Holidays (Part 1)

Dear Reader –

Everybody needs a break. Climb a mountain or jump in a lake. A few stories from our holidays in this week’s letter…

**All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

As you may know, the theme for the upcoming Theme Night #30 is musicals. So it was with interest that I noted on a stroll past the Victoria Palace Theatre in London last Friday that there was a sign outside saying ‘Tickets Available’.

Hamilton was showing, and I had heard that these tickets are among the most sought-after in the West End, so I was expecting prices north of £200, but we said we’d go in and at least enquire.

We were told there were a few tickets left for twelve fifty, and I presumed that these were the last few and were selling at the premium price of £1250.

But no, in fact we had come across some unused cast family and friends tickets and although we had to stand at the back of the theatre, they cost £12.50. Yes twelve pounds fifty pence. We couldn’t believe our luck and even snuck into some (strangely) empty seats with an amazing view after a few minutes of the show.

And despite one close friend (and musicals fan) telling me the tickets were wasted on me (!), I actually really enjoyed it. Hats off to all, especially composer and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Where else but Sligo?

I’m not in Sligo this week, so this story will have to do…

We flew from London to somewhere hot, and it’s great!

The first afternoon we were here, Sinéad and I went for a cycle. Nothing hectic, the idea being that we would take our time, see a bit of the local countryside, and stop for a drink or an ice-cream in a village hallway along the route.

Approx 2km short of the village, grey clouds started to gather overhead. Thunder began to sound in the distance, and soon some of the biggest raindrops we ever saw were pelting down. Real rain! We took shelter by a wall on the side of the road and were happy enough to wait it out.

Soon afterwards a group passed us on the way back to where we are staying. They were skidding down the hill in front of us, there was no sign of the rain stopping and so the guides made the call to abandon the ride. They would shelter under a tree down the road and wait for a car from the resort to bring them back. They told us to join them.

So we did. At this stage however the rain was getting heavier. The thunder was louder and spectacular lightning was intermittently filling the sky. So now the tree was out of bounds, and there was only one option. With no shelter. Resigned to getting absolutely drenched, out we went onto the road.

With perfect timing however, the front door of a large house just off the road opened. Three kind residents gestured to us to open their gate and take shelter in the patio/barbecue area beside their house. What’s more, they brought out figs, towels, a hair-dryer and finally a bottle of raki, a clear and potent local digestif. They stayed with us for the hour or so it took to ferry four loads of us back home and despite the language barrier the craic was good.

The man of the house was 70-ish. His name was Pedros – and he had taught maths and physics in a local university. His son, Kostas, was around my age, had decent English and acted as a translator as best he could.

I asked him how he learnt his English and he told me it was partly in school and partly by working in a bar full of tourists and being immersed in the language all day.

His dad then told the story of how despite going out with an English Theology student in his university days, he learned no English. “How come?”, I asked.

He needed no translation to get his answer across.

“We no talk much”, he said, while making the universal kissing and hugging action.

What’s New?

1. SLIGO SUMMERFEST: Just before I left, I got the great news that this will be going ahead, and we will be a part of it once again. Can’t wait. More details to come soon.

2. SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL (COOLERA-STRANDHILL STYLE): It was lovely to be asked to contribute a piece of music to my local club’s #OneGoodClub Youth Mental Health Awareness campaign. Well done to all who took part, especially Aisling Browne and Susan Harte who put this video together.

3. THE APEX SINGERS: Niamh Feeney was among the first crew of Teenage Theme Nighters back in 2014/15. She went on to study music in Manchester and is currently part of some amazing vocal groups. One of them, the Apex Singers, performs in the Yeats Society in Sligo on Sat July 2nd. Click here for beautiful track of theirs.

Finally…

The opening track from Hamilton - will give you a real taste of what it’s all about - thematically and musically.

Till next time - Kieran.

Children From the West Country...

Dear Reader –

Read on for some big news regarding one of our Theme Night Ensemble, two special gigs tomorrow night (Wednesday 15th) and the lucky children of Sligo...

**All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

Brendan Tierney has featured regularly in this letter over the last year. He is a constant source of ideas and energy and a huge addition to the cultural scene here. His latest residency - Póg Mo Cajon - every Wednesday in Lillies - is taking a break for the summer and he has asked me to guest with him tomorrow evening (15th) for the grand finale.

Luke Devaney and Dave Flynn will be in too, and rumour has it they were inspired by the amazing Jack Stratton/Jacob Jeffries song featured in last week’s letter and learned it. So it may just get an outing on the gig. One way or the other it will be fun - it will be my first gig in Lillies and I’m looking forward to it!

