A noble aspiration for any band...

Dear Reader -

Our YouTube channel is back with a bang…this week featuring Mark O’Donnell from Glenties - as well as a guitarist with ‘some calves’ according to YouTube…

The Big Thing

Last shout for the 2024-25 Music Club!

New host Sarah Casserley will be sending out our initial groupings early next week, so if you would like to play and/or sing in an informal environment with like-minded people, now is the time to let us know.

More info here, or email musicclubsligo@gmail.com

Where else but Sligo?

Gerry Grennan and I would have had many conversations over the years about recording an album. Some general in nature, some more particular and some that may yet bear fruit.

We discussed the many reasons not to do so, the risks involved, how the music industry has changed and the relative values of playing music vs recording it.
But at the end of it all we agreed that it was a somewhat noble aspiration for a musician or band. A legacy as such. This is me and this is what I do (or what I did at this particular period in time at least)!

So it was fantastic to see Jargon (of which Gerry is a member) release their album Midnight Moonlight last week. It’s one of those albums that deserves a quiet room and a proper start-to-finish listen and I am looking forward to doing so.

Jargon are playing the Hawk’s Well Theatre as part of Sligo Live and are strongly rumoured to be making a special appearance on the Thursday and Friday of next month’s Theme Night run!

Tour info here.

What’s New?

1. SAM PURCELL ON RIVERDANCE! Recent Theme Night Academy graduate Sam Purcell was in the drum chair for Riverdance in The Gaiety Theatre last weekend. No surprise there - this man is top class.

2. THEME NIGHTS IN CLOONACOOL: First gig of the new season - Theme Nights Unplugged in a brand new venue on 19th Sept. More here.

3. INTRODUCTION EVENING: Producer Joy Feehily and I will answer any questions you may have regarding the brand new Theme Night Academy this Thursday from 6-7pm in the Hawk’s Well Theatre. All teenagers welcome.

Finally…

Here are the lads from 1981!!

Till next time - Kieran.

Introducing the Theme Night Academy!

Dear Reader -

OK Oasis may have stolen our thunder this morning but we have a big announcement too!

The Big Thing

Today we launch the Theme Night Academy.

2024 marks ten years since Teenage Theme Night #1 took place in the foyer of The Model. Since then we have hosted more than 40 teenage musical events featuring almost 400 teenagers.

This is the next step - a result of all we have learned in that time - a broad educational programme designed to create an environment where young people can grow, learn and thrive, through the medium of music.

All you need to know is here.

Where else but Sligo?

Kenya Carr joined Luke and I in The Blue Room Recording Studio last Wednesday to record a beautiful song of hers called Frames.

We first heard it at the Young Songwriters’ Showcase last March and loved it immediately. It was beautifully structured, with a simple but tasty melody and some lyrics that hit home straight away.

We worked with Kenya on the song for a number of hours, and have a preliminary mix done - we will soon get Kenya’s thoughts on that and work towards finalising the track. Then Kenya will meet Rory Maitland to brainstorm ideas for her music video and finally they will shoot that together later this year.

It will be the fourth in this series of videos, following these three.

We can’t wait for you all to hear and see it all - as always you guys will be the first to hear in these pages.

Well done Kenya!

What’s New?

1. BIRDS OF A FEATHER: One of the most requested songs by students this summer - I recorded a short version of it yesterday.

2. WHAT YOUR LIFE HAS BEEN MISSING: A video of a dog howling in tune. Multiple times and on different notes!

3. THEME NIGHT YOUTUBE CHANNEL: New video coming tomorrow - in the meantime why not check out the 36 videos already up on our channel?

Finally…

Lots of Coldplay coming your way this week no doubt - here’s a great start!

Till next time - Kieran.

Level 8...

Dear Reader -

What do you do when you’re on the other side of the country and lose your car keys on a beach?!

The Big Thing

Our two new workbooks go to print this week. I wrote this passage last night for any of our more advanced students who will be starting out on our last Level - Level 8…

“Level 8 is the last level on this particular course.

By this stage you should be almost independent of your teacher, able to work out melodies and accompany those melodies with a variety of right-hand harmony notes and left-hand chordal-based patterns. Your songs should sound full and interesting.
You should know your 12 scales and be able to play them over 2 octaves.
You should also know your 12 major, minor, diminished and augmented triads.

