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Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Hello,
I’m playing in band from Poland – Beltaine. We’re going to Ireland in September 2005. Of course it would be great to play there, so I have a question: Do you know any pub, places or concert agency which could help us to organize concerts? If you can help me, you can write it there or contact by e-mail: jasiek@beltaine.art.pl , for any further information about a band check out our website – www.beltaine.art.pl . Greetings ;)
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
We have counted 21 bands here ;) But maybe 10 are regularly playing, and only some of them has a recorded CD. If you want to hear how it sounds check our website - www.beltaine.art.pl , we have a samples of our music, and of course if you are interested try links to find another bands.
It is great that almost in every country you can find irish music band this music is connecting people
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
jasiek, maybe you could work out an exchange: you help an Irish group that plays traditional Polish music get a gig in Poland, and they can help you find an Irish gig in Ireland.
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
stefanpaz: Of course it would be great to tour around Ireland, but I don't know if it will be possible. We don't want just to go to Ireland, only to play concerts, but also to visit the country, we want to take our girlfriends with us Maybe it's just an utopia, you know, to travel from one place to another and sometimes to play a gig, but why we shouldn't try?
Do you have any polish roots? spoko
Kerri Brown: Yeah, that's a good idea But I don't know if this type of band even exist. I think that just an irish band, playing irish music will find a big auditorium here in Poland. This music is very popular in Poland, except for bands we have an irish dance groups. We are co-organisers of two big "celtic" festivals, and there are of course more such events.
Maybe anybody know group who could "exchange"? but even necessarily. Everybody are welcome
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Heheh, I suppose Kerri wasn't too serious when talking about Polish trad bands from Ireland. Our folk culture is not THAT trendy... yet. Just you wait, Paddies.
On the other hand, they have a Polish folk ensemble in Manchester, so why not create one in Ireland? Certainly it will be much more original than just another of youse Irish trad bands (who would bear another North Cregg or Lunasa? Aw right... I would. Bad example)
What regards Stefanpaz and his spoko, to jest jego staly tekst, ktorym czestuje wszystkich Polaków na tej stronie, nauczyl sie go od bywalców róznych sesji. Impressed me anyway.
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
OK, to be completely straight (just this once) lots of people in this forum probably think you're crazy to try to find gigs in Ireland, playing Irish music, when you aren't from Ireland.
I've done it and seen it done, so it isn't impossible. You have to turn up at exactly the right place at exactly the right time and meet exactly the right person, so unless your life is charmed like mine you might will it much easier to get gigs outside of Ireland. Maybe book a tour across France on your way or something. The French won't give a fiddler's fart if you're Irish or not as long as the music is good.
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Well, I just made that up, to be honest. It might be true though. I assumed they wouldn't care because they seem think of everyone who isn't French as the same category of contemptible trash.
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Anything's possible. I once saw a group of Germans in Frankfurt in a variety of North American native costumes playing South American - type pan pipe music.
Very enjoyable, they were, and they pulled a big crowd.
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
From what I've observed; if you have an Irish trad band and you aren't from Ireland -- or you aren't even Irish, you can get gigs outside of Ireland. If you want to get gigs in Ireland -- play Polish folk music (or whatever the music is where you're from) If you want to go to Ireland and travel around playing in sessions -- that's great fun. But I wouldn't pin too many hopes on getting much in the way of gigs for your ITM band. You'd have to be something pretty spectacular (maybe you are) before you could have a lot of success doing that.
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
I don't know for sure, but I'd bet money that Jack is right (unless you have Kerri's luck). There are so many great Irish musicians in Ireland that there aren't enough gigs to support them. When Irish musicians want to make enough money to support themselves, they mostly have to tour abroad.
On the other hand, I know a dozen or so American acoustic singer/songwriters who regularly tour in Ireland and do very well there.
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
I have to agree with Jack too. I've always figured that as a Yank trying to play Irish music in Ireland or British music in England was rather like taking rocks painted black to Newcastle.
Woody Guthrie, Huddie Ledbetter and blues go down just fine though, which I can do like I was born to it, and they can't.
