Episode 50-Framing the Stories
Irish Music Stories Podcast
How much power does a backdrop have? As the Irish Music Stories production team works to assemble episodes and bonus materials, Shannon explores the wooded hills of Medford, Massachusetts to find visual and organizational surrounds that look and feel like time-worn jigs, and ballads, and nights of music and dance.
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Episode 49-The Naming of Birds
Irish Music Stories Podcast
After a horrific week of social unrest in the U.S., and as Irish Music Stories begins a major overhaul, host Shannon Heaton offers a meditation on how cataloging and organizing can soothe the soul.
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Episode 48-Between the Tunes
Irish Music Stories Podcast
What’s up with stage banter? And why all the joking around between tunes in a session? Host Shannon Heaton explores the on- and offstage chat that surrounds traditional music with Máirtín de Cógáin, Paddy League, Joanie Madden, Rus Bradburd, Liz Carroll, and Jean-Michel Veillon.
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Episode 47-The Myth of Tragedy
Irish Music Stories Podcast
How do composers conjure melodies in traditional Irish and Scottish styles? Where do the tunes come from, and what do they carry? Composers Liz Carroll, Dáithí Sproule, and Katie McNally discuss creativity, resilience, and the myths behind the music.
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Episode 46-Ancient Tongues, Modern Times
Irish Music Stories Podcast
Learning just a few words in Gaelic is mannerly when visiting Ireland and Scotland. And it can be a way IN to cultural values and humor. Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Séamus Ó Flatharta, Ciarán Bolger, Michael Coult, Julie Fowlis, Mary Jane Lamond, and Brian Ó hAirt help me understand connections between language and music. And how songs in Irish and Scottish Gaelic transmit emotion, carry history, and lift people up.
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Episode 45-Trad in the Classroom
Irish Music Stories Podcast
There’s no definitive Irish or Scottish music method book. A lot of seasoned practitioners learned their music in kitchens and pubs. So how do they bring that immersive, social learning approach into the classroom? The latest IMS episode features traditional musicians who share ideas about teaching and learning traditional music.
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Episode 44-Not Easy Playing Green
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. The latest IMS episode features traditional musicians who advocate for marine ecosystems, planet conscious travel, and the health bees.
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Episode 43-From the Fringe to the Fore
Irish Music Stories Podcast
Hear how the banjo came into common acceptance in Irish circles from Daniel Neely, Enda Scahill, and Martin Howley… and check in with the joys and challenges of outsider status from harpist Maeve Gilchrist, cellist Natalie Haas, and saxophone players Susan Lindsay and Isaac Alderson.
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Episode 42-The Long Arm of the Irish Tradition
Irish Music Stories Podcast
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 players on five continents.
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Episode 41- Transplanting Tradition in the Land of the Trees
Irish Music Stories Podcast
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.
info_outlineThe 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 about their musical show that pays tribute (and donates profits) to coral reef ecosystems; and beekeeper Ottavio Forte, whose bees I recorded for a forthcoming album of bee-themed music. And I’ll go back to 6th century Ireland, to offer some historical perspective on activism.
- Learn more about Sustainable Touring Arts Coalition
- Listen to/watch Dana Lyn & Kyle Sanna
- Watch Beekeeping in Belmont
There’s also plenty of music in this episode. Full playlist below.
And for Japanese speakers who want to get started with Irish Music Stories, the first episode has been translated fully (transcript) by Ryoko Murakami (with Tomoaki Hatekeyama) HERE
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Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to this month’s underwriters: Aubrey Atwater, Ed Schilling, John Bunch, Lynn Hayes, Finn Agenbroad, David Vaughan, Brian Benscoter, Susan Walsh, Rick Rubin, Randy Krajniak, Jon Duvick, and Suezen Brown.
Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast!
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Music Heard on IMS Episode 44
Tune: “Trundle’s, Paddy Fahey’s,” from Making Time
Artist: Liz Knowles
Tune: “Pound the Floor,” from Irish Music Stories Production music
Artist: Matt Heaton
Tune: “Strawberry Blossom / Mulhaire’s,” from The Coral Suite EP
Artists: Dana Lyn & Kyle Sanna
Tune: “Apian Army,” from Perfect Maze
Artist: Shannon Heaton and bees/strings
Tune: “D Chimes,” from Irish Music Stories Production music
Artist: Matt Heaton
Tune: “D Big Build,” from Irish Music Stories Production music
Artist: Matt Heaton
Tune: “Silver Slipper / Aqualude,” from The Coral Suite EP
Artists: Dana Lyn & Kyle Sanna
Tune: "Wisteria," from Via Portland
Artist: O'Jizo
Tune: “The Humours Of Trim (AKA Rolling Wave),” from Traditional Music On Fiddle, Banjo & Harp
Artist: Micheal O'Ruanaigh
Tune: “Sir Ulick Burke,” from Making Time
Artist: Liz Knowles
Tune: “Maidin Fhomhair,” from Live At Mona's
Artist: Eamon O'Leary and Dana Lyn
Tune: “Meaning of Life,” from Irish Music Stories Production music
Artist: Matt Heaton
Tune: “Tuhy's Frolics / Rakes of Cashel,” from Making Time
Artist: Liz Knowles
Tune: “Fisher's Hornpipe,” from Dance
Artist: Lissa Schneckenburger
Tune: “Gur Mise Tha fo mhulad,” from Making Time
Artist: Liz Knowles
Tune: “Hometown Lullaby,” from Irish Music Stories Production music
Artist: Matt Heaton
Tune: “Heartstrings Theme,” from Irish Music Stories Production music
Artist: Matt Heaton
Tune: “The Gypsy Queen,” from Raven
Artists: John Williams & Dean Magraw
Tune: “The Noodle Vendor,” from Perfect Maze
Artists: bees, and strings
Tune: “John’s Theme,” from Irish Music Stories Production music
Artist: Matt Heaton
Tune: “Brad’s Honeybees,” from Lovers’ Well
Artists: Matt & Shannon Heaton
Tune: “Aoibhinn Crónán,” from Deadly Buzz
Artists: Mick O'Brien & Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh
Tune: “Bow for Rama,” from Perfect Maze
Artists: bees, and strings
Song: “Beeswing,” from Land Of Fish And Seals
Artist: Keith Murphy
Tune: “Queen of the Earth and Child of the Skies,” from The Western Star
Artist: Eric Merrill
Tune: Intro to “The Beehive,” from Rubai
Artist: Flook