Irish & Celtic Music Interviews

“If hurricanes could play music, they’d sound something like North Carolina’s Tan and Sober Gentlemen... They make music that’s a mix of moonshine and rocket fuel. It’s wild and free bluegrass mated with punk rock. Incorporated with unabashed Gaelic influence, they thrive from a hammer-down style."-Bristol Herald-CourierBorn and raised in North Carolina, the Tan and Sober Gentlemen began taking in the songs, stories, and tunes that make up their beloved state’s musical tradition before they could talk.The music of the Carolinas (and Appalachia in general) stems from the marriage of the Irish fiddle and the African banjo, which first met in the South before the revolution. The Tan and Sober Gentlemen aim to bring these traditions full circle, blending Irish tunes, ballads, and pub songs with the Appalachian old-time and bluegrass music they grew up on. The result is a ruckus known affectionately as “Irish-American hillbilly music”. Renowned as one of the South’s most electrifying live folk bands, The Tan and Sober Gentlemen are known for blazing tempos, raw energy, and unforgettable shows. Their performances are raucous celebrations of the Carolinas’ Irish heritage, filled with drinking, dancing, and downright joy, and have earned them a devoted following across the folk, bluegrass, celtic, and roots music scenes.Since forming in 2017, the Tan and Sober Gentlemen have toured across the United States and Ireland, performing at festivals including MerleFest, Blue Ox Festival, IBMA Bluegrass Live!, Bristol Rhythm & Roots, Appaloosa Festival, FloydFest, Ramble Fest, Shakori Hills, and internationally at Electric Picnic, Spraoi, and the world’s largest Irish traditional music festival, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.In January 2024, the band sold out the Haw River Ballroom on their home turf of Alamance County, North Carolina, performing to 800 fans and recording a live album. Live at the Haw River Ballroom was released in February 2025. Their sophomore studio album, Regressive Folk Music (2022), followed their debut Veracity, which was named by Shite’n’Onions as one of the five best Celtic punk albums of 2019–2020.

Louise Bichan: Fiddle, Photographs, and a Very Spooky AlbumSome artists play music. Some make pictures. Louise Bichan does both, and she uses each one to tell stories, old and new.Orkney rootsLouise grew up in the Orkney islands, where music is part of everyday life. She started fiddle at age 7 after watching concerts at the Orkney Folk Festival, and she pestered her parents until they let her learn. She went on to Glasgow's session scene, performed with Orkney group Fara and singer-songwriter Rachel Sermanni, and studied at the Glasgow School of Art. A scholarship then took her to Berklee College of Music in Boston. Today she is based in the USA.Music and picturesLouise graduated in 2011 with a degree in photography and has photographed folk acts like Lau, Talisk, and Siobhan Miller. Her two art forms first came together in Out of My Own Light, released in 2016. It tells the story of her grandmother, Margaret Bichan (née Tait), who traveled to Canada in 1950 to solve a dilemma of the heart. Louise retraced her steps and wrote music to go with her photographs. Her 2024 album The Lost Summer was long-listed for Album of the Year at the Scottish Traditional Music Awards.BinnorieHer third solo album, Binnorie, comes out October 30 on Adhyâropa Records. It grew out of her 2025 All Hallows' Eve tour of New England, which was so much fun that she took the band into the studio. It's rooted in the folklore of her native Orkney, with Samhain traditions, trowies, selkies, and murder ballads. Guests include Aoife O'Donovan, Rachel Sermanni, Kris Drever, and Brian Cromarty. Louise made the album's artwork herself.Her record release tour runs October 29 through November 8. Listen to the interview, then go hear Binnorie.

House of Hamill joins me for an interview on this week's Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. But as a patron, you get the full interview and you get to hear some of the bands and places that inspire the band.

In the summer of 2025, I led a Celtic Invasion Vacation to Wexford, Ireland. My trips are small and intimate and full of surprises, like this concert.We stopped off at our local grocery store on Tuesday to stock up. On the way out, I saw a flier on the local events wall. Tulua was playing on Thursday, just down the street from us in our little country cottage. Tulua was a band I found on Facebook and invited to play their music on the podcast.

Malin Lewis plays effervescent folk on a newly invented bagpipe! Malin lives in Scotland and is one of the few openly trans Celtic musiciansMalin Lewis plays effervescent folk on a newly invented bagpipe! Malin lives in Scotland and is one of the few openly trans Celtic musicians sharing their music. I am so excited to share this delightful interview with you.Find out more about Malin Lewis here.

Show #706 of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast features an interview with Amelia Hogan. She released her new album this month. Learn how Show #706 of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast features an interview with Amelia Hogan. She released her new album this month. Learn how she came to Celtic music and sean nos singing.

