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...
info_outlineVince Conaway shares his top 3 places to see in Italy along with some travel tips, and stories of busking in Italy. Music from Vince Conaway, Brobdingnagian Bards, and Ironwood. And if you’re going to apologize, make it a good one. That’s what I did when I wrote the song “The Bridge” as an apology. It’s all part of a new series where I talk about my album Soul of a Harper.
This is Pub Songs & Stories #285
0:30 - Marc Gunn “Killiecrankie” from Soul of Harper
- Inspired by the band Schiehallion out of Scotland
- about the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689. The first three verses and chorus were written by Robert Burns in 1789.
3:47 - 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.
CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS
Every year, I lead a small group of people on an exciting adventure, usually to one of the Celtic nations, but not always.
7:04 - Ironwood "She Likes the Guinness" from Gretna Green
10:55 - STORY OF SOUL OF A HARPER
- On back: “May your boots be well-worn and your soul, well-wandered”
- An autoharper’s spiritual wandering through Celtic songs
- Cover photo by Nancy Pearsall
- Award-winning Graphic design by Marc Gunn
- Why did I record the album?
- Album title inspired by a song by Rie Sheridan Rose
20:24 - Brobdingnagian Bards “Soul of a Harper” from Brobdingnagian Fairy Tales
23:52 - THE STORY OF THE BRIDGE
- Originally recorded for Brobdingnagian Bards’ CD, Gullible’s Travels. Also released on A Celtic Renaissance Wedding
- Was it written as an apology at Pease Park near UT Austin
- Instrumental part in 4th verse
29:35 - Marc Gunn “The Bridge” from Soul of Harper
The Bridge Lyrics by Marc Gunn
Was it something I said that made you angry with me.
Made you dig a deep river to keep you from me.
Oh, the water is rushing, come to sweep me away
'Less I die of sorrow, I will cross it today.
I would build me a bridge a hundred meters long
To see the other side of what I did wrong
Well you say you don't hate me, but I guess that I'm scared
That with a river between us, you'll no longer care.
I would build a boat, and paddle agaist all sorrow.
And if I sail down the river, then I'll be back again tomorrow.
I would face cold death, run and leap to your side.
And if I fall in the river, I'll be warmed by your sight.
I would beg your forgiveness for the pain I've fed
And I'd find the source of the river you've bled.
Then I'd close the gates of the dam I built there.
And never again will you have anything to fear.
Well I never knew that your tears ran so deep.
But when I'ved dammed those tears, I will kiss your sweet cheek.
I will hold you close 'till your tears finally cease.
And I'll sing you a lullaby to bring you peace.
33:21 - SUPPORT 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. You get it all ad-free when you listen and on Patreon. 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:
34:21 - INTRO – BEST TRAVEL TIPS
36:22 - BEST TRAVEL TIPS
Best Travel Tips with Vince Conaway #212
If you love adventure, then you will find your heart pumping with an interview I did with Vince Conaway. He plays hammered dulcimer, is an incredible busker, and every year, he goes to exotic locations in abroad to play music in the streets and to become a part of the culture of the region. Having had years of Celtic Invasion Vacations where we sort of do the same, his story is dear to my heart.
From Florence to Machu Pichu, Austria to Croatia, plus the Renaissance festivals he does the rest of the year, Vince has been all over. He even can explain what the dulcimer is in those various languages, which is just too cool.
Vince will share his favorite memories and best travel tips. You can find him and his travel blog and photos at vinceconaway.com and he's also on Patreon.
50:51 - CLOSING – BEST TRAVEL TIPS
51:24 - Vince Conaway “Goblin Parade” from Musica Instrumentalis
54:16 - 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. Refuse, 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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