Irish Music Stories Podcast

The topic of sustainable travel for touring musicians has been reframed, as Covid-19 has cancelled most music live music events for an unforeseeable amount of time. But as activity kicks up again, conversations about responsible, viable, grateful travel—and conservation—remain vital. In this episode, I'll revisit earlier chats with Liz about her environmental advocacy; Dana Lyn and Kyle Sanna abou...

The role of instruments in Celtic traditions can be fickle: newer voices (like the tenor banjo) are increasingly popular on festival stages; while ancient ones (like the harp) still hang on the outskirts when it comes to modern group projects. Find out how the banjo came into common acceptance in Irish circles from Daniel Neely, Enda Scahill, and Martin Howley… and learn about joys and challenges...

Persistent infections like Covid-19 … and social injustice.. and racism… loom large. And still, these little Irish jigs and reels are forming bridges across oceans. What happens when people fall in love with a foreign music culture and pull themselves out of their comfort zones to travel and learn to play? Learn about the perspective Irish music has offered Guillermo Del Val Rodriguez, Santiago Mo...

Trailer for the June 2020 episode of Irish Music Stories 

What do rampant evictions, military ship collisions, and Christmas trees have to do with jigs and reels? Learn how Gaelic culture resonated in Canada's "New Scotland," and down in the Boston States, from singer Mary Jane Lamond and fiddle players Troy MacGillivray, Andrea Beaton, Alasdair Fraser, Katie McNally, and Lee Cremo. Plenty of music here, too. Full playlist below. * * * * * * * Thanks to...

How are traditional musicians and dancers continuing creative careers and group music events during the Covid-19 pandemic? How is social distancing affecting the jigs and reels? In this unexpected open of Season Four of Irish Music Stories, musicians from Ireland, England, Belgium, Sweden, and the U.S. address on and offline strategies… from a safe distance. Plenty of music here, too. Full playlis...

What's a soccer ball, a school uniform, and a wedding dress have in common? New York-based fiddle player Eileen Ivers helps jar memories and connections, with a jig she wrote for her granny, in this month's off season installment.   Plenty of music here, too. Full playlist below. * * * * * * * Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to Charlie Durfee, Desmond O'Hagan, Pat Wilcox...

Are all traditional tunes created equally? And if they aren't, what happens to the, um, lesser tunes? Do they end up like lost dryer socks? Chicago-based accordion player Jimmy Keane reflects on the room of bad tunes , and shares one of his loveliest compositions in this month's off season installment.   Plenty of music here, too. Full playlist below. * * * * * * * Thanks to everybody for listenin...

What do you do when language just can't capture how hilarious—and important—an encounter in Ennis, County Clare was? Write a tune about it. That's what Brendan Tonra did. Pianist Helen Kisiel recounted one of those tune memories in this month's off season installment.   Plenty of music here, too. Full playlist below. * * * * * * * Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to James...

Where do the tunes come from? When does inspiration hit? Shannon learns that it's all about timing, in this short story about a jig by accordion player Billy McComiskey. Plenty of music here, too. Full playlist below. * * * * * * * Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to Chris Murphy, Naka Ishii, David Vaughan, Brian Benscoter, Joe Garrett, Gerry Corr, and one anonymous donor...

What's up with the endless cups of Irish tea? Is there something genuinely nourishing about a pile of french fries and melted cheese? Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Matthew Olwell, Jamie McClennan, and Matt Heaton help me digest the meaning behind the menu. And I've also got tasty tales from Kevin Doyle, Liz Carroll, John Williams, and Kathleen Conneely.   Plenty of music here, too. Full playlist below. *...

Are Irish fairies REAL? And if so, could there be Sí folk living in New England ?? Fiddle player Martin Hayes, singer Emily Smith, and storyteller Máirtín de Cógáin help me and this month's co-producer Nigel Heaton investigate songs, stories, and possible gateways to the Otherworld. Plenty of music here, too. Full playlist below. * * * * * * * Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank...

What do the Irish music and dance worlds think about practicing? Fiddle players Fergal Scahill, Finn Magill, and Rose Flanagan; banjo player Martin Howley; cellist Natalie Haas; flute player Nicole Rabata; and dancer Kieran Jordan share thoughts about woodshedding in the trad world. Plenty of music here, too. Full playlist below. * * * * * * * Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank...

