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_outlineCan album pins save the music business? I’ll tell you what they’re all about, why all musicians should be selling them, and how to get started with them.
This is Pub Songs & Stories #291
0:13 - Marc Gunn “Blink” from Come Adventure With Me
- Listen to #277 Blink to learn more about the song
- Listen to In the Verse #2.1 Blink for more about the song
3:45 - 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.
Today, I’m talking about Album Pins. Album Pins have revolutionized my music business. I’ll talk about them in a little bit. But first I have other news to share. Each episode has a timestamp and chapter marks. You can click those to straight where you want in each episode. Just head over to the show notes.
NEWS
Podcast: 17 Things to Do on the Isle of Man #290
Poll: Did you vote for your favorite song on Dancing With Hobbits?
See pictures from my Celtic Invasion of Scotland’s Whiskey
Merch: Get the Sci Fi Drinking Songs Collection on Patreon. You'll get 6 albums for $50, including: As Long As I’m Flyin, Sci Fi Drinking Songs, What Color Is Your Dragon, Pirates vs Dragons, Don’t Go Drinking With Hobbits, Firefly Drinking Songs
Kickstarter for Brobdingnagian Bards album Another Faire To Remember
7:58 - UPCOMING SHOWS
- NOV 15-17: CONjuration, Duluth, GA
- NOV 23: Georgia Renaissance Festival Fall Fling, Fairborn, GA from 2-9 PM
- NOV 30: Georgia Renaissance Festival Fall Fling, Fairborn, GA from 2-9 PM
- DEC 8: Nerdy Wonderland at The Lost Druid Brewery, Avondale Estates, GA
- WEDS: Coffee with The Celtfather
8:46 - 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. 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: Donald Leatherman, Hugh Hainey, Paul and Tara S., Arthur Otzenberger, Beth Lynn Nolen, Nightmare Rabbit, Jeriel Ng, Matt Whitney, PR 3672
9:47 - 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.
11:31 - Brother Sea "All As One" from Brother Sea EP
15:18 - WHAT ARE ALBUM PINS AND CAN THEY REALLY SAVE THE MUSIC BUSINESS?
- What is an album?
- What makes it unique?
- What makes a successful album pin?
- Postcards vs Business cards
- Does it have to be an enamel pin?
30:11 - Marc Gunn “Serenity Valley Waltz” from Selcouth
- Listen to the story of Serenity Valley Waltz #253
- Listen to In the ‘Verse for Serenity Valley Waltz show show #1 for the discussion about it
33:22 - 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 help others to make a positive impact on our environment.
Have fun and sing along at www.pubsong.com!
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