictorial account of the Theme Night story (adult and teenage) over the last 10 years. A few good stories in there too.

It has turned out beautifully - thanks to Kevin Noone and Tiger Print for the design, production and printing, and indeed to Kris and Dominika Manulak for the original idea.

You can pick it up in Sligo bookshops Liber and Easons from tomorrow (Wednesday) or order it directly from me in the shop on my website.

A few sneak previews of how it will look below…

Where else but Sligo?

It’s lovely to hear all of your feedback on the album. It really makes all the work worthwhile.

The CD is currently available in 15 shops and businesses around the county of Sligo. A huge thanks to everyone who agreed to stock it. The full list is below.

Sligo town: The Record Room, EJ Menswear, Centra Maugheraboy, Murray’s, Lyons Cafe and Bakeshop, Ed Lee Photography Pop-Up Shop (Johnston’s Court).

Ballisodare: Sherlock’s Butchers

Beltra: Collery’s

Collooney: Maitland’s Barber Shop

North Sligo: Grange Pharmacy, XL Rathcormac

Rosses Point: Bay View Stores, The Little Cottage Cafe

Strandhill: Shells, Centra Strandhill

What’s New?

1. We can’t wait to play the album live for you all at our 5 Hawk’s Well shows this week. The Hawk’s Well will be at 50% capacity, which means that audience members will be distanced from each other. We have put a lot of thought into how to put these shows on safely for everyone, and can’t wait to see you all there over the coming days.

2. Apart from the album songs, the setlist is also full of Christmas classics. Wednesday’s show in particular will feature a new 7-piece string arrangement of Joni Mitchell’s River, a boogie version of Here Comes Santa Claus, a Mallorcan carol, an original seasonal song and our brand new duet version of This Christmas. Wednesday is the only show with any sort of a decent choice of tickets left. Find them here.

3. Finally, on every theme night we make it our business to find new talent and bring them into the theme night fold for the first time. So please make sure to give a huge welcome this week to Theme Night newcomers Paul Cadden, Rebekah Comerford, Cuan Durkin, Annie Feehily. Roisin Fitzpatrick, Declan Flavin, Johannes Kavanagh, Lisa Kelly and Joanne Stenson.

Finally…

This is track 2 from the album. We’ll be playing it every night this week, and we hope it can have the impact it had when we played it for the very first time in 2016.

Till next time - Kieran.

Theme Night #28 WILL go ahead...

Dear Reader –

A Monday letter instead of the regular Tuesday edition this week, because there is good news this morning.

*All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

And that is…that we have found a way to make next week’s shows work. Here’s how…

An extra show has been added on Wednesday 15th December to make sure that there is a seat for everyone who has already bought a ticket. Some ticket-holders may be asked to consider moving their tickets to another night and we would appreciate your understanding on this.

Ticket-holders will be contacted by the Hawk's Well Theatre either today or tomorrow in order to detail what happens next.

Where else but Sligo?

These shows wouldn’t be happening without the great people at our local theatre, the beloved Hawk's Well. I’d like to thank them here for their flexibility and support on this matter, and their determination to do what it takes to make sure that these shows take place as planned. We are so lucky to have such a well-run and welcoming venue in Sligo.

Their box office team (pictured above) will be under pressure this week, as will box office teams all around the country. They deserve our patience and support in dealing with this difficult set of circumstances.

Once all existing ticket-holders have been catered for, if any tickets are left I will let you know later in the week.

Most importantly however, the safety of all audience members, artists and theatre staff is paramount.

I can’t wait to see you all at the shows. Despite everything, this December our stages will stay lit, live music will be heard, and we are going to do everything in our power to make sure that Theme Night #28 is one you will always remember.

What’s New?

1. With all that has been going on regarding restrictions and next week’s shows, I have almost forgotten about the release of our new album last week!

2. Details on how to get your hands on it/listen to it are at the start of last week’s letter. The best way is to contact me directly or click here.