Where else but Sligo?

I had the pleasure of attending three end-of-year shows recently.

Niamh Crowley’s Sligo Academy of Music Gala Concert and Lisa Cooper’s LCDA Summer Showcase both in the Hawk’s Well Theatre. And Vanessa Byrne’s Dramarama Summer Showcase in Kilmacowen Hall.

And each time Sinéad and I were left with the feeling of gratitude that our children are growing up in such a rich environment for creative expression - be it music, dance or drama.

The shows were all enjoyable from start to finish. The imagination, flair and hard work that had been put in to each was clear to see and huge credit must go not only to the three ladies mentioned above but also to the many unsung heroes who put in the hours behind the scenes to make these events possible.

I was left with a real feeling of pride. Proud of Sligo, its culture and its people. The town and county supports these events (and the many others like them that I didn’t attend) like no other, and that support allows for a virtuous circle of cultural improvement and creative rewards. It has been built up over many years through the efforts of countless individuals and is something that must be valued, preserved and celebrated.

Pic below of Niamh’s Sligo Academy of Music Sinfionetta playing with us on Theme Night #15 back in 2016.

What’s New?

1. CONGRATULATIONS NICHOLA: Actress and singer Nichola MacEvilly is a regular member of our Theme Night Ensemble, and we were all delighted for her when she was cast in the upcoming Irish and UK production of Girl From the North Country - Conor McPherson’s show using the music of Bob Dylan. More info here.

2. 500SONGS.COM: Thanks to Seth Godin for putting me on to this brilliant music podcast. In his own words - “It’s simply extraordinary. Trivia connected to cultural commentary connected to the endless web of the pop music world”.

3. SLIGO JAZZ 2022 TOMORROW: Am so excited for the return of this event next month. First though, the festival launch and a great gig in the Hawk’s Well tomorrow night (Wed 15th).

Finally…

Dave and Luke (see The Big Thing, above) are huge Paul Simon fans, so there’s every chance we will feature a few of his songs in Lillies tomorrow night. Here’s one of my favourites - from his 1991 Central Park gig, featuring (among others) the great Richard Tee, Steve Gadd and Michael Brecker.

Till next time - Kieran.

How Much Do You Love Me??

Dear Reader –

Not to be confused with How Long Will I Love You.

**All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

This week’s title could be an unofficial slogan for any social media company. We are all too aware of the possible perils for our mental health of putting ourselves out there in the search for likes.

At the same time, without social media, I wouldn’t have come across the amazing song (with this same title) that concludes this week’s letter.

And without social media, you wouldn’t be able to watch back any of the videos from Theme Night #29, which as of this morning - you can!

YouTube playlist here.

Or click below for one of my favourites from the show - our version of Amy O’Hara’s song Innisfreedom…

Where else but Sligo?

When we moved into our home a few years ago, I said to my wife that the only reason I would ever move from here would be for a sunset view.

You see I can remember all sorts of sunsets. Strangely serene ones looking back upstream over the River Liffey in Dublin, colours you would describe as almost angry in the Australian bush, and the best one I ever saw over the tin roof of a bus station in northern Mexico.

But there is something special about watching the sun drop into the sea. It feels like the way the day should end. So I took a spin up over Knocknarea on Sunday evening and got to the rocks on the Strandhill shore just in time. Where else but Sligo indeed.

And watching the day expire slowly like that I was reminded that today is all we have. Yesterday is gone and there is no guarantee of tomorrow. Every sunset we get to watch is a blessing and we should probably make the time to watch more of them. Especially when they are as pretty as this.

What’s New?

1. THE DAVE FLYNN CHOIR PROJECT: I’m looking forward to singing in the bass section of The Dave Flynn Choir this Thursday in the Hawk’s Well. Dave has put together some beautiful 4-part arrangements of some fantastic songs for the show and they are sounding great! Also on the bill are Westport-based vocal group Coda. There are still some tickets left here.

2. DEREK SIVERS BOOK RECS: Another shoutout for this wonderful resource. CD Baby founder Derek’s notes on the last 330+ books that he has read.

3. THE BIG NOTE: Also loved this from Gabe Anderson this week - for singers (and us all) on how to deal with the big note - you know the one you have to hit but are scared you won’t.

Finally…

Turn this up and listen to it twice (at least).

Till next time - Kieran.

Sligo's changing music scene...

Dear Reader –

It’s May - a month of titles and recitals!

Both in today’s letter…

**All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

It’s a great time of the year! Dance shows, concerts, speech and drama recitals - it’s all happening.

