Aindrias de Staic's bardic style storytelling show By The Light of The Silvery Moon is touring nationwide. We asked Aindrias the BIG questions . . .
Aindrias performs as a solo artist with stories and fiddle, with his band Latchikos and on the current tour, he is accompanied by Brian Fleming on percussion and Aisling Lyons on harp.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Once when I was travelling around Australia, I got a call from an agent looking for a fiddle player to do a show coming from Broadway to recast in the West End, London. I performed Woodie Says for a season. It was great craic!
Currently I'm working with a great bardic troupe which usually includes Brian Fleming on percussion, Aisling Lyons on harp and concertina, with myself telling stories and playing fiddle. We have created music for a storytelling show called By The Light of the Silvery Moon. To book tickets here.
I always wanted to be a writer. The stories inside my head were bursting to get out but being dyslexic and ADHD I couldn't sit down at a computer. Storytelling has allowed me a way to say so much more through rhythm and jigs, and I'm so excited to be teaching the bardic style of storytelling to others, in particular those with similar challenges.
How would you describe your music?
After travelling for years as a bardic musician with a basis in jigs and reels, I create work in both Bearla and Gaeilge language, which uses the power, the passion and the rhythm of Irish music. I really enjoy working in live storytelling, theatre and performance as the buzz from a live audience is so important to creating an energic show.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Micho O'Russell, Micky Finn, Django Reinhardt, Annie Lennox, Mrs Crott, Paddy Killoughery, and Packie Russell.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Nirvana in the Point depot, 1992. An unforgettable gig, but a month later I was in San Francisco for the Celtic Music Festival and saw Altan - I picked up the fiddle and never played electric guitar again!
What was the first record you ever bought?
The Clash’s Should I Stay or Should I Go. Bought this single in Star Records, Galway. I remember the song being used in a Levis ad in the 90s.
What’s your favourite song right now?
A Mother's Heart For Palestine by Mothers Against Genocide with Mary Black, Róisin el Cherif, Ríonach Connolly and others. My great grandmother Susan Sullivan was in Cumman na mBan and one of the founders of Comhlatas in Clare. It is great to see the strength of Irish women in these difficult times.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"The Fenian Ram of ’eighty-one now by all was seen, This boat and show could go below, and they called her the submarine" - Michos Russles version of John Phillip Holland.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Ohhh! I'm a divil for changing my mind all the time, I would HATE to be stuck listening to the same song forever. I'd prefer silence!
Where can people find your music/more information?
By The Light Of The Silvery Moon Bardic Style Storytelling Troupe is performing nationwide.
Alan Corr