Why learn old songs from your neighbors, when the airwaves are brimming with NEW music? And how can a rooster's crow affect singing technique? Hear stories behind Len Graham's life of song in this month's Cuppa Tea chat. No matter the aperture, apertoire, or repertoire, Len's got a story (and a song) to suit the situation. * * * * * * * Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to...

How do Scottish and Irish music intersect? How are they distinct? And why do so many trendy tunes come from Scotland?   Host Shannon Heaton talks with Aaron Jones, Ed Pearlman, Natalie Haas and Hanneke Cassel to learn what it means to be a traditional Scottish musician today —in Scotland, and in the States. Warning: this episode contains very few mentions of haggis… or kilts. * * * * * * * Thanks...

Is there something strange about speaking Japanese, and removing your shoes BEFORE tucking into a set of Irish reels? Host Shannon Heaton travels around Japan with Tokyo-based trad band tricolor to learn more about the Irish and Celtic music scenes in the Land of the Rising Sun… and discovers heaps of common ground, social culture, and cake. Plenty of music here, too. Full playlist below. * * * *...

Was Robert Burns cooking up exciting new stuff when he wrote, "best laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft a-gley?" Well, Irish Music Stories is! After hitting a snag in the SECOND Tuesday publishing schedule, IMS will seize the opportunity to launch a short series of travel episodes. Stay tuned for a music tour of Japan and Scotland. You don't even have to pack a bag. As always, episode playlist b...

How do artists paint trad? And how do they capture the sounds and feelings—and the bigger stories behind Irish music and dance—in two dimensions? In conversations with Brian Vallely, James Gurney, Vincent Crotty, and Catharine Kingcome , host Shannon Heaton explores Travelling pipers, a dilapidated hotel in the Hudson Valley, Dudley Street dance hall in post WWII America, and a country home in Cou...

What happens when songs are written with the backdrop of moss covered trees, hillside cottages, and ravens on top of stone walls? And what happens when people play tunes together for hour after hour? (Hint, they need to eat…). Travel with host Shannon Heaton to the charming crow-filled Scottish town of Thornhill. And meet Emily Smith, Jamie McClennan, whom you'll hear in later IMS episodes. Plenty...

What happens when 'trad' musicians are ALSO fluent in non Celtic traditions ? When you're dealing with cultural traditions (with all the music and the community and social expectations), how do you manage without fumbling or getting sacked? Host Shannon Heaton explores the art and sport of playing on different teams with Paddy Panayotis League, Maeve Gilchrist, Andrew Finn Magill, Hanz Araki, and...

What happens when old traditional music and dance move onto modern concert stages? Do Celtic traditions get a big boost? Do they lose anything on the road to the performing arts center? Journey with host Shannon Heaton as she speaks with Jean-Michel Veillon, Matthew Olwell, Steph Geremia, Kevin Crawford, Herschel Freeman, Eileen Ivers, Mick Moloney, Brian O'Donovan, and Rory Makem about how 'trad'...

Want a sneak peek of future IMS episodes? Tune in to hear a bit about instruments on the fringe of the session; Scottish, Cape Breton, and Irish music connections; the long (global) reach of Celtic traditions; practice habits of traditional players and dancers; the intersection between food, drink, and traditional music; and musical connections to the Overworld! * * * * * * * Special thanks to Sus...

What was the earliest Irish music live streaming event?  Billy McComiskey revisits the night TWO accordion giants gave a concert in the Catskills while a landlord in NYC tuned in; and Rose Flanagan remembers how her dad and his buddy learned tunes on their bikes, for this short between-season installment. * * * * * * * Special thanks to Rolf Wagels, Gregor Brinkschulte, Robert Levelle, Sharon Murp...

What's a sure-fire way to make your season bright? Check out this PLAYLIST and collection of mini-stories from Laurel Martin, Kevin Crawford, Daithi Sproule, Maeve Gilchrist & Nic Gareiss, Trad Youth Exchange, Liz Carroll, The Makem and Spain Brothers, and Cherish the Ladies.  Plenty of music here, too. Full playlist below. * * * * * * * Special thanks to Susan Bippus, Joseph Garrett, Lynn Cox, Bi...

What's the secret formula for parent-performers? With Chicago-based box player John Williams and Boston guitarist Matt Heaton share two unique approaches to keeping the music and the insight factory going strong, while still tucking in to family. (Hint: it works for non-parents, too.) Host Shannon Heaton's conversations with these wildly inventive musicians might inspire you to hustle, to do your...