The whole idea of trade is to bring them something that's common from where you are that *they don't have.* You can't sell an imported "imitation" item where the real thing is lying around at people's feet and they just kick it out of the way because it isn't worth the trouble to pick it up.
Thinking like a manager here's what I would do if I were you; put together a couple of sets of Polish folk music, sprinkled liberally with Klezmer (it's the Eastern European music that's closest to Irish in spirit, and it's hot). That's what you sell to Ireland. Throw in some of your Irish tunes here and there, only a couple a set, just to show where you're coming from and that you appreciate the local culture, without ever actually trying to be Irish.
While you're touring Ireland and doing the tourist thing take in all the Irish music you can and *listen and learn.* Make your trip into a Holy Pilgramage to where the music lives in its native state.
Now, here's the good part, start booking your return tour to Poland even before you go to Ireland, as a Polish Irish band fresh from travels in the Holy Land itself. In Poland this will give you the aura of being the "real deal," whereas in Ireland you're always going to Polish musicians no matter what you play.
Now you've effected a proper international trade where evenyone comes out with something they didn't have before, and you profit from it.
Anyway, that's what I'd do.
". . .unless you have Kerri's luck. . ."
I'm not entirely sure it was Kerri's luck, but I've already addressed that issue in another thread.
Maybe it was the teeth.
Oh, and I have one great-grandfather who was Polish, although my grandmother always tried to deny it. She was from Minsk.
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Janek: Just didn't expect such hidden joke here.
I've heard about polish ensembles in USA and Canada, so that's
why I took this joke serious. By the way, one of the most prime rock
group in Norway are playing Polish folk. Everything is possible.
Co do Stefana to już wiem, napisał mi na priv
Thank you for all advises. Maybe I didn't wrote how exactly my band is.
We're not playing only Irish music, but Bretonian, Scottish and even a little Polish folk,
and Klezmer recently. So, that's why maybe we have a little chance. We are not playing
very traditional, sometimes it is closer to rock band than to folk.. hmm..
Grego: haha I know one Polish who tried to sing German, and he even started in eurovision song contest.
GaryAMartin:
"..I know a dozen or so American acoustic singer/songwriters who regularly tour in Ireland and do very well there.
.."
Yes, sometimes you just need to find a good way.
dirtyhell: hmmmmm.. Germans again..:> One time I've tried to find a German's group playing irish, and they were really good.
KFG: Thanks for advises. I'll keep it in my mind. But I know bands from Poland who found a gigs in Ireland.
Some of them are very known, some less. One of the band found a gig by a makers of pipes they have.
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Some years ago we played loads of Polish and Ukrainian stuff while busking around Ireland and the reception was quite amazing, but then again it was just busking and earning for "a glass of bread" nothing serious.
During the pub sessions, however, it was ITM exclusively and no one really noticed where we were from. Actually some guys confided to us whispering "Ahh... those bloody pushy tourists. They're everywhere thinking the session is some f...ing ZOO"
Rare ould times... chlip chlip..
Good luck!
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
not to complain - there were majority of nice adventures. Everywhere we went we experienced really friendly approach. One time in Dublin we spotted Garda officer watching us very closely for something like ten minutes. We thought: "trouble ahead" but anyway we played on for that 10 minutes without stopping not to let him remove us (as we experienced this in London). We hoped don't know what - maybe that he will get bored and go away...
After we ran out of ideas and finally finished the set, theGarda came up to us, tossed a pound into our cap and said "I don't mind you playing here but there is a better "busking point" up the street. See there? by the store. Go there, you'll earn more"
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
". . .then again it was just busking . . . "
Ahhhh, Grasshopper, you have much to learn. "Just busking" often means drawing a larger audience and making more money than you could at a "proper" club gig.
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Jasiek,
I read your posting about Beltaine's touring ambitions. Good luck in your quest to tour the Emerald Isle. I looked at your website and it appears as though you have assembled quite a good group.
