Good news stories and teenage superheroes!

Dear Reader –

Three happy stories in the What’s New section this week, but first some insights into an incredible weekend of Teenage Theme Nights. Plus one of my all-time favourite songs…

**All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

So Teenage Theme Night #28 took place last Friday, Saturday and Sunday. One-Word Wonders was our theme - so any song with a one-word-title. It was a blast from start to finish and there was a fantastic buzz around the Model for all three shows.

The four teenagers pictured below are this year’s emcees and each did a great job in their own way. Johannes’ calm, Orla’s energy, Clodagh’s thoughtfulness and Saoirse’s sense of craic all contributed to the shows running smoothly and comfortably for everyone.

Their song choices reflected the variety on offer all weekend. Clodagh (below, left) chose Requiem from the musical Dear Evan Hansen, Saoirse (who celebrated her 18th birthday on stage with us on Sunday) sang Waterloo, Orla (below, centre) went with an acoustic version of Calum Scott’s Rise and Johannes (above, right) teamed up with saxophonist Charlie McKenna to bring us a version of Miles Davis’ jazz standard Four.

Thanks to all who came and supported the show - I really hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. These Teenage Theme Nights are a part of my work that I really love and cherish and you guys continuing to support them makes it all possible.

Where else but Sligo?

A selection of short stories about young Sligo musicians from last weekend’s shows here for you today…

Sam is so comfortable behind a drum kit that he managed a whole adult Theme Night gig recently with ten days notice. He chose to play a few jigs on the tin whistle instead this time and I have never seen him as nervous. I love how he took himself out of his comfort zone though, and he got the payoff he deserved - a massive reaction from our Sunday audience.

Casey, Roisin, Lucy and Anna proclaimed themselves Sligo’s first ever all-female rock band when they opened the second half for us on Friday night. Can anyone out there disprove them?! They chose a difficult number - Radiohead’s Just - and they swept us along with them with a fantastic performance.

Anna Rose wanted to sing Shallow but needed a male partner. I asked her could she sing it on Sunday because I knew that our graduate that night (Michael) would be the ideal foil for her. And so it transpired - these two great voices brought the house down and it was amazing to see this new partnership blossom.

John Mackey knew he was being cheeky when he (as a 5th Yr) asked could he perform a solo piano version of the Interstellar Theme music at last years 6th Yr showcase. There was to be no stopping him this time however, as the theme this time allowed for it, and he got a huge reaction from our Friday night crowd.

Finally, seasoned pro Eddie Lee (pictured below with guitarist Keith O’Donnell) sat in on bass with Ethan, Lorcan and Kian for Metallica’s One. It’s a seven-and-a-half minute rock symphony and Eddie reckoned he spent more time learning this than the rest of the weekend’s songs put together. An example of musicianship at its finest from all parties - firstly three lads who nailed this difficult piece but also Eddie who had one go at it and did the same. While rocking out!

What’s New?

1. SECOND CAPTAINS AT 10: Congrats to Eoin, Ken, Murph, Simon and Mark on this milestone. The lads ripped up the sports media playbook with their new venture in 2013 and have produced year after year of brilliant work since. Mark told the fascinating story of how it all happened on an Instagram post last week.

2. HAIRSPRAY SOLD OUT: Congrats to Karen Gordon and all the Pop-Up Theatre crew on this amazing achievement. With four weeks still to go before the show. Enjoy the lead in lads…

3. IN THE LAMPLIGHT: February saw the latest edition of the Sligo Comedy Festival. Director Brendan Tierney was our guest on our latest podcast and told us the story of the festival (including all the ups and downs). Also includes some happy news, and a challenge from Rory to us all…listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.

Finally…

I can’t believe this song hasn’t featured in this section before as it is one of my favourites. It was performed by Kayleigh Henry and Ciara Courell at our shows last weekend and I was thrilled to see it is reaching a new generation. For a deeper dive, watch this 5-min interview with Billy Joel where he explains the meaning of the song, as well as the influence of Beethoven on his music. This live version has an extra bonus at the start too!

