Some of you know my day job in Michigan is announcer/producer at WMUK, Kalamazoo’s public radio station/NPR affiliate. So sometimes I get to do really cool things in the name of duty. Most of the people I interview are classical artists, but in this case, the Chieftains came to town.
Mr. Molloy gave me a rare interview after the show, in the London Grill Singapore, a downtown pub that supports the music. He was the only original Chieftain to come out, although Carlos Nunez and other Galicians touring with the band also showed (for those of you who are Nunez fans, I also interviewed him and will broadcast that at a later date). The music and shouting in the pub were intense, so we actually walked to the back of the restaurant and found a stairwell that was quieter, and I just asked him everything I could. “What are your favorite performing environments?” “Advice for flute players?” “Is there a common theme in folk music throughout the world?” “What do you do when you don’t feel like playing and you have to go on?”
He answered these questions and more, both of us stuttering quite a bit, but through the miracle of CoolEdit, I cut us down to about 10 minutes. It will air on the station’s website, www.wmuk.org, at 8 pm Eastern on Sunday, Feb 13, during our Irish hour, “The Pure Drop,” hosted by myself and a local fiddler, Dave Marlatt.
It’s very much an “in the field” recording, with pub noises and doors slamming, but I tell myself it just gives it character. Hope you enjoy it.
Again, it’s this Sunday night on www.wmuk.org at 8 pm Eastern. It will fall somewhere during an hour of Celtic music.
Thanks, guys. It was great to meet a legend, and hear how much he still loves and respects his music. “You go out and do your damnedest every night,” he said, very serious. A memorable moment.
You can be sure I’ll bring my mic and minidisc player to East Durham this summer, not only for recording sessions but to have more conversation with the artists who devote their lives to this music. I only wish I worked for a national network, so more people could hear what they have to say!
Brewster, I think it’s very likely that eventually it will be archived and available on-line for listening at any time. A C&Fer has already offered to host it on his website. Which reminds me, I have to write him back!
Rick, you must have missed the giant billboards all over town
Wait till you hear the interview before saying I’m cool-- I think “endearingly awkward” would be a nice way to put it. You’ll see. But Matt has some very clear advice on learning this music. We’ve heard it before, but coming from Mr. Molloy, we can all take it to heart once again.
I didn’t see them. I tend to be somewhat self absorbed when driving. Working these bizarre hours mess with my life.
Wait till you hear the interview before saying I’m cool-- I think “endearingly awkward” would be a nice way to put it. You’ll see. But Matt has some very clear advice on learning this music. We’ve heard it before, but coming from Mr. Molloy, we can all take it to heart once again.
Cara
Well what I meant was, you have hobnobed with the higher ups in the biz, you play a mean flute/whistle and you now have your own radio show. What’s left in Kalamazoo?
I’m glad to tell C&Fers that you can hear the interview online now, but not for long.
When my co-host Dave and I recorded this week’s “Pure Drop,” I had to edit out one of Dave’s comments. I was in the middle of setting up the interview by talking about how great it was to meet Mr. Molloy, blah, blah, blah, he’s one of the greatest flute players ever, blah blah, and Dave interrupts to say, “When he hears that, Seamus Tansey’s going to come down here and beat your ass.” I wish I could have kept it in, but leaving good taste aside, we ended up giggling and snorting for a lengthy while (only the Car Guys get to do this in public radio). I saved it though, in my secret little folder of Dave’s unaired gems.
This is so cool Cara, I can’t hear it though, strange, I just click the link (the little WMP icon) and nothing happens. Might just be my computer though, it acts strange sometimes.
