Song Fest Musician Insights, Derry, Northern Ireland

Song Fest was commissioned by Peace III in celebration of traditional song from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales with concerts and talks in Donegal and Derry City.

At a forum on July 19th four women musicians who would later perform together in a concert called Song Sisters talked about their early influences in traditional music.

Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh – Ireland “Most songs are written from a man’s perspective. There are very few gaelic women songwriters. Melody is older than song. Language changes to make it meaningful. Gaelic songs are little pictures that you string together. This is often why you tell a story before you sing them.”

Eddie Reader – Scotland “I learned music through rock and roll language. When I began going to folk clubs I gained a foundation in cultural music and knowing what songs and stories you belong to.” She has been working on a Robbie Burns project setting the poems to music.

Julie Murphy – Wales “I didn’t grow up with folk music it was after art school. It doesn’t matter how you come to the music, but that you do. 16th century Welsh songs feel contemporary. They are about love, politics, the ruin of forests.” She moved from Essex to southern Wales and learned the language and with her partner collects and records the old songs.

Jackie Oates “I live in Devon where the Brythonic language is dying out, but there are many musicians and poets. My parents influenced me and were Morris dancers and part of the folk song revival. I trained in classical music.” She sings traditional songs and also plays fiddle.

Following a lunch time concert that included all presenters, there were interviews with some of the men.

Ceri Rhys Mathews – Wales: “If you want to change your world, change a note.” He began the conversation by playing a flute and without words opened up the conversation to what he called a ramble.

Martin Carthy – England “My grandfather was from Northern Ireland. Some Irish went to America and flourished. Other Irish went to London and disappeared. They changed their religion, their name all to be invisible, so they could live.” He is considered to be one of the finest English folk singers.

And my new favorite opening for a folk song is from a Scottish singer who didn’t give his name. “Here is a song of unrequested love.”