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Máire in Conversation Máire Brennan has participated in two online chats with her fans. The first with TWEC.com in October 1999, and Yahoo! Chat in February 2001. Below are the transcripts for these chats: |
TWEC.com Chat Transcript, October 20, 1999
(Note: MB> = Máire Brennan speaking)
MODERATOR> Hello and welcome to tonight's chat with Maire Brennan! Hello Maire.
MB> Thanks to everyone who is chatting tonight - hello from Dublin! I feel well, although it's 1:00 in the morning. I'm thrilled with the release of my new album!
Michael> Hi Maire. Is your book going to describe your spiritual journey as well as your musiclal one? When would you expect it to be published?
MB> I'm not terribly sure - because I'm going to the States in two weeks and I'll be away until December, they thought that because I'd be away and unable to support it and then with Christmas and the millennium, there is so much going on that they thought it would be best to wait until the new year.
MB> I think it might be after Christmas.
MB> It's due for publication next autumn. It would be one of the main reasons for me doing the book is to show my life and where I'm at now, which is spiritually very important to me. The publisher took a while convinving me that it's the best thing for me to do, because you need to go into the darker side of life as well. It's harder than any album, I'll tell you that much!
rock> what is your favourite castle in ireland?
MB> As far as staying in the castle, I stayed recently in Waterford Castle. When you arrive, it's on a little island and you take a little ferry across to get there, one or maybe two cars at a time. You just geton the island and you stay there. It's so peaceful and beautiful. It's really lovely to stay there. The rooms are authentic and the food is great, and it's not haunted. *laugh*
MarkJ> My one year old son was listening to the new album today and really picked up on Paul on the Peacemaker track. He stopped swaying to the music and smiled! How was it working with your son on the album? It does seem very much a family affair.
MB> Yes, it is a family affair, I guess. Tim Jarvis, my husband, wrote quite a bit with me, my mother's choir - I do a song with my mum's choir, and in that choir are my sister and my father. It happened quite natural with my song. It's Francis of Assissi's prayer, and I wanted to do something with it. It started off with the rhythm of it, and then I put down an oooh - that's the only way I can describe it - and I thought to put the prayer on the album would be nice. But then I asked my son, w
MB> He's five now.
MB> I don't like to push my kids into doing anything.
MB> What better way to get it across but from the voice of a child.
MB> It thrills me that other children can relate to it.
noodle> Have you ever considered a duet with Enya?
MB> Only if it was appropriate.
MB> Any time I've dueted with people it's been quite spontaneous - whether it was with Bono or Bruce Hornsby or even with Michael McDonald.
Arthur> I loved your last concert, I'm going to bring my kids to your next concert in November. Are you going to include some old Clannad songs again, as well as some new material?
jude corscadden> what are your opinions on the modern revival of celtic(horrible word) druidry
MB> the reason I got into the celtic spirituality was because I think it's something that's lost when you talk about celtic culture.
MB> The revival of Celtic culture is, to me, a lot to do with that, really. More so than the druids that were there beforehand.
MB> That really comes from the spirituality. Ireland has been used as a Christian country, with the missionries from the 700-800s. and when the dark ages was happening in Europe you had Ireland, which was in the golden age and the land of saints and scholars.
MB> Since 432 when Patrick came to Ireland, it really made a huge impact as far as the way people changed, and within their character and their culture and the way they gained hope and courage, especially in the tragedy that surrounds Ireland, the songwriting - especially songs that I have sung - you can hear so much hope and courage within that.
Foxfire> Oooh will your song "Don't give up" a duet with Michael mcDonald be available on a single ?
MB> I don't think so. It is actually going to be added - because the Streams album wasn't released on mainstream over here, I think they're going to include it as a ghost track on this album so it gets a chance to be heard.
jaybird> What album have you been listening to the most lately?
MB> What the kids are listening to (laughs) because it's on all the time. There are lots of young bands that the kids would love, that they play.
MB> B*Witched, Boyzone, The Corrs...they're on all the time, so I suppose I listen to them a lot.
jaybird> Hey Maire. I've been listening to your artful work since the late eighties. You have a very distinguished career, and I'm pleased that you are so committed to making music. I'm looking forward to hearing your new album. Just out of curiousity, are there any special cameo appearances on the album by friends of yours that we should know about?
MB> No. Just my family and me. There are people that you would know, but wonderful traditional musicians on the album.
Celt> I hope it will never happen, but do you foresee an end to Clannad any time?
MB> Well, not at the moment! We're just taking a short break, and it's giving me the opportunity to do this.
MB> We've been going for 29 years, professionally for 25, and it's been great! I've enjoyed it. If we take it easy, I think we can live a long time.
