God Only Knows What I'd Be Without You...

Dear Reader –

Lots of reflections on Theme Night #32 below - but first - if you’re looking for Theme Night #33 tickets….letter readers get first dibs on them - from 10am today (Tuesday) - find them here.

The Big Thing

Sinéad Conway and I were chatting after Friday night’s show. Sinéad’s performance of I Will Always Love You had got a real standing ovation from those of you who were there that night and we were enjoying the feeling. After a while we got to discussing the rest of the night’s events and we found ourselves simultaneously saying the word ‘Leah’!

So many of you told me how much you loved this performance…check it out again below.

Where else but Sligo?

It was a week of hurdles big and small. A week where I was extremely thankful for the strength in depth of musicianship that exists in our town.

Sam Purcell answered an urgent phone call from me on Sunday and managed to learn 30+ songs in 3 days.
Ken ‘Tonto’ McDonald returned to us after serious heart surgery and Dave Flynn and Luke Devaney covered the various guitar parts after we heard that Seamie O’Dowd couldn’t make it along.

At least we had recorded this video the previous week however….this is classic Seamie.

What’s New?

1. THEME NIGHT #32 IN BALLYSHANNON: We’re coming to the Abbey Arts Centre on Sat 21 Oct! Last chance to see this show - please tell your friends…

2. EMILY AND JACK: What a duo! Check them out here…

3. MORE NEW THEME NIGHT VIDS: Here’s Cathy Jordan with the Theme Night band on the old John Hartford song Gentle on my Mind. Check out our YouTube channel here.

Finally…

One of my favourite moments from the show - when you guys sang back to me at the end of this performance..

Till next time - Kieran.

The best week of the year...

Dear Reader –

It’s Theme Night week! And we’re back in the Hawk’s Well as of yesterday. I can’t wait to see many of you over the next few days at the show. It’s that nervous time of the week where you’re hoping that all the various plans and ideas you have been cooking up over the last few months actually work! We’ll know very soon I guess…

The Big Thing

But first today - some memories of Theme Night #31. Our new Theme Nights YouTube channel officially launched on Sunday night - and here’s our first video!

Sarah Crummy with a simply stunning version of Don McLean’s Vincent…

Where else but Sligo?

‘Steve Wickham is a rock star’.

This is a common reaction to Steve’s Theme Night performances. The combination of his presence, his voice, the way he gives himself entirely to a song and of course his fiddle playing really works for audiences. He performed his own song Pascal at Theme Night #31 and it was without doubt one of the highlights from the show.

I first heard the song over a decade ago. Steve brought myself and Ken ‘Tonto’ McDonald out to a studio out beyond Bunninadden to record it with our Odd Couple bandmate Eddie Lee and the rest of the No Crows crew. It was the first time I had been asked to play on someone else’s song in a studio setting and I was nervous. Especially because of whose song it was.

But Steve was great. It was clear he had been in the studio all his life, and he knew how to elicit performances from us. It wasn’t so much about the notes you played, but the way you played them. Huge lessons learned that day.

Connect with the song.
How does it make you feel?
How do we get the story of Pascal across best through our music?
What’s best for the song?

January’s Theme Night performance (below) was quite different from that studio recording, but the same principles applied for Steve. It’s magnificent - take a look…

What’s New?

1. THEME NIGHT #32 ON TOUR: Remember that if you don’t have tickets, the only place you can get to see Theme Night #32 is in Ballyshannon on Sat Oct 21…

2. NEW SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS: You can find us now on Facebook, Instagram or our special Italian TikTok account! All the Theme Night news still available here first every Tuesday though!

3. MORE NEW THEME NIGHT VIDS: We’re taking a breather tonight, but from tomorrow (Wednesday) on, we’ll be releasing five videos on consecutive nights - the first three of which were recorded in McLynn’s recently - thanks to Darragh and the gang there for having us. What a beautiful spot…

Finally…

Sarah has come up with many great arrangements over the years - here’s one from Theme Night #17 - her version of To Win Just Once by The Saw Doctors.

Till next time - Kieran.

Big Friday news...

Dear Reader –

The time for thinking is over - it’s now the time for action! Some really exciting news today for you…

The Big Thing

Our brand new Theme Night YouTube channel launches this weekend.
Below is a trailer of what you can expect to see over the coming weeks…and we release our first video this Sunday 1 Oct at 7pm.
Subscribe to the channel to get all our news and videos first.

