Junctions gigs point trad in new direction

The Junctions traditional music gigs are streamlined this year, but, one hopes, sustainable. They fill a gap in Cork’s music scene.

Concertina-player Niall Vallely, who established Junctions Cork with his brother and musical collaborator, Caoimhín Vallely, says of the move from largescale gigs to intimate events. “Although we could bring in good crowds for the first concerts, they cost a lot more to stage than the audience could bring in, so funding was required. When the Arts Council funding ran out, it led to a hiatus, but we were all the time trying to think what we could do next.”

The director of Cork Opera House, Mary Hickson, recognised a worthwhile venture and offered space and support. “We had been talking to Mary about the possibility of doing something at Cork Opera House and we got stuck on the idea of doing a series of small concerts. The original idea of Junctions was to have something regular going on. There has been a bit of a dearth of trad gigs, mostly due to lack of a venue. I suppose everyone still harks back to the Lobby,” Vallely says, remembering the iconic venue, which closed in 2005. “With that in mind, the Green Room bar at Cork Opera House is a similar size, it’s an intimate environment.”

Junctions is back on Fri night in the Green Room, Cork Opera House with Cormac Breatnach Laoise Kelly and Tommy Hayes http://t.co/iBVwYNJ0U7

— Niall Vallely (@NiallVallely) September 30, 2013

The first concert in the new series takes place on Oct 4 and features harp player, Laoise Kelly, Cormac Breatnach on whistles and flute, and Tommy Hayes on bodhrán and percussion. It’s an unusual mix. “They wouldn’t normally play together,” Vallely says. “I think their paths have crossed, but I don’t think any two of them have done a whole pile together, and certainly not all three.” He explains the combinations. “They grow out of conversation. We’d think of a person we’d really like to have play and then see how to expand on that. We’re looking for people who can do a good set on their own.

“The format would be that they’d all do a solo set, as well as then playing together. So we’re looking for performers that are substantial in that way.”

All three of the players for the Oct 4 gig fit the bill. “I think Tommy sounds great when he plays with anybody. If the word ‘sensitive’ could ever be attached to a bodhrán player, it’s him,” Vallely says. “A whole generation have been influenced by Cormac and his group, Deiseal, and he continues to be one of those exceptional musicians who always ploughs his own furrow.

“There’s been a lot of great harp players, but even when Laoise was very young, she was bringing a whole new thing to it. There’s a vitality to her playing that still jumps out at you. She’s steered the harp away from being a genteel parlour instrument.”

Future concerts will feature some of the younger generation. “We’ve been looking for players and bands who are doing something special, people who are not looking over their shoulders worried about what people think they should be playing. The likes of We Banjo 3 and Moxie jumped out at us.”

The concerts will be followed by Cork’s only late-night trad session, fuelled by a late bar. “The whole thing is to try and make a night out of it, make it an event,” says Vallely.

* www.junctionscork.com