3. It is also currently on sale in The Record Room and Eddie Lee’s pop-up photography shop in Johnston’s Court. If any other local business owner has the facility and would like to take a few albums I’d love to hear from you.

Finally…

Another track from the album below. From Theme Night #23 - here’s Chris Baillie with Jesse James. Chris has since moved back to New Zealand and couldn’t possibly make an appearance at next week’s shows…could he??

Till next time - Kieran.

How Can I Keep From Singing?

Dear Reader –

An unscheduled letter today for a special reason.

And remember - don’t miss out on the last few tickets for the first live performance of the album. Theme Night #28, Hawk’s Well Theatre, 16-19 December. Get them here.

*All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

OK - so I told you about it in the very first of these letters back in May, and now it gives me huge pleasure to let you all know that the first ever Theme Night Album is out now!

Here’s how you can get your hands on it, but remember that the special Joe Hunt/Steve Wickham bonus track is only available on the CD and Vinyl copies. Vinyl available in early 2022. CD available TODAY!

• Get your copy of the CD right now by replying to this email or contacting me on 087-2390710.

• Purchase it from my website here.

• Buy a digital copy on Bandcamp.

• It is currently on sale in The Record Room and Eddie Lee’s pop-up shop in Johnston Court.

• Or stream the album on Spotify or Apple Music.

Where else but Sligo?

This album is all about Sligo really.

About 53 musicians backed and supported to make this album by over 200 funders.

About some of my favourite Theme Night performances from the last 10 years.

About lots of our own arrangements but also about not messing with the originals we loved.

And about how even the pandemic couldn’t keep us from singing.

It simply wouldn’t have happened without the input of a huge number of people - I am so grateful to you all and I have a long list of thanks and credits on the CD and vinyl.

However the two in the picture with me below deserve a special mention. They were there at the start, all the way through, and now on release day.

What’s New?

1. Thanks so much to Brian, Brendan and everyone at The Sligo Show for having me on for a chat last Tuesday. I must say the time flew by. We did speak about the Theme Night Album, but lots more too. As host Brendan Tierney himself put it yesterday…

   • He wants to put a piano in the Garavogue River

   • He did consider insuring his fingers

   • He would love the challenge of GAA management

   • Watch the full interview here.

2. Thanks so much also to everyone at Ocean FM for featuring the album as their album of the week and all the spins they gave the tracks!

3. While we’re on the subject of Sligo people coming together to make music, check this out. Sligo Sings 2021 from the great people at the Hawk’s Well Theatre. Go on - get involved…

Finally…

My favourite track on the album changes all the time. At the moment it’s the one below. Here’s the original version - from Theme Night #13 all the way back in 2015. Featuring Seamie O’Dowd and the Sligo Academy of Music Sinfionetta.

Please get in touch and let me know what you think. Any highlights, anything that particularly hits home for you, or indeed anything that you would have liked to hear on it (maybe it will make it to the next album)!

Till next time - Kieran.

Now That's What I Call Music!

Dear Reader –

Teenage Theme Night #24 took place last weekend, and it was a joy from start to finish.

*All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

The themes that the teenagers choose are always very different to those featured on the adult theme nights. They are far more broad, for one. Usually quite quirky too. The title of this email was the theme this time, and it sums up the whole weekend really.

All going well the next one will be early in 2022, and the theme has already been chosen. Another broad one - songs with a question in the title. So I’m looking forward to playing songs like Do You Want Your Auld Lobby Washed Down? and Who Let The Dogs Out?

You can read more about the Teenage Theme Nights here, and if you or someone you know would like to get involved in these nights, send an email to kieran@kieranquinn.ie. You don’t have to have had any previous musical experience. More about these shows below.

Where else but Sligo?

These shows are all about the music, yet they’re also not. Here are 10 of my favourite things about last weekend.

1. Seeing many of these teenagers finally getting to experience what a live show is all about.

2. The awareness of each and every performer about the precariousness of these events at the moment, and their commitment to doing things safely and adhering to protocols.