Where else but Sligo?

This project has been in my head for years, and we have been actively working on it since February.

Anyone following the Theme Nights over the years will have seen some of the great videos that Kris and Dominika Manulak have produced of the shows, and they will continue to do so long into the future I hope. However through no fault of theirs (or anyone's), the sound on the videos doesn't do justice to the great live sound we produce on the nights, and so I have been looking at other ways to showcase what we do. So much great music comes out of these shows, and I have long felt that it's a shame that they haven't been documented at their best.

So I have been looking into other ways of doing this and came to the conclusion that a dedicated Theme Night (and Teenage Theme Night) YouTube channel was the way to go. This channel will feature many different types of performances - some live, some recorded in the Hawk’s Well, and others recorded in various locations and under various conditions (!) around Sligo and beyond.

I have been working with a great team over the last few months on getting this channel ready. We have a few videos in the bag and ready to release, and we will be recording more in the coming days during Theme Night week. I can’t wait for you to see them - hopefully your appetite has been whetted by the above trailer!

What’s New?

1. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: All the theme night news will now be found on our new social media channels. But fear not dear letter readers - you will still hear all the big news here first every Tuesday.

2. SCARY POCKETS: Here’s what a great YouTube music channel looks like…

3. NEW BRANDING: I’m delighted with our new logo - you’ll hopefully get used to the sight of this over the coming days and weeks. And - we’ll have brand new t-shirts (and stickers!) at the shows next week for anyone who wants to bring home a piece of us…

Finally…

The most viewed Theme Night video on YouTube so far…and it’s not hard to see why. Gorgeous stuff from Niamh and Seán.

Till next time - Kieran.

Something else that was...

Dear Reader –

So much happening at the moment….it’s hard to fit it all in to one letter!

The Big Thing

Music Club 2023-24 is go!

All details here - please get in touch if you’re interested…

And…our Theme Night posters are ready - thanks to James McManus and Joy Feehily for the great design!

Where else but Sligo?

An amazing weekend - and it had nothing to do with music! Or Sligo for that matter - so please forgive me telling the story here…

I was down to have a small medical procedure on the Friday so I had the weekend booked off. On Wednesday I was contacted to say that the procedure had been postponed. OK great - a free weekend - nice to have it I guess. But then on Thursday afternoon another phone call came in - this one from a friend of mine…he had two last minute cancellations and was wondering would Sinéad and I join him in Paris for the Ireland match.

You what?! Eh…yes I guess we can…can we?? Cue huge excitement and an elaborate childcare operation - but we made it. And what a match - definitely one of the top three sporting events I was ever at and the only one of those three in which my team came out on top. The game, the sense of occasion, and WOW the atmosphere. Incredible. We felt so lucky to be there.

Another friend of mine (and regular letter reader) was in Paris too last weekend. We didn’t get to meet up, but I texted him the next day expressing my incredulity at what we had experienced the night before.
His reply took me by surprise however - it read simply ‘something else that was’.

And he was right. For all the buzz and excitement, on Sunday morning it was firmly in the past. Something else that was. The Irish team had another game for which to prepare and the rest of us had a brand new day full of promise ahead of us.

Something else that was. Rearrange the words however and you get ‘that was something else’!

Both true.

What’s New?

1. I’M HIRING: A reminder that if you’re interested in working with me on all things Theme Night, there is currently a part-time job on offer and the deadline to apply is this Friday. Details here.

2. BONUS LETTER THIS FRI: Big news (unrelated to the above) coming on Friday, so much so that it warrants a bonus letter - so keep an eye on your inboxes…

3. NIAMH IS AT IT AGAIN! You know showtime is near when Niamh starts using every spare minute she has to arrange Theme Night songs…

Finally…

Luke Devaney and I wrote this song together a couple of years ago - I was reminded of it by today’s title…

Till next time - Kieran.

Is there any greater insult?

Dear Reader –

A lot of you asking about this term’s Music Club recently - I promise news on it in next week’s letter…

The Big Thing

But first to last Thursday night in Dublin - my first time to play in The Olympia! Some highlights below.

• Tonto’s first gig back with us in five months - congrats on your return Ken!

• Eddie almost getting hit with a bottle of water thrown in mock anger by Paul Kimmage.

• More Piano Man with George Hamilton.

• Loads of great nostalgia BBC sporting theme tunes.

• And a special shoutout to Luke - who was off loading the gear while we enjoyed a post-gig pint.

