Mayo instrumentalist and composer Alannah Thornburgh has released her new single, Away With the Fairies, from her debut solo album Shapeshifter, which is out on 12 February. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
Speaking about the new song, she says, "Away with the Fairies warns of the cursed 'foidin meara' or 'stray sod' - a patch of enchanted woodland that if stepped upon, sends you into a state of disillusionment and confusion that can only be rectified by turning one's coat inside out.
"It is said to be a curse cast by the fairies as a warning to passers-by to not get too close. I first learned about ‘foidin meara’ after a conversation with Swinford woman Bríd O’Connell."
Alannah sings and play harp on the song and she is joined by Lorcan Byrne on percussion, her father Rob Thornburgh on saxophone, and Cian Hamilton on bass.
Her new album, Shapeshifter, is a collection of compositions inspired by the traditions of fairy folklore and mythology from rural Ireland. The project began when Alannah was commissioned to compose a piece for the Linenhall Arts Centre’s New Music in Mayo series, curated by traditional musician Emer Mayock.
"I was always fascinated by the fairy fort behind my Grandad’s house," Alannah says. "A conversation with him about the tale of ‘Mick na mBréag’ (Mick the Liar), who crossed the fairy folk, inspired the composition of a piece that ultimately became part of this album."
Allanah plays: The Linenhall Arts Centre, Co. Mayo on 4 April. Levis’ Cornerhouse, Ballydehob, West Cork on 11 April. Maureen’s, Cork City on 12 April. The Cobblestone, Dublin on 17 April. Prim’s Bookshop, Kinsale, Co. Cork on 27 April. The Duncairn, Belfast on 9 May. Fennelly’s, Kilkenny on 19 May.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
My sense of humour is probably 99% based on jokes from The Simpsons. In my secondary school musical Beauty and the Beast I played the role of Silly Girl Number 1. I am from the same town in Mayo where The Hardy Bucks was filmed.
How would you describe your music?
My style is definitely rooted in traditional Irish music. I was exposed to American folk and jazz traditions growing up as my father is from Virginia and plays bluegrass fiddle and jazz saxophone, and I also play in a trio called Alfi, who amalgamate traditional Irish and American old-time music, so I would like to think that these influences are interwoven throughout my music too.
Who are your musical inspirations?
There are many - in terms of harping, I am always inspired by the playing of Maeve Gilchrist, Joanna Newsom, Gráinne Hambly and Laoise Kelly. Other musical inspirations include Nick Hart, Lankum, Anna and Elizabeth, Fionn Regan, Miles Davis, Adrianne Lenker, Martin Hayes, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, Cormac Begley, Lisa O’Neill, Angel Olsen and my friend Luke Howard. Luke is an incredible multi-instrumentalist and singer who recently released a beautiful track called Counting Rain.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Rodrigo y Gabriela in the Big Top in Galway when I was 11. It was very inspiring. Myself and my family spent the whole day in Galway (I think it was during the Arts Festival) and we also went to a Mary Shannon, Mirella Murray and Tim Edey gig in the Róisín Dubh on the same day. My mam bought myself and my sister new waistcoats on Shop Street to wear to the gigs so hopefully we looked the part!
What was the first record you ever bought?
Oops I Did It Again by Britney Spears!
What’s your favourite song right now?
I have been really enjoying Macdara Ó Faoláin’s album Ar Thaobh Chill an Fhuarthainn, especially the track Who Put the Blood? I have also been incessantly listening to the Wicked soundtrack.
Favourite lyric of all time?
I love all of the lyrics from Joanna Newsom’s song Only Skin (all 16:53 of it!) but my favourite would be: "Scrape your knee: it is only skin, Makes the sound of violins, And when I cut your hair, and leave the birds all of the trimmings, I am the happiest woman among all women."
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
For a Nightingale - Fionn Regan.
Where can people find your music/more information?
My website.
Alan Corr
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