And after a lovely evening earlier this month when the adults in our Music Club performed for each other for the last time this term, it’s the turn of the younger students this coming Thursday.

Their end-of-term concert will take place in Strandhill, just across the corridor from the room in which they have their lessons each week, and the aim is to have an informal and enjoyable evening, where students, parents and teachers alike can mix and hear what each other has been up to over the last few months.

It is a learning experience for the children - many will not have played in front of an audience before, and it makes the sometimes lonely experience of playing the piano a bit more social.

It’s another example of something we all missed over the last few years, and while it’s always an evening to which I look forward, this one will be extra special.

Below photo by Siniz Kim on Unsplash

Where else but Sligo?

I feel it’s a really interesting time in Sligo’s music scene.

It reminds me of a conversation I had with Gerry Grennan on one of the long car journeys we undertook on our 32 Pianos tour back in 2015. He reckoned that while the musical cards in our town may sometimes seem to be settled in certain unshakeable combinations, every so often they will get thrown up into the air and gradually reform into new groups.

The enforced break we all had over the last few years gave us all time to think. Some musicians have found new careers, others have changed their priorities. Some pubs have closed while others have opened. Some gigs have stopped and others have started.

There is an ever-growing gang of young musicians around town who are hungry for gigs and this is always great to see.

And so I’m looking forward to seeing what combinations come out of this latest reshuffle. One thing I would love to see is the emergence of a new original band following in the tradition of the likes of Indian, Those Nervous Animals, Oddsocks, Rackhouse Pilfer and Moxie. Bands who wrote their own music and drew crowds.

I feel that now the time is right (and the talent is certainly there) for a new band to take the town by storm. Who’s it gonna be?!

What’s New?

1. LA ROCHELLE: It’s also the time of year where many sporting titles get decided, and I was particularly happy to see Corkman Ronan O’Gara lead an unfancied French side to victory in rugby’s European Cup. There is something about O’Gara’s ability to lead people while being so open and transparent himself that is impressive.

2. THE VISIT: Am looking forward to seeing this play tonight in the Hawk’s Well.

3. BURNOUT: Particularly relevant to me this month (!), I listened to a short podcast today on this topic. Find the link to listen to it here, as well as some other interesting resources on this matter.

Finally…

One of the more popular tunes among my (more advanced) students. Here’s Pascal Wintz doing his thing…

Till next time - Kieran.

Angry drummers and a pictorial feast...

Dear Reader –

I hope your eyes are ready…!

**All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

Kris Manulak takes great pictures.

And over 100 of them from Theme Night #29 are on my Facebook page as of this morning.

Go on - have a look. Steve (below) will come after you if you don’t!

Where else but Sligo?

At the core of the young talent in the Theme Nights every year are a crew from the Sligo Academy of Music. Year upon year, this much-loved Sligo institution produces young musicians who are willing and (more importantly) ready to play whatever we put in front of them. A prime example in the current crop is young trumpeter Johannes Kavanagh (pictured below).

Spearheaded by Niamh Crowley, I know first-hand the work that she and many others have put in over the years to create the conditions and environment in which these young people can grow and thrive both musically and personally. And it has paid off in spades.

They host their gala concert in the Hawk’s Well Theatre this coming Thursday 26th. I bought my tickets this morning, and can’t wait to see what Niamh and the gang have lined up for us. They deserve our support. Tickets here.

What’s New?

1. WEDDING BAND IDEA: Here’s a beautifully-written blog about marriages and bands which endure, as well as a great idea for anyone in the wedding band game!

2. THOUGHT: If you deliberately touch an electric fence, does it still count as a shock?

3. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! This letter is one year old this week. A good deal more of you are reading it each week than when I started, so I’m taking that as a good sign. Thanks for your support, and here’s to another year.

Finally…

One more vid from the show here for you all today.

Something Inside So Strong from Sarah Crummy. Visuals by Joe Hunt.

Till next time - Kieran.

When the nerves hit...

Dear Reader –

A big week at home and abroad this week…

The Big Thing

So as if the week wasn’t busy enough, the Second Captains crew had asked me to go to London to play with them on their live show last Thursday. The show was in the EartH theatre in Hackney, where 700 people (mostly Irish men) came to see their favourite sports podcasters in the flesh.

And with no disrespect to any of the wonderful singers I got to play with in the shows that bookended the week, on Thursday night I got to accompany a true Irish hero.

Five minutes before the performance was due to happen however, the nerves hit me. Nerves that I haven’t experienced in a long time. All of a sudden I could empathise with Theme Night performers, who get one shot at their song and that’s it. It either goes well or it doesn’t, but either way it’s gone after a few minutes and you can do nothing about it.

