In conversation with Eleanor McEvoy

John caught up with the wonderful and ever busy Eleanor McEvoy last week. Eleanor heads off to perform a list of shows in The USA The shows are listed below...

Tuesday, September 10 Williamstown Barn ConcertWilliamstown, MA

Thursday, September 12 Irish Arts Center553 West 51 StreetNew York, NY

Sunday, September 15 The Burren247 Elm StreetSomerville, MA

But before then you can catch her in The Olympia Dublin with her "Womans Heart" legion of female singer songwriters. Wed 28th to the 31st of August. For all tour dates however, you can check out her webpage: http://www.eleanormcevoy.com/tour/ 

1. When and why did you start playing?
I started playing piano at the age of 3....... because it was there I guess. Playing is as natural as breathing to me, it's unthinkable that I wouldn't play.

2. Which instruments do you play?
On stage mainly Fender Telecaster electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano and violin. (sometimes I also bring a bass, mandolin or ukelele). I'm also the worlds worst alto saxaphone player!

3. What was the first tune(s) you learned?
"Mama, We're All Crazee Now" by Slade. In Irish. For Slogadh. (Yes, really.)

4. Which other famous musicians do you admire? Why?
I love Bruce Springsteen because he has kept it about the music. It's not about pyrotechnics, costume changes or any other gimmicks, he just comes out on stage in jeans and a t shirt, straps on his guitar counts in his stunning band and off he goes.

5. Which famous musicians have you learned from?
Christy Moore, who after Planxty and Moving Hearts emerged as this utterly inspiring solo act, also Paul Brady, for his powerful and varied songwriting. Both have given me wonderful advice over the years.

6. Describe your first instrument.
A fairly old upright piano that sat in our living room. The 'B' above middle C was a bit wonky. It's mildly affected my perception of that note my whole life.

7. What are your fondest musical memories?
I used to love playing and singing with my brother Kieran and my sister Marion. A few years ago when my mother was very ill in hospital, we used to go in and play there and it was great to be playing and singing again with them. It brought back so many memories.

8. Were you influenced by old records & tapes? Which
Ones?
Yes, my sister was into Simon and Garfunkle, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell and my brother was into Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, my Dad was into Mahler, so I had a curious mix of influences. My grandmother's gramophone was in my bedroom and there was an interesting collection of records to accompany it. Sometimes I'd wind it up and blast out "Isle of Capri" on an old 78.

9. Who are your favorite musicians? Groups? CD's?
As regards Irish musicians, I think that the late Rory Gallagher was really something special. I'm also a big fan of Irish singer songwriter 'Mundy' but in general, I am constantly blown away by the talent I see in this country.

10. How do you handle mistakes during a performance?
When I perform, I try to capture some magic in the room, auditorium or club. It depends on a lot of things, the sound quality, my own state of mind, most of all the energy and personality of the audience. Mistakes really don't come into it.

11. What advice would you give to up and coming artists?
I'd tell them to try and keep it about the music.

12. How often and for how long do you practice?
It really depends. On the road I try and do an hour or so after the soundcheck. In an ideal world I would do a couple of hours a day.

13. You have a quite hectic career schedule. How do you
balance your music with other obligations - mate, children alone time?
It's all a bit of a juggling act  to be honest and in truth, sometimes I drop one of the balls. I just try and make sure that the ball I drop is never the child......

14. You have over 10 albums now recorded, will you continue
making new albums or will you take a break. Its 21 years now with A Womans
Heart. And the shows are still selling as strong as ever. Where do you see
yourself in 5 years?
Take a break? I'm consumed with ideas! Why would I take a break? I'd like to still be touring, collaborating with interesting singers and musicians. I'd also like to write for film and theatre. I also love the medium of radio, so would like to explore that avenue at some point.

Thank you for your time Eleanor.
John
Pleasure!

In conversation with James Cramer of Tupelo

Tupelo are an exciting, original, acoustic roots act consisting of an eclectic line-up of instruments which includes banjo, guitar, fiddle, double bass, mandolin, harmonica and dobro. 

