Irish Music Stories Podcast

If you want to share music with folks outside of your home, you gotta carry your instruments and gear (unless you’re live-streaming). And if you want to share podcast episodes along with show notes and other extras, you gotta build a site to share everything. Hear a bit about how guitarist Matt Heaton, fiddle player Laura Cortese, and flute player and podcaster Shannon Heaton have created their portable supply bases. And take in a Companion Chapter, from the new Irish Music Stories site. ___________________________________________ Thank you to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to this month’s underwriters:Nancy Kearney, Peter Lee, Tom Frederick, Brian Benscoter, Paul DeCamp, Suezen Brown, Gerry Corr, Joel DeLashmit, David Vaughan, Chris Armstrong, Irish and Celtic Music Podcast, Robert Levelle, Mark Haynes, Bob Suchor, Jon Duvick, Chris Murphy, Ken Doyle, Randy Krajniak, Susan Walsh, Rick Rubin, John Ploch, Charlie Durfee, and Ian Bittle. ——— Find transcripts, bios, related essays and videos, p

How much power does a backdrop have? As the Irish Music Stories production team works to assemble episodes and bonus materials, Shannon explores the wooded hills of Medford, Massachusetts to find visual and organizational surrounds that look and feel like time-worn jigs, and ballads, and nights of music and dance. * * * * * * * Thank you to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to this month’s underwriters: Joel DeLashmit, Lynn Hayes, Paul Grajciar, Suezen Brown, Paul DeCamp, Emil Hauptmann, Randy Krajniak, Rick Rubin, Susan Walsh, Ken Doyle, Chris Armstrong, John Ploch, Jon Duvick, Gerry Corr, Brian Benscoter, and Marc Gunn. * * * * * * * * Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * Music Heard on IMS Episode 50 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Tune: “Free the Heel,” from Production Music for Irish Music StoriesArtist: Matt Heaton Tune: “Grupai Ceol Theme,” from Production Music for Irish Music StoriesArtist: Matt Heat

After a horrific week of social unrest in the U.S., and as Irish Music Stories begins a major overhaul, host Shannon Heaton offers a meditation on how cataloging and organizing can soothe the soul. There’s also plenty of music in this episode. Full playlist below. And for Japanese speakers who want to get started with Irish Music Stories, the first episode has been translated fully (transcript) by Ryoko Murakami (with Tomoaki Hatekeyama) HERE  * * * * * * * Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to this month’s underwriters: Enda McGreevy, Rus Bradburd, Jeremy Keith, Kevin Doyle, Roland Hebborn, Christopher Stuart, Edward Schilling, Randall Semagin, Parker Abercrombie, Marji Gibbs, Sean Carrol, Peter Smith, Mike Voss, Ian Bittle, Brian Benscoter, Marc Gunn, Gerry Corr, Suezen Brown, Paul DeCamp, Rick Rubin, Kenneth Doyle, Susan Walsh, Emil Hauptmann, Chris Armstrong, John Ploch, Jon Duvick, Randy Krajniak, Joel DeLashmit, and Susan Walsh. Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support t

Trailer for the December 2020 episode of Irish Music Stories.

What’s up with stage banter? And why all the joking around between tunes in a session? Explore the on- and offstage chat that surrounds traditional music with Máirtín de Cógáin, Paddy League, Joanie Madden, Rus Bradburd, Liz Carroll, and Jean-Michel Veillon.  There’s also plenty of music in this episode. Full playlist below. And for Japanese speakers who want to get started with Irish Music Stories, the first episode has been translated fully (transcript) by Ryoko Murakami (with Tomoaki Hatekeyama) HERE  * * * * * * * Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to this month’s underwriters: Sharon Murphy, Bill Wolfe, John Kerr, Chris Murphy, Lynn Hayes, Meg and Harry Ferguson, Jack McCreless, Marco Battaglia, Joe Martin, Tom Frederick, Suezen Brown, David Vaughan, Brian Benscoter, Emil Hauptmann, John Ploch, Rick Rubin, Gerry Corr, Jon Duvick, Randy Krajniak, Joel DeLashmit, Susan Walsh, and Jon Duvick. Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusi

How do new traditional Irish and Scottish tunes come together? How do composers conjure melodies? Composers Liz Carroll, Dáithí Sproule, and Katie McNally share thoughts on creativity, the tune writing process, and the myths behind the music. There’s also plenty of music in this episode. Full playlist below. And for Japanese speakers who want to get started with Irish Music Stories, the first episode has been translated fully (transcript) by Ryoko Murakami (with Tomoaki Hatekeyama) HERE  * * * * * * * Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to this month’s underwriters: Leslie Stack, Patricia P. Wilcox, Michael Craine, Mark Haynes, Emil Hauptmann, David Vaughan, Brian Benscoter, Susan Walsh, Rick Rubin, Randy Krajniak, Jon Duvick, Suezen Brown, John Ploch, Joel DeLashmit, Let’s Learn Irish, and Ministry of Folk Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * Music Heard on IMS Episode 47all music traditional, unless othe

Learning just a few words in Gaelic is mannerly when visiting Ireland and Scotland. And it can be a way IN to cultural values and humor. Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Séamus Ó Flatharta, Ciarán Bolger, Michael Coult, Julie Fowlis, Mary Jane Lamond, and Brian Ó hAirt help me understand connections between language and music. And how songs in Irish and Scottish Gaelic transmit emotion, carry history, and lift people up.  There’s also plenty of music in this episode. Full playlist below. And for Japanese speakers who want to get started with Irish Music Stories, the first episode has been translated fully (transcript) by Ryoko Murakami (with Tomoaki Hatekeyama) HERE  * * * * * * * Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to this month’s underwriters: Jane Knight, Tinka, Roland Hebborn, Marina Poggemann, Emil Hauptmann, David Vaughan, Brian Benscoter, Susan Walsh, Rick Rubin, Randy Krajniak, Jon Duvick, Suezen Brown, John Plock, Joel DeLashmit, and Gerry Corr Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to sup

There’s no definitive Irish or Scottish music method book. A lot of seasoned practitioners learned their music in kitchens and pubs. So how do they bring that immersive, social learning approach into the classroom? In this episode, June McCormack, Michael Rooney, Alasdair White, Caroline Keane, and Tom Delany share ideas about teaching and learning traditional music. There’s also plenty of music in this episode. Full playlist below. And for Japanese speakers who want to get started with Irish Music Stories, the first episode has been translated fully (transcript) by Ryoko Murakami (with Tomoaki Hatekeyama) HERE  * * * * * * * Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to this month’s underwriters: Finn Agenbroad, David Vaughan, Brian Benscoter, Susan Walsh, Rick Rubin, Randy Krajniak, Jon Duvick, Suezen Brown, John Ploch, Joel DeLashmit, Chris Murphy, and Joe Martin Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * Music Hear

The topic of sustainable travel for touring musicians has been reframed, as Covid-19 has cancelled most music live music events for an unforeseeable amount of time. But as activity kicks up again, conversations about responsible, viable, grateful travel—and conservation—remain vital. In this episode, I’ll revisit earlier chats with Liz about her environmental advocacy; Dana Lyn and Kyle Sanna about their musical show that pays tribute (and donates profits) to coral reef ecosystems; and beekeeper Ottavio Forte, whose bees I recorded for a forthcoming album of bee-themed music. And I’ll go back to 6th century Ireland, to offer some historical perspective on activism. Learn more about Sustainable Touring Arts Coalition Listen to/watch Dana Lyn & Kyle Sanna Watch Beekeeping in Belmont  There’s also plenty of music in this episode. Full playlist below. And for Japanese speakers who want to get started with Irish Music Stories, the first episode has been translated fully (transcript) by Ryoko Murakami (with

The role of instruments in Celtic traditions can be fickle: newer voices (like the tenor banjo) are increasingly popular on festival stages; while ancient ones (like the harp) still hang on the outskirts when it comes to modern group projects. Find out how the banjo came into common acceptance in Irish circles from Daniel Neely, Enda Scahill, and Martin Howley… and learn about joys and challenges of outsider status from harpist Maeve Gilchrist, cellist Natalie Haas, and saxophone players Susan Lindsay and Isaac Alderson. There’s also plenty of music in this episode. Full playlist below. And for Japanese speakers who want to get started with Irish Music Stories, the first episode has been translated fully (transcript) by Ryoko Murakami (with Tomoaki Hatekeyama) HERE  * * * * * * * Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to this month’s underwriters: Pat Wilcox, Soomee Han, Ken Doyle, Stephanie Reeve, Finn Agenbroad, Mark Haynes, David Vaughan, Gerry Corr, Susan Walsh, Rick Rubin, Randy Kraj

