The celebration of the start of Dark Half of the Year, is upon us. If you are not Irish, you are probably tired of every Irish person you know reminding you, annually, that Halloween is an American invention. An American invention based on the myths, legends and practices of the ancient Irish pagan festival of … More When the Veil to the Other World is Thinnest
There is no beast. I couldn’t think of a title that I liked, either for this post, or for the thing that I am about to release. An EP – I am about to digitally release my debut EP. I am quite happy about that. Occasionally, I’m even happy with it. But like many people … More Release the Beast….
This week, I will be mostly waiting to hear the first ever radio play of one of my songs. I am 47 years old. It’s not surprising that it’s taken this long. Everything takes me longer than it really should. That may sound harsh. I have certainly been wile unkind to myself in the past … More ….And It is Not Nothing
….That’s not true. Rain is a given in Ireland. The only reason one might hope for it, is to have something guaranteed on your wish-list; a sure thing to reassure you hoping is not futile. But who needs my pop philosophising? This stretch of good weather we are having is marvellous. I’m drinking in every … More It’s sunny though, I’d hoped for rain….
I am going to record my debut EP. For once, this appears to not be a drill. I have some recording dates booked in. I have (willingly) signed my life away to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Whilst I don’t imagine they’d send the boys around, I suspect I’d be in receipt of some … More The Wait you Carry
So these particular musings are about work. Also, women. And the world we live in. Fun times. I work/have worked in different ways. I have had permanent contract jobs in a number of organisations. I have also been contracted to work for a number of organisations, long-term, on an ongoing basis. In other cases I … More Women’s Work: A Working Title…
My latest musings are around Open Mics, performance and progression. I don’t mean to patronise but just to be sure to be sure we are on the same page, allow me my definition… An Open Mic is a gathering of people who come together to listen to and/or share songs/poems/stories. The pieces are sometimes the … More Open Mics, Performance and the Tyranny of Kindness…
What follows are some mixed up musings on choice and confidence. Memory and “home”, too. I have been thinking about being settled and content, and about having some pride in the artistic/aesthetic choices we make. It is about confidence. In writing this, although it is for context, I may well undermine the thought/feeling behind it… … More This framed print is, by all accounts, awful……I love it.
I’m that well pleased with the wordplay there it’s vulgar. We had our family summer holiday late. Ballydavid, just outside An Daingean (Dingle), Corca Dhuibhne, in the mighty kingdom of Kerry. We have stayed there before. I practice speaking Irish there. I swam in the mornings. Had a pier to myself until 2 locals came … More A Welsh star, sudden drop, it’s very small…(1 word, 11 letters)….
I took up the fiddle in my mid twenties. I am in my mid forties now. One might think I’d be great at it. I am not great at it. However, I sometimes do make a very lovely sound. I am not great because I am not consistent. Great fiddlers can play solidly and well, … More DON’T FIDDLE WITH IT….(Actually do).
