Repetition, rumour and refunds...

Dear Reader –

Our Ransboro daffodils (courtesy of our neighbour Patrick Downes) bring hope and the promise of brighter days when they arrive each year. They took a battering recently with all the wind, but are still looking great. So today’s letter is brought to you by….the letter R.

All hyperlinks in bold.

 
 

The Big Thing

Repetition.

I had a breakthrough as a teacher this week. As students get older and more accomplished, I think it’s important that they get to pick a good proportion of the songs they want to learn. This means firstly that they are more likely to want to work at it, but also that I get exposed to lots of new songs that I might otherwise have never heard.

Some are difficult, and require a degree of real learning on my part. Here is the story of how one such choice made me realise that real learning on the piano (and elsewhere) is about more than just repetition.

Where else but Sligo?

Returning.

We’re trying something new at this weekend’s Teenage Theme Night #25.

I love to see past Teenage Theme Nighters continuing to include music as a central aspect in their lives. So many are still playing, writing, studying and even releasing music. Opportunities to perform can be tricky to come by, so at this weekend’s shows, for the first time, we have decided to feature one Teenage Theme Night graduate each night.

So come along and give them a big welcome. First up…each singing one song related to the theme (Questions) and one of their own choice, are Jack Courtenay (2020, Friday), and Gillian Brennan (2017, Saturday).

 
 

What’s New?

  1. RUMOUR: Please note, in response to a question I have been asked regularly in the last week, Theme Night #29 tickets are NOT sold out. There are plenty left for everyone! Look here if you don’t believe me.

  2. RASTAFARIAN: Eoin Troy and Gráinne McCarthy were good enough to interrupt their social outing in Connolly’s last night, and joined us to sing this great Bob Marley song.

  3. REFUND: Congratulations to Ciara Herity, who won last week’s competition and got her Theme Night #29 ticket money refunded.

Finally…

Jimmy Ruffin was the original singer of this great Motown song. The title is a question of course, and so it will feature this weekend along with many other great songs on Friday and Saturday in The Model.

 
 

Till next time - Kieran.

 
 

Announcement - Theme Night #29

Dear Reader –

Good morning! Tickets go on sale this morning (Tuesday) at 11am for Theme Night #29. First though - here’s how we announced the theme last Friday.

All hyperlinks in bold.

 
 

The Big Thing

It’s a broad theme, the broadest live theme in quite a while, so we'll have songs from a huge variety of artists and genres. From Queen to Christy Moore and from Nina Simone maybe even as far the musicals!!

Tickets go on sale this morning.

All you have to do is call into the Hawk’s Well, ring the box office on 071-9161518 (and be nice to them!), or click here from 11am to secure your tickets.

And check the What’s New section below for a special offer (today only).

 
 

Where else but Sligo?

No words needed today - just this pic from last Saturday morning…

 
 

What’s New?

  1. GET YOUR MONEY BACK: A special prize for one lucky person buying their Theme Night Tickets today. Go to my Facebook page any time after 11am today for details. **NB Competition is now closed.

  2. WILL: Will Smith’s memoir. What a story. What honesty and insight. What a book!

  3. TEENAGE THEME NIGHT #25: Vocal and performance coach Sinéad Conway was having fun at rehearsals last week (see below pics with emcee Rosha McDonnell). The show takes place on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th March in The Model. Tickets now available here.

 
 

Finally…

Speaking of Will Smith, from his pre movie-star days, here is some classic early 90s rap.

We’ll do our best to shake the room in May - can’t wait to see you then…

 
 

Till next time - Kieran.

 
 

The theme has been picked...

Dear Reader –

Thanks so much for the overwhelming number of responses to last week’s letter. Some of you replied by email, others (including some prominent members of the Theme Night ensemble) preferred to be more public with their suggestions.

Now I’m not sure where this idea that I’m not a fan of musicals has come from, but I can assure you all that it has as good a chance as any other theme of being selected…when I sit down and try to pick a theme for Theme Night #91!

All hyperlinks in bold.

