Úna Monaghan is a harper, composer, researcher and sound artist from Belfast. Her recent work has combined traditional music with bronze sculpture, sound art and movement sensors.
Her compositions have been presented on BBC and RTÉ television and radio, and in theatre productions, festivals and conferences internationally.
Her latest album Aonaracht is a ground-breaking collection for solo traditional musician and electronics, featuring Paddy Glackin, Jack Talty, Pauline Scanlon and Saileog Ní Ceannabhain and Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn.
We asked Una for her choice cultural picks (see her last set of picks here).
MUSIC
Louth Contemporary Music Society have fascinating shows planned for their 2023 festival. They always bring world class performers and composers. This year it's intriguingly called Folks’ Music and will feature stellar traditional musicians including Donal Lunny, Michelle Mulcahy, Zoe Conway and Paddy Glackin performing Terry Riley’s In C. What a great mad idea. This year I’m also looking forward to taking part in the New Music Dublin festival, which runs from 20th - 23rd April. Also, concertina player Brenda Castles' The Light Side of the Tune is a gorgeous album.
BOOK
The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma was the last book I read. Sad and good. I nGaeilge - Madame Lazare le Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin. I'm reading a few things at once, I prefer not to do that but it's been happening!
THEATRE
Least Like The Other, created by Brian Irvine and Netia Jones, performed by Irish National Opera. I saw it in Dublin but it was just in the Royal Opera House in London. It explores the story of Rosemary Kennedy, the older sister of JFK. Brian Irvine’s music is amazing. The whole production is thought-provoking and shocking in its themes and story, and is creatively fascinating and clever and fresh, from the sound to the lighting to the set. I loved it and admired it.
GIG
I’m excited for Handmade Music, a monthly experimental music night starting in Belfast at Accidental Theatre. Run by the brilliant teams at SARC and Moving On Music, it’s going to be beautiful and interesting and community building. I can’t wait to hear what everyone makes. These artist-led, inclusive spaces for collaboration and creation are so important.
ART
Framewerk gallery in East Belfast. I’m a bit biased because they keep combining sound with everything. Class.
RADIO/PODCAST
Inna Rhythm by Kwame Daniels. Kwame is a great DJ and producer with a fabulous music collection. Hannah Peel’s Night Tracks on BBC Radio 3. RTÉ Lyric fm, especially in the evenings.
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TECH
I’m exploring mind mapping tools at the moment – the MindNode app and others. I’m thinking about ways to get lots of ideas and information down and see how they link for artistic or research or life projects. I still do this on paper anyway, but this can be flexible and good on the move, for collaboration, or teaching.
THE NEXT BIG THING...
I’m trying to sit with immediate small things.
Aonaracht by Una Monaghan is out now - find out more here.