Thanks to Second Captains for having us - happy 10th birthday lads - and congrats on an amazing body of work over the last decade.

Where else but Sligo?

Ballyshannon!

The town of Rory Gallagher, the steep hill, and a swimming pool we trained in as children because it was bigger than anything in Sligo.

Yes folks - for once I am actually answering the question posed in the title of this section.

If you don’t have tickets for our upcoming Sligo run of Theme Night #32, you may ask where else can you see the show - and this time we have an solution for you - Sat 21 Oct in The Abbey Arts Centre, Ballyshannon.

More details in the coming weeks, but for now I am on the hunt for musicians and performers in the South Donegal area who would be interested in joining us on stage that evening. Please get in touch if you or someone you know fits this bill…

What’s New?

1. HEARTBREAK STORIES: Thanks so much for all the entries so far…I just need ONE more!
   Use this online form if you wish to guarantee anonymity, or just reply to this email. Read the Where Else But Sligo section in this letter if you need a reminder of what I’m asking for.

2. “WE’LL TRY IT WITH 10” - shoutout to the unfortunate soccer player I heard about this morning who was substituted in a game recently. When he said ‘but we only have 11’ , his manager replied ‘We’ll try it with 10’…

3. TERM IS UP AND RUNNING! So good to see students and teachers alike back in Strandhill and Rathcormac yesterday. Here’s to a great term and lots of learning in the weeks ahead.

Finally…

Has to be my favourite sporting theme tune - have a listen and you’ll recognise it…

Till next time - Kieran.

I'm hiring!

Dear Reader –

Anyone out there looking for a job?!

The Big Thing

Well isn’t this exciting - it’s only taken 18 years (!) - but I’m looking to hire someone to help with my various Theme Night activities (and a few other bits). More here.

Where else but Sligo?

We welcomed four new members to our teaching team last Sunday evening in Strandhill.
Annette, Niamh, Scarlett, Shauna and I tried to pass on any wisdom we had gathered from previous experience - and there was great excitement and energy in the room as we discussed ideas and generally got ready for the new term.

Bridget by day is a music and religion teacher and has recently moved to Sligo from Belmullet in Co. Mayo. She has previous piano teaching experience and also plays regularly at weddings and other events.

Luke is a primary school teacher here in Sligo and joins Annette and Scarlett in the ranks of former students who have graduated to the teaching ranks. A gentleman to his toes.

Paddy is a Teenage Theme Night graduate - and also now a graduate with a music degree from BIMM. He has also had considerable success as a solo artist on the music scene in Dublin and beyond. Check out his music here.

And Sorcha - well I’m biased here (!) but all I’ll say is that her family and friends call her the Pied Piper because of how amazing she is with children.

It all kicks off next week!

What’s New?

1. SEAMIE WHIZZ ON THE PODCAST: What a great Instagram handle! Seamie Somers - the double Warriors Run champion - joined us on In The Lamplight this week. Rory also reveals his plans to beat me in next year’s race! Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.

2. THE WORLD’S LARGEST PIPE ORGAN… plays Bohemian Rhapsody! Well not without the help of ace American organist Joshua Stafford. Watch here.

3. THEME NIGHT VISUAL DIRECTOR: Rory Maitland has made a career for himself as a visual storyteller. And in October he’s going to help us tell the story of the Power of Love as the visual director of Theme Night #32. Rory is a great friend of mine and it’s already been great fun working with him on this. I can’t wait for you all to see the fruits of his work next month.

Finally…

Lots of new beginnings this week…so time for something optimistic and uplifting. This is a great version!

Till next time - Kieran.

The girl in the floral dress

Dear Reader –

Today’s title sounds like a Stieg Larsson thriller, but no…the heartbreak stories are coming in…keep them coming - thank you!

The Big Thing

Some teaching numbers for you first today…

81 - new songs recorded last Sunday by Kris Manulak and I. Up on pianowithkieran.com soon.

13 - days to the official start of term.

5 - editions of my Learning the Piano By Ear workbook now printed - thanks Sean in Tiger Print!

4 - students from one particular family signed up for lessons. A new record - thanks guys. No fights over the piano at home please!

3 - slots left in our Strandhill timetable.

Where else but Sligo?

It was going to be the best day of his life.

Young Joe had been secretly writing letters to a mystery female penpal for a number of weeks now, and today was the day he was to meet her.

