Méara Meara at The Burren in Boston

About 3-4 years ago, Dylan and I met an uillean piper named Keegan. Keegan began cyberschooling (homeschooling on the computer) in January. We love to exchange tunes, arrange tune sets, and we played a few gigs together in March. We decided to give a name to our group. It took a while to decide, but we finally settled on the name Méara Meara, which means “lively fingers” in Irish. We have been playing with Keegan a lot more during the past few months. 

Our most recent gig was at The Burren in Boston. Dylan and I played at The Burren in November 2014, when we opened for Kevin Crawford and Cillian Vallely. Brian O’Donovan, the man who organizes and hosts The Burren Backroom Series, asked if Méara Meara would like to come and perform sometime. We gladly accepted, letting our moms work out the details.

A month ago, Méara Meara opened for The Máirtín O’Connor Trio. I had never met them before, so I was very excited to hear them play. It took about seven hours to drive to Boston, during some of which Dylan drove close to a Megabus to get Keegan enough Free Wifi to complete a Biology test. 

We stayed with Lindsay and Brian O’Donovan, unpacked our bags, visited a bit, and drove to The Burren for soundcheck. It took about fifteen minutes for our soundcheck, then The Máirtín O’Connor Trio sound-checked while we ate dinner. Afterwards, we met the members of the trio, Máirtín O'Connor, Cathal Hayden, and Séamie O’Dowd. Séamie and Dylan had fun trying out each other's guitars. We took several pictures with them before we were called onstage. 

Everything in the Backroom at The Burren Series is on live radio, so after we played our first set of tunes, Brian asked us a few questions about our group, then we played some of our favorite barn dances, McLaughlin's/Memories of Sligo/Dances at Kinvara, which you can listen to HERE. 

After playing a few more sets and singing a song, The Hare's Lament, which you can watch and listen to HERE, we left the stage to The Máirtín O’Connor Trio. They played a lovely variety of music, from jigs and reels, to a piece by Handel called The Arrival of The Queen of Sheba, which you can listen to HERE, I had never heard an Irish group play classical music like Handel, before! These are musicians who think outside the box. With multiple All Ireland Championships under their belts, their experience produces stunning variations and dynamic harmonies. 

Our trip to Boston wasn't just about music. We took in some of the sights, and took plenty of pictures while doing so. 

Among Quincy's Market and historical landmarks, there was one place in the north end of Boston that was particularly memorable. La Famiglia Giorgio, an Italian restaurant, was by far my favorite stop of the trip. The menu options made it especially difficult to decide, but I ended up ordering a marinara meat sauce over tortellini, breaking out of my Irish pasta-shell for the evening. I thoroughly enjoyed every divine bite, and look forward to my next trip to The Burren.

Heart on a String CD Release

This week I have some incredibly exciting news to share with you: Dylan and I have just released our debut CD called Heart on a String!

We've been working on this CD since November 2014 and have been looking forward to sharing this information with everyone we know.

We recorded a wide repertoire of tunes, most of which are our favorites. In the selecting process, my main focus was to use more traditional Sligo style tunes, which I learned from recordings of great Irish fiddlers such as Andy McGann, Paddy Reynolds, Sean Maguire, Martin Wynne, and Michael Coleman. My teacher Brian Conway taught me many of these tunes, which he learned from Andy McGann and Martin Wynne.

It was a long process through which I've grown as a person and a musician in self-discipline and patience.

Pre-Production: On Our Mark!
At the outset of this project, we knew we wanted to use our favorite tunes. We played around with various jigs, reels, hornpipes, and even barn dances, gathering them into an assortment of sets. Some we knew, without a doubt, we were going to use. Sitting in our living room with a notebook, we worked through our tunes, rearranging tunes into sets, and jotting down the best of the best as we played them. 

Dylan listened to me play the melody as he worked out his dynamic guitar variations for each one. Some sets, we'd play only one time before we were absolutely sure it would be on the CD--it just sparked, "This is it!" Practicing 3-4 sets a day over a two week period, we settled on the final set list and were ready to plan the recording sessions for production.

Production: Get Set!
John Whelan is not only a fabulous accordion player, he is also a veteran recording artist. I met him for the first time when I was seven years old. He has been a mentor to me in so many different ways, and I was ecstatic when we decided to record with him. But, between his traveling for gigs and work with other musicians, scheduling recording time with him meant many weeks before we would have a finished product. We met once a month over a four month period, in both his Connecticut studio, and our own in home studio. Once we laid down our fourteen tracks in the studio, they were passed into the hands of our sound engineer, Thomas Boyer, for the final mix and mastering. 

Meanwhile, we were busy planning the cover design and program notes. We used photos from a November photo shoot at various picturesque venues in Providence, Rhode Island with Matt Ferrara, the graphic designer for our CD.