Till next time - Kieran.

The end of an era...

Dear Reader –

And what an era it was!

Some sad news for us all in Sligo this week - but first, something to look forward to this weekend…

**All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

January 2020 saw the last pre-pandemic Teenage Theme Night and for the three years since it has been the benchmark to which I have aspired to return. It featured huge numbers of teenage musicians, great performances, engaged audiences and a magical atmosphere all weekend.

So I really am delighted to say that for the first time since, I think we’re back there. The interest among teenagers is at an all-time high, there are some great new performers and bands around and I can’t wait for you all to see what they have ready for us over the coming days.

One person that deserves huge credit for this is TTN graduate Joy Feehily. Joy knows the nights inside out, having been centrally involved on and off-stage when she was a part of them. She has brought great insight and has carried on that great work in many unseen ways since to help the current crop of teenagers enjoy their time in the spotlight!

Teenage Theme Night #28 takes place this weekend (March 3-5) in The Model. Tickets available here.

Where else but Sligo?

So Marie O’Byrne is leaving the Hawk’s Well Theatre to take up a job in her hometown of Ennis. This statement was released by the chair and board of the theatre last Friday and provides great insight into the amazing job she has done and the esteem in which she is held by the artistic community in Sligo.

It’s sad for us all, of course - Marie has done so much for so many here. On a personal level she has had a huge impact on my work and has become a great friend along the way. I know I’m not alone in Sligo in wishing her the very best in the next stage in her career. The people of Ennis will soon realise what a gem they have gained and I look forward to seeing the great work she does there.

I feel Marie is to the Hawk’s Well like Brian O’Driscoll was to the Irish Rugby team in the noughties. Both came into institutions which possibly had seen better days and completely turned them around. However the Irish Rugby team now is a far better team than the one in which O’Driscoll played. The foundation laid by him and his teammates was built upon by future players and management and now the Irish Rugby team can legitimately be called the best in the world.

And so on a positive note, the hope for us in Sligo now is that likewise the brilliant work done by Marie and her great team since 2011 is only the beginning. There is so much potential in this town and I am looking forward to working with whoever comes into the role to see what comes next.

I have told Marie that there will always be a place for her on stage with us for the theme nights and what a welcome she will get when she returns!

What’s New?

1. IN THE LAMPLIGHT: February’s episode will be out later today (Tuesday), but while you’re waiting, check out this episode we recorded with Marie in April 2021 to celebrate her 10 years at the helm of at the Hawk’s Well.

2. SHIPRECS: Teenage Theme Night graduate Joe Gorman writes and produces Shiprecs - which promises to recommend 100 interesting reads in 2023. His latest edition is out now and is my favourite so far, with top-class articles on Michael Jordan, Attention Alcohol, and the origins of the weekend! Check it out here.

3. KINDRED HEARTS: Another Teenage Theme Night graduate Callum Wall (pictured below) was our featured guest on last month’s Young Songwriters’ Showcase. He released his latest single last week - which also features regular Theme Night band members Tom Ryan and Eddie Fitzpatrick. Listen here.

Finally…

Brad Mehldau has a new album out where he plays the music of The Beatles - and it’s just beautiful. Thanks to letter reader Des Power for sending it my way last week - I spent all weekend listening to it - especially the track below. Extra bonus of sheet music on this vid - for anyone brave enough to take it on!

Till next time - Kieran.

The Sunny Side...

Dear Reader –

It’s not just the sun that can light a flame…read on for more…

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The Big Thing

I was 12 years old when my friend Andrew played me this track.

Ha! I wasn’t actually. I was 14. I was sure I was 12 - I could see the room we were in at the time and all (or so I thought) but then I did some research and I see that the album didn’t come out until 1994. By which stage I was 14. Just shows you how our memories can deceive us!

