JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Musician Message Forum Hello from Ireland

Hi Everyone,


Mike Dunbar put me on to this site, quite some time ago, but here in Ireland things have their own pace...

Anyway, I've been reading thru the different posts and topics the last few days (em... nights, rather) and I thought I'd introduce myself and let the great community this seems to be know I'm here (How did you ever manage without me here before??? lol...)

I'm Michael, Singer/songwriter... Country, Folk... Country/Folk... folkish Country... heck, I wear a hat - I call it Country.

There's only two kinds of music in my world, anyway. I either like it, or I don't. If it 'pulls at the string' for you, then that's it. No explanation needed as to why or why not. Turns out an acoustic(ish) setup of pickers who like what they're doing and some songs that are worth being sung and listened to does just that for me. Think Cash, Guy Clark, Prine... you get the drift...

As gigs here in Ireland on pub/hotel level almost always include backtracks, and I had decided at some early point in that game that I wanted at least my own music and sound to be 'karaoke-ing' to, I acquired this little recording studio over the years, the relevant skills included. By no means top of the drawer, either of the aforementioned, but it suits me fine.

I'd been stuck in that scene for a a while too long, so I'm getting out of it.

Good job the pub scene is dead, over here. It's time to play with real musicians again, as I had always done before I had to succombe to the requirements if I wanted the gig.

So, I'm in the process of putting a new album together, and plan to gig that with a small setup of pickers (Upright, Fiddle, maybe another guitar/mandolin player, evtl. a drummer/percussionist). I'm looking for pro's, or semi-pro's who work like that and can expect to be treated like that - professionals.

I wonder are there any musicians there who'd like to become part of a project, that promises to be tons of fun and a great experience for anyone involved, in any case...

Folks from Nashville ( or anywhere else, for that matter) - if you have a Granny who once had a hamster who's ancestors stemmed from Ireland, it's easy enough to obtain work permits here.

Thought I'd throw this outta there, and see what's thrown back at me...

So "Hello from Ireland", once again - Let's see what we can do for each other, besides of having the craic and make friends...


Best Wishes

Michael

Welcome to JPF Michael. Good luck with you recording,if you ever need some traditional country songs to record,let me know.

Thanks for that, Everett

Had a quick listen there... good demos of good songs...

I wonder who of the two of us have heard the phrase " Did you know you sound like Willie???" more often....

Michael

Welcome to JPF's Michael, hope you love it here as I do..

My fathers family was from Ireland, my maiden name is
Sweeney...

thanks glyn

Well, so far it beats the dating sites...lol...

Thanks, Glynda

Am I the only one form Ireland here? (and I'm not even Irish - I'm German...lol)

Michael

Do you play a mean fiddle, Glynda? If so, you got a gig!!! You Qualify for the work permit, no doubt.... lol

Michael

Welcome Michael:

My Irish ancestors lived near Brandon before Cromwell "banished" them to Barbadoes... in chains because they were Catholic.

Glad you finally decided to join us... although you've been keeping company with some "shady characters" if Mike Dunbar pointed you in this direction... LOL!

Good luck with your project.

Dave

Hey, a country type from Ireland??? That's my kinda' people--folkish even. My people trace back to Wales.
Can't help you on the music--I used to do some, or get someone to translate what I "Hear", but anymore, I mostly stick to lyrics.
If you get your album out and I'm around, bug me. I presume it'll be for sale--"We're all in this together"
Oh,and welcome
Wy
(I know a better lyricist than "I" am though, if you need any lyrics

No I don't play the fiddle, wish I did, and my folks were from around the Dublin area..but don't really remember, something about County of Cork...anyway, i'm learning guitar, then hope to learn the fiddle..thanks glyn

Hey Glynda - I was just kidding... Good luck learning to play the guitar, you'll enjoy it... it's a never ending process, so it never gets boring...:)

Wy: Thanks for considering, but I'm o.k. for songs, have enough originals ready to go. However, always nice to hear sommething else to steal from...

I'll be clicking the links of the posters as I see them...

Trying to find a moment to maybe upload some of my own stuff as well, to give ye all and idea of my possibilities and limitations, alike.

Thanks a bunch, everybody extending such a warm welcome... you're not Just Plain Folks, y'all awf'ly nice, too


Dave: Dunno if the tradeoff Ireland/Barbados is really such a bad deal... 'cept for them chains, that is, of course... Havind said that, we have just had the most beautiful spring month of April - better than the the last six summers all wrapped up in one.... (I'm not promoting the place very well, am I? How do I expect anybody to consider coming over to play for a while???)... lol...

Mike Dunbar a shady figure??? Oh .. I love the air of understatement on here...lol... Truth is, there's no better man than Mike. 'nuff said.

Michael

Hey Michael, good to see you here! Folks, Michael is a fine singer and songwriter, burned up the Country Music scene in Germany for years and is now living on the Emerald Isle.

He got me a gig writing a column for Country Music Plus, which was Ireland's major country music magazine. We also toured together some in Europe and even had our luggage stolen in Amsterdam (long story, that ).