 
 

The Big Thing

All joking aside, the theme has been picked (!), and will be announced on my social media later this week.

Keep an eye out for next Tuesday’s letter, as it will contain details on your special early access to tickets for Theme Night #29. As usual, this access will be only for subscribers to this letter.

Tickets will go on sale to the public next Tuesday morning at 11, so this email will arrive in your inbox before that, with details on how you can access tickets before that time. So don’t miss it!

Dates for the shows are May 5-7.

Where else but Sligo?

It really was lovely to hear back from so many of you on the Theme Nights.

Some of your favourites surprised me I must say. Some of the shows you mentioned I had almost forgotten, such as the Michael Jackson night and the Burt Bacharach night. Theme Nights #13 and #15 - the shows in which we were joined by the Sligo Academy of Music Sinfionetta - also featured prominently.

The words you used to describe the nights blew me away, and gave me a great insight into what you as audience members and performers look for in these shows.

And then the real craic started with the suggestions for the next theme. The likes of Queen really will have to be looked at soon, there were some interesting thoughts on re-using themes we have done already, and I especially loved the detail into which some of you went in your submissions (including two full setlists) on why a particular theme should be picked.

As always, the two groups of people I keep in mind when picking a theme are the performers and the audience. It needs to be something that will challenge and interest the musicians yet crucially must be entertaining too. Especially this one - our first one back with full capacity theatres - it needs to be a big party I feel, and we’re certainly going to do our best to make it so!

 
 

What’s New?

  1. THE PRODUCERS: A musical it may be (!), but I can’t wait to see this. Karen Gordon always pulls out all the stops for her shows, and with Niamh Crowley as musical director there’s no way it’s not going to sound amazing. Great cast too! It’s on in early April but you’ll need to book tickets soon to avoid missing out.

  2. MICKEY MORAN: This Derry man gave me my debut for Sligo back in 2000. Even then he had been coaching teams for many years, so to see him finally win his first All-Ireland title as a manager last Saturday was heart-warming to say the least. This picture shows him kissing the particular spot of turf in Croke Park from where his team’s last-minute wining goal was scored.

  3. SUPERBOWL SHOW: I love this short article on why this year’s show in particular worked.

Finally…

Not from an official Theme Night, but it was mentioned by one of you as a highlight this week and I’m not going to argue with you. It’s just gorgeous. I first fell in love with this song when I heard Sinéad sing it on a show we did to celebrate the lives of Bowie, Prince and Leonard Cohen in 2017.

This version is from October 2020 on In The Lamplight.

 
 

Till next time - Kieran.

 
 

Things that make me excited...

Dear Reader –

Preparations are beginning for Theme Night #29. Tonto and Steve are excited, and so am I!

But we need your help…

All hyperlinks in bold.

 
 

The Big Thing

As advertised in last week’s letter, Theme Night #29 will take place in the Hawk’s Well in the first week of May. Before we can announce the dates however, I need a theme, and I’m stuck! Maybe I’m overthinking it (a friend joked recently that we could do the Teletubbies Greatest Hits and people would come) but all joking aside, it’s important to get it right, for the audience and musicians alike.

So - I’m looking for help, specifically with the following questions. Just hit reply at the bottom of this email.

  1. What was your favourite theme in the past and why?

  2. Send me three words that describe a great Theme Night.

  3. What should the theme be for May’s show?

You’ll find the list of themes we have done so far at the bottom of this page. I wouldn’t rule out repeating one, especially one of the early ones. Thanks!

Where else but Sligo?

I’m entering the world of Sligo GAA underage club management. The Coolera-Strandhill U-12 girls to be specific. And I’m excited, so much so that I wrote about it last week - have a read here.

What’s New?

  1. THEME NIGHTS: THE VIEW FROM AUSTRALIA: Thanks Matthew for taking the time to write this - and yes, it is an Irish jig!