One way or the other I was definitely young and impressionable when I heard it. Bumble Boogie - The opening track on Jools Holland’s 1994 (!) solo piano album. And from that moment on I saw the piano in a whole new light. It was exciting. Dynamic. Mysterious. Where were all these notes? And how could he play them so fast?!

I wrote two weeks ago about our ever-so-slightly late (!) Christmas piano concerts. And only this morning I heard yet another story from a parent about a child who had been at the concert and hasn’t stopped playing piano since. And it’s the same thing that happened to me in 1994.

Ignition of that flame inside you. Inspiration. Get to a piano quick cos I need to play.

It’s why I make sure that some older children and teenagers perform at the beginners’ concerts. To show them what’s possible, but also to appeal to something inside of them. Something more basic. Something that tells them this is something they need in their lives.

Similarly, it’s why we always ask graduates back to perform at the Teenage Theme Nights. To inspire the current crew and show them what is possible if they keep at it. Here are our three featured performers from next week’s shows - from top, clockwise - Michael Donaghy (2018), Nathan McLoughlin (2022) and Niamh Keaveney (2017).

Where else but Sligo?

Just direct your feet…to the sunny side of the street.

What’s New?

1. UNCERTAIN SMILE: I met lots of new people last weekend. Many of them asked, as we all do, what I do for a living. When I told one such man he told me I simply had to listen to Jools Holland’s piano solo at the end of Uncertain Smile by The The. So I did - and it’s great (even if the piano is a bit lost in the mix)!

2. THE TOWER OF HANOI: Not new at all - it has been around for years, but I was reminded of this classic maths puzzle this week. Usually done with 7 disks.

3. SLIGO JAZZ 2023: 25-30 July 2023. Registration open and early bird offer available now.

Finally…

To get us in the mood for summer - here’s a classic jazz standard - inspired by our feline friend above!

Till next time - Kieran.

The LOVE edition....

Dear Reader –

Valentine’s Day won’t fall on a Tuesday again until 2034, so today’s letter is all about love (and music, and laughter - but lots of love)!

**Disclaimer - If you’re looking for love advice this is probably not the place to come - however I have long believed that loving yourself makes it easier to love someone else, and so this is where today’s letter begins.

**All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

I listened to an amazing podcast this week - one which charts the journey of a musician from self-loathing (at times) to self-love. It touches on subjects such as compassion for yourself, being true to yourself and accepting yourself - all in the context of a life and career in music.

And while it would be unusual for me to recommend a book or podcast in this part of the letter, this one really has been the big thing for me this week so if I’m being honest, this is where it should go.

There’s no doubt that part of the reason I have got so much from it is that I’m a fan of the host (Cory Wong), the guest (Theo Katzman) and a band in which they play together (Vulfpeck), but the discussion is just so honest and open that you can’t help but be drawn in.

It touches on many themes that regularly feature in these pages - things like authenticity, the importance of community and the courage to be yourself as an artist. There is also great insight on songwriting, the mental struggles an artist can go through and how to get really good at your instrument.

It’s two hours long, but well worth it. Click on the image below or search for ‘Wong Notes Theo Katzman’ wherever you get your podcasts.

Where else but Sligo?

Next, a short Theme Night love story…

The wedding of a good friend is always something to celebrate, but when two friends marry each other it makes the occasion even more special. This must be why I remember Theme Night #10 so well, as it was the night before two great friends and colleagues hitched their wagons together.

Eddie Lee had come up with the great idea of doing a Theme Night featuring the music of Burt Bacharach, and so on Thursday June 12th 2014, in association with Sligo Jazz, we presented this show in The Velvet Rooms.

I’m not sure if Sinéad Conway has forgiven me yet for the timing of this gig, as it’s still one of just two Theme Nights that she has missed. She and husband-to-be Steve Kohlmann had a big day the next day however so we forgave them for not making our show!

