London UK - Irish Musician's Dilemma

Subject: London UK - Irish Musician's Dilemma
From:
Date: 30 Aug 00 - 03:01 PM

My dilemma is this! Up until a few years ago I was able, due to a complete lack of any type of family commitment to sit in on trad sessions all around North London (where I then lived) and back at home in Ireland when I made the occasional foray there. However at that time my involvement was limited to some pretty atrocious guitar accompaniment and a few unaccompanied songs (which always seemed to go down failry well). Since then two things have happened.

Firstly I acquired a few instruments in the GDAE family - mandolin, bouzouki and tenor banjo. I learnt a few tunes (many courtesy of the Mandolin Cafe site, mostly by ear from the playing of the Bothy Band, Planxty, etc.). I practised and practised until some of my playing is quite passable (to an uncritical ear).

Secondly, I "acquired" a family.

Without the latter I would undoubtedly now be doing the rounds of all those pubs where Irish trad players muster and try to give it a blast. However, now that I am "settled down", I find that I have no inclination to chase music through the dives and dens I used to frequent.

What I'd much rather do is get in touch with - or assemble - a circle of like-minded musicians who would like to get together occasionally in each others' homes to make a bit of music for friends and family. You know the score - a few drinks, a bit of friendly chat, a barbie in the summer, small kids running around their parents' feets - and the whole event rounded off by - or laced together by - those in the company who have the wherewithal bashing out a few jigs and reels.

Does this sound as if it might appeal to anyone? If so, please post a response to this bulletin board or drop a reply to personal e-mail address.

..... Aidan Crossey

Subject: RE: London UK - Irish Musician's Dilemma
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 30 Aug 00 - 04:13 PM

Good idea Aidan....and when I'm across in London from Belgium, which is fairly often, I'd certainly be game for a tune or two. By the way I play a similar selection of instruments to yourself.

Peace

mcmoo

Subject: RE: London UK - Irish Musician's Dilemma
From: Wesley S
Date: 30 Aug 00 - 04:40 PM

Aidan - Glad you made it. Stick around - I'll bet that you'll find a lot of good information here.

Subject: RE: London UK - Irish Musician's Dilemma
From: GUEST,Aidan Crossey
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 08:20 AM

Just adding a message to the thread so it doesn't disappear out of sight completely. Hopefully any visitors to the site from London who are interested will be flushed out in a day or two.

Out of interest ... any musicians further afield found themselves caught in the horns of a similar dilemma? How did you resolve it?

.... Aidan

Subject: RE: London UK - Irish Musician's Dilemma
From: death by whisky
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 08:46 AM

Its like looking in a mirror.Agroup of us did the rounds in Cardiff.Then these wains started turning up.All of a sudden,everyone around the same age waspushing prams,changing nappies.

Now weve moved to Kerry,but i'm gettin paid to play 5 sessions a week,bit of a bonus there.

I havent done many festivals with the kids though.

Subject: RE: London UK - Irish Musician's Dilemma
From: GUEST,Aidan Crossey
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 09:39 AM

Can't see me persuading the missus to up sticks and head West, more's the pity! Actually I'm not convinced I'd want to either. Although, if I could make a living on Achill Island, I might be tempted.

Subject: RE: London UK - Irish Musician's Dilemma
From: death by whisky
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 10:42 AM

It was a good move for us,but the islands?That would be a bit too remote.

Subject: RE: London UK - Irish Musician's Dilemma
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 06:57 PM

So where in London are you?? I'm in East London, but with good access to north-east.

LTS

Subject: RE: London UK - Irish Musician's Dilemma
From: GUEST,Aidan Crossey
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 04:35 AM

South East - Lewisham to be precise. Once a neglected backwater but now, thanks to the DLR, firmly on the map of places "on the up" in London (or so the local gossip has it!).

... Aidan

Subject: RE: London UK - Irish Musician's Dilemma
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 05:36 AM

Ah, just across the ferry then!

There is a session every Thursday night in the Old Black Bull, Stratford, East London. It's near the town hall (formerly West Ham town hall) and starts around 9.00. Judging by last night's turn out, it would welcome a few more musicians! Stratford has good access to buses and the Circle Line, don't know what it's like for getting across the river, but the Blackwall tunnel is not too far, parking is available, but only if you know where it is, it's a very small turning off a set of lights, of which there are many!

This session used to be at the Spotted Dog, Forest Gate, but was moved due to unsympathetic landlord who will probably ruin the pub for all time now.

LTS

Subject: RE: London UK - Irish Musician's Dilemma
From: GUEST,Aidan Crossey
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 05:56 AM

Actually now that Lewisham's on the DLR, Stratford is pretty accessible. I might give this a go, but it kind of defeats the original purpose of the request I posted. D'you play yourself, then?

... Aidan