Today I did an interview with an old friend of mine who's family I know feels very connected to their Irish heritage and listens & travels to Ireland quite often. In this interview I asked a set of questions via FB message. The questions asked were:
1) Do you have any experience with Traditional Irish song?
2) When you hear Irish song/music does it make you feel a type of ownership/stronger cultural identity?
3) How would you define tradition/traditional?
4) Does the tone of someones voice matter to you when listening to the sing? Would it effect the meaning of the song to you?
5) Do you think you connect more withe the lyrics or the melody/harmony & why?
6) Irish Traditional song is usually sang with one person, how do you feel about it being used in a different setting such as in a band?
7) Pub singing vs. performance/concert hall - does the performance and different aspects of it change the meaning for you personally? and if so why?
Here are some of his responses:
1) I do, I have listened extensively to irish folk music both here and in Ireland
2) I dont feel any particular cultural identity listening to Irish traditional music, as I believe it goes beyond borders. The themes are cross cultural and universal, and everybody can identify with the struggles and triumphs invovled
3) Traditional music is constantly changing. The songs are passed down and appropriated by successive generations, each one making the songs their own, although in a way they stay the same. Traditional songs are inherently timeless
4) Tones are important in the way songs are perceived. Emotion can definitely be expressed through the tone of someones voice
5)Id say I connect with the lyrics. They have always been the most important element in a song for me. Not just the words themselves but the way they are sung as well
6) I enjoy irish music in a band setting. The dubliners, for instance, manage to play a wide array of traditional irish songs in a large band format
7) pub singing will always be the ideal medium for trad irish musicians to perform their stuff. The informality and ambiance allow them to experiment and work with musicians from all different walks of life. This is where songs get created and passed down.
its best for the audiences too because they can participate
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