We did manage to get through the gig without them, and I remember in particular some beautiful string arrangements by Niamh Crowley, Joe Hunt’s performance of Painted From Memory and Cathal Roche adding so much to the night on his many instruments.

Mr. Bacharach of course left us last week, and I was reminded of how much fun we had playing his music that night - he really was a master of creating great melodies and matching them with unusual chords. Here’s one of many magic moments from the show...

What’s New?

1. MORE BURT BACHARACH: Take some time out and watch this wonderful celebration of his music featuring the likes of Stevie Wonder, Diana Krall and Sheryl Crowe.

2. THE GAME: Speaking of honesty, this is one of the best books I have ever read on sport. It comprises 18 essays covering sport from every possible angle, while doubling up as a memoir of pivotal sporting moments in author Tadhg Coakley’s life. Order it from your local bookshop.

3. SLIGO COMEDY FESTIVAL: This week. All week. Pick your gig(s), get out there and have a laugh!

Finally…

As the man himself says below - this song presents such an important lyrical thought. Have a great day everyone!

Till next time - Kieran.

Be the Wheel...

Dear Reader –

Today’s title is taken from one of my favourite artists’ new album. I’m trying to figure out what it means - any suggestions are most welcome!

**All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

OK - so what comes to mind when I think of a wheel is that it’s often described as man’s greatest invention. Wheels have been put to use in many different ways throughout history, but primarily made it much easier for our ancestors (and now us) to get from A to B.

Which is kind of like the concerts we put on for our piano students. People take up the piano for many different reasons, but if like many your A is not being able to play at all and your B is being able to play confidently in front of people, well then these concerts will certainly move you in the right direction.

But not just this, it’s also where the magic happens. It’s where children can discover the inner steel to keep going after a mistake, where unsure fingers can hover over notes for seemingly interminable lengths and where relieved smiles abound as generous applause sounds. It’s where younger students stare open-mouthed at what the teenagers can do and where people go home determined to practise harder so they can be as good as their peers next time.

Thanks to everyone who performed, everyone who came to watch, and to the brilliant gang of teachers and unsung heroes who made it all happen.

Where else but Sligo?

February.

Windows opening to let the world in. Emergence without emergency. Bonus Bank Holiday - Go raibh maith agat Naomh Bríd. Another chance to reset.

The sporting world wakes up. Our inner clocks chime with the return of the Six Nations. National League football and a big win for Sligo. Everything is still possible.

Walks. Wheels turning. Wash the car. No leaves yet but they’re on the way. Birdsong. This is where it all went wrong in 2020. But not this year. This is the year. And it’s only getting going.

A taste of spring. Give us more.

What’s New?

1. BALLYGOWAN ANYONE? In what quite a few listeners have described as our funniest episode yet, the In The Lamplight crew pounced on a loose comment and put my strong (!) water opinions to the test. Plus Stoic Philosophy and some big promises! Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts…

2. SEÁN DWYER: He was the wheel that made the pubs and community organisations of Sligo turn for many a year. Not one to wait for others, he was usually first in and the man to get things done. I knew him best in Connolly’s on our many Monday nights there. He knew his music, his sport and his customers and made it easy for us to do our jobs. Rest in Peace Seán.

3. AN CAILÍN CIÚIN: What a beautiful film. Still showing daily in the cinema in Sligo.

Finally…

I guess we should let the man himself have his say - Theo is back!

Till next time - Kieran.

Young songwriters and new(ish) roads...

Dear Reader –

Today we say goodbye to my favourite month of the year…

**All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

Still enjoying the afterglow of Theme Night #31, we had another great night last Friday - The Young Songwriters’ Showcase.

We initially ran it for a couple of years before the the pandemic and so when we got the green light last year to run events at full capacity again it was one of the first things on my agenda to revive.