  2. UP SLIGO! This table is blatantly and openly misleading, but it’s still better to be at the top than the bottom.

  3. TEENAGE THEME NIGHT #25: This will take place in The Model on March 4th and 5th. The theme is Questions (any song whose title is a question), and I’m currently looking for anyone in 4th, 5th or 6th Yr who would like to take part. Check out the Teenage Theme Nights on Instagram and reply to this email (kieran@kieranquinn.ie) if you or someone you know might be interested.

 
 

Finally…

More Steely Dan this week - I know if the smiling gentlemen in the picture at the top of this letter had their way, this theme would be done very soon! Maybe you agree? Or maybe not - let me know!

 
 

Till next time - Kieran.

 
 

Impostor syndrome - bad or...good??

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?

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

 
 

Monday nights are back!

Dear Reader –

A week of hope for our industry and our country. I was in Blacklion at the weekend and was driving up to the village. Suddenly I realised that I had some time to myself and the door of Frank Eddie’s pub was open. I had the most wonderful half hour at the bar accompanied only by what you see in the picture below.

How about you? Please feel free to send on any nice moments you had since the big announcement last Friday.

All hyperlinks in bold.

 
 

The Big Thing

OK - as promised, here are some details on Adult piano classes. Starting very soon. I have had some big teaching aha moments in the last few weeks and have tailored my adult programme accordingly. So - if you’re looking to play piano in a natural and independent way, while learning to hear and understand music as the pros do, I would love to help you. Here’s what I can offer…

- A clearly structured, step-by-step approach to learning the piano by ear. Suitable for all levels (including beginners).

- Includes a constantly updating library of 100+ songs, ear training challenges, finger exercises and theory courses.

- A workbook and access to online videos.

- Monthly meet-ups with myself and other students with opportunity to learn, ask questions and maybe even play for each other.

- Access to an online community Facebook Group.

- 1-1 lessons not included but an optional extra.

Click here for more details.

Where else but Sligo?

On Monday March 9th 2020, I packed up the gear and walked out of Connolly’s after a great gig with Seamie (below, left), John Joe Kelly and Cathal Roche. We knew things were going to get a bit hairy for a while, but not one of us thought it might be the guts of two years before we got back.

But it was. More than 22 months of Monday nights at home. So when Paul O’Donnell rang me last Friday to ask us to start up the gig again, I was excited. Hugely so. Looking forward to my fingers and ears heading once again to their weekly Seamie workout. To pints of Miwadi Orange and packets of Bacon Fries. To Dirty Old Town, Bumble Boogie and the Lower East SideStep. To seeing Vanessa, Stuey and Declan (x2) in their regular spots at the bar. To John the Map and Brian McDonagh. Rita and Fred. Godfrey’s service.

And it turned out to be just as magnificent as I hoped. I always love playing with Gerry (middle, below). We got a warm round of applause when we walked in and plenty more after each song. Another step on the road back. We surprised ourselves with how much we remembered and how much it took out of us.

It reminded me of what they say about old friends however - even if you haven’t been in touch for a while you can quickly pick up where you left off. And it felt like that last night - our good buddy the Monday Connolly’s gig. And as Seamie said at the end ‘I think I can say fairly confidently that we’ll see ye next week’.

 
 

What’s New?

  1. UPCOMING THEME NIGHTS: It’s a huge relief to be able to plan again, and so in the next month I look forward to announcing details of Theme Night #29 and Teenage Theme Night #25. Subscribers to this letter will hear this news first, as well as have an opportunity to buy tickets before anyone else. If you’re not already subscribed, you can do so here.

  2. WORDLE: Possibly late to the party here but this is a great simple daily puzzle to exercise the mind.

  3. BOOK RECS: Check this out. Notes and ratings on over 300 books from one of my favourite authors.

Finally…

A regular Monday night tune of ours…forgot about it last night but no doubt we’ll play it in the weeks to come!

 
 

Till next time - Kieran.

 
 

Two drifters, off to see the world...

Dear Reader –

Johnny Mercer was right - there’s such a lot of world to see. Today’s letter is dedicated to some of the great people who have helped me to see it.

All hyperlinks in bold.

 
 

The Big Thing

Much-loved musician and Theme Night favourite Georgie Gorman was diagnosed with throat cancer last year.