 What you will learn in this level is how to make and play major 7, dominant 7 and minor 7 chords. You will have the option of branching out from learning popular and contemporary songs to jazz standards, blues and boogie tunes and even some traditional Irish reels and hornpipes. Plus some guidance on how to improve your dexterity by playing your scales faster.

 Oh and the bad (and good) news is that this level can never be completed.
I’m still on Level 8 – as are Billy Joel and Sangah Noona. That’s the beauty of music – you will never know it all – there will always be something new to learn, a different way to interpret a song, a new chord or melody to express what you are feeling.

I hope you have enjoyed learning to play the piano by ear. It is a gift that will never leave you. Enjoy it!”

 *Disclaimer - not all of our students get to Level 8, but if you would like to try, we are currently enrolling for lessons in Strandhill, Rathcormac, Boyle and Dublin. Email pianowithkieran@gmail.com if you’re interested…

Where else but Sligo?

A friend of mine came down from Dublin last weekend. He had promised his children a camping trip but the campsite in Strandhill was fully booked so I offered him a premium spot (!) to pitch a tent in our back garden.

They went to the beach in Streedagh for the day and had a great time until the car keys disappeared. Probably buried under sand somewhere. At one stage he reckoned he had 50 people walking the beach looking for them, but no luck.
So there they are on Streedagh beach, more than 100 miles from home, in wetsuits, with clothes, wallet, phone and tent all locked in the car.
After over an hour of looking, he sheepishly called me to pick them up and by the time we got to Ransboro he had sorted a lift back home to get the spare key!

A (non) camping trip they will always remember probably - but the twist came the next day when he arrived fresh off the train to pick up the car. There were the keys - on the windscreen - left there by some kind local who had found them and decided not to loot the many valuable items inside. He couldn’t get over it.

Honest folk in North Sligo!

What’s New?

1. THEME NIGHT ACADEMY: We have been working hard all summer on this and are so excited to tell you all. Coming next week…

2. STEPHEN O’DOWD NEW MUSIC: Great new song called The Galleass Girona from Stephen…

3. GROOVELINE AT ELECTRIC PICNIC: These Teenage Theme Night graduates absolutely rocked the Trailer Park Stage last Saturday night.

Finally…

Great singers, great song, great video - here’s what that looks like…

Till next time - Kieran.

Three nights, three pianos…

Dear Reader -

Some news today for anyone out there in the Boyle/Dublin areas…

The Big Thing

Next month will be the 20th September in which I have opened my doors to piano students old and new.

It’s a big milestone and we have been working hard this summer on the following…

• Brand new editions of my Learning by Ear piano workbooks.

• Updated online videos for almost 300 of your favourite songs.

• Providing lessons in Strandhill, Rathcormac AND for the first time in Boyle and Dublin.

So - if you or someone you know would like to try learning to play the piano by ear, click here or email pianowithkieran@gmail.com for more information.

Where else but Sligo?

I have had quite a social few days. A mini-holiday I guess - so apologies for this letter being a day late. I thought I’d tell you a bit about it today however because pianos have been at the centre of it all.

Firstly apologies to the three young gentlemen in the back room in McLynn’s on whom I forced an impromptu sing-song on Saturday night. In fairness they rose to the occasion with a rousing rendition of Viva La Vida.

I played a couple of nostalgia numbers for my wife (and a few unsuspecting American guests) in a hotel bar on Monday as we celebrated our wedding anniversary, and then it was lovely to be asked to sit in on a tune or two with a great dixieland jazz band playing at a party in Dublin last night.

Sometimes on a night off I don’t want to go near a piano but on these three occasions I felt exactly the opposite and so it was lovely to sit down and play on these three very different pianos.

Oh and I was told about a young Sligo man who is college in Maynooth and plays piano in the K Club - if anyone knows of him please let me know!

What’s New?

1. LOCAL HEROES: September is Irish Music Month on Ocean FM and 20 other Irish radio stations - and they’re on the hunt for Ireland’s newest musical Local Hero. Find out more here.

2. TREAD SOFTLY: Theme Night regular Joe Hunt and many others have been busy in creating and now bringing this diverse programme to Sligo audiences. More here.

3. NOT-SO-LOCAL HEROES: This interview was incredible. 4 amazing Irish athletes trying to come to terms in real time with the run of their lives.

