Less is more (when it comes to me and Brian Eno)

“I can’t exactly say that I’m an angel at home”, said Bunty, the one year old baby girl.

“No, you really aren't ”, said her one and a half year old cousin, staring at her. 

“But I definitely try to charm the nappies off everybody when I’m at gigs, in case I get a gig. That’s what my Dad does”. 

“So I heard.”

“I decided, for my first gig that I did in Galway last week, that I’d play just 3 notes on the shaker, that’s it. Leave them wanting more, I say”.

“You did a gig? Your first gig? Did you not get excited and go berserk” ? said her cousin. 

“Yeah, no, 3 shakes and the truth. Plus, I gate-crashed the gig, I wasn’t even supposed to be on the stage”

“What was the gig?” 

“It was a charity gig for people who suffered in the Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria recently. It was organised by the legend that is Mary Coughlan in The Leisureland in Galway called The Big Gig and loads of my muso friends were at it.”

“Oh yeah, what ‘muso’ friends do you have?”

“Oh, really good friends like Mundy, Mary Coughlan, Sharon Shannon, Susan O Neill, Frances Black, Liam Ó Maonlaí, The Amazing Apples, Ultan Conlon, and Hector O’Heochagain. And my Dad’s band, Kíla.”

“My Dad said he played a gig in The Lexington in London with Bronagh Gallagher once in recent times, and there were loads of famous people there that he met including Brian Eno. He was talking to him after the show and he said he was thrilled because Brian had given him a compliment. He said at one point during the gig Dad had played a note on the cymbal and Brian Eno said that its texture and resonance was really beautiful and it lingered with him and had a real effect on him! ‘One note’, my Dad thought!!! What about all the others?” 

“So I reckon, it’s important to value each and every note and to embrace them and not hurry or crowd them out with too many others”. 

“Ive no idea what you are talking about. Was there any Liga backstage In Galway? said her cousin. Farleys Rusks?”

“No but I mashed some of the fruit I puked onto the floor and slid around on it for a bit”. 

“You’re SO gross!”. 

“But I also watched some cool jamming backstage with The Honourable Willie Walsh, Rónán Ó Snodaigh, Rossa Ó Snodaigh and Liam O Maonlaí. All masters at rhythm and soulfulness. I was glued to their grooves. It was fairly Bodhrán Central. And fairly Hippy Central too!”

“My Dad was a hippy once for a few days. My Mum has photographic evidence. He said it was only for Halloween” 

“Was yours ever one ?” asked Bunty.

“Are you even listening?”

“No”.

“By the way, I noticed when they did their soundcheck that everyone in Kila played a billion notes each. But I thought, If I do get a chance to get on the stage for the gig, I’m just going to play one or 2 notes, maybe 3 tops. Let them resonate and be true, and maybe Brian Eno, my Dad’s new best friend, will be there and he’ll get it!” 

“My Dad calls me Turkey Butt”

“I heard you had your first peanut butter sandwich last week” said Bunty’s cousin.

“Yeah it was awesome, they shouldn’t have given it to me cos now I wont eat my avocado or any of the other boring stuff they used to feed me. Actually, I must get Dad to put Peanut butter on the rider for the gigs in case I’m ever there. I love gigs. When you and I are older can we do to gigs together and maybe be in a band together ?” 

“No. I’m going to be a doctor and help people who are sore after Earthquakes.”

Thanks for letting me hijack my Dad's blog. X