I was honored to produce an album for Michael some xx years ago, it had Albert Lee, Ray Flacke and Leo Jackson among other wonderful players (including the late Tom "Three Cowbells Cerone). Michael can tell you all more.

One day I'll visit you in Ireland, Michael, I know I keep saying that but you might be surprised.

All the Best,
Mike

Hi Michael... your ears must just have been ringing with the praise I was throwing in there for you - but then, as usual, you were quicker and made a superstar out of me in seconds... lol... at least on here...

As for you coming to Ireland, how did you know I had YOU in mind when speaking of that Upright Player in my new gang? lol... At leat you can claim you have the longest travel to the gigs... lol

Yeah folks, Mike produced this album back then, and in what a fine manner. He's just a pro, and the nicest I've met, so far...

I hope to have him on board for the next one, too... gotta catch him before he gets too comfortable in his rocking chair, Ol' Grampa Mike...lol...

Thanks for your nice words. Very much appreciated.


Michael

I enjoyed Germany a great deal. Going down the Rhine... Bacharach, Oberammergau, Munich, seeing Mad King Ludwigs castles nearby. We did Oktoberfest as well.

I also loved Ireland. My favorite are was the Burren on the central west coast. I also enjoyed hanging around Bunratty castle and the crazy fun host we had there.

Jody Whitesides was just looking for a good German singer. Send him a note. (I haven't heard you, so I have no idea if you are what he's looking for).

Welcome,

Brian

Hi MikeB ... welcome to JPF
Nice to meet you. I think you are already getting a sampling of the good people on this site.. It is a nice place to visit when you have time...

I am not Irish, but i did have hamster a very long time ago.. not sure if he had Irish family ties .. AND Mike Dunbar produced and played on my latest cd Nothing Remains the Same Pretty Cool

Wish I could take a quick trip over and sing a few tunes with you .. that would be fun!! Good Luck putting together your new project!

All the Best
Joanne

Hi Brian, thanks for that info; will contact Jodie and see what it's all about...

yeah, this world is beautiful, pretty everywhere you go, and Germany is no exception, that's for sure... Ireland is where I call home now, best place on the planet... and just as beautiful... If you ever come over here again, check out Leitrim. (Psssst... top secret... it's unspoilt, and we wanna keep it like that :)))Just the weather (which is unusually good here in Ireland at the moment, and surprisingly holding - Up Global Warming, I say!!!).... ah well... NGDB "...If you wanna see a rainbow, you gotta stand a little rain... "

Hi Joanne, thanks and nice to meet you, too... Had a little peek there on soundclick the other day - lovely production, great playing... great vocals, very nice songs... you got yourself sumpn' to be proud of

You are very welcome to visit, anytime you like...If you saw my setting here, you'd make room for it on a regular basis, believe me... Little recording studio housed in a log cabin, overlooking a lake and Sliebh an Iarrainn (the Iron Mountains), next to the stone cottage I live in... Awww, how sterotypical is that??? lol

I have to put a few tunes up myself - what's the best way to go on about that? Any recommendations? I have no product at this very moment I want to flog, so I don't see much use in a 'commercial' site at this point. Is there any facility here on this site to upload stuff? Wouldn't it be nice not to have to leave the site to listen to stuff? If that's feasible, technically speaking...

Anyway.... still listening to Joanne's tunes... growing on me... :)))


Mind how you go, y'all...
Michael

Hi Michael:

There is a section of the site called "MP3 and Lyric Forum." Scroll downward when you first enter the JPF site and you will see it. They want a link to a single song (not an album) so just experiment a little and ask for assistance if needed. Lot's of helpful folks here.

Yeah, Joanne's quite an artist.

I hope you understood my pun regarding Dunbar. He's my JPF idol.

bye ya'll...

Dave

Hi Dave,

Mike Dubar is THE man. Full stop.

Thanks for the advice there, Dave, I'll go and check it out...

Michael

Looks like I still need to sign up with soundcklick, or reverbnation, or something similar... What would the general recommendation be? What are your experiences, folks? Any copyright issues to worry about?

I'm all open to suggestions, and would very much appreciate all your distinguished advice...

Michael

First of all Michael, welcome to the boards! I have some Irish in me myself from my mom's side of the family, but that was many generations ago. They did give me my red hair though! One day I'd like to go there too, we'll see!

As for putting your music online, I use Reverbnation. I find that site to be very easy to use and user-friendly, much more so than Myspace *gag* which is the site I first used for putting my tunes online. I tried Soundclick and I still have an account on there but I prefer Reverbnation. The layout to me is easier to use IMHO.

It looks like you are putting together an album, and one cool site I recommend for selling your stuff is Bandcamp at http://www.bandcamp.com . You can upload your own music and even set your own price for it! I've used it a few times myself and I'll be using it in the future when I have more music.

Hi Ann,

thanks a bunch for those thoughts and info.

Think I'll go and have another look at ReverbNation, then..

In time, i.e. when there's a new product to adverstise, I'll have a website up, I should think. I'll be starting to research and compare all the different flogging-sites when the time comes and see what suits me there, and then.