Likewise, the Sprigs have been discussing a tour of Poland for quite some time. We have toured France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg and Germany a number of times. We would be interested in what advice you will offer us as to making a two weekend tour of Poland. We are also open to other countries in the nearby region. We are eager to see such cities as Biaylstok, Cracow, Lublin, Warsaw and Gdansk!!!
We have also brought Irish musicians to Chicago (including Distant Shores of France for a two week stint!)
Why not take a little time to check out our website and links? www.thesprigs.com
There you will find that Brendan Bulger (All Ireland Fiddle, Master Class Instructor), Jim Conway (Mouth Box Legend) and/or Brendan McGinney (All Ireland Flute and Bagpipes), and myself are the ideal intoduction to Poland as exponents of Irish American music.
At our website you will find that Billy Knox also backs people like Tommy Peoples, John Williams, Kathleen Keane, Chico Malo, Larry Nugent, Jimmy Keane and many, many others.
Even more sensational things can be discovered about Brendan Bulger (an All-Ireland Fiddle Champion and Master Class Instructor) and his latest CD produced by Dennis Cahill (Martin Hayes' fame):
Jim Conway is Chicago's foremost pennywhistler. He is also a harmonicist and has just released a solo CD with America's best Borhradn player Jackie Moran. The CD also features Dennis Cahill and Howard Levy.
Brendan McGinney is also an All-Ireland Champion (flute, pipes, whistle, and other stuff) and won the world championship in Ireland on the highland bagpipes in 1979.
A good article and a little bio about McGinney is found here:
We have been touring Europe and North America for the past four years playing such notable venues as Den Ekster, Festival Boit e Bois, Hasselt Folk Fest, Le Toucouleur, Milwaukee's Irish Fest, The Boston Folk Festival, Chicago Celtic Fest, University of Chicago Folk Festival, Wolftrap, Blackstone River Theatre, Chamizal, and many many more. Like The Sprigs, top acts like Altan, Dervish, Martin Hayes, Liz Carrol, Teada, Bohola, Providence, Galldubh, Comas, Kevin Burke, Patrick Street, and Danu regularly play at these types of venues.
Alongside Pierre Bensusan, Liz Carrol and Duo Bertrand, The Sprigs featured in a lengthy, full color article and interview in France's premeire trad rag, TRAD MAGAZINE.
At this early hour, The Sprigs are already celebrating St. Patrick's day with a robust exuberance and we're very excited to hearing your suggestions as to how our band can undertake the ultimate tour of Poland!!!
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
"Well.. right, sometimes it does, however often it does not ."
On the other hand my worst day in a club was worse than my worst day on the street (basket clubs are the worst of both worlds and I generally avoid them these days, except for giving some gigs to old friends).
And one $500 day on the street followed by a $1 day is still a bit better than two $250 days in clubs.
"Anyway quite surely you can catch some extra bonus... like cold ;)"
Ok, yeah, there is *that.,* which is why I've only been playing clubs lately. : )
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
OK, whoa there, never did I say anything about "gigging" or "touring" in Ireland. I said:
"lots of people in this forum probably think you're crazy to try to find gigs in Ireland, playing Irish music, when you aren't from Ireland.
I've done it and seen it done, so it isn't impossible."
I didn't say "Lah-ti-tar, look at me, I'm a big famous musician touring in Ireland" I said I "found gigs". HUGE difference. Much less romantic.
And if you really must know, I found all my gigs by getting drunk one night, skipping my flight home, and taking a job cleaning toilets and p*ssy sheets in a pub / B&B.
The people I worked for (naming no names) turned out to be slave drivers who wouldn't take no for an answer, so when one of the hosts of the nightly session stormed out in a vengeful huff a month later, the patron offered me the job. (In addition, of course, to my 7 day a week day job serving breakfast at 7:30AM, cleaning rooms, serving lunch and dinner, and pulling pints).
