Where I grew up ‘collaborator’ was not a good word. But in musical terms, collaboration can breathe fresh life into your creative output.

In the case of Absentee lead vocalist Dan Michaelson, getting together with a bunch of fellow musicians he previously regarded principally as friends – Henry Spenner from Fields, Romeo Stodart from the Magic Numbers, Tom Gorbut and Henry Clarke from Rumblestrips – offered a way out of the corner he had painted himself into with his regular group. His new project is called The Coastguards and debut album Saltwater is a beguiling mix of folk and the blues. Definitely worth splashing out on.
Closer to home, but still on the subject of collaboration, Kieran Goss long ago realised the value of working with a variety of different fellow travelers. Goss, of course, first pitched up on the shores of the public’s consciousness two decades back when he worked with Frances Black. Having forged ahead as a solo artist notching up a string of solo hits he also came to the realisation that this type of approach was never going to give full rein to the full extent of his creativity.
So he began to explore the possibilities of co-writing. Indeed some of his most enduring songs have been collaborative compositions. Over the last few years Goss and ex-schoolmate Brendan Murphy of the Four Of Us have been beavering away quietly but productively on songs that don’t quite fit either on Four Of Us records or an any Kieran Goss solo release.
In the weeks ahead you can see Kieran as he tours the country. Accompanied by Ann Kinsella on vocals and Gareth Hughes on double bass – the ensemble that made last year’s Trio Live album – the tour takes in the Glor Irish Music Centre in Ennis on Thursday February 12, The Hawk’s Well Theatre in Sligo on Saturday February 14, a hometown gig in the Canal Court Hotel in Newry on Sunday February 15, a visit to the Ardilaun Hotel in Galway on Thursday February 19, a gig in Kilkenny’s Watergate Theatre on Friday February 20 and a night at the Pavilion in Cork on Saturday February 28.
Also taking some time out from their main careers, Dervish’s Cathy Jordan, ex-bandmate Seamie O’Dowd and Californian Rick Epping have come together as Unwanted to record Music From The Atlantic Fringes an album of songs that have criss-crossed the Atlantic.
The connection between Irish music and the music of the Appalachians in particular has been long acknowledged but Unwanted brings it out of the scholarly relam and back into the real world of music, keeping the arrangements uncomplicated and the performances superlative.
With Cathy’s voice to the fore the album also allows Seamie O’Dowd to deliver some blistering dobro playing alongside his trademark fingerstyle guitar. Rick Epping brings some authentic jaw harp, harmonica and concertina playing to the party. The album is launched in the Glens Centre in Manorhamilton an Friday February 13 and the trio will also be playing in the Crane Bar in Galway on Sunday February 15 – an early gig – and in the Strand Bar in Strandhill on Monday