Because songwriting isn’t something you either can or can’t do. It’s a skill and can be learned so the sooner you start the better. It can also be more difficult psychologically to stand up and perform something that came from inside you. All sorts of fears can come to the surface - can I do this? Will people like it? Will people laugh at me? It’s not quite finished yet! Will people know what I really feel inside if they hear my lyrics?

So huge respect to the teenagers who got up and did it last week. It was noticeable that those who had taken part last year seemed to have learned lots from that experience, so hopefully those who took part for the first time this year will continue to write. Well done to all involved.

One man who is a bit further along the songwriting path is Teenage Theme Night graduate Callum Wall. We invited Callum back to be a guest on this show and it was a joy to hear how he has developed in recent years - as a songwriter, singer and performer. Here is Callum performing his song ‘Limbo’ on In The Lamplight in 2021.

Where else but Sligo?

Today is the end of January, and as alluded to earlier, it’s my favourite month of the year. There is so much possibility around, although it was a bit more difficult to see this in January 2021 - I can’t remember a January that people were so keen to see the back of. We were in lockdown, and no-one was really sure when or how the end would come. I was writing a column for the Sligo Weekender at the time and there was so little happening in our world that I wrote about a new road opening!

Anyway, this ‘new road’ is now two years old. Thankfully a lot has changed in the meantime, but if anyone is looking for something to cheer them up this morning, read this and be thankful that the road ahead in Jan 2023 looks a lot different to how it did in 2021!

What’s New?

1. CHRISTMAS CONCERT: December is always a busy month, so this Thursday and Friday we are hosting our Christmas concerts (!) for all of our fantastic piano students. Annette, Niamh, Scarlett, Shauna and I can’t wait to see everyone play their pieces and perhaps enjoy a treat or two after!

2. PADDY KEYES: Another Teenage Theme Night graduate now writing and releasing his own music is Paddy Keyes. Listen to his latest single ‘Best Friend’ here.

3. IN THE LAMPLIGHT IS BACK: After a quiet 2022, we have made ourselves (and our listeners) a New Year’s promise to release at least one episode of our podcast each month in 2023. Which means one needs to appear today! Hopefully it will - keep an eye on your podcast feeds or search for ‘In The Lamplight’ later this evening…

Finally…

It wasn’t all doom and gloom in early 2021 however - this is from our lockdown season of In The Lamplight, and still one of my favourite things we did - will Luke ever learn to play the violeeeeen?!?!

Till next time - Kieran.

Did that really happen?!

Dear Reader –

Time to reflect today, but first let’s look ahead…

**All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

Theme Night #32 (Theme TBC).

Hawk’s Well Theatre, October 5-7 2023.

Tickets on sale this morning (Tuesday 24th) at 11am.

Joe is pointing the way. Get the seats you want here.

Where else but Sligo?

A few words about last week.

It was always going to be hard to follow Musicals. Huge thought and effort went into that show from many quarters and we threw everything but the kitchen sink at it. It was great and I loved it, but it was a monster of a show, and so I knew from the word go that we couldn’t try and compete with it in terms of scale.

So this one had to be cosy. Intimate. Warm. More about the songs, less about the show. Still with big moments, but more about the smaller ones,

It started with the choice of theme - and I must thank Robert Cullen for the idea. It was perfect for the type of show we needed, and once he and Eddie Fitzpatrick provided me with comprehensive lists of song possibilities I knew we were on to something.

The bones of a setlist gradually appeared. Some original music from brilliant musicians - Seamie, Gerry, Tabby, Felip, Steve. Rat Trap and Stairway To Heaven in the safe hands of Joe, Sinéad and Jamie for the big finishers, and a couple of surprises that seemed to work. We got to feature lots of performers who weren’t involved in the Musicals show, and as always it was lovely to see more than a dozen people shine on the Theme Night stage for the first time.

So as you can see it’s a while till the next one. Almost nine months, which is a good gap, especially given that we have done three shows in the last eight. And while I have enjoyed every minute of them, it’s no harm to think about other things for a while. Come back to Theme Night #32 in a few months fresh and raring to go.