3. The buzz of a full house.

4. Seeing 6 5th Yr lads from Summerhill put a band together from scratch and go for it on Stacy’s Mom. We’re always crying out for more lads to get involved in these nights - so well done John Mackey for putting this crew together.

5. The support from the audience for every single performer.

6. Getting called out by Jersey Gaffey! When she came out, I mistakenly thought that she was in TY and made a long speech about the importance of attracting more TYs to the shows. Jersey politely waited until I had finished talking and matter-of-factly said ‘Actually Kieran I’m in 5th Year’.

7. A brief meeting with one father in the foyer afterwards. He said nothing, but the clenched fists and look of sheer pride on his face said it all.

8. Watching the emcees grow into their roles as each night progressed.

9. Being in Sam Purcell’s band.

10. Due to knowing their parents, and seeing them perform in various guises over the years, I have been aware of Senna and Freya for a long time. It has been obvious since they were young(er) that performances like this were in them. It was so special to see it happen live on stage on Friday. Thanks to Dad Carl Brennan for the video.

What’s New?

1. I am currently finalising my piano teaching timetable for January. A small number of slots are available for students aged 7-18. Send an email to kieran@kieranquinn.ie if you or someone you know might be interested.

2. Two more performances from the weekend’s shows here - Cara (TY) and Orla (5th Yr).

3. I’m looking forward to being a guest on The Sligo Show tonight (Tuesday). We’ll be chatting a bit about the Theme Night Album, but I have just read the list of questions and it looks like we’ll be talking about a lot more too! It’s live on Facebook at 8pm.

Finally…

We did this arrangement of Bohemian Rhapsody at the weekend. I don’t have a video of the performance, so the original will have to do. Take a minute - it’s special.

Till next time - Kieran.

There's a Lad Works down the Lanterns Swears he's Jesus

Dear Reader –

This week’s title is the Sligo version of the first single from the Theme Night album, released today. Courtesy of a letter reader earlier this year.

*All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

Do you remember The Story of Number 5?

A tale from last July of how Joanne Stenson was picked to be the newcomer on the Theme Night Album.

Well today, the first single from the album is released, and you can hear just how good Joanne’s vocal is.

Listen on Spotify here, or on Apple Music here.

Or watch Joanne sing it live last September in the Hawk’s Well below.

Where else but Sligo?

Around the time I met Joanne last summer, I wrote of the feeling I get when a new singer walks into the room. The promise, the potential, the possibility. Not knowing what the next few minutes hold and how they might change things for one or both of us.

It happened to me many times last week again as I rehearsed with what is largely a new set of teenagers for this weekend’s Teenage Theme Night #24. One young lady in particular surprised me.

I had never met her before, so when she came in we had a nice chat. She proceeded to let rip on a Miley Cyrus song and we changed key not once but twice to facilitate her impressive range. And then we had another nice chat, as if nothing had happened. But it had.

There was something about her accent that made me think she wasn’t from Sligo. I asked her how she had heard of the nights, and she said she had come from Drumshanbo with her mother to a Christmas shopping event in Shells last year. Two college students who had previously been involved in these nights were playing music at the event and when she approached them, was told unequivocally that she HAD to look in to them.

And so she did, and will make her debut this Friday night.

There is also a show on Saturday, and both will take place in The Model. And it’s not just about the music, it’s about young people expressing themselves, finding a place for themselves in the world, and reinforcing the fact that Sligo is the place to come for great music, no matter what age you are.

You will need to book your tickets beforehand, and you can do so here.

What’s New?

1. Mícheál Kearney is also a Teenage Theme Night graduate, and has joined us as a co-host on In The Lamplight this season. We interviewed him on last week’s show - you can listen here.

2. Joanne Stenson also gave an amazing performance of Summer in Dublin on last September’s show - have a look here.

3. And a big hello to the letter reader I met on Saturday who gave out to me for sending him too much each week!!

Finally…

The original Theme Night performance of today’s new single.

Ide Leddy, Ana Leddy and Mary Roche from The Cosmic Banditos on Theme Night #14 back in 2016.

Till next time - Kieran.