IT’S TRAD, DAD

Aoibheann Boyle on the road to Culture Night’s Burren celebration

My musical journey started a short time ago, when I moved to Clare in 2021.

The trad music community was inspiring and heading to the regular trad session left me in awe of their talent and respect for each other. I was soon to realise how supportive and inclusive the community was when I was asked to sing a song one day in January 2022.

Whether you’re of top talent or the other range, they just want you to tell your story and express yourself whatever way it may be.

So, before that day I would only sing in the shower or in my car, but after that day I regularly got asked to sing at sessions. It ignited a buzz within me. I then organised a fundraiser and reluctantly put myself on the bill.

That was my first soundcheck and performance. Two songs, ten minutes.

The soundcheck only saw four of us in the room but with the surge of excitement from the monitors feeding back and the energy of playing with other instruments, I immediately fell in love.

Singing brought me out of hard times and I started to put those thoughts to paper. A few months later I started doing a few pub gigs over the summer and within those months, Dan Astro and I came together for my first recording and collaborative experience, and with my own material.

My first full original gig came then in September 2023, supporting a musical icon which is Síomha, where I could share for the first time some of my own songs, and co-written songs with the maestro which is Stew MacPhail.

It’s been a quick and wild journey so far, but still in its infancy and I’m always looking forward to seeing what lies next down this curious aul’ road.

And going back to my roots for Culture Night, with such wonderful artists from The Burren, feels like coming home. Love Grace Wells, the environmental poet, musician and performance artist Branwen Kavanagh and, of course, MegaTrad, a trio that are going to raise the roof…

It’s going to be magical…

Sounds From The Burren is at The Whale on Friday, September 20th from 8pm. Entry is free but booking is essential here: https://whaletheatre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873647562