Finally…

Some fantastic Let’s Dance suggestions from you all - here’s one that you guys sent in…keep them coming!

Till next time - Kieran.

Monday magic

Dear Reader -

Some (melodic) reflections on Seamie and I ending up back in Connolly’s last night…but first…

The Big Thing

Sometimes I get to sitting down to write this letter and can’t think of anything to write! The easiest prompt for this section though is to figure out to what project did I give the most time in the last few days. And I guess there’s only one answer here…

The 5th edition of my Learning By Ear piano tuition book will be published in time for the new term in September, and for the last few weeks we have been choosing, writing and designing the now 120 songs that will feature in Levels 1-4. There will be another 100+ in Levels 5-8 and so there should be plenty of choice for piano students in the coming months. We have found that the biggest factor in whether people practise is whether they like the song so we are increasing the odds of that!

There are some really exciting developments too in terms of new locations where we will be offering lessons - all the details coming your way in next week’s letter…

Where else but Sligo?

We got a late call-up to play Connolly’s last night.

It was Monday night of course, and Seamie arrived with a grin muttering something about a comeback tour.

So we sat down in that familiar corner and took that as the theme for the night, playing all the hits (!) from our 2017 album.
There were a few bolters as always - including this 1994 Seal/Joni Mitchell collaboration that only Seamie’s mind could somehow contain. The Galway Shawl was by special request and we finished of course with Dirty Old Town.

There was a lovely feeling in the pub as always, lots of visitors and plenty of friendly faces on both sides of the bar. We both have great memories of the Monday nights there, and of writing and recording music together.

And while we will never be able to make time for all the musical projects that excite us, last night was a timely reminder to prioritise the ones that make us feel good!

What’s New?

1. THEME NIGHT #35: Let’s Dance! Which songs and performers do you want to hear from this time? Would love to hear from you on this…

2. DERMOT KENNEDY is playing Sligo Live this October! And so are lots of other amazing artists - you can check all out here.

3. SYLVIA PLATH: I’m not sure I had ever heard her name (shame on me!) and then this week she appears everywhere. Firstly in the opening chapter of The Bee Sting (really enjoying this novel so far) as a glamorous lady poet, then quoted on an EJ Menswear social media post and finally this thought-provoking piece from her novel The Bell Jar as featured in James Clear’s newsletter.

Finally…

Inspired by last night’s gig - I heard this on the playlist in a local cafe recently and it brought back great memories…

Till next time - Kieran.

Let's Dance!

Dear Reader -

We have a theme for October’s Theme Night #35…this vid reveals all!

The Big Thing

Let’s Dance!

Sligo, Roscommon and Ballyshannon dates below.

Tickets here - get them before they’re gone!

Where else but Sligo?

Take a bow Eddie, Therese and Mimi Lee. Sligo Jazz delivered once again.
This amazing event celebrates 20 years of inspiration and great music next year and I can’t wait to see what Eddie and the gang come up with.

It was a vintage year. A really well run week with an all-star cast of musicians from all over the world. A brilliant team of volunteers making our lives easier.

Highlights from the week definitely included Fergus McCreadie’s practising masterclass. It was amazing to see Fraser Gaine playing his own song on Saturday night with an all-star band in the Hawk’s Well. Trumpeter Freddie Hendricks was a revelation on stage and in the way he interacted with students on the jam sessions. Sunday’s students concert was fantastic. And although I wasn’t there I heard that the impromptu trad/jazz session in McLynn’s on Sunday night was one for the ages.

Here’s Eddie and I with UK bass player Oli Hayhurst at the back of the HWT stage during the finale on Saturday night pretending we know how to play these instruments! Ken McDonald any tips?!

What’s New?

1. CELINE DION: Just in case you didn’t catch her Eiffel Tower performance…

2. ARMAGH NOSTALGIA: Memories of 2002 last weekend…

3. 2022 INTERVIEW WITH MONA McSHARRY: From 2022, this is a fascinating and detailed chat between The Sligo Show’s Brendan Tierney and our very own brand new Olympic bronze medallist Mona McSharry…

Finally…

It’s not a Bowie tribute show, but Theme Night #35 may just find room for this song somewhere. Here’s Rick Beato telling us what makes it great.

Till next time - Kieran.

The greats are in town...