Rycky> what are the main influences in your music?
MB> My musical influences would probably stem from what I listened to growing up - Joni Mitchell, The Beach Boys, The Beatles...things like that.
MB> I think the influences in my music is one of being what I've soaked up through the last 30 years, really. it wouldn't be one specific thing now.
Justin> Does the American audience react differently than your Irish audience during concerts?
MB> Well, when I did the tour last February-March in America, it was my first solo tour there.
MB> I was really taken aback - I mean, I was thrilled by the way that people enjoyed me and welcomed me. In Canada as well - I've always enjoyed playing there.
MB> I suppose Irish audiences can be more critical toward their own - when I come here I'm almost accepted easier. I enjoy playing at home, and I enjoy playing abroad as well.
MB> It was actually wonderful.
MB> It would be books that I read, particularly about Celtic spirituality and Christianity. Musically, I listen across the board to a lot of things.
MB> But it was just more to do with, I suppose, being on the road, living in hotels, travelling all the time - I got lazy and irresponsible.
MB> I certainly did.
Justin> I've noticed that the last two albums have used alot of drum looping (which I think sounds brilliant). Is there a reason you've opted for loops instead of drummers? (Not forgetting Dee on the bohran!)
MB> I'll tell Dee that.
MB> I suppose timewise, it does help, being able to experiment a bit more with different rhythms.
MB> We've used drummers on occasion, and on previous solo album I used a wonderful percussionist! I try to mix both because I think it sounds more interesting.
MB> I think it's probably good to have a handle on it yourself.
ah1gcobra> Maire, It's so nice to see your music heading in a spiritual direction. But it seems that all of your familys music has a mystical, spiritual quality to it. Do you feel that you wandered from your Christian upbringing at some time in your life?
MB> I certainly did.
MB> But it was just more to do with, I suppose, being on the road, living in hotels, travelling all the time - I got lazy and irresponsible.
MB> I think the spiritual aspect of it is very much in keeping in the way we regard nature - where I grew up, I'd say it was spiritual because of the beautiful creation around me.
MB> It's nice to do what I'm doing now. There's nothing wrong with doing something that has direct spiritual contact with God.
Fionan> Maire, if you had to pick one song you've heard that you wished you had written yourself, which would it be?
MB> When You've Got a Friend, by James Taylor. Or one or two of Joni Mitchell's.
Justin> Where were the photos for the new album taken?
MB> A wonderful little island called Dalkey Island, not too far from where I'm living now.
MB> It's beautiful! Even though it was July, summertime in Ireland, it was cold!
patty> Which message would you like to give to young people with your music?
MB> I'd like to think that they get a sense of contentment and peace from it. A certain amount of happiness, or finding themselves, or reflecting on this mad world that we live in. That would probably be it.
Kateithne> Have you ever played a practical joke on anyone in your family or on your friends?
MB> Well, I mean, in the family we're always playing practical jokes on each other.
MB> There are so many little things!
MB> Pretending somebody was looking for you and you went out the back door and there was a donkey there - silly things like that.
Fiel> Maire, how many instruments do you play?
MB> My main instrument is the Irish harp. I play a keyboard - a piano - and a little bit of guitar. And the bohran as well - I can master the bohran a little.
Justin> What drew you to playing the harp?
MB> My father sent me to boarding school when I was in my teens.
MB> Because they taught the harp in this school, and he thought it would be nice for me to learn it.
MB> I hated it at first - there's this image of the Irish colleen - all I needed was a shawl. I hated the image. But it was nice to be part of a group, and the harp to be part of an arrangement of things, instead of just as an accompanyment to a singer.
MB> I like playing melodies on the harp.
patty> Was it hard to grow up in Donegal?
MB> No, because coming from a large family, it was great. There were no houses around where I come from when we were growing up.
MB> Now there are, but then it was quite remote. Because we were a large family it was fine. I didn't see TV until I was 15, and even then it was black and white.
MB> I was fascinated by it. And cars were very rare, but what you don't know, you don't miss.
Deborah_Brazil> I want to give you congratulations for your albums. I can't understand some lyrics in Irish, but I can feel your emotion, when you are singing. It' s wonderful! Because of this, my dream is to see your concert , one day, here in Brazil, Do you know that you have a lot of fans here in Brazil?
MB> Thank you so much for enjoying the music!
MB> I am aware that we have people that know our music out there and love it, and I'm glad that it makes you feel so good listening to the Gaelic.
MB> The reason we sing the Gaelic is, emotionally, it's beautiful to sing. It's sometimes transcends descriptions in Ireland. It's a very emotional language.
MB> Nature is used in describing the emotions that relate to what is being said or what the song is about, so it's nice that you can feel that!
jaybird> Maire, how extensive will your touring in the States be next year?