Interview by Mattie Lennon  IT HAPPENED IN MAY.    Before the Civil War and prior to the Truce an atrocity took place in County Kerry which Interview by Mattie Lennon IT HAPPENED IN MAY.   Before the Civil War and prior to the Truce an atrocity took place in County Kerry which has been recorded in song and story. On 12 May 1921, a troop of Black and Tans were travelling out from Listowel towards Athea when they arrested four young unarmed men in Gortaglanna. Prior to this the barracks in Listowel had been burnt out and in retaliation the troops  decided to execute the young men. The first to be shot was Jerry Lyons. When this happened, Cornelius Dee decided, as he was going to be shot anyway, to make a run for it. He ran, and almost immediately took a bullet in the thigh but managed to keep going. He ran for about three miles. He was never recaptured but remained in hiding until the truce    In 2021 I interviewed historian, the late, Dan Keane who told me the story of the song "The Valley of Knockanure" which was written about the shootings. I’m attaching an audio clip of that interview.

The Haar share the story behind their version of “The Wild Rover” on Irish & Celtic Music Podcast #643. Bonhomme Setter, Hanneke Cassel,The Haar share the story behind their version of “The Wild Rover” on Irish & Celtic Music Podcast #643.Bonhomme Setter, Hanneke Cassel, Outbound Traveler, Juha Rossi, Joseph Carmichael, W. Ed Harris, Mic Clark, Seán Heely, The Haar, Strings & Things, Firinn, The Sternwheelers, Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening, Eimear ArkinsGET CELTIC MUSIC NEWS IN YOUR INBOXThe Celtic Music Magazine is a quick and easy way to plug yourself into more great Celtic culture. Enjoy seven weekly news items for Celtic music and culture online. Subscribe now and get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free.VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20 FOR 2024This is our way of finding the best songs and artists each year. You can vote for as many songs and tunes that inspire you in each episode. Your vote helps me create next year's Best Celtic music of 2024 episode. You have just three weeks to vote this year. Vote Now!You can follow our playlist on Spotify to listen to those top voted tracks as they are added every 2 - 3 weeks. It also makes it easier for you to add these artists to your own playlists. You can also check out our Irish & Celtic Music Videos.THIS WEEK IN CELTIC MUSIC0:02 - Intro: Mike at Gen Con0:09 - Bonhomme Setter "Fort Bay" from Colors of Time2:29 - WELCOME4:32 - Hanneke Cassel "Katrina McCoy's Jig / Sierra Fiddle Circle's Compliments to the Girls of Mudzini Kwetu" from Dot the Dragon's Eyes8:21 - Outbound Traveler "Early Morning Rain" from Go On and Wander11:57 - Juha Rossi "The Parting Glass" from Irish Tunes on Mandolin14:10 - Joseph Carmichael "Sovay" from Single19:36 - FEEDBACK22:53 - W. Ed Harris "The Sligo Maid" from Cares of Tomorrow Can Wait25:47 - Mic Clark "THE RIVER" from THE RIVER EP29:26 - Seán Heely "View from the Quiraing" from Dramagical35:16 - STORY: The Haar "Wild Rover" from Where Old Ghosts MeetThe Haar are going out on tour starting in February, all around the UK. You can also see their striking music video. I’ll add that to the featured video playlist on YouTube.37:07 - The Haar "Wild Rover" from Where Old Ghosts Meet41:37 - THANKS44:47 - Strings & Things "Jigtime" from The Unsolicited Dance48:36 - Firinn "Out of the Air, Organic Ross" from The Long Lunch50:40 - The Sternwheelers "Don't Turn Around" from Single53:16 - Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening "High Way To Hermitage" from Cloud Horizons57:08 - CLOSING58:18 - Eimear Arkins "Father Bernie's/Farewell to Miltown/Maudabawn Chapel" from What's Next?1:02:57 - CREDITSThe Irish & Celtic Music Podcast was produced by Marc Gunn, The Celtfather and our Patrons on Patreon. The show was edited by Mitchell Petersen with Graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. Visit our website to follow the show. You’ll find links to all of the artists played in this episode.Todd Wiley is the editor of the Celtic Music Magazine. Subscribe to get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free. Plus, you’ll get 7 weekly news items about what’s happening with Celtic music and culture online. Best of all, you will connect with your Celtic heritage.Please tell one friend about this podcast. Word of mouth is the absolute best way to support any creative endeavor.Finally, remember. Reduce, reuse, recycle, and think about how you can make a positive impact on your environment.Promote Celtic culture through music at http://celticmusicpodcast.com/.WELCOME THE IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST* Helping you celebrate Celtic culture through music. I am Marc Gunn.This podcast is here to build a diverse Celtic community and help the incredible artists who so generously share their music with you. If you hear music you love, please email artists to let them know you heard them on the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. Musicians depend on your generosity to keep making music. So please find a way to support them. Buy a CD, Album Pin, Shirt, Digital Download, or