Post-Production: Go!
With digital files and graphic design complete, it was time to manufacture the finished product. That's where our "momager" took the wheel and steered us to our release date. We manufactured the physical CD through Disk Maker, and have the digital download available through CD Baby. The finished product we titled, Heart on a String, is marketed in a trifold pocket CD holder, in addition to the digital download.

We are so happy to say it's finally finished. If you'd like to purchase a CD, you can find the digital download here on CD Baby or the physical copy here on our website!

You can also purchase autographed CDs at one of our gigs. To see upcoming performances dates, click here for our website calendar.

Tuneful Interviews: Dylan Richardson

Dog whisperer, avocado avoider, good-humored and intelligent--join me today for a quiz visit with my brother, Dylan Richardson, a multi-instrumentalist, musical accompanist, and tune composer. 

At seventeen years old, Dylan has been playing guitar for twelve years. He started with conventional guitar lessons from the age of six until he was thirteen years old. Besides summer camps and a few Skype lessons with Zac Leger (Irish music mentor), he has been largely self taught in Irish guitar accompaniment as well as banjo, bouzouki, and mandolin. He has won 1st place in the under 13 accompaniment competition at the Maryland State Fleadh, and in August of 2011 he qualified to compete in the All-Ireland Fleadh under 15 accompaniment competition. In addition to backing up melody players, he enjoys composing tunes for them. 

Credit: Matt Ferrara Photography

The main focus of this interview is Dylan's work accompanying melody instruments. In my opinion, Dylan is a fantastic accompaniment talent and my favorite guitarist with whom to perform. He is also the main accompanist on my soon to be released debut CD.

What's it like being an accompanist?

Nobody really recognizes you, unless they have a similar appreciation and knowledge of accompaniment. You don't want to be the center of attention at all. The accompanist mainly pulls the melody together by adding down beats and more complex rhythm.

What's the most important thing about being an accompanist?

To know when not to play and what not to play. Also, to know what not to add. Rhythm is a big part of being an accompanist. If you add too much it can crowd the melody, if you add too little, it doesn't quite enhance the melody and can change the listeners perception of the tune. It's a lot to think about at first, but once you get the feel for it, it becomes easier. Many accompanists only really want to hear themselves and what they are doing, they don't really take enhancing the tune into consideration.

What was your favorite gig to play and why?

A recent gig we played at The Burren was my favorite. We opened for Kevin Crawford and Cillian Vallely. It was a good atmosphere to play in. The crowd really appreciated traditional Irish music. The sound technician was phenomenal in capturing the true sound of each instrument. And the hospitality from The Burren was incredible in making us feel welcome during our first visit to Boston.

What inspired you to play the guitar?

I don't remember really. I think I just liked the way it sounded. 

 What other accompanists do you enjoy listening to?

John Doyle and Eamon O'Leary as solo or duo accompanists are two of my absolute favorite players because of their ability to work together with two completely different styles. I love the way they enhance each other's playing and accompany other musicians.

Who has most influenced your style of playing and why?

John Doyle because I have learned great tips from him such as, how to keep the tempo going, how to work with varying rhythmic patterns, and to work out nice accompanying variations whilst keeping an imitative rhythmic percussion.

How can you vary the rhythm?

Difference in downbeats, accents in the up strokes, triplets, quadruplets, and change in the overall picking pattern within the tune, are some of the variations I use.


Currently, Dylan and I keep a busy schedule of gigs, but his plans for the future include a possible career in sound engineering, growing as a professional guitar accompanist, and pursuing his love of photography. 

Christmas Tea

One Tuesday this past December, I had a wonderful joy-filled Christmas Tea with Miss. Kathy. We had some fun with the mischievous elves - Desmond and Sebastian, and took a few pictures. For more Christmas Tea fun, be sure to check out Miss. Kathy at The Writers Reverie.

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." 

- Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Desmond and Sebastian planning mischief, perhaps?

Sebastian with the party.

Copperfield on the hunt for cheese and apples.

It looks as if Sebastian and Desmond have already stolen some for him!

Miss. Kathy and I prepared some wonderful cookies for our tea!

Here's a recipe for the cookies I made!

Spritz Cookies

3 1/2 Cups All-Purpose Flour

1 Teaspoon Baking Powder

1 1/2 Cups Butter, softened

1 Cup Granulated Sugar

1 Egg

2 Tablespoons Milk

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1 Teaspoon Almond Extract

Sprinkles, etc.

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees

- Mix dry ingredients. 

- In separate bowl, use electric mixer to beat butter and sugar fluffy and light.

- To the butter and sugar mixture, add in egg, milk, and extracts.

- Slowly add dry ingredients and beat till well mixed.

- Put in cookie press with the shape disks of your choice (does not need to be chilled).

- Press individual cookies onto an un-greased cookie sheet.

- Decorate with sprinkles, etc. as desired.

- Bake 10-12 minutes until light golden brown.

- Let cool on rack after 2 minutes cooling on sheet.

Yum!

It's time to put away all of the Christmas decorations now that we've begun the new year. However, spritz cookies are good for enjoying anytime, especially with a nice cup of tea.