And in this moment I could feel the weight of the 1400+ ears that were about to be trained on me. The finale. The big one. And I had to get it right…

Watch the original version of what we tried to reproduce live here,

Music by Conor Walsh. Words by Jack Charlton. Created by Mark Horgan. Pic below by Sorcha Pollak.

Where else but Sligo?

So it’s farewell to the Class of 2022!

A Teenage Theme Night rollercoaster for this particular group of 6th Yrs - bookended by some great live shows with a few online ones in between.

They signed off this weekend with a bang however with the help of the TYs and 5th Yrs in the Hawk’s Well Theatre. What a couple of shows we had - thanks so much to everyone who took part and to everyone who came.

My favourite moment was when David Walsh walked out on stage with just his guitar halfway through the second half. David is in 6th Yr but had never taken part in these nights before. So this was going to be his one and only theme night. And he was doing it on his own. And both nights he blew the crowd away. Hopefully only the beginning for this young man.

We’ll take a break for the summer now before returning in the autumn with a whole new bunch of 6th Yrs. So if you or someone you know is currently in 3rd, 4th or 5th Yr and would like to get involved in 2022-23, send an email to kieran@kieranquinn.ie and register your interest.

Thanks especially to (L-R in pic below) Ella Rose, Senna, Ryan and Rosha who led by example as emcees for the year. To the ever-dependable TTN band (Eddie Lee, Ken McDonald and Dave Flynn). To Niamh Crowley for digging me out of a hole on Saturday afternoon with some last-minute arrangements. To Joy Feehily for all her help throughout the year. And to the below photobombers Darragh and Nathan of course!

What’s New?

1. IN THE LAMPLIGHT: Niamh Crowley sat down with the lads and I last week to talk through the ups and downs of Theme Night #29. We were all in some sort of post-show fragile emotional state so it turned out to be great fun! Have a listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.

2. MUSICALS: For anyone who didn’t read last week’s letter, the theme for October’s show is Musicals - and I have been getting some amazing suggestions already. I won’t start work on it for a while yet, but I’m taking notes for when I do, so please send on anything that you’d like to hear or think could work.

3. NEXT WEEK: Loads of pics and videos from Theme Night #29 and Teenage Theme Night #26 coming your way (thanks to Kris Manulak). Here’s one to whet your appetite…Eddie Fitzpatrick et all in full flow.

Finally…

Thursday afternoon and I was trying to make my way to my London hotel while over and back on WhatsApp to the show producer trying to pick walk-on music for the various guests. I kept taking wrong turns literally and metaphorically. Until we came up with this one. What a tune!

Till next time - Kieran.

The review...

Dear Reader –

If you’re here for early access to Theme Night #30 tickets, scroll down to the What’s New Section for more. Oh and the theme is announced there too…

First though, some reflections on Theme Night #29.

All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

What a week we all had! Thanks to all the musicians, performers, crew, theatre staff and (especially) audiences who made the big return everything we had hoped it would be.

We recorded our In The Lamplight review podcast last night with special guest (and Golden Jacket winner) Niamh Crowley and anyone looking for an in-depth review of what we all thought about the shows will find it there when it comes out tomorrow morning (Wednesday).

However there are a few things I’d like to mention today.

Firstly my favourite moment of the run. It happened on Friday night, when in the middle of one song early enough in the show I heard the clatter of a drumstick hitting the floor. By the time I looked around to see what had happened, there was Tonto (percussionist) already handing Steve (drummer) his stick so he wouldn’t miss a beat. An example of the teamwork and camaraderie that exists between these two crucial members of our band, and indeed within our group as a whole.

I love what Sarah Crummy does - and she did it again. It was so good to have her back.

Big shoutout to Collette Sheerin, Emmanuel McCormack, Georgie Gorman and Tabby Callaghan. All of whom were supposed to be performing with us but couldn’t make it in the end for various reasons. We missed you all.

Most of all it was inspiring to be working once again with a team of great people who were committed to upping our collective game. It reminded me of my best days as a footballer - that feeling of wanting to ensure you do your job to the best of your ability because you don’t want to let down everyone else who you know is doing the same.

Where else but Sligo?

Regular readers of this letter will know how big a part our Monday gig in Connolly’s played in my week.

So there was some natural sadness and disappointment when we were informed last Tuesday that it would no longer be happening.

However we had some great times there over the last eight years. I’d like to thank Paul O’Donnell and his staff for giving us the opportunity and looking after us so well in Connolly’s and Furey’s over that time. Also the many musicians who played with us - we had some incredible moments. And to all who came in to see us, especially the regular heads, thanks for helping make these gigs so special.