MB> I'm going to be touring the full month of November, and depending on how successful that is, I'd like to go back next year to do more.
MB> I suppose it depends on how well the album does and how well my concerts are received.
Fiel> How did you come to sing a the "Josephine" song on Back To Titanic? - Did James Cameron or James Horner ask you?
MB> James Cameron suggested it. He wanted the song on the second album because there were some songs that weren't put on the first one.
MB> He's got a daughter called Josephine, and my name came up as a suggestion to sing it. I was asked if I'd do it, and I said yes, and then I didn't hear anything for a couple of months!
MB> Myself and my family were away camping and I turned the mobile off, and when I came back that Sunday evening there were messages after me all over the place - could I be in LA yesterday?
MB> I was in LA that Monday, sang Come Josephine on Tuesday, finished it on Wednesday and was back on Thursday.
MB> It was lovely to do. My father said that his mother used to sing it - it was an old musical song that his mother used to sing.
jude corscadden> did you enjoy doing the chicane track
MB> This is fantastic - Nick from Chicane really believed that this would be a hit over here.
MB> Because Harry's Game was never done to a click track, he asked if I'd sing it for him.
MB> I went to London and layered my voice, and we completely redid Harry's game.
MB> The lines, the extra lines- all of it. It was such a tremendous hit over here in Ireland! It was really great fun, and it was great to do the top of the pops and the Pepsi charts and programs that I thought I'd never do again!
MB> Being on road shows and singing to thousands of young kids - it was great, great fun and I enjoyed it immensely.
noodle> why is 'Against the Wind' the only song of it's kind in your repetoire? Was it hard to create? Have you ever thought of making another song in it's league? I like the use of the percussion and drums in 'A Mhurun’n î'.
MB> It's just the way it happened! When I go into the studio, I really don't know the end result of the song. If you look at Harry's Game - Clannad never did a repeat of anything like that. Either it happens or it doesn't.
Justin> What is the best way for a non-Irish person to learn Irish Gaelic?
MB> it's a difficult language. If you really want to learn - if there's nowhere near you that teaches it, learning it by tape would be the first step.
MB> Eventually you'd have to come to Ireland and speak it here. I know people from other countries around the world who have learned it, and who came to Ireland and lived with people who speak it.
MB> That's the best way to gain the benefit from it.
MB> In the summer especially, there are a lot of short and long courses that you can take. You can stay with a local family and take classes.
Fionan> Maire, I understand that your name is NOT pronounced like Marie... but rather Moy-ya. Is that accurate?
MB> Yes. It's because it's a Gaelic name.
MB> Reading Gaelic and saying it sometimes are two different things.
MB> Marie - the 'i' would be in a different place, and the accent on the 'a' is very important.
MB> If you were from any area in America or England or whatever, you have different ways of saying things.
MB> In Donegal we don't pronounce the 'r's in our vocabulary. That's why it comes out more like Moy-ya.
Kateithne> Was it hard for you to learn English, and how old were you when you started speaking it?
MB> When I went to school, I would have done all of my subjects in Gaelic and I would have learned English as a subject. I would have been five or six when I started to learn English properly.
JFR1956aolcom> What are the chances of a video so we can enjoy the visual aspect of your songs?
MB> Ask the record company. *laugh*
Fionan> Maire, who's your favorite author? Why?
MB> I don't have any particular favorite author. I like all sorts of books.
MB> At the moment I've been reading a lot of books on Celtic culture and Celtic Christianity and the saints of Ireland and things of that sort.
MB> I don't have too much of a chance to read, apart from things that I'm interested in and want to gain information from.
Justin> The Posion Glen in Gweedore apparently has a legend attached to it, and you sing about it on the Anam album. What is the legend?
MB> There are several legends. There is a legend about a one-eyed giant that says that his eye was pierced by one of our giants - that's one of the legends.
MB> Another legend is that a local legend was trapped in a church and someone poisoned the water to get rid of the army, and they didn't drink the water until they were all dead.
MB> The third legend is that there are poisonous berries in that kind of valley.
MB> Typical Irish - you don't get just one explanation.
MarkJ> There's a huge fanbase that's online. Do get time to check out the various fan sites and message boards. If so, what do you think?
MB> Sometimes people read them out to me or people tell me about them.
MB> I must do more with checking them out - I'm not great on the Internet as yet. *laugh* So please excuse me.
sawem> how does a person know they're a musician?
MB> I suppose if you feel the music.
MB> You have to remember that you can be a great poet and you don't need to have great melodies.
MB> I think if you can't play an instrument- if you picked up a guitar or something and you have rhythm, it kind of helps to know what's there, but it's something that you have to explore and discover yourself.
