At the beginning please tell us how it happened that you got involved in music, which instruments you play, how it all started?
There was always music being played in my home when I was a child. So it seemed natural that I started playing music when I was young. I play the guitar, sing and play the bodhran (Irish Drum).
How would you describe in one word kind of music that you play?
I play acoustic music.
You are described by the journalists as a songwriter. I am interested in the balance between tradition and innovation in your music. How can you comment on it?
Yes, my music has an acoustic, folk, roots feel to it. My material does incorporate Irish traditional music with a comtemporary feel to it. This just comes naturally.
The meaning of the word folk in Polish and English is quite different... In our language songwriter’s song is in general not classified as folk, folk asscociates with the folklore and traditional culture. Could you please explain what do you mean by the expression "folk music"?
Folk music to me is the music of the people, it is what everybody thinks, that is close to your heart. Folk music is a music of songwriters, sometimes it is a little bit more contemporary which I do, sometimes I mix it with more traditional... I see that I didn’t answer to your question completely, but it is very hard to explain.
I categorise my music as celtic folk-roots, contemporary, a sort of mixture of these things. Frankly speaking, to me music is music, some people categorise it too much. I think that my music gets to people because it is more contemporary, some people get stuck in the little area, they are not open-minded and can’t come outside of it. I want to reach a lot of people, beyond the categories. As far as my roots, I play traditional music from my region – County Down, but I like to move outside of this circle.
Do you visit villages and learn from the old people how to play, how to sing in a traditional manner?
It comes naturally to me and I don’t think about it. I subconsciously took this on board while listening to this music and other kinds of music as a child.
Do you sing also in Gaelic?
Yes, apart from English, we sing some songs in our national language, we are very proud of it, like you in Poland. On my album "flicker of hope" I have written and sang a song called "fá do choinne" in Irish Gaelic, which means "for you" in English.
Where do you find inspiration to your songs?
I find most of my inspiration for my songs from life which includes my Faith, my views, my feelings and my relationships with other people.
How did it happen that you came to Poland for the first time?
I was invited to perform some years ago at the festival in Mragowo. This was a great experience and I also appeared on Polish TV for the first time.
What were your impressions after visiting our country then?
I found Poland a very beautiful country and the people were very welcoming to me and my music.
Thanks! How many times have you been to Poland? Did you have the chance to visit some places?
I have been to Poland so many times now that I cannot honestly tell you how many... I find the country in general very interesting. As a Roman Catholic I love going to the churches in any of the cities and towns that I have been to. One of the most moving places that I have been to is the concentration camp outside Lublin called Majdanek. The castle in Lublin is very beautiful although has also a very dark side.
You come to Poland with Niall McClean (fiddle). Where and when did you meet him?
I met Niall several years ago at church in our home town Bangor at midnight Mass celebrating Christmas. He was playing his fiddle in the folk group and I needed a fiddle player for a festival I was doing in America. We haven’t looked back. Great fiddle player! But I don’t do every show with him, I also perform quite a lot only on my own.
You write songs for other artists, please tell us, what is more difficult: write a song"on request" or just for yourself? Which do you prefer?
I have written songs for several artists at home and overseas. No major artists as yet and that of course is what I am aiming for. I can write songs on request but I would much rather write for myself as it then comes from the heart.
Your new CD "never too late to come home" is just about to be released. What kind of the material it is? Do any other musicans accompany you?
The new album has an acoustic feel to it mixed with traditional and contemporary music much like my previous albums. I am of course delighted with the new material. There are several other musicians whom I work with on my album recordings. You can hear banjo, tin whistle, accordion, piano, plus fiddle and guitar on it.
Which material are you going to perform at the concerts in Poland ?
I will be performing some new and some older material just like I do in most of my shows at home or overseas.
What are your plans for the nearest future?
I am really looking forward to promoting the new material in Ireland and abroad.
We live in an Internet era. Where can we find information about you in the web?
My web site is: www.brendanmonaghan.com; I am also on Facebook.
Can you say something especially to the Folk24 Magazine Readers?
I am really forward to returning to Poland where we always have a great time. I have a song featured on my look no further album called "P. O. L. A. N. D" this means: Please Only Love And Never Despair, dedicated to the late Blessed John Paul II. Please listen to this song whenever you get the chance. God bless you all. Sláinte a Chairde, Brendan.
Thank you very much for your time and answers!