So there’s no theme yet. I’m asking you to trust us while we let things settle and see what ideas present themselves. What else we can try with these shows?!

Looking back though It was an amazing way to start 2023 - making great music with great people for four fantastic audiences. I had a moment on stage on Saturday night during All’s Well where one part of my brain was trying to play the piano in time, but another part was marvelling at this amazing thing of which I was lucky enough to be a part.

Your support means a lot. Thank you all.

What’s New?

1. YOUNG SONGWRITERS’ SHOWCASE 2023: A platform for local teenage musicians to perform their own songs for their peers. This Friday at 8 in The Model. Tickets here.

2. STEPHEN JAMES SMITH: The Friday and Saturday night crowds loved this man. This is his signature poem, Dublin You Are.

3. TN #31 GOLDEN JACKET: Congratulations (and thank you) to Sinéad Conway, who once again stepped into the breach at short notice and delivered a showstopping performance on Stairway To Heaven. Imagine what she could have done with a bit of notice?!

Finally…

As promised last week, Leah Davidson’s debut single - Take it. From last year’s Young Songwriters’ Showcase.

Till next time - Kieran.

The people who make things happen...

Dear Reader –

Thanks for your support on this week’s Theme Night #31 - we are almost ready for you!

**All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

No. 5 in our series of Theme Night #31 stories is about Theme Night regular Siobhan O’Farrell and her talented daughter Leah Davidson.

After last year’s Young Songwriter’s Showcase, Leah was chosen to receive the chance to make a music video for her song and to record it in a professional studio. A huge thanks to Rory and Rummy at Temper Hound Productions and Luke at The Blue Room Studio who made this happen.

The track will be released tonight (Tuesday) at midnight and will be available on YouTube and Spotify. I’ll make sure to include it in next week’s letter. It features musicians Nils Kavanagh, Eddie Lee and Sam Purcell - and Leah’s brother Thomas also made a huge production contribution to the track.

PS speaking of Luke and Rory, stay tuned for some In The Lamplight news…

Where else but Sligo?

Yesterday was the day that we all got to hear the music for this week’s Theme Night #31 come together for the first time. And I was reminded of this quote (which I must have uttered to local scribe Jim Gray as he included it in the fantastic book he co-wrote last year). The two disciplines involved is Gaelic Football and music…

“In both disciplines, the emphasis is always on the value of teamwork. As a footballer, a togetherness, a camaraderie, a belief in each other is essential. Precisely the same traits would be to the forefront of my career in music. These shows would be nothing without the dedication and talent of the people I work with, and their willingness to work hard alongside me”.

This bunch of absolute stars below (and many more) have poured gallons of their 2023 energy into creating and learning the music for this show - and it’s nearly ready for you all!

What’s New?

1. STORY NO. 4: About Tabby Callaghan…read it here.

2. THEME NIGHT DEBUTANTS: Loads more Theme Night newcomers this week - looking forward to introducing Brian Devaney, Jaidyn Gieni, Ronan Callaghan, Joe Gorman, Eileen McDevitt, Annie Buick, Vanessa Job, Orla Devlin, Leah Davidson, Stephen James Smith and The Pound Street Band to you all. Also Niamh Farrell’s first live show with us!

3. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Given the timing of this show, it feels like 2023 will only really begin once it’s over. The usual January opportunity to pause and reflect hasn’t happened yet. So a reminder for anyone who needs it that we can all choose to start new projects, hobbies or habits any time - we don’t have to wait until a certain date on the calendar.

Finally…

I mentioned Niamh Farrell earlier - this may be her first live Theme Night, but she and her brother Sean took part in one of our lockdown Theme Nights - and this remains our most watched Theme Night video on YouTube - it’s just beautiful - take a minute and listen.

Till next time - Kieran.