MB> In doing that, you have to put yourself in a situation that allows you to find out.
MB> Like learning an instrument and practicing. Learning an instrument isn't like picking up an instrument and suddenly you can play.
MB> People have to work at it. Don't get illusioned if you can't play after a week - we have to exercise our fingers and work at it.
Justin> What is it about the Irish culture that generates such imaginative and passionate thinking?
MB> I do think Irish people are very passionate by nature.
MB> I think that the spirituality of the Irish people has a lot to do with that as well, because of the strength that they gained from it.
Arthur> Are you goiing to be touring with the same musicians as your last tour?
MB> Well, the guitar player from my last tour has gone back to college to finish his studies in music. I have a new guitarist - he's wonderful, a great singer.
MB> My sister Dierdre was with me on the last tour, but she just had a baby so she'll be missing.
MB> And I have another keyboardist - he's wonderful. He comes from a family of thirteen, if you can believe it!
Justin> What is it about the Irish culture that generates such imaginative and passionate thinking?
MB> I do think Irish people are very passionate by nature.
MB> I think that the spirituality of the Irish people has a lot to do with that as well, because of the strength that they gained from it.
MB> We're very up front about things. If you come to Ireland, people will always talk to you. We don't let things go very easily, and that might be a problem. It's amazing for such a small country to have so much influence. We have so much influence on the music and the art of the world.
MB> It's nice to be able to get out there and meet some of you ,so I hope to see you soon! Enjoy the music, and thanks a million.
MB> And my sister Enya - of the family in general. It's been so lovely to be able to play music that we love, and for people to appreciate it.
MB> I really would love to thank everyone who has been so supportive of Clannad and myself.
MODERATOR> TWEC.com would like to thank Maire Brennan for stopping by tonight! Maire is there anything you would like to say to everyone who has stopped by tonight?
MB> Go Raibh Maith Agaibh - that means Thank You in Gaelic.
MODERATOR> Thank you to everyone who came to tonight's chat.
MODERATOR> A complete transcript of tonight's chat will be available in the coming days at TWEC.com
MODERATOR> TWEC.com would like to thank Maire Brennan for joining us tonight!
MODERATOR> Thank you Maire!! Please come back again soon.
MODERATOR> Ok one more question for you Maire, before we go.
noodle> what do Clannad whisper at the beginning of 'In a Lifetime?!
MB> It's myself and Bono talking about the night before we recorded this.
MB> There was a terrible thunder and lightning storm, and when we came in the next day with lyrics, that's why the chorus goes First the Thunder, then the storm.
MB> We were saying things in Gaelic - I was teaching him things and he was saying them.
MB> Well spotted, whoever caught that!
|  | The following is the transcript of the Live Yahoo! Chat with Máire Brennan which took place on Friday, February 2nd at 6:00 - 7:00 PM EST (23:00 - 24:00 GMT)
at Yahoo! Chat:YCM = Yahoo Chat Moderator
MB = Maire Brennan
YCM: She's here
Let's get her settled
and
okay
thanks everyone
Please welcome
Maire Brennan to Yahoo Chat
MB: Hello to everyone out there from Ireland!
noodle_the_talking_poodle: Are the lyrics to "Saltwater" available anywhere? I've had no luck so far! Thank you
MB: Because I was invited on to sing on the track, it's not my album or my song.
I don't know
You need to contact somebody Chicane
The words are used are from Harry's Game...
and then what Nick from Chicane had done out - a couple of lines
and I had translated from Gaelic.
so I'm not sure it's available.
We don't really know what I'm singing
:-)
Adenture21: Initial response to the Grammy nomination?
MB: Oh
Completely boiled over.
Clannad had been nominated 3 times for a Grammy
and on the last occasion, we actually won the Grammy
but to be nominated as a solo artist
is just amazing.
It started the year off for me so wonderfully.
I don't expect to win, but to be nominated and recognized
is fantastic.
angela_clare_wl: My Dad's from Loughanuran (u'll know that)
and apparently he used to deliver milk to ure house years ago.
personally i think he's winding me up but to settle it,
dyou know of a John Kitty Hudie Neddy from Ranafast/Loughanuran way?????
would settle a big debate! Thanx
MB: We used to get our milk from Gweedore rather from Ranafast
but if he was driving that lorry, then he did deliver the milk.
His name sounds very familiar.
Really, with a name like that..I MUST know him.
Definitely my dad would know him.
jaimeprater2000: Are you pleased with the classification of Whisper to the Wild Waters?
MB: Well, the funny thing is that every time we've been nominated
we've been in that section - new age -
so I'm kind-of used to it now.