join their communities on Patreon.You can find a link to all of the artists in the shownotes, along with show times, when you visit our website at celticmusicpodcast.com.If you are a Celtic musician or in a Celtic band, then please submit your band to be played on the podcast. You don’t have to send in music or an EPK. Email gift@bestcelticmusicYou will get a free eBook called Celtic Musicians Guide to Digital Music and learn how to follow the podcast. It’s 100% free. Just complete the permission form at 4celts.com.If you normally listen through Google podcast, remember it is closing down and you will need to find a new podcast player.NEWSWe’re funding new merch for 2024. We’re a part of the Make 100/Kickstarter campaign. We’re funding 100 Celtic Pins, 100 Celtic CDs, and 100 Celtic Shirts as part of this new campaign.You can sign up to our Kickstarter Pre - Launch page to be the first to support the podcast at http://marcgunn.com/kickstarter.THANK YOU PATRONS OF THE PODCAST!You are amazing. It is because of your generosity that you get to hear so much great Celtic music each and every week.Your kindness pays for our engineer, graphic designer, Celtic Music Magazine editor, promotion of the podcast, and allows me to buy the music I play here. It also pays for my time creating the show each and every week.As a patron, you get music - only episodes before regular listeners, vote in the Celtic Top 20, stand - alone stories, and you get a private feed to listen to the show.  All that for as little as $1 per episode.A special thanks to our new and continued Patrons of the Podcast: Sherron Sloan, Ed YotherHERE IS YOUR THREE STEP PLAN TO SUPPORT THE PODCASTGo to our Patreon page.Decide how much you want to pledge every week, $1, $5, $25. Make sure to cap how much you want to spend per month.Keep listening to the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast to celebrate Celtic culture through music.You can become a generous Patron of the Podcast on Patreon at SongHenge.com.TRAVEL WITH CELTIC INVASION VACATIONSEvery year, I take a small group of Celtic music fans on the relaxing adventure of a lifetime. We don't see everything. Instead, we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join us with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts and videos. Learn more about the invasion at http://celticinvasion.com/#celticmusic #irishmusic #celticmusicpodcastI WANT YOUR FEEDBACKWhat are you doing today while listening to the podcast? Please email me. I’d love to see a  picture of what you're doing while listening or of a band that you saw recently.Email me at [email protected] Ottalini emailed from Silver Spring, Maryland: "Just dropping a note to say thank you. Your podcasts are wonderful and I listen to them all the time  -  they bring joy at all times of the year."Shawn Webster emailed a photo: "Greetings! Today I’m patching a concrete floor following a sewer line repair! The podcast makes this work much more tolerable. Thank you for another great episode."Christopher Patrick of the band FitzBlarney emailed some Christmas photos from Salem, Massachusetts and wrote: "Hello, Mark! Wanted to share! For Christmas this year I FINALLY got my Bluetooth receiver for my car! This means I can now start my day listening to the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast on my daily commute! My commute to work being only 20 to 30 minutes, I get to travel home listening to it too!I have just finished listening to your Celtic - Christmas episode, and was very impressed with the tunes  -  especially the creative arrangements. These gave me so many ideas for future arrangements with my Celtic Music band, FitzBlarney.We actually began as an ‘Acoustic - Celtic Christmas’ trio, (comprised of myself and my two sisters.) Since then, we have taken on my brother and brother - in - law, and also play non - Christmas, Irish/Celtic music.In fact, this past December, we were asked to play at the Historic Salem ‘House Tour.”In essence, people with historic houses open them up to the public to walk through and see their Christmas displays. Musicians, ( like ourselves, ) set - up and create some Christmassy background music. This year, we were playing in the chapel of St. Peter’s Church, (founded in 1733!)We also did our “Acoustic Brunch,” at O’Neill’s Pub, also in Salem, MA. (I have attached a couple’ pictures for you!)Thank you again for all you do! My commutes sound great now!"Tim Hughes sent a photo: "while walking our tri - pawed dog, Kinder, on the bike path on a wintry morning in Madison, WI."

I interviewed The Gothard Sisters for our holiday companion podcast, Celtic Christmas Music. Afterward, I asked them to share a storyI interviewed The Gothard Sisters for our holiday companion podcast, Celtic Christmas Music. Afterward, I asked them to share a story from their newest album, Dragonfly. You can hear the interview here.

I loved chatting with Eimear Arkins last week. But her description of how to sing with lilting is was quite fascinating. I don't think I've I loved chatting with Eimear Arkins last week. But her description of how to sing with lilting is was quite fascinating. I don't think I've ever heard anyone describe it before.