Part of the union

Following the inaugural meeting of the Traditional Section of the Musicians’ Union of Ireland (MUI) on 15 April, a further meeting was held at Liberty Hall on the 29th at which an interim committee was elected. For the moment, the committee has eight members: Niall Ó Callanáin (who’s been spearheading the effort to get the new section up and running), Paul Bradley, Joe Brennan, Cormac de Barra, Brian Fleming, Emer Mayock, Bernie Ní Mhuircheartaigh and Melanie O’Reilly. It’s anticipated that the composition of the committee will change once further meetings are held elsewhere around the country, either by adding committee members based outside Dublin or by electing a new committee: “We want to make sure people understand that it’s not a Dublin thing,” says Niall.

A wide number of issues were raised at the two meetings, including tax on music earnings and the question of IMRO collecting royalties for performance of traditional material, but by far the foremost concern among attendees was that musicians are earning less now than in the past; several speakers spoke of undercutting by fellow musicians. In general, there would appear to be a need for set rates to be agreed upon in the areas of gigs, recording sessions and tours. However, as Niall points out, “until a stage of critical mass is reached, there’s very little we can achieve, so the main thing at the moment is working on recruitment.”

While his own focus has been on the establishment of the traditional section, the union is open to all musicians, writers and teachers of music, and there have also been moves to set up a section for songwriters and composers.

Further meetings will take place over the next few months in centres around the country. If you’d like to facilitate a meeting in your area, contact Niall at or John Swift at the MUI on (01) 858 6404, Email .

The group Danú has been going through a few lineup changes lately. Vocalist Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh from Dingle, Co. Kerry, is taking over from Ciarán Ó Gealbhain, who’s leaving the band to study Irish at University College Cork, while guitarist Donal Clancy (formerly with Solas) replaces Noel Ryan, who’s taking a break from touring to settle down with his fiancée in Ennis, Co. Clare. “No fall-outs or anything,” emphasises Oisín McAuley, fiddle player with the band. “Danú is one of the hardest working bands of the moment, sometimes playing 200 concerts a year, and the road just isn’t for everyone.”

Muireann grew up in the Dún Chaoin Gaeltacht and plays flute in addition to singing in both contemporary and sean nós styles; she recently completed an MA in traditional music at the University of Limerick. Donal got his start playing with his father, Liam Clancy of Clancy Brothers fame, and was as it happens a founder member of Danú before leaving to live in New York – where he still resides with his partner, box player Mary Rafferty, who used to play with Cherish The Ladies.

Old and new members alike have been busy sourcing material for the group’s forthcoming third album, due to be recorded in May, with Garry Ó Briain producing and Bruno Staehlin engineering. It should be out on the Shanachie label by early next year at the latest – we’ll keep you posted!

Karan Casey has a new CD coming out this month. Produced by Donald Shaw and entitled Distant Shore, it’s her third solo recording and will be available on Vertical Records, with Irish distribution through Gael Linn. Haven’t seen it myself as yet, but I’m told that it includes songs by John Spillane and Louis de Paor (a.k.a. the Gaelic Hit Factory), Billy Bragg and Tim O’Brien, as well as traditional material, plus an original composition by Karan herself. Joining Karan’s usual backing band (Niall Vallely on concertina and Robbie Overson on guitar) are guest musicians including the celebrated American banjo player Dirk Powell and Mancunian icons Michael McGoldrick and Dezi Donnelly. Karan also duets with vocalists Karen Matheson of Capercaillie, John Spillane and Tim O’Brien. Look out for gigs at the Lobby in Cork on Saturday 10 May and Mother Redcaps in Dublin on Saturday 7 June; also see .

Just got word of a new acoustic music venue up in Grange, Co. Sligo. Run by Colin Gillen, Barry’s Public House hosts an open mic night on the last Friday of every month, featuring all classes of music from traditional to blues and singer/songwriters. Amy Rigby performed at the pub on her recent Irish tour; upcoming shows include fiddling sisters Liz & Yvonne Kane on 11 May, John Spillane on 30 May, songwriters Wally Page and Johnny Mulhearne on 15 June, and piper Emer Mayock with guitarist Donal Siggins on 4 July. “We’ve only recently taken over this premises,” says Colin, “and we’re keen to promote Barry’s as a live music venue for trad, folk and all else that gets the blood flowing and feet tapping!” For further info, ring (071) 917 3111 or Email .

Traditional singer Lasairfhíona Ní Chonaola, whose gorgeous debut CD An Raicín Álainn made this writer’s list of top 10 folk/trad albums for 2002, is currently taking part in Féile na bhFilí/Festival Of The Poets (Cuairt Nam Bard) in Scotland, with gigs in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. She’s also launched an updated version of her website, . To celebrate the relaunch, two lucky winners can win a signed copy of An Raicín Álainn. Email your entry with the answer to the question “Where was Lasairfhíona’s CD launched?” to . The closing date is 31 May, and winners will be announced on 1 June.

A couple of years ago, the Dublin-based world percussion and trad music group De Jimbe met up with Heartbeat Percussion from Singapore at the World Drum Festival in Seoul, Korea. Since then, they’ve collaborated at concerts and festivals in Korea and Singapore, but never in Ireland – until now. A delegation from Heartbeat Percussion will visit this country from 29 May through 4 June, and coming up at Mother Redcap’s on Saturday 31 May is what promises to be a most interesting gig featuring eight musicians from the Singapore group together with the seven members of De Jimbe. For more info, see www.dejimbe.com.

Musicians and singers with news to share can e-mail Sarah on [email protected]