My sister, Enya, has also been classed in this category
so I guess that's where they mainly see the Brennan clan, then
I don't mind as long as people get a chance to hear it.
I suppose new age can be spiritual and calming and surreal music
which sometimes appears in our music.
I don't mind it at all.
noodle_the_talking_poodle: Hello Maire!! It's great to see wonderful musicians like you
chatting on the net! Do you use the internet yourself? Have you seen pages on your music
such as http://members.nbci.com/mairebrennan?
MB: I do. I think it's fantastic.
I use the internet for everything.
Buying my albums
to finding out information for my daughter's school projects
to anything.
I do look up the Clannad website and anything to do with them.
I haven't got a proper one running myself but that will soon be rectified.
And thank you for saying that about me and my music.
It's wonderful to be talking to people from far and near. it's a wonderful
opportunity.
hsarkas: You say another solo album will be released this year, is it going to be a
continuation of WTWW or will it be more traditional or a mixture?
MB: it's going to be a mixture.
This time I'm recording.
I'm very excited about recording with Universal.
It's contemporary.
I'm at the very early stages at the moment and I hope that
it will be released in September.
I like working in the studio.
It's great when you take a break from touring.
and it's great to be in a job
It's very exciting
oboewheeler: What kind of sythesizers do you use?
MB: I use all kinds.
The ones I've used recently have been the Roland 1080 and 3080
which I find have some very interesting sounds
I've used also the Wave Station (Korg)
but I do spend a lot of time mixing through different sounds
and sometimes create my own as well.
Tiel2000dk: Maire, who is the person talking in "Peacemaker"?
MB: it's my lovely son
Paul
He was 5 years of age when he spoke those words
and he was so wonderful.
He used to it, I suppose, seeing me in studios and recordings and on stage
so it wasn't a bit frightening for him to do...
but he's quite shy.
I didn't have to buy him alot of sweets for him to do it, either.
it was lovely to use, on this song that developed, into a song about peace
because, you know, when you seen children in a war or hunger situation,
we have so much peace in this world and thought it would be so fitting
to have a child's voice
speak the words of hope
and of love
violiner2000: Maire, when will your autobiography be released in the U.S.A.?
MB: I'm looking for a publisher..
if you know of one...please call!
:-)
it's been released in Europe and I think in the likes of Australia as well
Last October, November
it's doing extremely well.
it's very much my story.
Maire Brennan's story.
When I was asked to write it, I was approached by the publishers in England.
My first reaction was to run a mile away from it.
Who wants to share their darkest secrets to the world?
But they came and spent some time with myself and my husband
and I suppose I felt that there was a story there,
a long time ago in a remote country area in Donegal,
where I grew up.
There were no tvs or radios.
A wonderful childhood, though
The eldest of 9
30 years with Clannad
And going through a quite dark time in my life,
but really just where I've come through now,
particularly spiritually.
I suppose the book tends to try to show that it's okay to be a bit spiritual
with your life and not think that you're boring or can't have a social life
We all need it sometime in our life,
even if it takes a tragedy in our life to show us where we have to turn to
Where do we find comfort?
We run to find fellowship with each other and church and the like
it makes you think.
It's part of the human life's make-up.
It's not trendy, but it's important.
Those aspects...just showing that with where my life is now
and how happy I am.
It's done extremely well over here.
It's not a heavy book, a very easy read.
Not as sad as "Angela's Ashes" or anything.
:-)
Living in a city or a town in Ireland long ago...it would be very different in the countryside,
even if you didn't have a lot of money, you felt richer
because you just have the countryside.
uwsoph19: I've been teaching myself Irish Gaelic for the past 8 years (I think it's the most beautiful,
lyrical language there is) and I was wondering what your feelings are about it's
future? Do you think it will strengthen?
MB: Well, I think it has strengthened from the first time that we recorded Gaelic songs, for sure.
When Clannad started to sing Gaelic songs 30 years ago,
in my father's pub where we would perform,
we loved playing music
We would sing anything from
Beach Boys
and Mamas & the Papas.
Because of the harmonies, you see
And of course,
Joni Mitchell
and the Beatles.
We started to include Gaelic songs.
The language didn't have the respect it does now
We became more involved in discovering the beautiful, old songs
and the way they were written
and in the way I write songs now,
using the elements of nature to express one's feelings
People in Ireland thought we were crazy.
They said...
you have a nice sound, but maybe if you sing in English, it would be better
But we refused
And collected alot of old songs
I think this is where Clannad songs developed
The sound that Enya does now
And Riverdance
A touch of in Titanic
it didn't exist before this because vocals were done without instruments long ago
but we knew that singing Gaelic songs had to be more interesting
because people wouldn't know what we were singing about
So we spent a lot of time arranging the songs
and hopefully getting across the emotion
We did this for 6 albums and certainly we wanted to be famous
and making lots of money
but we just wern't going the right way about it
But we loved the language
It's my first language
I talk to my children, they go to Gaelic school.