And, as I was drunk at the time, I accepted this as well. My session was, understandably, *NOT* the hot session in town, (largely because my partner was a guitar player (Irish) who had no interest in Irish music at all and very little ability to play it, preferring Tom Waits covers mixed with his own hilarious compositions, but also because I am a terrible fiddle player). We were occasionally joined by a mad accordion player who actually preferred to do the session solo, so we managed to get a few nights off to go to the "hot" session down the street.
I also "found a gig" at the hot session a few weeks later because one of the two paid hosts failed to show up, so, it being a slow night, and the "session" being made up of just myself and a really fantastic banjo player, the patron paid me out of charity.
Now that I think of it, even saying I "found gigs" is an exaggeration. Gigs found me. I certainly didn't show up there with the expectation of finding that (or ANY, actually) type of work. It was only supposed to be a charming little holiday.
Actually, I suppose the term "luck" might be a little far-fetched too, (unless you're the type that really, really loves pulling other people's scummy hair out of shower drains.)
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Oh, I also should point out that by taking the toilet-scrubbing, garbage-emptying, soap-scum-nightmare of a job I lost a rather decent job back at home, in a nice, clean office building with flex-hours, free coffee, a passcard with my picture on the front, and my very own cubicle. Which some might consider unlucky.
Actually, I may not have lost that job. They may still be waiting for me to come back. I should send them an email or something.
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Oh, ok, Kerri... a gig being a host at a session is different than touring Ireland with your ITM band from _____ country. I also got hired to host a session a couple of times on this last trip, and my friend from Austrailia, the brilliant fiddler, Ado, also was spotted as a guest host around Ennis. But I still say it's probably rare to be able to tour Ireland doing gigs with your ITM band if you're from another country. I saw on another thread that Randal Bays and Roger Landes will be looking to do House Concerts around Ireland. They have a good prospect for success because Randal is well known and his recordings are played on Irish ITM programs regularly. Also, he and Roger have made the concept of "House Concerts" into a theme complete with a recording made exclusively at those events.
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Well, it sounded to me like they are going there anyway (like myself) but would like to have a few gigs while they are there. Of course organizing things ahead of time is much different than happening to be behind the bar when the banjo player storms out and a sudden vacancy appear..
Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Hello,
I’m playing in band from Poland – Beltaine. We’re going to Ireland in September 2005. Of course it would be great to play there, so I have a question: Do you know any pub, places or concert agency which could help us to organize concerts? If you can help me, you can write it there or contact by e-mail: jasiek@beltaine.art.pl , for any further information about a band check out our website – www.beltaine.art.pl . Greetings ;)
Jasiek Galczewski
# Posted on February 1st 2005 by jasiek
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
I think it is great that Irish music has such an influence outside of Ireland or with those not of Irish descent.
# Posted on February 1st 2005 by 21
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
We have counted 21 bands here ;) But maybe 10 are regularly playing, and only some of them has a recorded CD. If you want to hear how it sounds check our website - www.beltaine.art.pl , we have a samples of our music, and of course if you are interested try links to find another bands.
It is great that almost in every country you can find irish music band
this music is connecting people 
# Posted on February 1st 2005 by jasiek
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
I find it difficult enough getting gigs for myself...
Where are you thinking of staying???
SPOKO!!!!
# Posted on February 1st 2005 by Hugo Chavez
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
jasiek, maybe you could work out an exchange: you help an Irish group that plays traditional Polish music get a gig in Poland, and they can help you find an Irish gig in Ireland.
# Posted on February 1st 2005 by Kerri Brown
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Nice website, by the way.
# Posted on February 1st 2005 by Kerri Brown
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
stefanpaz: Of course it would be great to tour around Ireland, but I don't know if it will be possible. We don't want just to go to Ireland, only to play concerts, but also to visit the country, we want to take our girlfriends with us
Maybe it's just an utopia, you know, to travel from one place to another and sometimes to play a gig, but why we shouldn't try? 
spoko 
Do you have any polish roots?
Kerri Brown: Yeah, that's a good idea
But I don't know if this type of band even exist. I think that just an irish band, playing irish music will find a big auditorium here in Poland. This music is very popular in Poland, except for bands we have an irish dance groups. We are co-organisers of two big "celtic" festivals, and there are of course more such events.
