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...
info_outline
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....
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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_outline2025 is the 20 year anniversary of the release of Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers. We’re resharing the Cat Lovers Podcast along with stories about the song that launched that album, “Wild Kitty”. You’ll also enjoy the music of Jesse Ferguson in this week’s show.
This is Folk Songs & Stories #299
WELCOME TO FOLK SONGS & STORIES
0:35 - Marc Gunn “Wild Rover” from Irish Drinking Songs: The Cat Lover’s Companion
I am Marc Gunn. I’m a Celtic folk musician and podcaster living in Atlanta, Georgia. I’m also a cat lover as you’ll hear later on in the show. This show is for fans of my music. But it’s also for people who attend Celtic festivals, Renaissance festivals, and science fiction conventions.
If you’re new to the show, please subscribe. You can do that PubSong.com or Just send me an email to follow@celtfather.
Here’s a weird request. I would like you to think of the first song that comes to your mind. Next, take a picture. Not one but three. Three pictures to tell a story. Perhaps you have a story to tell as well take some pictures and send them to me.
3:08 - NEWS
- Poll: What’s your favorite song on Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers?
- Merch: Buy Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers on Patreon or Bandcamp.
4:20 - UPCOMING SHOWS
- JUL 19: Fiddler's Green Coffeehouse Concert series @ 8 PM, First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta. 470 Candler Park Dr. NE / Atlanta GA 30307. 404-378-5570. firstexistentialist.org, Presented by Atlanta Area Friends of Folk Music (AAFFM)
- JUL 31-AUG 3: Gen Con, Indianapolis, IN
- AUG 28-SEP 1: Dragon Con, Atlanta, GA
- SEP 24-28: ALEP 6, Harrodsburg, KY
- OCT 17-19: MultiVerse, Peachtree City, GA
- NOV 8: IrishFest Atlanta, Roswell, GA with Inara
- DEC 7: Nerdy Wonderland at The Lost Druid, Avondale Estates, GA @ 12 - 5 PM.
5:02 - Jesse Ferguson "Bonnie Dundee" from Ten
8:45 - 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 a blog, an exclusive podcast, downloadable song, printed sheet music, or stories from the road. Plus, you’ll get access to all of my Coffee with The Celtfather video concert series. 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:
9:33 - CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS
Every year, I lead a small group of people on an exciting adventure to one of the Celtic nations and other exciting locations. In 2025, we’re going on a Celtic Invasion of Galicia in Spain. Galicia is indeed one of the more obscure Celtic nations to those of us who are most familiar with Ireland and Scotland.
Find out more at CelticInvasion.com.
9:43 - IRISH DRINKING SONGS FOR CAT LOVERS
In 2003, I was back from Dragon Con chatting with a friend on the phone. The Irish song “Wild Rover” was stuck in my head as we started talking about cats. The chorus came around and I started meowing. An idea started growing in my head. What if I parodied a bunch of traditional Irish drinking songs with lyrics all about cats.
I wrote my first three songs before the end of October. I then found Ari Koinuma in Austin to help me produce the single. I set up a website at CatDrinkingSongs.com. In December, someone posted the idea to Fark. I had 20,000 website hits in one day and hundreds of comments. I knew this was a great idea.
In May of 2005, I launched a podcast to help raise money for a CD of Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers. Thus was born the Cat Lovers Podcast.
10:54 - CAT MUSIC LOVERS #1: “WILD KITTY” AND CATS IN PHYSICS (REBOOT)
In honor of the 20 year anniversary of my first cat CD, Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers, I am re-releasing the Cat Lovers Podcast on this feed. I’ll also share new stories about the inspiration behind the album creation, including the liner notes from the album.
- Cats in the News
- Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers
- Cats in Physics
- Deer hunting kitties
23:52 - Marc Gunn & The Dubliners’ Tabby Cats “Wild Kitty” from Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers
“Wild Kitty” is a parody of the traditional Irish song “Wild Rover”.
autoharp, lead vocal: Marc Gunn
fiddle: James "Cedric" Hazlerig
bass, maracas: Ari Koinuma
bgv: Marc Gunn, Ben Hamby, Blake McCaig, Ari Koinuma
meows: Marc Gunn, April Porter, Ben Hamby, Blake McCaig,
26:41 - 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!
#pubstories