My husband is English and learning the language
it's such a wonderful thing that our first major success,
Harry's Game in 1982,
happened to be in Gaelic.
That was a real treat,
it was so important to have that achievement
I will always continue to use it.
I think it's beautiful to use in singing.
So melodic.
So lovely to use.
When I use it, it becomes another instrument
YCM: Do you think there was great support from the irish americans for gaelic?
MB: I think in general, there's alot more support for it. It's regarded in Ireland,
even though everybody does not speak it, as the first language,
They have it in signposts and everything
in Gaelic as well as English
Which is wonderful becuase it's certainly is not dying.
everbind6: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SONG BY ANOTHER ARTIST
MB: There would be alot
Some Joni Mitchell songs there
For Free is one. I'm not sure whether it was in the album, Blue, or
Ladies of the Canyon
And also some Kate Bush's songs
One of my top favorites as well is John Lennon's Woman.
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2.
joanna_melon: Any news about your trip to Poland?
MB: in what way do you mean this?
I was there last August?
How I enjoyed it?
andycalifornia1999: Do you ever wish that there were mosh pits at Clannad concerts?
MB: I don't think we need them at a Clannad concert
LOL
And I don't think I ever will see them!
I hope not!
monangeblond: Hello Maire, I saw you in concert in London. I would like to know
why you don't go in France (except for shopping, maybe)?
MB: I don't go shopping to France.
It's expensive.
It's really to do with finding a promoter who will bring you over there.
it's difficult.
I'd love to tour France
and if there were promoters that were interested to bring me over there
I would certainly love to
You really need to have the backing of a promoter and a record company behind you
Maybe there's somebody out there who would like to bring me to France!
joanna_melon: Any news about your concerts in Poland? :-)
MB: I played in Poland for the first time last August
It was just amazing
I loved the people there
Really wonderful.
I'm doing a new album at the moment with Universal
and I'm hoping it's out in September
and so probably I will be touring with this album
At the moment, I don't know if there's any festivals there this summer
for Europe
but if there is one for Poland, I will be there
I'd love to go back
Very much
noodle_the_talking_poodle: Congradulations on being nominated for a Grammy!
You and your family are so talented! Do you know when Brídín's new album will be out,
and have you heard it yet? What do you think?
MB: Thank you so much for being so kind to congratulate me
And for appreciating our families' music
As we speak, on the biggest main chat show in Ireland, on television,
my sister Bridin is singing tonight, her new single
She was on the TV...
wow!
..you know Madonna and Britney Spears t-shirts?
She was wearing one with MY name on it!
I was thrilled.
Her new single is released in a week in Ireland.
Her album...I'm not sure when it's released yet
but I've heard it and it's really great.
Very exciting for her
Really wonderful.
I was 16 when she was born.
YCM: We're talking with Maire Brennan..
Send in questions!
ew19: Maire: I loved "Ageless Messengers." Any thoughts of having it remixed (i.e. an extended
version) or doing a video?
MB: I loved it too
and I did get it remixed myself over here in Ireland,
but the record companies weren't interested
and they have the last say in it.
:-(
Epic Records - who I was with my last 2 albums - I'm no longer with
I don't know whether they will do anything with it then.
it would be nice.
I love the album.
I think there's alot of good things on it.
jamesprater2000: Maire, have you ever thought of a possible single track duet with Enya?
MB: The thought has crossed.
A couple of minds.
But it's something that it would be spontaneous
it's a very obvious thing, if you know what I mean.
Any time I have sung with people
and I have sung with such a variety of people
it's funny, they're all males
From Robert Plant
to Joe Jackson
to Bono
to Shane McGowan
and much much more
They're all been spontaneous.
I like to think it would be the same for me in that way.
You don't know what will happen down the line.
The option is there but you don't want to force it.
Also, I have collaborated with alot of people,
but Enya very much likes to be on her own
and doesn't really like collaboration
edclannad: Maire, how big an influence on your music is the scenery around where you live?
MB: Everything.
I live by the sea now as well,
but especially where I grew up
I often say to people that ask me to explain the Clannad's sound or my music
I often have replied that if you ever go to Ireland,
go to Donegal and you will recognize where the music comes from
because Donegal is so earthy.
I grew up with the mountains behind my house
and the sea in front of me, the Atlantic Ocean
And not far from me, lovely valleys and glens
The rugged beauty of the area is so...beautiful.
