Justin Grounds describes himself as a violinist and composer. He explains, “Because violin is where I go to first, and composing is my favourite thing to do. And the way that that then manifests itself in my daily life is teaching, performing, making records, and whatever comes.” He is refreshing […]
Music
I recently became a first time father. (Don’t worry I won’t start any sentences with, “As a parent…!”) Yesterday, I was listening to a live recording of Sammy Davis Jr. from 1973 singing his signature song, Mr. Bojangles, and when he got to the point where he impersonates the titular persona, […]
One of Ireland’s best small music festivals, The Baltimore Fiddle Fair (May 9–12, 2019), has built a loyal following of music fans from all over the world who return to the beautiful seaside village year after year. They do so to sample the unique delights of this remarkable little festival […]
Guitarist Bill Shanley is a Clonakilty-born session musician, songwriter, performer, and bandleader. He has performed and recorded with Sinéad O’Connor, Mary Black, Liam Clancy, Black Francis (of The Pixies), Paul Brady and Roy Harper, amongst many others. Though he left his childhood home of Shanley’s pub in Clon for Dublin […]
After over 30 solo albums and over 55 years in the music business, Roy Harper still has a lot to say. Although 77, he says, “I’ve never thought of myself as old yet”, but admits that this will be his last tour. WCP: You’re often classified as a folk musician. […]
Ahead of his charity gig for the Ethiopia Deaf Project in the Celtic Ross Hotel on February 9, I interviewed radio DJ Ronan Collins about his years of working in the music industry. His daily show on Radio 1 is the most listened-to music show in the country. How did […]