“Meet me at the Culleens Carnival”, she wrote. “I’ll be wearing a floral dress - find me and say hello”.

And just as he thought the day couldn’t get any better, he spotted her. She was drop-dead gorgeous. Feeling nervous, he tried to think instead of the many letters they had exchanged and the connection they already seemed to have, despite never having met.

But that was about to change. Summoning up the courage, our hero approached the young lady. '“Hi - I’m Joe. Nice to meet you at last”.

But her response was not what he had been hoping for. “Sorry - who are you?”

Simultaneously he spotted his friends in the background unable to contain their laughter, and in that moment he knew he had been the victim of an elaborate prank. Torn between keeping a brave face and the heartbreak he was feeling inside, he walked away and never saw this beautiful lady again.

But decades later, he told that story live on air on Ocean FM last week! So thank you to Joe Shannon for providing this perfect example of what we need for our upcoming Theme Night - a heartbreak story about which (hopefully) you can laugh many years later!

Two free Theme Night tickets and hear the Theme Night band respond live to your story if your story is chosen. Email kieran@kieranquinn.ie, or if you would prefer not to give your name, write it down on this online form, or send me a voice note (087-2390710).

And thanks to Theme Night regulars Georgie and Joe for having me live on their popular radio show last week - more power to ye lads.

What’s New?

1. BALLYSHANNON THEME NIGHT: I’m looking for performers! We are bringing Theme Night #32 to Ballyshannon and surely between us all we can find some great Donegal singers and musicians to join the Sligo crew we’re bringing to The Abbey Arts Centre on Oct 21.
   Send on your suggestions please…

2. THE BEST PART: For any musicians - read this. Thanks to Sinéad, Mike, Joe, Georgie, Gerry and Seamie for helping summon these feelings over the last few days.

3. MUSIC CLUB RETURN: The new Music Club season is nearly here. Read all about it here and please get in touch if you’d like to join last year’s crew and get involved…

Finally…

One of the 81 from last Sunday…

Till next time - Kieran.

The Heartbreak Bucket

Dear Reader –

I hope you don’t mind my rather personal request in today’s letter!

The Big Thing

Only 5 weeks to go until Theme Night #32 and as a back-to-school treat for all you dear letter readers, you’re the first to know that a small number of tickets for each night have just been released.

Snap them up here.

Where else but Sligo?

There can’t be love without heartbreak, and we plan on exploring both sides of the coin in October’s Theme Night #32. But I need your help…

Now heartbreak can be a raw and personal affair, but part of healing is sharing (!) and together as a Theme Night band and audience we are going to heal some lucky people in a few short weeks time.

That’s right - I’m looking for your heartbreak stories.
I’ll pick one from the heartbreak bucket on each night of the show and our band will react musically to the ups and downs as it is read out. We will also respond with a song chosen on-the-spot afterwards to cheer you all up. So if you’re ready for your story to get this special Theme Night treatment, here’s how to get involved.

Send me in your heartbreak stories. By email or on this form if you don’t want me to know who you are. One way or the other I promise anonymity and confidentiality should you so wish. I’m not looking for your deepest and darkest secrets, just a story on which you can look back and laugh now. Something with a bit of humour in it perhaps, or any stories with a musical connection would also be very welcome.
Feel free to change names and other details as necessary.

2 free tickets for Theme Night #33 next Feb for the 4 authors whose stories get read out (although if I don’t know who you are I can’t give you this prize)!

Thanks! Kieran.

What’s New?

1. WAYNE O’CONNOR: One of my favourite local artists is opening a new solo exhibition in the Hyde Bridge Gallery this Saturday 2nd Sept at 4pm.
   If you can’t make it on that day, it runs until Sept 30th.

2. BREE’S NEXT MONDAY: When it comes to recommending touring acts, Cathy Jordan has never let me down! So I was excited when she told me of Caleb and Reeb - an American country act coming to Bree’s next Monday night (Sept 4th). She assures me they are the real deal - hope to see you there.

3. NEW TERM STARTING: I’m very lucky to share a fantastic premises in Strandhill with friends and colleagues Luke Saunders and Vanessa Byrne. We have had a new room built over the summer, and we’re all looking forward to the start of term - Vanessa still has some spaces in her speech and drama classes (email dramaramasligo@gmail.com) and I’m down to the last few piano lesson slots in Strandhill…

Finally…

A modern yet classic heartbreak song!

Till next time - Kieran.