If I mention the term folk music you might instantly conjure up gatherings of ageing hippies sitting around in a circle singing Kumbaya as the patchouli incense fills the air.
But the 60’s are long gone and the idea of what folk music used to represent has not only changed but the music itself covers a much broader spectrum now. Essentially folk music is protest music and with the rise of forms like hip hop and rap the anger is as palpable as ever, but there are also many fine voices that are crying out to be heard in contemporary folk music. Perhaps now in this age where the number of have nots is growing increasingly disillusioned the world at large is starting to listen once again.
Irish Mythen is a contemporary folk artist who has been building a formidable reputation as live performer over recent years. Her magnetic personality is a combination of wry wit, honesty and emotional intelligence with an insight into the human condition imbued with an endearing charm.
Irish was recently nominated as Artist of the Year at the International Folk Music Awards and her current self titled album includes Gypsy Dancer, a song that won her Songwriter of the Year from SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada).
For the past decade Irish has called the tiny Canadian province of Prince Edward Island home, but it’s been her tours to Australia of late that have really caused a stir. At the Woodford Folk Festival Irish delivered one of her most moving performances yet, with a rendition of Tullamore Blues that brought both Irish and many in the audience to tears, one of those rare magic moments that could never be repeated again.
Irish is back in Australia now for another tour, including a series of dates at Bluesfest over Easter. You’ll find her tour dates here.
This conversation was originally to be recorded via Skype, but after problems with the connection I had to resort to the phone, so the audio quality isn’t as clean as I’d like, but the conversation with Irish was just too good to let go….
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