He spoke to Niall Delaney on Ocean FM last week about what the last few months has been like for him. It’s great to once again hear Georgie tell stories as only he can and the interview is certainly worth a listen.

Here he is on top form in ‘Victor Street’ in 2019. It may be raining Georgie, but there’s a rainbow above you.

 
 

Where else but Sligo?

“And how did you two young Sligo gentlemen come across these ladies”? Gently implying that we were doing well for ourselves. One was his daughter after all.

But I also sensed a hint of pride. Because he, the epitome of a gentleman, was from Sligo too, and once upon a time had also come to Dublin as a young man and met a young Dublin lady. And probably thought he was doing well for himself.

And my how he did. But not just for himself. In fact most of the good he did was for others. He brought his big mind and his bigger ideas to the big city, and made the people there think a bit more. And we were all better off for having met him.

Fergus Armstrong RIP.

What’s New?

  1. THE DYNASTY: Chapter 2 of Jeff Benedict’s brilliant sports/business book contains one of the best love stories I have ever read. It’s from the early 1960s, and it’s true. Here’s a summary.

    • Boy spots girl in Boston cafe. Finds out her name and where she goes to college.

    • Boy tracks girl down in college library and asks her out. Tonight.

    • Girl has boyfriend. She is going out with him tonight.

    • Boy is persuasive and girl makes excuse to boyfriend.

    • Boy and girl have pizza and talk for hours.

    • Before returning to her dorm, girl asks boy to marry her.

    • Boy is speechless, but eventually says yes, and gives her his fraternity pin until he can get the money together for an engagement ring. They have a long and happy life together.

  2. TEACHERS TEACHING TEACHERS: For any teachers out there, this short podcast contains a moving story of the effect we can have.

  3. ADULT PIANO CLASSES/MUSIC CLUB: These will kick off in the first week of February. Full details in next week’s letter. In-person and online. If you would like to express your interest all you have to do is reply to this email. 

Finally…

After hearing it on the car radio on their first date, it is no surprise that Robert Kraft and Myra Hiatt danced to Moon River on their wedding day in 1963. They weren’t to know that over 50 years later Jacob Collier (and many more) would produce this beautiful arrangement.

 
 

Till next time - Kieran.

 
 

Johnny Saucepan - anyone for grub??

Dear Reader –

For anyone looking to make great things in their home town, you need look no further than this man for inspiration. More chef stories below, but first, some news…

 
 

The Big Thing

Adult piano classes and the second session of last term’s popular music club will start very soon. I’m looking for expressions of interest for both classes now - please reply to this email if you would like to hear more about either.

And…thanks for your response to last week’s letter - all after-school teaching slots bar ONE are now gone. Early Wednesday afternoon suit anyone?

Where else but Sligo?

I was in The Venue one evening recently with some friends. We were trying to figure out what to eat and Susie behind the bar told us that when it came to the lamb curry, she couldn’t recommend it highly enough. Her exact words.

So the three of us ordered it.

When you use words like Susie did to describe something, you put your neck on the line. She didn’t say ‘you should try it’, or ‘I enjoyed it for my lunch earlier’. She said ‘I couldn’t recommend this highly enough’. Which means if we don’t like it, we won’t trust her word again. Thankfully we did, and we will. A special mention to chef Ash too.

One more thought - wouldn’t it be great to hear someone use those words about something you made?

What’s New?

  1. YOUR RESOLUTIONS: How are they going? I found this interesting framework on goal-setting recently.

  2. GET BACK: I couldn’t recommend this highly enough. The best 15 minutes of analysis I have heard on Peter Jackson’s epic Beatles documentary is here.

  3. ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE: I was reminded of this book recently when a friend told me of his upcoming holiday to Montana and the Dakotas. I read it twenty years ago and loved it. Anyone else read it? Let me know if so.

Finally…

Continuing this week’s foodie theme, I was reminded of this ridiculously fast food song. Local band Me and The Lads (Sinéad Dave and Luke) do a great version. See can you make sense of it…!

 
 

Till next time - Kieran.