Songwriter, singer, guitarist and author Mike Hanrahan is takes part in Together in Electric Streams, a new live-streaming initiative that gives audiences the power to support local artists, promoters and venues, this Saturday. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
Mike performs as a solo artist, with Stockton's Wing, Eleanor Shanley and Leslie Dowdall. His book, Beautiful Affair, a journey in music, food and friendship, was shortlisted for the National An Post Book Awards in 2019. The album Beautiful Affair - Stockton’s Wing - A Retrospective went to number 1 in January 2020.
Together In Electric Streams will come live from a unique studio setting at one of Dublin’s most beautiful and highly-spec’d music venues and Mike will be sharing songs and stories with a gig in the round, featuring himself, Emma Langford, and Sive. Tickets are €12 and are available here.
Tell us three things about yourself?
I am a professional cook and former teacher at Ballymaloe Organic Cookery school. I love cooking and I love eating good, sustainable food from our amazing local producers.
I love writing songs, blogs and short stories.
I love Irish history and I am besotted by the cultural revolution of 1890 to 1922, especially the lives and works of the creative community who dared to dream of a new Ireland and then drove on.
How would you describe your music?
I have always been a contemporary writer and folk artist. In our prime, Stockton’s Wing constantly pushed against the barriers seeking new ground. We still do every time we hit a stage.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Neil Young inspired me to write. My dearest friend, Ronnie Drew, taught me how to be an honest performer.
How did you occupy yourself during the coronavirus lockdown?
You will not believe this but it’s all true. I played a daily lunchtime food concert on Facebook called Cooking up a Storm, where I talked food, recipes, gave tips, and sang a whole bunch of new songs that came from lockdown. I preserved every berry and bush I laid my hands on and I now need to buy a new set of kitchen cupboards. I taught myself how to use Pro-tools (beginner) and I taught myself how to create mini-movie documentaries on my computer about songs I found from The War of Independence in County Clare 1920. I also watched everything on Netflix.
What’s your favourite song right now?
A song I wrote for my mum who is in the depths of Dementia. It’s a song of celebration called A River Rolls On.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"I know I’m not too much of a bargain, you know I’m not what you bargained for, As the hours turn into days, pretty soon lost in the haze, Up to you and me and who’s to say" - These Could be the Good Old Days by Eels.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life what would it be?
Difficult question, far too difficult, but pushed it might be What a Wonderful World.
Where can people find your music/more information?
https://www.facebook.com/mikehanrahan46
https://twitter.com/mikiehanrahan
Book.