Maybe anybody know group who could "exchange"? but even necessarily. Everybody are welcome
# Posted on February 1st 2005 by jasiek
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Heheh, I suppose Kerri wasn't too serious when talking about Polish trad bands from Ireland. Our folk culture is not THAT trendy... yet. Just you wait, Paddies.
On the other hand, they have a Polish folk ensemble in Manchester, so why not create one in Ireland? Certainly it will be much more original than just another of youse Irish trad bands (who would bear another North Cregg or Lunasa? Aw right... I would. Bad example)
What regards Stefanpaz and his spoko, to jest jego staly tekst, ktorym czestuje wszystkich Polaków na tej stronie, nauczyl sie go od bywalców róznych sesji. Impressed me anyway.
Nice name, by the way.
Pozdro
Janek
# Posted on February 2nd 2005 by EastPole
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
OK, to be completely straight (just this once) lots of people in this forum probably think you're crazy to try to find gigs in Ireland, playing Irish music, when you aren't from Ireland.
I've done it and seen it done, so it isn't impossible. You have to turn up at exactly the right place at exactly the right time and meet exactly the right person, so unless your life is charmed like mine you might will it much easier to get gigs outside of Ireland. Maybe book a tour across France on your way or something. The French won't give a fiddler's fart if you're Irish or not as long as the music is good.
# Posted on February 2nd 2005 by Kerri Brown
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
'OK, to be completely straight (...)'
Kerri, it was just not like yourself
But the advice about French is invaluable. Will keep that in mind.
Janek, the other Polish guy
# Posted on February 2nd 2005 by EastPole
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Well, I just made that up, to be honest. It might be true though. I assumed they wouldn't care because they seem think of everyone who isn't French as the same category of contemptible trash.
(Not serious any more)
# Posted on February 2nd 2005 by Kerri Brown
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Anything's possible. I once saw a group of Germans in Frankfurt in a variety of North American native costumes playing South American - type pan pipe music.
Very enjoyable, they were, and they pulled a big crowd.
# Posted on February 2nd 2005 by grego
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
From what I've observed; if you have an Irish trad band and you aren't from Ireland -- or you aren't even Irish, you can get gigs outside of Ireland. If you want to get gigs in Ireland -- play Polish folk music (or whatever the music is where you're from) If you want to go to Ireland and travel around playing in sessions -- that's great fun. But I wouldn't pin too many hopes on getting much in the way of gigs for your ITM band. You'd have to be something pretty spectacular (maybe you are) before you could have a lot of success doing that.
# Posted on February 2nd 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
I don't know for sure, but I'd bet money that Jack is right (unless you have Kerri's luck). There are so many great Irish musicians in Ireland that there aren't enough gigs to support them. When Irish musicians want to make enough money to support themselves, they mostly have to tour abroad.
On the other hand, I know a dozen or so American acoustic singer/songwriters who regularly tour in Ireland and do very well there.
Supply and demand.
# Posted on February 2nd 2005 by GaryAMartin
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
We just had a Western Swing/Country band come through Phoenix, Arizona that was from Germany.
I just think that's a funny parallel. Apparently they were really good.
And they played in the Irish pub that my band;'ll be playing in next weekend.
Dirtyheel
# Posted on February 2nd 2005 by dirtyheel
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
I have to agree with Jack too. I've always figured that as a Yank trying to play Irish music in Ireland or British music in England was rather like taking rocks painted black to Newcastle.
Woody Guthrie, Huddie Ledbetter and blues go down just fine though, which I can do like I was born to it, and they can't.
The whole idea of trade is to bring them something that's common from where you are that *they don't have.* You can't sell an imported "imitation" item where the real thing is lying around at people's feet and they just kick it out of the way because it isn't worth the trouble to pick it up.