I feel very lucky having got to play with this man (below) every week for that length of time. And while I’m sure it’s not the end for us, this picture sums up how I feel about all the great times and wonderful music we have got to share so far. Thanks to Joy Feehily for capturing it.

What’s New?

1. THEME NIGHT #30 ANNOUNCEMENT: So - the show will take place on 6-8 October 2022 in the Hawk’s Well Theatre. And the theme is…….…yes it’s time folks………Musicals!

   In our own special theme night way.

2. TICKETS: Tickets go on sale today (10th May) at 11am. Online or on the phone - 071-9161518.

3. TEENAGE THEME NIGHT #26: Coming this Saturday and Sunday! Here are Senna and Freya - two of the stars of the show - strutting their stuff in Theme Night #29 last weekend. Tickets available here.

Finally…

Here’s one of the standout performances from last week’s show. It got a prolonged standing ovation each night and was on everyone’s list of highlights. Liudmila Ropiak and our Theme Night Choir with the Ukrainian song Oy U Luzi Chervona Kalyna.

Till next time - Kieran.

The preview...

Dear Reader –

A quick update before we get into this week’s letter - at the time of writing Friday and Saturday’s shows are sold out, so if you haven’t got your tickets yet Thursday is the only game in town.

Luckily Thursday’s show has a top-class line-up. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out!

Tickets available here.

All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

So Theme Night #29 is upon us. We’ve been waiting for this for a long time - a chance to put on a show with a full stage and a full auditorium. And we can’t wait!

We picked the theme in early February, just after restrictions on live events had been lifted, and so ‘Freedom’ seemed like the right choice. Since then unfortunately, the word has taken on a new meaning in our world, especially for the people of Ukraine. With that in mind we would especially like to welcome Liudmila Ropiak to our stage this week, and many members of the Ukrainian community in Sligo to the Hawk’s Well for the first time.

It’s a broad theme, so it has allowed us to include a wide variety of styles and genres. You can expect to hear Irish ballads, film themes, plenty of hits, and possibly even a song or two from the musicals!

As always, we will feature some original songs from the pens of members of the Theme Night Ensemble, specifically this time from Amy O’Hara, Grooveline and a new fun song of mine that I can’t wait to play for you. There are also many new arrangements of already existing material, which we are looking forward to showcasing each night this week.

So if you have bought a ticket to the show, thankyou! It’s such an important show for us, as we seek to infuse Sligo with the Theme Night spirit again and hopefully reestablish the momentum of the shows after the last two years. I hope you have a great night, and if you feel like it, please let me know what you liked and what you think we could improve on.

kieran@kieranquinn.ie

PS here’s a 1-min behind the scenes look at choir rehearsals from last week. Thanks Rory Maitland for the vid.

Where else but Sligo?

By day Collette Sheerin is Sligo’s most in-demand landscape gardener. By night she can be found with her guitar or flute, playing and singing, writing songs at home or playing with friends.

In her own words - digging and gigging!

She is part of our Theme Night Ensemble, and has contributed hugely to the shows over the years. Last time out however, she experienced what she called stagefright. Shortness of breath, extreme nervousness and hence a performance with which she wasn’t happy. This is actually quite a common occurrence for musicians, and we could all empathise with Collette.

She told her story, including her hopes for Theme Night #29, on In The Lamplight this week.

Rory, Luke, Mícheál and I happily returned to the studio to record our first podcast in a while - a Theme Night preview show featuring Collette and other Theme Night chat. Have a listen here (or wherever you get your podcasts) - it was lovely to be back chatting with the lads again.

And - we’re doing it again next week - Our Theme Night review show will be released this coming Wednesday 11th May.

What’s New?

1. THEME NIGHT #30 DATES/TIX: It will take place on 6-8 October 2022 in the Hawk’s Well Theatre. Tickets will go on sale next Tuesday morning (10th May) at 11am. Unless you’re a subscriber to this letter! Keep an eye on your inbox next Tuesday morning for details of early access to these tickets.

2. THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: From James Clear - “Just because it didn’t work doesn’t mean it was the wrong choice."

3. TEENAGE THEME NIGHT #26: Thankfully it’s not long until we’re back in the Hawk’s Well - this time celebrating the best of Film Music with the class of 2022.

Finally…

Here’s one from this week in 2016. I don’t usually sing at these shows, and I include this today not to showcase my voice (!), but because the video includes some fantastic shots of you guys, that night’s audience, up on your feet, dancing and singing. Here’s to more of that this week!

Till next time - Kieran.