I love it so
and it has had a huge influence on the music.
One thing I like doing is, when I finish an album,
I like going back to Donegal and when I'm about 40 minutes away from home,
I put it on and see if it's still from the same place
it is.
violiner2000: My friend, Amelia said it was absolutely wonderful, was it hard to write (as far
as going back to those memories)?
MB: I wonder if it's the Amelia who lives in Ireland who I know?
I would record three albums before I do another book.
It was extremely difficult.
Emotionally, it was draining
and every time I had to read it and read it
and even when I was proof-reading it.
I'd find myself quite emotional in a lot of different areas
But I do say that if it was to encourage or be helpful to
particularly women
because it is a women's book
though men have come up to me about it as well
..but if it was to encourage any women in any well,
I would have been pleased with that as a result.
And the letters and cards I have had from many different women
..telling me how they've been touched in many differnt ways.
Some about my childhood, some about when I was 19 or in my 20's.
There are so many differnt ways of helping people
and I feel like I have encouraged people
so I'm very pleased with that result
But, boy, it was difficult
noodle_the_talking_poodle: What was your family and friend's reaction on your
autobiography? Were they wary of their past being revealed too? (BTW, it's
the same Amelia you mentioned - please say hello from me!)
MB: I will see her Sunday so I will.
:-)
Thank you!
And the thing is, this book is about me and it's not about my family or
my friends
so when I refer to them I would like to think that I refer to them in the
most respectful way.
I would not like to hurt anybody
because it wouldn't be fair.
But it was difficult on my family, more than anything, initially
Probably because they didn't know how to take it
But they're now 100% behind me and have been wonderful about it.
Particularly my parents have been amazing.
They're very much a part of me
and their support has been unbelievable
and if you read the book,
you'll know just what great parents they are.
They really are.
What is your name?
herbaretoesinsand11: What is a favorite place you have visited and performed at?
MB: I've been to amazing places
I suppose, recently, it's been
..I've played in Israel with an orchestra
in an outdoor gig at Davis Citadel with at the footlights and everyhthing
it was absolutely amazing.
With several other artists as well.
It was just incredible
I did a very unusual gig - just one song - but to one of the biggest
audiences in Europe
2.7 million, and in front of the Pope in Italy and Rome this past August
And on tv to another 100 million
Going out on stage.
It was night time.
You saw candles just for days
It was so awesome
Really just incredible
Very humbling
:-)
You know, I was just singing one song..
Perfect Time
from my 3rd solo album
and I just felt as if I went out and held my breath for 4 minutes.
And sang the song and had a big sigh at the end
It was amazing to do.
I do love concerts.
I love small, intimate club concerts.
They can be really great fun.
I have had lots of them.
And big festival concerts can very memorable as well.
I did one last summer in Spain at this castle.
I flew into an airport north of Spain and travelled by bus for 5 hours
to the mountains
I was the only one playing that night, myself and the band.
There were 4-5,000 people
Wow.
What a privilege, to be able to do these concerts
The kind of music I do as well
the sound just going out
it was amazing
I know it can touch alot of people.
It's a joy to do that.
Adventure21: The song that you did, "Peace Has Broken Out," with Booley from Belfast
was beautiful. Who wrote the lyrics and is this on any other cds other than "One"?
MB: it is on that album
I do love the song and want to record it again.
When I recorded it in Ireland, I did a lot more harmonies on it
and would love to get the chance to remix it or re-record it.
With Booley
He's got an amazing voice and I think he's going to be huge.
He did a fantastic job.
It was lovely singing with him.
It's a great song.
We changed a couple of the words around a bit
There was a line in it..like "we had another cup of coffee"
and believe you me,
they don't have cups of coffee in Northern Ireland!
hsarkas: In your busy schedule, will you have time to attend the Grammys?
MB: Oh, I'm going, yes!
The three times Clannad was nominated, I missed and all the boys got going
Particularly on the last occasion when we won.
I was playing a concert on location in Dublin
and discovered at 3am that I'd won
and had a new lease on life!
This time, I'm actually going and are very excited to be a part of it all.
It'll be great to attend and be there with other musicians.
I know from Ireland that U2 has been nominated for Grammys
And The Chieftains
And also a guy called Phil Coulter
who actually is in the same category as me
I've known him for years.
We're very good friends.
He's going as well because he's never had the privilege of being nominated
It's nice.
So Ireland is well represented.
eric2miranda: we have 3 children(2,6,9 years old) do you have more fans who are so
young in age?
MB: It's wonderful to see such an age span of people who like your music
I do see children coming to my concerts.
I remember once a long time ago,
playing a concert in England,
this little 3-year-old in the front row.
and thought that it would be terrible.