Thinking like a manager here's what I would do if I were you; put together a couple of sets of Polish folk music, sprinkled liberally with Klezmer (it's the Eastern European music that's closest to Irish in spirit, and it's hot). That's what you sell to Ireland. Throw in some of your Irish tunes here and there, only a couple a set, just to show where you're coming from and that you appreciate the local culture, without ever actually trying to be Irish.
While you're touring Ireland and doing the tourist thing take in all the Irish music you can and *listen and learn.* Make your trip into a Holy Pilgramage to where the music lives in its native state.
Now, here's the good part, start booking your return tour to Poland even before you go to Ireland, as a Polish Irish band fresh from travels in the Holy Land itself. In Poland this will give you the aura of being the "real deal," whereas in Ireland you're always going to Polish musicians no matter what you play.
Now you've effected a proper international trade where evenyone comes out with something they didn't have before, and you profit from it.
Anyway, that's what I'd do.
". . .unless you have Kerri's luck. . ."
I'm not entirely sure it was Kerri's luck, but I've already addressed that issue in another thread.
Maybe it was the teeth.
Oh, and I have one great-grandfather who was Polish, although my grandmother always tried to deny it. She was from Minsk.
KFG
# Posted on February 2nd 2005 by KFG
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Maybe Kerri will give us more details about this gigging she did.
# Posted on February 2nd 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Janek: Just didn't expect such hidden joke here.
I know one Polish who tried to sing German, and he even started in eurovision song contest.
I've heard about polish ensembles in USA and Canada, so that's
why I took this joke serious. By the way, one of the most prime rock
group in Norway are playing Polish folk. Everything is possible.
Co do Stefana to już wiem, napisał mi na priv
Thank you for all advises. Maybe I didn't wrote how exactly my band is.
We're not playing only Irish music, but Bretonian, Scottish and even a little Polish folk,
and Klezmer recently. So, that's why maybe we have a little chance. We are not playing
very traditional, sometimes it is closer to rock band than to folk.. hmm..
Grego: haha
GaryAMartin:
"..I know a dozen or so American acoustic singer/songwriters who regularly tour in Ireland and do very well there.
.."
Yes, sometimes you just need to find a good way.
dirtyhell: hmmmmm.. Germans again..:> One time I've tried to find a German's group playing irish, and they were really good.
KFG: Thanks for advises. I'll keep it in my mind. But I know bands from Poland who found a gigs in Ireland.
Some of them are very known, some less. One of the band found a gig by a makers of pipes they have.
Kerri: Tell us something about this Irish tour.
# Posted on February 2nd 2005 by jasiek
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
". . .and even a little Polish folk, and Klezmer recently. "
Well there ya go! : )
KFG
# Posted on February 2nd 2005 by KFG
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Janek...."to nie wszystko - mam kilka polskich asów w rękawie!
:D"
I bought some polish stuff on CD.
Ive never heard of any polish musicians in Dublin, but then again I haven't actively looked for any...
best of luck any way!S
# Posted on February 2nd 2005 by Hugo Chavez
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Some years ago we played loads of Polish and Ukrainian stuff while busking around Ireland and the reception was quite amazing, but then again it was just busking and earning for "a glass of bread" nothing serious.
During the pub sessions, however, it was ITM exclusively and no one really noticed where we were from. Actually some guys confided to us whispering "Ahh... those bloody pushy tourists. They're everywhere thinking the session is some f...ing ZOO"
Rare ould times... chlip chlip..
Good luck!
# Posted on February 2nd 2005 by Barfly
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
not to complain - there were majority of nice adventures. Everywhere we went we experienced really friendly approach. One time in Dublin we spotted Garda officer watching us very closely for something like ten minutes. We thought: "trouble ahead" but anyway we played on for that 10 minutes without stopping not to let him remove us (as we experienced this in London). We hoped don't know what - maybe that he will get bored and go away...
After we ran out of ideas and finally finished the set, theGarda came up to us, tossed a pound into our cap and said "I don't mind you playing here but there is a better "busking point" up the street. See there? by the store. Go there, you'll earn more"
# Posted on February 2nd 2005 by Barfly
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
". . .then again it was just busking . . . "
Ahhhh, Grasshopper, you have much to learn. "Just busking" often means drawing a larger audience and making more money than you could at a "proper" club gig.
