Manufacturing Inspiration: Songwriting Habits of Mikey Mason
PUB SONGS & STORIES
Geek-rock musician Mikey Mason joins me to talk about writing songs on schedule, his New Music Monday ritual, and how to stay creative every single week. Music by Caliceltic, May Will Bloom, The Gothard Sisters, and Mikey Mason. This is Pub Songs & Stories #311 0:18 - "The Beer from St James Gate" from 2023 and Me 5:25 - WELCOME TO PUB SONGS & STORIES Every song has a story, every episode is a toast to Celtic and folk songwriters. Discover the stories behind the songs from the heart of the Celtic pub scene. I am your bard, Marc Gunn, also host of the . Today’s episode dives into...
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Quest & Chorus #6: From Carnac to Fangorn | The End of the Quest (special feat: Pub Songs and Stories #310)
PUB SONGS & STORIES
Over 3,000 stones rise from the fields of Carnac. They stand silent, waiting, like the trees of Fangorn Forest, patient and alive beneath their stillness. In this episode of Quest & Chorus, we walk among ancient alignments, uncover old legends, and listen to what endures. Featuring music from The Irish Lassies, Dublin Gulch, and Brobdingnagian Bards. This is Quest & Chorus #310 0:27 - “Hammer Up Whisky Down” from Immigration Stories 5:20 - WELCOME TO QUEST & CHORUS Welcome to Quest & Chorus, where ancient stones still speak and songs remember what trees never forget....
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Quest & Chorus #5: Crossing the Waves to Skellig Michael (special feat: Folk Songs & Stories #309)
PUB SONGS & STORIES
The sea around Skellig Michael never rests. Waves slam the cliffs like a heartbeat, and mist rises from the rocks like breath from some sleeping giant. Eight miles off the Kerry coast, this jagged island looks less like a piece of earth and more like a fragment of another world. More than a thousand years ago, monks climbed 600 stone steps to live here, chasing silence, prayer, and the edge of heaven. Today, visitors come for the same reason, though they may not know it. Whether you’re drawn by faith, history, or a galaxy far, far away, Skellig has a way of making you listen to what the sea...
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Quest & Chorus Ep. 4: Come Adventure to The Quiraing on Skye (special feat: Folk Songs & Stories #308)
PUB SONGS & STORIES
The Quiraing is not a gentle place. Stone spires jut skyward, cliffs crumble toward the sea, and paths twist like they’re still being carved by giants. It’s a landscape that doesn’t promise safety—it dares you to take another step. On Skye, they say even dragons once hid in these folds, rising to defend the island from invaders. And standing here, staring into that mist and stone, you can feel it: adventure isn’t slaying dragons. It’s choosing to face the one within. Music from Kinnfolk, Ed Miller, and Marc Gunn. This is Quest & Chorus #308 0:39 - - “Highland...
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Quest & Chorus #3: Tintagel - History, Shipwrecks & Myth (special feature Folk Songs & Stories)
PUB SONGS & STORIES
Welcome to Quest & Chorus, where songs remember what history forgets. I’m your bard, and today, we climb a legendary cliff—where myth and memory blur. To Tintagel. Some say King Arthur was born here. Others say he died here. And whether that’s true or not doesn’t really matter… Because this place feels like the kind of place where someone says goodbye. Today, we raise a glass—to stories that fade, and the people who carry them. This is Quest & Chorus #307 0:30 - “Mordred's Lullaby” from The Trial of Lancelot and The Secret World of Celtic Rock 3:41 - WELCOME TO QUEST...
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Quest & Chorus #2: A Lonely Shore on the Calf of Man (special feature Folk Songs & Stories)
PUB SONGS & STORIES
The Calf of Man, just off the southern tip of the Isle of Man. There’s a decayed building there. And on its wall hangs a strange thing. A life preserver—round, red and white, worn by time. It made me wonder: What do we leave behind to save the ones who come after us?” This is Quest & Chorus #306 0:21 - "Alive With You" from Open The Road 3:14 - WELCOME TO QUEST & CHORUS Where every place has a story, every story has a song, and every song is a step in the quest. I’m your bard, Marc Gunn, also host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, and typically host of this show as...
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Quest & Chorus #1: Don’t Blink at Kilmartin (special feature)
PUB SONGS & STORIES
Quest & Chorus is a six-part series where I share songs, stories, and places along with a game to make the adventure even more fun. This is the first episode in your quest. A reminder to be present with those who you love, while we travel through time to Kilmartin Glen in Scotland. This is Quest & Chorus on Folk Songs & Stories #305 0:12 - “All the Time” from Regressive Folk Music 4:18 - WELCOME TO QUEST & CHORUS Where legends meet lyrics, and every place sings a story. I’m your bard, Marc Gunn, also host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, and typically host of...
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Harry Potter Rising of the Moon: The Cat Who Lived (to Sing Irish Songs) #304
PUB SONGS & STORIES
Wanna hear a Harry Potter inspired cat song? Plus learn some facts about whether you should declaw your cat. Celebrate Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers’ 20th anniversary with this special podcast of the new and the old. This is Folk Songs & Stories #304 0:34 - “” from 2:40 - WELCOME TO FOLK SONGS & STORIES I am Marc Gunn. I’m a Celtic folk musician living in Atlanta, Georgia and host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. I’m also a cat lover as you’ll hear later on in the show. If you’re new to the show, please subscribe. You can do that or Just send me an email...