They have just announced a 4-track EP teaser "Ballerinas Call" taken from their upcoming studio album PUSH ON which was produced by Joe Chester and mixed by Greg Calbi  (Beth Orton, The National, Fallout Boy, Bruce Springsteen) and gets its official release in early 2014. But for now the EP ‘Ballerinas Call’ showcases the variety and musicianship from one of Ireland rising bands and it out Sept 6^th on iTunes. We caught up with front man James Cramer to see what he has been up to and what his influences are.

James is the second on the left with the banjo. 1. When and why did you start playing? I heard Van Morrison singing when I was 9-10 and it dragged me in . 2. Which instruments do you play? I play guitar , banjo , harmonica and bozouki. 3. What was the first tune(s) you learned?  I learned 'In to the mystic' on the guitar. 4. Which famous musicians do you admire? Why?  I admire Andy Irvine for his commitment to the song , Van Morrison for his soul and singlemindness and Bruce Springsteen for all those songs and showing people how to put on a SHOW. 5. Which famous musicians have you learned from? We played some gigs with Imelda May a few years back and we were having a pint after the gig and she said 'Just keep going , it'll happen' . There is no better thing in life when perservence and belief collide. 6. Describe your first instrument.  My first instrument was a piano my Nana bought me when I was about 3-4. She came from the tenements in town in Summerhill and then they moved to Cabra . She told me she never had the money to buy her children an instrument or send them to lessons so she saved up and bought me one. I wrote my first songs on that piano and I suppose that's where it all began. 7. What are your fondest musical memories? I started a band when I was 14. I booked us our 1st gig in Frazer's in O Connell St in Dublin. We had 2 songs together , so by booking the gig it put the pressure on . We rehearsed every day all day that summer and we had 20 songs ready for the big gig! We soundchecked and everything was great , we went off for a bag of chips and came back to go and do the gig , the bouncer wouldn't let us in to our own show. We were all 14,15,16. The promoter had to sneak us in up the back stairs. 8. Were you influenced by old records & tapes? Which ones? Yes , all I listened to was old music when I started out and still do mainly. Country , Gospel , Blues and proper R n B . When I got into Van I was reading up on what he used to listen to. So what you do is you go back , you must go back, and its a treasure trove for a kid who has not been exposed to this ever. I used to listen to on repeat Leadbelly 'Midnight Special' album, Hank Williams'Cold Cold Heart ' album, and John Lee Hookers ' Collection' over and over. 9. Who are your favorite musicians? Groups? CD's?  I love Pete Seeger , Bruce , Dylan , Van, Liam Clancy , Luke Kelly , Tommy Makem, Richard Thompson, it goes on , how long is this interview! The Stones and Them are my band's. Current ones are The Avett Bros , Bon Iver, Band of Horses, Old Crow Medicine Show. 10. How do you handle mistakes during a performance?  Mistakes happen , but that's where rehearsal and an understanding as a band comes in . Sometimes a mistake brings something great because it opens up a space and some thing needs to fill it , and that then creates spontaneity which is the 'Magic'. 11. How often and for how long do you practice?  At least 2 hours a day sometimes 4-5 . 12. The new EP has a very different sound to it from the  older material, how did this transition occur or did you make the decision as a band to try a new sound? It wasn't a conscious thing its just the songs I was writing at that particular time were different to the first album , like the songs I'm writing now they are totally different to the new album coming. There is no point making the same album again, you have to keep it moving for the band , your audience and your sanity. Thanks, James

Haim have a brand new single and its pretty darn good

Can Haim write a bad song. Nope. Didn't think so. Californian sisters HAIM have yet to release an LP, but when they do, it is going to be an absolute masterpiece of robust rock n roll that will shake some tail feathers. The trio's batch of singles just get better and bigger with each release, and “The Wire” doesn't disappoint.  Check it out!

Senakah; Human Relations doesn't disappoint

Rob Hopes surging vocals all across this soundscope is vastly impressive. Matched in places by Yvonne Conatys lush harmonies and dual lead lines, Human Relations lives up to all expectations that their debut album 'Sweeter than bourbon' left on the listeners palate. 

The albums stand out tracks for me are Training Wheels and Ugly, but it flows so well you can make up your own mind about that one.

The video for Ugly has already attracted over 280,000 hits on YouTube and is well worth checking out. The less exaggerated hype around this band, unlike Daft Punk ( in your face best thing since sliced bread), is realised in this stunning second attempt.