KFG
# Posted on February 2nd 2005 by KFG
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Well.. right, sometimes it does, however often it does not . Anyway quite surely you can catch some extra bonus... like cold ;)
Did I hear you ordering a Grasshopper?
# Posted on February 2nd 2005 by Barfly
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Stefanpaz,
I take that for an invitation. So, will I sleep on the sofa, and what time's breakfast?
Well didn't this thread develop into nice Polish reunion. I wish I had some bigos to serve you guys (goes well with a Grasshopper).
# Posted on February 3rd 2005 by EastPole
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Jasiek,
I read your posting about Beltaine's touring ambitions. Good luck in your quest to tour the Emerald Isle. I looked at your website and it appears as though you have assembled quite a good group.
Likewise, the Sprigs have been discussing a tour of Poland for quite some time. We have toured France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg and Germany a number of times. We would be interested in what advice you will offer us as to making a two weekend tour of Poland. We are also open to other countries in the nearby region. We are eager to see such cities as Biaylstok, Cracow, Lublin, Warsaw and Gdansk!!!
We have also brought Irish musicians to Chicago (including Distant Shores of France for a two week stint!)
Why not take a little time to check out our website and links? www.thesprigs.com
There you will find that Brendan Bulger (All Ireland Fiddle, Master Class Instructor), Jim Conway (Mouth Box Legend) and/or Brendan McGinney (All Ireland Flute and Bagpipes), and myself are the ideal intoduction to Poland as exponents of Irish American music.
At our website you will find that Billy Knox also backs people like Tommy Peoples, John Williams, Kathleen Keane, Chico Malo, Larry Nugent, Jimmy Keane and many, many others.
Even more sensational things can be discovered about Brendan Bulger (an All-Ireland Fiddle Champion and Master Class Instructor) and his latest CD produced by Dennis Cahill (Martin Hayes' fame):
http://www.musicatthehouse.com
Jim Conway is Chicago's foremost pennywhistler. He is also a harmonicist and has just released a solo CD with America's best Borhradn player Jackie Moran. The CD also features Dennis Cahill and Howard Levy.
Brendan McGinney is also an All-Ireland Champion (flute, pipes, whistle, and other stuff) and won the world championship in Ireland on the highland bagpipes in 1979.
A good article and a little bio about McGinney is found here:
http://www.suntimes.com/output/houlihan/cst-nws-houli143.html
We have been touring Europe and North America for the past four years playing such notable venues as Den Ekster, Festival Boit e Bois, Hasselt Folk Fest, Le Toucouleur, Milwaukee's Irish Fest, The Boston Folk Festival, Chicago Celtic Fest, University of Chicago Folk Festival, Wolftrap, Blackstone River Theatre, Chamizal, and many many more. Like The Sprigs, top acts like Altan, Dervish, Martin Hayes, Liz Carrol, Teada, Bohola, Providence, Galldubh, Comas, Kevin Burke, Patrick Street, and Danu regularly play at these types of venues.
Alongside Pierre Bensusan, Liz Carrol and Duo Bertrand, The Sprigs featured in a lengthy, full color article and interview in France's premeire trad rag, TRAD MAGAZINE.
At this early hour, The Sprigs are already celebrating St. Patrick's day with a robust exuberance and we're very excited to hearing your suggestions as to how our band can undertake the ultimate tour of Poland!!!
Cordially,
Bill Knox
http://www.thesprigs.com
847-328-1562
# Posted on February 3rd 2005 by Billy knox
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
"Well.. right, sometimes it does, however often it does not ."
On the other hand my worst day in a club was worse than my worst day on the street (basket clubs are the worst of both worlds and I generally avoid them these days, except for giving some gigs to old friends).
And one $500 day on the street followed by a $1 day is still a bit better than two $250 days in clubs.