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Lord of the Pounce: A Feline Folk Fantasy #303
PUB SONGS & STORIES
Make sure your cat is drinking water. Cats love to pounce. It’s another 20th anniversary celebration of Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers as I share the story behind “Lord of the Pounce”. This is Folk Songs & Stories #303 0:29 - “Lord of the Dance” from 3:05 - WELCOME TO FOLK SONGS & STORIES I am Marc Gunn. I’m a Celtic folk musician living in Atlanta, Georgia and host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. I’m also a cat lover as you’ll hear later on in the show. If you’re new to the show, please subscribe. You can do that or Just send me an email to...
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Catnipping Green: Where Good Kitties Go #302
PUB SONGS & STORIES
What happens when a kitty passes from this life to the next? It’s filled with milk and catnip and all the luxuries a cat could possibly enjoy. Hear the story of “Catnipping Green” as we celebrate 20 years of Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers. This is Folk Songs & Stories #302 0:34 - “” from 4:38 - WELCOME TO FOLK SONGS & STORIES I am Marc Gunn. I’m a Celtic folk musician living in Atlanta, Georgia and host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. I’m also a cat lover as you’ll hear later on in the show. This show is for fans of my music. If you’re new to the...
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Pain is hard to deal with. Sometimes it feels overwhelming. You can get through it with maybe a little help from Doctor Who. We talk about my song Redemption.
You can learn all about it today on Pub Songs & Stories #283
0:16 - Marc Gunn “By Amazing Grace” from Come Adventure With Me
- By Amazing Grace, Hat Came Back, Tartanic
- Inspired by the Firefly episode “Heart of Glass”
- featuring Andrew McKee of Brobdingnagian Bards and Jamie Haeuser)
4:23 - WELCOME TO PUB SONGS & STORIES
I am Marc Gunn. I’m a Sci F’Irish musician and podcaster living in Atlanta, Georgia.
If you’re new to the show, please subscribe. You can do that PubSong.com or Just send me an email to follow@celtfather.
- New Poll: What are your favorite songs on Sci Fi Drinking Songs?
- New Merch Bundle: CD, Album Pin, Poster and Songbook for $90
9:32 - UPCOMING SHOWS
- MAR 23-24: Sherwood Forest Faire, Paige, TX
- MAR 28: Dragon Con Filk Music Concert w/Brobdingnagian Bards @ 8 PM
- MAR 30-31: Sherwood Forest Faire, Paige, TX
- APR 19-21: Jordan Con, Crowne Plaza Ravinia, Atlanta, GA
Make sure you check the calendar on the Marc Gunn homepage to see the latest list of performances.
10:35 - Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer “Folk Club Song” from Twelve Months & A Day
15:44 - JOIN THE CLUB
The show is brought to you by my supporters on Patreon. If you enjoy this podcast or my music, please join the Club. You get something new every week. It could be bonus podcasts, downloadable songs, printed sheet music, blogs, or stories from the road. Plus, you’ll get access to videos like my Coffee with The Celtfather video concerts. Email follow@celtfather !
If you can’t support me financially, just sign up on Patreon for free. Special thanks to our newest and returning patrons: Laura Belle, Michelle Powers, James Regan
17:20 - THE STORY OF REDEMPTION
- Recorded for The War Doctor | Doctor Who #2.3
- Inspired by “The Day of the Doctor” from Doctor Who
- Download the “Redemption” MP3
- Lyrics and music Marc Gunn. Marc Gunn: autoharp, vocals; Rich Brotherton: bass, guitar, percussion. Mixed by Rich Brotherton
Background
This is a story about finding redemption. In the 50th anniversary Doctor Who episode "The Day of the Doctor", the 10th (Matt Smith) and 11th Doctor (David Tennant) meet The War Doctor. They are horrified and filled with dread to once again see themselves as the man who committed horrible atrocities wiping out the Time Lords and the Daleks with a doomsday weapon.
But after centuries dealing with that pain. They finally come to grips with it. They accept the decision they made even though it caused the death of billions of people. But even better, they remember Who they are. The Doctor. Never cruel or cowardly. Never give up or give in. Doctors give hope. They are finally able to save the people they thought they lost.
Redemption Lyrics
I was so young. I made a mistake
That I have never shared.
Much to regret. I tried to forget. I ran.
That just laid it bare.
To speak the words out loud made me
Shudder for the harm I done
Now I help the innocent
Still I feel the need to run.
* Because I burn. I burn.
It won't cover the pain
But it's time I learn. Time I learn.
Redemption can come again (x3)
Are great men truly forged in fire?
While others light the flame?
That's what I tell myself so that
I can avoid the blame.
Deep down inside there's a scared little child
Smashing statues, filled with fright.
Under cover, changing faces
To hide away in plain sight
But still I burn. I burn.
It won't cover the pain
But it's time I learn. It's time I learn.
Redemption can come again (x3)
And still my monsters come from my past
They shatter my future bones.
Scary to face them, but time will heal
Don't have to do it alone
Promise to keep, tho I may weep
For the pain I kept deep down
Face my fears for 1200 years
Hope will turn my life around
No longer burn. No longer burn.
It may not cover the pain
But it's time I learn. It's time I learn.
Redemption can come again (x3)
26:11 - Marc Gunn “Redemption” from Come Adventure With Me
29:47 - CLOSING
33:25 - CREDITS
Thanks for listening to Pub Songs & Stories. This episode was edited by Mitchell Petersen.
You can follow and listen to the show on my Patreon or wherever you find podcasts. Sign up to my mailing list to learn more about songs featured in this podcast and discover where I’m performing.
Remember. Reduce, reuse, recycle, and think about how you can make a positive impact on your environment.
Have fun and sing along at www.pubsong.com!
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