Thought she might distract me.
And I did not know, but that child sang and danced
She was so amazing that I asked her backstage afterwards
We became friends and stayed that way when she grew up.
It's lovely.
It's lovely to see children enjoying the music.
snakebite37660: I have always wanted to visit Ireland I was wondering is it a
cultural disappointment when you come to the United States and will you be
returning to promote your new album?
MB: Yes, I'm defintely going to be returning for that.
Probably at the end of the year or next year.
But...no. America is so vast as far as culture goes.
Amazing culture.
I think there's so much of it that interests me at the time
I love travelling.
It's difficult to soemtimes see when you're in hotel rooms and playing.
but when I do have an opportunity in the surroundings,
I do try to visit people and get around.
If I meet someone at a concert, I try to get them to introduce me around.
I'm always interested in the history and geography of America.
It really is an incredible country.
The last two tours I did
One started in California
One in St. Louis and then headed to California
by 2 mini-buses
It was great
It is really amazing to see
Going across the Rockies there is really fantastic
A useful journey is going from San Francisco up to Seattle - it's quite amazing
red_red_rosebud: we loved your last concert in Brisbane when will you be back?
MB: Wow.
That's a couple years ago now
That would have been with CLANNAD.
It was great, we had a great tour there.
I haven't toured as a solo artist there yet, but I would hope
that within this year with my new album,
you'll see me there.
And I'll see you!
plekkie: How about plans of a Clannad museum at Leo's?
MB: Oh, that's coming along
It's going to take probably a year.
I think it is a great idea
My brother who looks after Leo's..
..it's become really well established.
Whenever we're at home, we'll get up and do a turn with my dad
If there's 2 or 5 of us or whatever..
nobody knows when we'll be there
so it's a surprise for us, even
it would be really nice just for the family.
There's a lot there
Just judging from all the people who visit the pub.
who would be very interested in our stuff
and Enya's stuff,
and then my sister, Bridin.
It would be nice.
girts_balodis: Dearest Maire, I am Girts, your biggest fan in Riga, Latvia!!
Your music, your faith and your sincerity have blessed me more than you'll ever know!
I'm eagerly looking forward to your upcoming album! Do you know when it will be
released and what will be it's title? Would you like to play a concert in Latvia?
Tons of love from Riga, Latvia to you, dear maire!!
MB: Dear Girts..thank you SO much for your kind words.
It's lovely to think that my music can reach all the corners of Europe and the world
I'd love to play in Latvia.
My album is coming out in September
I send you lots of love
and take care of yourself
and lots of blessings..Love, Maire
Adventur21: Favorite Bible verse or favorite inspiration.
MB: My favorire is..
Psalm 27
if you want a little bit..
YCM: The LORD [is] my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the
strength of my life, of whom I shall be afraid
MB: One of the reasons why I love it is because
it's the biggest thing when you know you're not alone,
not be afraid.
It's so important in the world today
MB: You can probably get the autobiography on wwww.amazon.com
drlsarge: Has David Letterman called yet?
MB: LOL!
Nope.
No.
I'd say that would take a while
I'd need to start a petition with lots of names.
angela_clare_wl: Maire what do u miss most about Donegal when ure traveling the world?
MB: The beauty of it
Just the quiteness as well
It's very laidback
The material world doesn't get too much mixed up with it
You can just be yourself.
It's not so materialized in the way that it ruins your life
If you make an appointment in Donegak,
you can be fashionably late
When the bride is on time,
it's happened that no one is at the chapel yet!
I like the attitude of the area
but mostly my parents live there
so I like going there to be with them
I relax there
And the people are so wonderful.
You can be yourself.
You're just you.
violiner2000: I heard u were late to your wedding, does that have to do with it :-)
MB: LOL!
Yes it was!
No, I think it had more to do with my family thinking it was okay for me to be late
so they were late before I could get to the church!
But why I was late for my wedding,
it didn't happen in Donegal,
but Cambridge, England.
My mother's suitacse was lost by the airline
and the morning of the wedding,
she had to go out with my sisters to find a new outfit
There was a little delay.
I was more or less ready at the church
when she was just coming in to get dressed
Poor mummy
YCM: Thank you for chatting with us...this was a pleasure
MB: It's been an absolute pleasure for me, really
YCM: and do come nack soon
MB: I really appreciate everybody's kind words
and your love for my music and my family's music
and the support you've given us year in out
I'm so thrilled to be able to still do music after so long
I had no idea that I'd have such a long career
and that people would be into my music still
I love playing it and writing it and singing it
and it's a joy for me to be able to reach people with it and give them pleasure
So thank you to everybody
YCM: Thank you all!
and good night :-)
MB: Good-bye!
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