"Anyway quite surely you can catch some extra bonus... like cold ;)"
Ok, yeah, there is *that.,* which is why I've only been playing clubs lately. : )
KFG
# Posted on February 3rd 2005 by KFG
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
"Did I hear you ordering a Grasshopper?"
Oh, yeah. Very nice stir-fried in black butter, a Bit-O-Salt and just a touch of Cayenne pepper.
I hear tell there are people in the world who go hungry, and even starve, during locust swarms. The idea has always puzzled me a bit.
KFG
# Posted on February 3rd 2005 by KFG
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Try contacting this guy Paul Lee he organizes a lot of gigs in Dublin.http://www.musiclee.ie/
# Posted on February 3rd 2005 by Dphil
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
OK, whoa there, never did I say anything about "gigging" or "touring" in Ireland. I said:
"lots of people in this forum probably think you're crazy to try to find gigs in Ireland, playing Irish music, when you aren't from Ireland.
I've done it and seen it done, so it isn't impossible."
I didn't say "Lah-ti-tar, look at me, I'm a big famous musician touring in Ireland" I said I "found gigs". HUGE difference. Much less romantic.
And if you really must know, I found all my gigs by getting drunk one night, skipping my flight home, and taking a job cleaning toilets and p*ssy sheets in a pub / B&B.
The people I worked for (naming no names) turned out to be slave drivers who wouldn't take no for an answer, so when one of the hosts of the nightly session stormed out in a vengeful huff a month later, the patron offered me the job. (In addition, of course, to my 7 day a week day job serving breakfast at 7:30AM, cleaning rooms, serving lunch and dinner, and pulling pints).
And, as I was drunk at the time, I accepted this as well. My session was, understandably, *NOT* the hot session in town, (largely because my partner was a guitar player (Irish) who had no interest in Irish music at all and very little ability to play it, preferring Tom Waits covers mixed with his own hilarious compositions, but also because I am a terrible fiddle player). We were occasionally joined by a mad accordion player who actually preferred to do the session solo, so we managed to get a few nights off to go to the "hot" session down the street.
I also "found a gig" at the hot session a few weeks later because one of the two paid hosts failed to show up, so, it being a slow night, and the "session" being made up of just myself and a really fantastic banjo player, the patron paid me out of charity.
Now that I think of it, even saying I "found gigs" is an exaggeration. Gigs found me. I certainly didn't show up there with the expectation of finding that (or ANY, actually) type of work. It was only supposed to be a charming little holiday.
Actually, I suppose the term "luck" might be a little far-fetched too, (unless you're the type that really, really loves pulling other people's scummy hair out of shower drains.)
# Posted on February 3rd 2005 by Kerri Brown
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Oh, I also should point out that by taking the toilet-scrubbing, garbage-emptying, soap-scum-nightmare of a job I lost a rather decent job back at home, in a nice, clean office building with flex-hours, free coffee, a passcard with my picture on the front, and my very own cubicle. Which some might consider unlucky.
Actually, I may not have lost that job. They may still be waiting for me to come back. I should send them an email or something.
# Posted on February 3rd 2005 by Kerri Brown
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Oh, ok, Kerri... a gig being a host at a session is different than touring Ireland with your ITM band from _____ country. I also got hired to host a session a couple of times on this last trip, and my friend from Austrailia, the brilliant fiddler, Ado, also was spotted as a guest host around Ennis. But I still say it's probably rare to be able to tour Ireland doing gigs with your ITM band if you're from another country. I saw on another thread that Randal Bays and Roger Landes will be looking to do House Concerts around Ireland. They have a good prospect for success because Randal is well known and his recordings are played on Irish ITM programs regularly. Also, he and Roger have made the concept of "House Concerts" into a theme complete with a recording made exclusively at those events.
# Posted on February 3rd 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Irish music band from Poland looking for concerts in Ireland
Well, it sounded to me like they are going there anyway (like myself) but would like to have a few gigs while they are there. Of course organizing things ahead of time is much different than happening to be behind the bar when the banjo player storms out and a sudden vacancy appear..
# Posted on February 3rd 2005 by Kerri Brown