I have to admit I feel a bit odd about putting 'unfinished' stuff out there; could be the german default setting to being a bit on the perfectionist side... who knows.. I'll overcome it, some day... lol...

You know - it IS the internet, after all.... once you press the 'send' button, it's out there and there's no way to ever get it back...

Michael

Hey Michael, I use Soundclick for unfinished things, rough mixes, or for things I might want to put up as examples here or on our music theory forum. I use Reverbnation for finished songs. Still, I'd recommend checking all possibilities out, because as you know, I don't really promote myself as a singing artist. I don't even sell product anymore, just do it for fun.

Hey Mike... Good to know you don't SELL product anymore... will you GIVE us some more, then ...lol...

On that note - excuse the pun - I always liked your singing... :)Wasn't it you you was always and relentlessly promoting the "Smile-while-you-sing" rule? And if you're smiling, you're having fun, most likely.... so, doing it for fun is the most professional way of going on about it, whatcha say?


I had been checking out those sites there the last couple of days, and I agree with you; soundcklick seems to be the place for this 'demo' stuff, once we have release quality i.e. broadcast quality, there's better platforms for that.

Ok then... gonna sign up there and put a couple up... might as well... better than keeping them in the drawer forever...

Chat ya later,

Michael

If I wasn't having fun doing all this, I'd be a fool. Of course both could be true.

I already gave you one, Michael. Others you can hear for free on streaming audio: http://www.reverbnation.com/mikedunbar

Here's a tip, if you don't want to give away your music, check the settings on those sites and don't allow downloads. That doesn't mean folks can't get it, but it makes it harder.

Mike

If I wasn't having fun doing all this, I'd be a fool. Of course both could be true.

I already gave you one, Michael. Others you can hear for free on streaming audio: http://www.reverbnation.com/mikedunbar

Here's a tip, if you don't want to give away your music, check the settings on those sites and don't allow downloads. That doesn't mean folks can't get it, but it makes it harder.

Mike

Mike.... You gave me a whole lot many more than just ONE.

Yeah, I know there's no fail safe way to protect your songs, once out there on the net, at this level I don't think it matters much. Anybody stealing will only be classed as a compliment to be interested in the first place... I'm sure they'll pay the ticket price eventually...

No matter what... your tape was one of the best albums I ever owned, particulary the acousitc side... But you knew that, already

I've sigend up now, and will upload something... I'm crazy... lol...

Michael

Edit: The one recording of you I've been after for a while is your version of the The Dutchman... unrivalled, if you ask me... and for the memories, too...

...come to think of it, I've always been crazy....lol...

Right then.... that's done.

As you see there's a soundclick link appearing on my posts now, guess I'm here now. Good luck... lol

Note: On this tune there's a bouzouki featured - I didn't play that. Everything else I'm responsible for.

Box of memories? lol... box of tissues, rather.... lol


Michael

Haha... on that matter... Remember how seeing your own album on a shelf in the shop where you used to buy your music would give you the feeling of 'having it made'? In today's upside down times you can consider yourself a star if you can find your latest release on rapidshare or something the like... What next, I ask??

Michael

Nice Michael, you have an ultra smooth voice, I like it! Good stuff!

Thanks Rick... much appreciated... what d'you make of the tune?

Michael

Thanks for taking time to listen to my music ... thank you for your kind words, much appreciated ...
I just saw you posted on soundclick .. gonna go have myself a listen!!

all the best
Joanne

Thank you Joanne...

Let me know what you think, if you like

I'l have to have a look and see what else I can upload there...


Great day, everyone...

Michael

Do I use too many smilies? Should I seek professional help?

Mike. Yes. To both questions.

lol.... I can HEAR your smile!!!!

You sure you ain't from arkansas? Thats real country in my opinion. Again, Good stuff!

Hi Rick, thanks very much for that...

Nope, not from Arkansas... German born and german bred... I used to work a lot for the American Forces back in the Fatherland, I've lived for a little while in Cananda and hung out in Nashville and Austin, but I've lived here on this crazy little island (Father Ted, anyone???...lol...)for some 13 years and countin'.

No better place, is all I can say - 'tis home now.

Well, that's what I mean - how DOES one class that kinda style? It's not really folk but not quite 'twangy' enough to be called straight country. Americana has a different feel to it, as well... I really wouldn't know what to call it, anymore... still... was Cash a country singer? (not that anyone thinks I'd compare myself - the man's my hero; well... one of 'em, for sure...)

The version of the tune there is a rough demo, and the takes aren't even cleaned up, I use something like this to get an idea what I REALLY want to hear in the song when I record it. And if it works as a song, in general.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who operates like this...

Michael

Hi Michael,

You're not the only Irish lad here. From the emerald Isle myself. Great to see you on. Lot of great folks here. Enjoy!

Cheers

Alan

Hey Alan,

As I pointed out before - I'm ON the Emerald Isle, I'm not FROM it. I'm a German immigrant for over 13 years. Long enough to slag the place approriately - and love it like no other.

Yup, this is a great place, altogether... Thanks for the warm welcome.

Where are you located, and what do you do, Alan? PM, if you like

Michael