Branjo, filmed and recorded live in Swynnerton Lodge.
Composed, arranged and performed by Alannah Thornburgh
Filmed by Ryan Hoban
Recorded and mixed by Cian Hamilton
Produced by Lauren Varian
"I wrote this tune four years ago as a gift for a friend of mine who happens to be one of the finest musicians I know. I wanted to create a dissonant and unresolved sound, an audible tension that reflected the headspace I was in at the time of writing."
Considered one of the rising stars of the Irish harp world, Alannah has recently embarked on an anticipated solo venture after several years of touring with ensembles such as Alfi and collaborating with David Keenan, Varo, and more. A devout student of the Irish harping tradition, Alannah uses the voices of the past as well as a wide range of modern influences to create ‘Branjo’, a fresh yet timeless addition to the tradition.
This is our arrangement of traditional song The Whistling Thief, which was written by Samuel Lover from Grafton Street in Dublin, in the 1800s. Fiachra learned this song from the singing of Seán Mac Donnchadha on the album 'The Lark in the Morning', which was collected by Fiachra's grandmother, Diane Hamilton.
A homage to the late minimalist piano composer Conor Walsh by Mayo harpist Alannah Thornburgh.
Arranged and performed by Alannah Thornburgh
Composed by Conor Walsh
Produced by Cian Hamilton
Filmed & Edited by Ruth Clinton
Additional footage by Lauren Varian
To mark the fifth anniversary of Conor’s passing Alannah teamed up with producer Cian Hamilton to record The Front in Swynnerton Lodge, Navan. As fellow Swinford natives, Alannah and Conor shared a close relationship. Alannah commented:
“As a young musician, I was always a huge admirer of Conor’s work. Growing up in Co. Mayo, Conor and I shared similar musical styles, both heavily informed by the rural landscapes and rich heritage the west of Ireland has to offer. He was a profound influence on my musical development and his words of advice and encouragement still resonate with me today. Learning ‘The Front’ was a difficult yet deeply fulfilling challenge for me, Conor made it sound so easy, which epitomises just how great of a composer he was. I hope that I have managed to do it justice.”
The single is now available on Bandcamp, Youtube and all other streaming platforms with all profits from Bandcamp being donated to the Musical Youth Foundation, who are dedicated to providing children in Ireland with a music education.
A homage to the late minimalist piano composer Conor Walsh by Mayo harpist Alannah Thornburgh.
As a young musician, I was always a huge admirer of Conor’s work. Growing up in Co. Mayo, Conor and I shared similar musical styles, both heavily informed by the rural landscapes and rich heritage the west of Ireland has to offer. He was a profound influence on my musical development and his words of advice and encouragement still resonate with me today. Learning ‘The Front’ was a difficult yet deeply fulfilling challenge for me, Conor made it sound so easy, which epitomises just how great of a composer he was. I hope that I have managed to do it justice.
Filmed in Swynnerton Lodge, Navan by Ryan Hoban
Audio recording by Cian Hamilton
Editing and additional footage by Lauren Varian
'Away with the Fairies' is the second single from Alannah Thornburgh's debut album 'Shapeshifter' - a volume of compositions inspired by the rich tradition of fairy folklore & mythology in Alannah's native Co. Mayo. 'Away with the Fairies' warns of the cursed 'foidin meara' - a patch of enchanted woodland that if stepped upon, sends you into a state of disillusionment and confusion that can only be rectified by turning one's coat inside out. This enchantment is said to be a curse cast by the mischievous fairy folk, to ward strangers away from their land. 'Away with the Fairies' was composed by Alannah Thornburgh.
Filmed & edited by Ruth Clinton with help from Cormac Mac Diarmada.
Performed by Alannah Thornburgh (harp), Rob Thornburgh (saxophone), Lorcan Byrne (percussion) and Cian Hamilton (electric bass).
Recorded by Stephen Doherty in Currinara Studios, Foxford, Co. Mayo.
Mixed by Cian Hamilton in Middle Ridge Studios, California.
Mastered by Harvey Birrell.