Shut up and play a song Irish man.

Photo by Eddy.

Oh. This blog post got lost in the fray…better late than never.

Just back from France. It was a wee bit of a clusterfuck organisationally, being assured we could fit four people, a cello, guitar, 3 bags, merch etc. inside a Twingo car for instance. But the shows were great. People showed up which always does actually amaze me. I really do love you all for taking the time and money to listen to me sing. I don’t take it for granted.

It always amazes me when people are crying or moved by it. It’s humbling and I don’t really know what to say. So I usually joke and people probably think I am an arsehole or fake about what I do on-stage. Wow it was intense and now here he is joking. I always joke and tell funny stories in-between songs. It is just too much otherwise I think.

Sometimes I get carried away and spend 5 minutes telling stories instead of playing. My agent in France is always on at me about it. I try my hardest to join the songs up and not break the flow, but there comes a point where it is just too much.

Of course sometimes I do just close my eyes and plough through them one after another, usually when I have to concentrate really hard because there are people talking or the sound is shite.

Most of the time people are great, some countries more-so than others, and you can hear a pin drop. Other times you have to eyeball the person making the noise to shut-up.

I pick my venues well, I have learned that no matter what assurances given by the promoter, NEVER play in any venue with the world Ireland or Irish in title. People will inevitably come to see you play trad and be pissed off when you don’t or don’t take requests to play Fields of Athenry. (not that I don’t love trad, and I actually like Fields of Athenry). It is hard enough when I am playing in a new place and the press mentions I am Irish. There will always be one or two who rock up not knowing the score expecting me to play Irish music.

I also never play where people eat. A recipe for disaster (see what I did there?). My fave places to play? Churches. Yeah I know, Mr. Heathen non believer himself. What can I say, the acoustics are just amazing. I could sing for hours in them. I really want to record in one.

Speaking of which, I am in talks to record a live album in Paris. I am loathe to talk about it as most things you plan in the world of music don’t actually happen. There is a lot of back slapping and bullshit. So I like to announce things when they are done rather than disappoint people. I always only believe it when I am on the stage singing the first note or the cheque has cashed. You cynical old bastard Declan.

While I was in Paris I checked out my good friend Maeva le Berre’s show at the Theatre le Rond Pont. If you are in Paris check out http://bit.ly/ayIAdr . Maeva composed the music and plays it live with many fantastic interesting instruments, water crystals on metal domes etc. Plus of course her excellent cello. Check it if you can. My French is shite and I only understood 1/ 3 of what the actor was saying but is still worth it for the music and timbre of the actors voice.

I saw no rollerblading cops this time, did my jokes about them upset them? Are they sulking? Hope every one is happy and content and has something to look forward to this week.