Dear Reader -

The pub gig in Sligo is alive and well, but first…

The Big Thing

Sligo Jazz is back!

By the time you read this the summer school will be underway, and the jam-packed gig schedule begins this afternoon (Tuesday) at 4.30 in Garavogue with the Kosinski Trio (featuring 11-yr old drum prodigy Mark Kosinski).

It’s a magical week every year - whereby jazz students and players of all ages get to hang, play, and learn with world superstars of the genre for a week. Festival director Eddie Lee (pictured below with 3-time Grammy winning trumpeter Freddie Hendrix) has done an incredible job for almost 20 years now and it’s such an exciting feeling when SJP week rolls around each year.

All you need to know about the week ahead is here (and PS the website looks fantastic)!

Where else but Sligo?

I emerged this weekend for my first pub gigs since Vicar St back in May, and they were two crackers!

Firstly there was a beautiful madness in the air in Bree’s on Saturday. It reminded me of gigs we used to do 15 years ago in the back room of The Strand or upstairs in McGarrigle’s. Whatever Suits were on fire, and the crowd were there with them every step of the way.
A proper loud and rowdy gig with front man Sean Callaghan (aka Cabbage) very much in charge and delivering the band’s takes on songs from Britney Spears, Eminem and everything in between.
Safe to say I brought the average age of the band significantly up, but it was so nice to see 5 lads who had come through the Teenage Theme NIghts over the last few years right at the top of their game and absolutely rocking the room.

Then last night it was a more laid-back affair in Connolly’s with Gerry Grennan and Brendan Emmett. But that’s not to say there wasn’t dancing! Readers of this letter will know exactly how happy I am every time I get to play with these gentlemen, and last night was no exception - a joy from start to finish for musicians and audience alike.

It was great to be out and about playing again - thanks so much to the lads and to Gerry for the invitations.

What’s New?

1. ALL THE EXCITEMENT: My Dad asked me yesterday if he could look forward to anything new coming down the tracks when our year kicks off again in September - and it was great to see his excitement when I filled him in on a few of our plans.
   As always you will be the first to know (well apart from Dad)! Stay tuned - the first of a few big summer announcements coming your way in this letter next week.

2. ALL THE PUB GIGS: A reminder of this wonderful resource - curated by John ‘The Map’ Callanan.

3. HOW DO WE KNOW THE DANCER FROM THE DANCE? I let out a few involuntary roars watching the actions of this man at the weekend. The best players doing incredible things on the biggest days - it’s my favourite thing about sport - and Tony Kelly delighted us in Croke Park on Sunday.

Finally…

I have a feeling I have sent this one your way in a previous SJP, but it’s SOOOO good…Liane and Meilana from 2018.

Till next time - Kieran.

Solvitur Ambulando

Dear Reader -

Today’s title brings me back to the classroom of one of the best teachers I ever had…

The Big Thing

Martin Wallace is his name, and he did wonders with my writing as a Leaving Cert English student. However it was in my early teenage years that he made the biggest impression on me. He was our Latin teacher, and when helping us learn the case endings of the five noun declensions, he ingeniously linked one to Man Utd’s star footballer at the time.
Apologies for any mistakes in my below attempt - would love to hear from any Latin scholars with any corrections!

Cantona
Cantonae
Cantonam
Cantonorum
Cantono
Cantonis

Where else but Sligo?

I have been enjoying Declan O’Rourke’s recent set of social media posts. It’s 20 years since the release of his Since Kyabram album and he has been taking us through the recording process day by day. And who appeared recently but the bould Steve Wickham, who not only played on the album, but along with Declan and cellist Christine Hanson put together the string arrangement for Galileo and the rest of the songs.

And in another link between Declan and the Theme Nights, he and Dave Flynn played together in Paddy Casey’s band for a few years at this time too.

What’s New?

1. BREE’S THIS SATURDAY 20th: Delighted to be asked to join Whatever Suits and Fraser Gaine this coming Saturday at 10pm in Bree’s.

2. SOLVITUR AMBULANDO: “It is solved by walking”.

3. JARGON ALBUM TOUR: Great to see these Autumn dates! Really looking forward to hearing this new album too - from Gerry, Brian, Liam and Charlie…

Finally…

Speaking of Gerry…here’s a fun one from a few years ago - Just Chatting from my 2013 album Not Just Black and White.

Till next time - Kieran.