3. It is an interesting idea to combine Irish and Maori musicians on an EP, How did the collaboration come about?
The project has been put together for the Celtic Connections in Glasgow, but it has been something that I have been interested in exploring for over ten years.
I am a Dublin-born Kiwi, so feel a strong affinity with both cultures and while I have been playing Irish music all around the world for fourteen years, I have wanted to learn more about the Maori side, but haven't seemed to have stopped touring for long enough to give it the proper time it deserves.
4. How much does culture and history of the acts play a part in the resulting sound?
The topics and themes in the songs have a huge influence in the way they are sung and delivered and Irish and Maori cultures have a lot in common. Same with the history of both Island nations. Their tribute to the land and sea, the folklore, the colonisations of both countries - which has meant both Maori and Irish people have had to fight hard to keep their cultures and traditions alive, and songs are the best ways of telling the history and portraying the emotion of the losses and triumphs of the past.
5. Has a project like this been attempted before?
I have personally been involved in collaborations like this with Bluegrass musicians from the USA and also with Indian musicians.
6. Tell us more about the EP, where is it being recorded and what is recording process like?
We are recording the EP this week in Wellington and did our first day rehearsing [on Monday] - which was magic!
We have a week to rehearse two hours of music, play two concerts and then record five songs together next Monday, so we'll tell you how it went at the Hastings show.
7. What makes Keeva and Trinity Roots so special as individual acts?
Top class musicians with a lot of energy, Mana, personality, humour and all the musical talent in the world.
8. You organised the project, how long has it been in the pipeline?
I have been meeting up with and chatting to the musicians on both sides about this project for the past year. Before then, I have been thinking about which musicians would best suit this collaboration for some years.
9. What is your connection to Keeva?
I play the guitar with them and Tola and Alan have been very good friends of mine for over ten years, as so too has Pauline Scanlon the amazing singer that will be travelling with us. I have been lucky enough to tour with the three of them all over the world in many different ensembles and musical arrangements.
10. Tell us a bit about your musical background, how would you describe your sound?
I grew up playing the guitar from the age of eight. As a youth, I would jam with musicians at the local Irish societies in Lower Hutt and Wellington and learn Irish songs and tunes there. I moved back to Ireland when I was eighteen and have been working as a session musician and producer since. I have worked mostly in the folk and world music genres and have been very lucky to work with some of the most celebrated folk musicians in the world now.
11. What does it mean to be an Irish musician living in New Zealand, has it influenced you?
Since I was born in Dublin and moved here as a six-year-old, I have always held tight to my Irish heritage and had a keen interest in the music. It's cool being a part of the Irish music scene in New Zealand too and there is a great wee Irish music tutoring weekend every bank holiday (Queen's Birthday) in June, down in Nelson. Well worth checking out.
Locals in store for a real treat
Pauline Scanlon's voice has captivated audiences the world over with four albums and extensive tours - now local people can experience the magic.
She will be joined in Hawke's Bay on Saturday, November 29, by Keeva, a trio comprising Irish flute player Alan Doherty, fiddler Tola Custy and guitarist Gerry Paul.
The group are set to hold a one-off performance at St Matthew's in Hastings from 8pm.
While in the country, they will also take part in a ground breaking collaboration with Kiwi favourites, Trinity Roots.
The project, called Motu :: Oileain which translates to islands in Te Reo and Irish respectively, will combine traditional music of Ireland and New Zealand in a modern context. The concept is to start a conversation exploring the parallels and commonalities in their music, culture and history.
The project has been brought together by Paul, who will feature on a resulting EP.
"This is an exciting and rare opportunity to be able to bring together a handful of the most respected and creative musicians from two countries that are both so rich in music and culture," he says.