Persistent infections like Covid-19 … and social injustice.. and racism… loom large. And still, these little Irish jigs and reels are forming bridges across oceans. What happens when people fall in love with a foreign music culture and pull themselves out of their comfort zones to travel and learn to play? Learn about the perspective Irish music has offered Guillermo Del Val Rodriguez, Santiago Molina, Gregor Brinkschulte, Alasdair Fraser, Rolf Wagels, Kerstin Otten, Brent Cassidy, Andy Xuhang, Alex Navar, hatao, Geoffrey Lim, Ted Cizadlo, and Andy Linton. There’s also plenty of music in this episode. Full playlist below. * * * * * * * Thank you to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to this month’s underwriters: Ryne VanHorn, Dan Kaufman, Finn Agenbroad, Rex Edwards, Michael Craine, Bruce Douglas, Nancy Kearney, Paul Fackler, Art Costa, Linda Hammond, Chris Murphy, David Vaughan, Gerry Corr, Susan Walsh, Rick Rubin, Randy Krajniak, Jon Duvik, and one anonymous donor. Please CLICK HERE if you can

Trailer for the June 2020 episode of Irish Music Stories 

What do rampant evictions, military ship collisions, and Christmas trees have to do with jigs and reels? Learn how Gaelic culture resonated in Canada’s “New Scotland,” and down in the Boston States, from singer Mary Jane Lamond and fiddle players Troy MacGillivray, Andrea Beaton, Alasdair Fraser, Katie McNally, and Lee Cremo. Plenty of music here, too. Full playlist below. * * * * * * * Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to this month’s underwriters: Peter Lee, Gabriele Clemens, Loretta Egan Murphy, John Boyce, Sol Foster, Paul Grajciar, Lisa and Bryon Giddens-White, Jen Strom, Chris Murphy, Pat Wilcox, Suezen Brown, Lance Ramshaw, Mark Haynes, David Vaughan, Brian Benscoter, Gerard Corr, Susan Walsh, Rick Rubin, Randy Krajniak, and Jon Duvick. Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * Music Heard on IMS Episode 40 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Tune: “Blue Bonnets Over The Border/Khazi,” fro

How are traditional musicians and dancers continuing creative careers and group music events during the Covid-19 pandemic? How is social distancing affecting the jigs and reels? In this unexpected open of Season Four of Irish Music Stories, musicians from Ireland, England, Belgium, Sweden, and the U.S. address on and offline strategies… from a safe distance. Plenty of music here, too. Full playlist below. * * * * * * * Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to this month’s underwriters: Chris Murphy, John Kerr, John Pradarelli, Sharon Murphy, Finn Agenbroad, Charlie Durfee, Mark Johnson, Will Coleman, Gary Usher, Dana Griepentrog, John Plock, David Vaughan, Brian Benscoter, Susan Walsh, Rick Rubin, Randy Krajniak Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * Music Heard on IMS Episode 40 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Tune: “Haapvesi,” from January EPArtist: Assembly Tune: “Cat’s Meow,” from An Irish

What’s a soccer ball, a school uniform, and a wedding dress have in common? New York-based fiddle player Eileen Ivers helps jar memories and connections, with a jig she wrote for her granny, in this month’s off season installment.  Plenty of music here, too. Full playlist below. * * * * * * * Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to Charlie Durfee, Desmond O'Hagan, Pat Wilcox, Paul Grajciar, Peter Crimmin, Susan Walsh, David Vaughan, Brian Benscoter, Joe Garrett, Gerry Corr for underwriting this episode. And this season of podcast production. One more tune tale in April… then full episodes coming in May! Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * Music Heard on IMS Episode 39 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Tune: “Apples in Winter” from An Nollaig: An Irish ChristmasArtist: Eileen Ivers Tune: “G Chimes,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music StoriesArtist: Matt Heaton Tune: “After Hours Theme

