Galway singer and artist Ceara Conway has released her new album Caoin. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
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A collaboration with producer Seán Mac Erlaine, musicians Kevin Murphy (cello), Ultan O'Brien (viola/fiddle) of Slow Moving Clouds, Seán Mac Erlaine (clarinet, electronics) and Francesco Turrisi (piano), the album is a collection of sean nós songs that explore the sounds and sentiments of longing and loss found in traditional praise songs, lullabies with core emphasis on the traditional Irish 'caoineadh’, lament.
Tell us three things about yourself?
I’m from the Connemara Gaeltacht. I didn’t’ know I could sing until I was 28 and while I love singing melancholic songs, I’m quite a happy by nature.
How would you describe your music?
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Multilingual, inspired by tradition with an experimental, contemporary approach. My current album Caoin is a collection of traditional sean nós songs with newly composed contemporary arrangements, the songs are all about themes of loss and longing. My Viriditas song cycle for Galway University Hospitals, Galway 2020 was more conceptual and self-penned, some of the songs were about the adverse effects of stress on the body and the medicinal qualities of plants and the chants of Hildegarde Von Bingen.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Currently…Anna and Elizabeth, I love their arrangements, Iarla Ó Lionáird his voice and how he sings sean nós, Susan O’Neill and Mick Flannery’s stunning song writing and exquisite melodies. Meredith Monk, I love her contemporary vocal ensemble work, non-lexical and absolutely compelling.
What was the first gig you ever went to and the first record you ever bought/downloaded?
I think the first gig I went to was Metallica at the Point, a very big DEAL for my 17-year-old self!
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First CD: True Blue by Madonna. I still know all the words
First vinyl record: Either Airs and Graces by June Tabor or Leonard Cohen, I can’t remember which was first.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Freedom by Susan O’Neill.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Ah Jaysus, that’s too hard. Favourite current lyric by Susan O’Neill - ‘’Freedom is choice, we seek to find, I find that freedom is a place in the mind’’. It’s become a mind mantra.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
So Quiet in Here - Van Morrison. Can I sneak in a second? Djorolen by Omou Sangare.
Where can people find your music/more information?
My website! Bandcamp: Ceara Conway, Instagram: Ceara Conway and Ceara Conway on the good old book of faces. I am practising taking breaks from social media between projects, I recommend reading Stolen Focus by Johann Hari, life-changing. I’ll have my Caoin world premiere performance at the Glór theatre, Ennis on April 8th.