Sharing Christmas Tea this week with:

Let’s Talk Vintage with Jill at Bella Rosa Antiques

Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at Delightsome Life

Sandi’s Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage

Ruth’s Antiques and Teacups

An Irish Christmas at Symphony Space in New York City

A few days before Christmas, I had the pleasure of joining Mick Moloney and his band in two nights of An Irish Christmas.

When I arrived at Symphony Space in New York City on Friday, I found Mick, who was playing tunes with Billy McComiskey. After greeting them, I joined in on a song. Eventually, it was time for sound check where we rehearsed a few sets, too. Then, we waited, talking to members of the band until it was time for the show. A few photographers joined us and did a photo-shoot for next year's concert.

My mom and I listened to the first half with the audience. It was very interesting to hear the many different Irish Christmas songs. My favorite song was one Liz Hanley sung called, Christmas in the Trenches. Afterward, I listened backstage until I was called out for the last three sets.

The crowd was very large and welcoming. I joined the band for The Wren Song, The January Man, and finished with a set of reels. I loved being on stage with Mick and the band. They are all a joy to perform with.

The next day, Mick arranged a set for me to play with Athena and Liz, who both play fiddle. I listened to the show from backstage and again, joined the band for the last few sets in the second half. In the set with Athena and Liz, I started with a solo and played The Fisherman's Island, a reel by Ed Reavy. Then, the girls joined in and played The Shoemaker's Daughter, another reel by Ed Reavy. We finished with The Wren Song, The January Man, and the set of three reels.

It was great fun to play with the band and I am very excited to join them next year.

A Day in Boston

I left on Wednesday with Mom and Dylan, destination Boston. It took around six hours to get from New Jersey to Massachusetts. We drove to the bed and breakfast first to get settled in and ready for our gig.

Soon we arrived at The Burren, a very nice pub that hosts concerts regularly in a series that is broadcast on the radio, called the Burren Backroom Series. Dylan and I were opening for Cillian Vallely and Kevin Crawford, two wonderful Irish musicians who also play in a well known group called Lúnasa. I have played tunes many times before with Cillian and Kevin at The Swannanoa Gathering.

We were guided to the "green room" at The Burren where we stored instrument cases, took our instruments out, and listened to Kevin and Cillian's soundcheck before doing our own. Then, Dylan and I rehearsed a few sets before dinner. That's where we met Brian O'Donovan, who is the host for nearly all of the Burren Backroom Series events.

By the time we finished dinner, the show was about to start and Brian told us how it was going to run. When we were announced we went right into our first set. Afterwards, Brian asked us a few questions about when we started playing and specifics about the last set.

The show flowed smoothly and I loved playing at this event. It was very enjoyable.

After we played and a slight break, Kevin and Cillian took the stage. I love listening to Kevin and Cillian perform. They sound amazing because they have played together for almost twenty years--flute and pipes. Sometimes they do a tune with the low whistles in unique variations, and Kevin always makes funny remarks about random little things that occur during the show.




Before Kevin and Cillian played their last set, they invited Dylan and me up on stage to play a final set with them, a set of reels--finishing with The Bucks of Oranmore.

Playing at The Burren was loads of fun and I hope to do so again sometime soon.

Brock McGuire Band

Recently, I attended a wonderful concert by the Brock McGuire Band. One of the members, Manus McGuire, I met at the Swannanoa Gathering camp about four years ago. I contacted Manus telling him we were coming to his concert, and he was so excited because it had been so long since we last saw him. 

When we arrived in the city, we ate in a retro 80s diner, that wasn't very crowded, before going to the venue. Prior to the show, I met up with Manus, who asked me to play a few tunes with him during one of the sets. We decided on a set of reels towards the end of the show.

The opening act played a bluegrass sort of style--all their numbers were old-time folk songs. I thought it was interesting to hear different song styles. They sounded awesome, too!

There was a slight intermission and then the Brock McGuire Band went on. I had never heard the whole group before, only Manus playing solo. They sounded fantastic! I love the whole dynamic of the band and the way they did things differently, like playing a set of a reel, a jig, then another reel. This was unusual because usually Irish musicians play a set of reels or a set of jigs. Typically, the jigs and reels are not combined. Even when they are, musicians play the jig first because of its slower tempo. They were able to make it work because of the clever way the transitions were arranged.

Towards the end, when they called me up onto the stage, I was very excited. I played a solo reel, then, Manus joined me in a reel. I thought I would only play one set, however, he asked me if I'd like to play another couple of tunes with him and of course I said, "Yes." So, we played a duet set of reels together. I had so much fun!

After the show I was greeted by some of the audience who enjoyed my playing. The band sent me home with three CD's to listen to on our long drive home. The pianist, Denis Carey, gave me a tune book with all of his compositions, all of which I was very eager to learn. 

It was great fun to see and play with Manus, and I hope to have the pleasure again sometime in the near future!