Are all traditional tunes created equally? And if they aren’t, what happens to the, um, lesser tunes? Do they end up like lost dryer socks? Chicago-based accordion player Jimmy Keane reflects on the room of bad tunes, and shares one of his loveliest compositions in this month’s off season installment.  Plenty of music here, too. Full playlist below. * * * * * * * Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to John Ploch, Finn Agenbroad, David Vaughan, Brian Benscoter, Joe Garrett, Gerry Corr for underwriting this episode. And this season of podcast production—another exaltation of full episodes coming your way in May! Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * Music Heard on IMS Episode 38 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Tune: “Redican's Jig / The Merry Old Woman Jig / The Chapel Bell” from boholaArtist: bohola Tune: “G Chimes,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music StoriesArtist: Matt Heaton Tune

What do you do when language just can’t capture how hilarious—and important—an encounter in Ennis, County Clare was? Write a tune about it. That’s what Brendan Tonra did. Pianist Helen Kisiel recounted one of those tune memories in this month’s off season installment.  Plenty of music here, too. Full playlist below. * * * * * * * Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to James Supplee, Brian Murchison, Michael Todd, Robert Levelle, Mike O'Malley, Parker Abercrombie, Rayburn Vrabel, Mark Haynes, Susan Walsh and Peter Kasin, David Vaughan, Brian Benscoter, Joe Garrett, Gerry Corr for underwriting this episode. And this season of podcast production, as I line up another year of episodes! Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * *Music Heard on IMS Episode 37 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Tune: “The Phoenix,” from January EPArtist: The Assembly (FKA Popcorn Behavior) Tune: “D Chimes,” from Production

Where do the tunes come from? When does inspiration hit? Shannon learns that it's all about timing, in this short story about a jig by accordion player Billy McComiskey. Plenty of music here, too. Full playlist below. * * * * * * * Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to Chris Murphy, Naka Ishii, David Vaughan, Brian Benscoter, Joe Garrett, Gerry Corr, and one anonymous donor for underwriting this episode. Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * Music Heard on IMS Episode 36 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Tune: “Free the Heel,” from Kitchen SessionArtists: Matt & Shannon Heaton Tune: "Hometown Lullaby," from Production Music Made for Irish Music StoriesArtist: Matt Heaton Tune: "The Priest and his Boots," from Cover the BuckleArtists: Seán Clohessy, Sean Mccomiskey, Kieran Jordan Tune: "D Chimes," from Production Music Made for Irish Music StoriesArtist: Matt Heaton Tune: "Poor Timing," f

What’s up with the endless cups of Irish tea? Is there something genuinely nourishing about a pile of french fries and melted cheese? Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Matthew Olwell, Jamie McClennan, and Matt Heaton help me digest the meaning behind the menu. And I’ve also got tasty tales from Kevin Doyle, Liz Carroll, John Williams, and Kathleen Conneely.  Plenty of music here, too. Full playlist below. * * * * * * * Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to Mark Johnson, Lynn Cox, Sharon Murphy, Valerie Watt, David Vaughan, Brian Benscoter, Joe Garrett, and Gerry Corr for underwriting this episode. Please CLICK here to support Irish Music Stories * * * * * * *Music Heard on IMS Episode 34 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Tune: “Free the Heel,” from Kitchen SessionArtist: Matt & Shannon Heaton Tune: “Grupai Memories,” from Production Music made for Irish Music StoriesArtist: Matt Heaton Tune: “Soggy’s Slip Jig,” from A Lovely MadnessArtist: Beoga Tune: “Little Bird Lullaby,” fro

Are Irish fairies REAL? And if so, could there be Sí folk living in New England?? Fiddle player Martin Hayes, singer Emily Smith, and storyteller Máirtín de Cógáin help me and this month’s co-producer Nigel Heaton investigate songs, stories, and possible gateways to the Otherworld. Plenty of music here, too. Full playlist below. * * * * * * * Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to Jonathan Duvick, Mark Haynes, Chris Murphy, David Vaughan, Brian Benscoter, Joe Garrett, and Gerry Corr  for underwriting this episode. Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast! * * * * * * * Visit IrishMusicStories.org * * * * * * * Music Heard on IMS Episode 34 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated Song: “Edwin of the Lowlands Low,” from Tell You in EarnestArtists: Matt & Shannon Heaton Tune: “Waimea Rising” from Vignette Artists: Maeve Gilchrist & Viktor Krauss Tune: “Rockabye by Firelight,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music StoriesArtist: Matt Heaton (guitar