🎻 Who's coming down the Sliabh Luachra rabbit hole with me?

Hi Reader!

Matt Cranitch is the latest guest on the Find Your Lilt podcast, and I swear every time I have a conversation with him or take one of his workshops, I come away with a whole new set of ideas on bowing, playing in general, or understanding of who he is as a musician.

In this chat, I really wanted to hear the spark that got him interested in Irish music. I'm used to thinking of him as a master fiddler who has been long established in the traditional Irish music scene (and particularly in the regional Sliabh Luachra style).

But how did he get there?

I was really struck with how much of his story paralleled my own apart from the obvious differences of him growing up in Ireland and having worlds more of experience than I do.

We both went to college for a more classical music focus, but were fortunate that our violin professors recognized our love for traditional music and encouraged us to continue along that path.

We both grew up "outside" -- Matt wasn't living in the Gaeltacht (Irish speaking area) but grew up speaking Irish in his household. And while he wasn't far from the parishes and towns that officially comprise Sliabh Luachra, he wasn't growing up in Scartaglen or Gneeveguilla.

We both found our voice through going to the source (i.e. Matt spending time in the heart of Sliabh Luachra, and me going to Cork city) and immersing ourselves in the music.

And despite all that he's achieved, Matt is still in a place where he's excited about how much there is left to learn. Something I think you and I can relate to with loving the process of lifelong learning!

But it's always nice when someone at Matt's level confirms that this is indeed the case... 😊

Weekly Tune Library Update

​Martin Wynne's No. 1 and Dowd's No. 9 are up in the Tune Library! (How's that for a numbers week?)

If you're feeling up for a 7 part tune, I'll be adding The Gold Ring and the other two Martin Wynne's (3 and 5) when I get back from Swannanoa!

Speaking of lifelong learning...

I'm off to the Swannanoa Gathering this week for Celtic Week, which will be my first time back in nine years! Swannanoa is really where I started to get serious about making Irish traditional music more of my life and career.

It's also always been an incredible place for connection and musical growth -- I attended four years in a row from 2014-17, and each summer had it's humbling (but good) moments around how much there is left to learn!

To say I'm excited is an understatement... I'll be mostly out of the inbox and focused on being in the moment, but you'll still get a letter from me next week. For the first time in my newsletter life, I planned ahead enough to draft and schedule TWO newsletters this week. 🤪

Looking forward to a digital and musical reset, and I'll catch you on the other side!

Happy playing!

~Hannah