The demise of the Music Board half way through last year left a hole in many people's expectations as to what the state was going to do by way of support for the music industry. The recent announcement, then, of the formation of Culture Ireland is a welcome blast of warmth for the bleak mid-winter. Taking over a lot of what the Culture Relations Committee did in terms of supporting Irish artists trying to get beyond the confines of this little lump of muck, it looks like Culture Ireland is going to be a more outgoing organisation and the appointment of Micheal O Suilleabhain as chairman surely bodes well for the emphasis on music.
The folk and traditional areas will be looking to Culture Ireland for a recognition that they are a vital force in Irish music, working hard to create a market for a diverse range of sounds in what is still an essentially an uncommercial genre needing a hand to keep the creativity alive and the sound fresh. While the funding given by the old committee was on an ad hoc basis it would be good to think that Culture Ireland might consider putting more of a framework in place and research the touring needs of Irish acts on a practical level, maybe providing some help with different withholding tax regimes, and supporting a centralised service for travel and accommodation, which can make or break a tour in financial terms. Well, a boy can have a wish list, can’t he?
Having worked their little heinies off for years on the international touring circuit Kila have decided to knock that on the head for a while and re-focus their undoubted energies on the multitude of projects that are constantly on the boil at Kila Central. The fruits of these labours are soon to be with us as Rossa’s contributions to Jean Butler’s Irish Dance Master Class DVD hits the streets on March 11th, while Ronan, whose solo album Tonnta Ro is one of the best genre-bending records to emerge anywhere so far this millennium, should have its successor ‘The Playdays’ in the shops at the beginning of April. The songs this time are in English and Ronan will be playing some dates around the country during April. An awesome performer, with or without the rest of the Ghostfaced Kilas in tow, these should be (let me get out my cliché handbook here) unmissable. The full band will also be doing some Irish dates (the rest of the world will have to wait – though some work overseas is being planned for later in the year).
Also in the ‘miss it and you’ll have to sit stoney-faced while the people who went laugh at you’ category is Dervish’s [pictured] headline show at the Olympia on Saturday April 2nd. With the set full of new songs previewed on the band’s recent Irish mini-tour currently going down a storm in the US, this promises to be one of those great celebratory nights when music really comes to town.
The county to get to during March has to be Cavan as the NYAH festival takes a grip of venues all across the county. There’s a mixture of sessions, concerts, and talk. If I had to pick one event to get to it would be Friday 18th at the Farnham Hotel in Cavan town where Glor Breifne and Cavan County Council are promoting Scoth na nAmhrán Gaeilge agus Béarla as Cúige Uladh with Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin  and Len Graham. Acclaimed musicians, Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin and Len Graham will weave songs and melodies in both Irish and English from the Ulster, poetic and song traditions. Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin and Len Graham are two of Ireland’s most highly regarded singers whose brilliant interpretations of the traditions of Ulster are imbued with deep scholarship. Pádraigín is the author of the highly acclaimed A Hidden Ulster – People, Songs And Traditions Of Oriel (Four Courts Press 2003). Len was the first recipient of the TG4 National Music Award in 2002 and his great rich baritone voice is a wonder to hear. They have recorded extensively and have performed at festivals all over the world. Every song will come with its story and you’ll come away knowing more than your prayers.
The festival as a whole also features TG4 award winner Rosie Stewart, fiddler Shane McAleer, singer Art Duffy and the launch of Gerry Fiddle O’Connor’s Journeyman album which is, astonishingly, his first solo album. He will be joined by a horde of special guests for the launch which should make for a great evening. Information on the festival can be had from the Cavan County Council Arts Office and the local press will be carrying full listings as well.
In a slightly more formal setting at the National Concert Hall in Dublin, on March 15th Neil Martin’s composition for Uilleann pipes and symphony orchestra ‘No Tongue Call Tell’ will feature in performance. Liam O’Flynn will play the pipes on this occasion. The narrative behind the music relates to the lives of the composer’s maternal grandparents - his grandfather’s life at sea and his premature death, and of his grandmother’s subsequent challenging life-journey. It is a story of love and tragedy, of faith and resolve.
At its premiere in Belfast in October 2004 the Irish Times characterised the work as “a weave of wordless dramatic narrative and glorious sound”.
Looking slightly farther into the future the Carlsberg Kilkenny Rhythm 'n' Roots Weekend will take place in venues throughout Kilkenny on the May bank holiday weekend, from Friday 29th April through to Monday 2nd May. With acts ranging from traditional maestros Patrick Street through to the frankly bizarre Hayseed Dixie this year's festival should be up there with the best of them. Playing for the home team will be Patrick Street, the Lee Valley String Band and The Niall Toner Band.
Also getting out and about in May will be Sharon Shannon, Frankie Gavin, Mike McGoldrick and Jim Murray whose album Tunes – how’s that for keeping it simple – was released on March 4th. Each of the four collaborators has written material for the album which also features a mixture of Irish and Scottish tunes, with a few traditional Austrian numbers included for good measure.
Organisers of The Return To Camden Town festival, running in late October this year, are currently looking for volunteers to help with sponsorship and public relations. If you’re feeling benevolent you can check them out at www.returntocamden.org