Máire Brennan Speaks
Celtic Songstress Discusses Her Musical Journey
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Paula: Celtic music has been consistently very popular over the past few years. What do you think is its appeal?

Maire: The seventh and eight century, ten per cent of the Irish people were going off as missionaries all around the world. I think that we already planted ourselves all around the World. It is really phenomenal - you're not talking about some areas; you're talking about everywhere. I've done interviews in some obscure places. I've met people that love what I do, whether it's Paraguay or Taiwan. Australia, New Zealand, Japan, all of Europe . . . it really is incredible how people love Celtic music. For me, being involved in Celtic music for over 30 years, I have seen a surge of it coming every five years, there's always something that tops it off and the interest comes back again. I have to say the Riverdance and Lord of the Dance really extended it a great deal this time around because of the phenomena of those shows. I think it's very soulful music, genuine music, if you come to Ireland and people play, there's such enjoyment - people love playing music in this country, just for the sake of playing. Every second person plays or sings, if not every person. My children go every Tuesday night to a place where you learn fiddles and pipes, kids just coming together to play together. My kids are only 9 and 7; my 7 year old is playing the fiddle, my nine year old is playing the tin whistle and they just love going around because they make it fun. I think it's just part of the Irish cultural enjoyment. It's soulful, very meaningful, it really comes from the heart, and I think people can hear that when they hear Celtic music.

Paula: How would you summarize your goals as an artist?

Maire: I just enjoy music so much; I can't believe I am still doing it and getting away with it. When I started off I just loved what I was doing and then little things happened and with doing film music or TV film music and being asked to do other things like The Last of the Mohicans and being asked to sing with various artists which I have done down through the years. The experience of it al -- I've done such a variety of things as well, I mean a year ago I had a huge dance track out here and that was fun to do. It's just so much fun to be able to share and do different kinds of music and be able to collaborate or mix in with various artists. I'm just having a ball - I'm busier now than I've ever been and I can't believe it. I'm with the new album and also I'm doing music for a movie that is coming out this year. Life is good and if it just keeps going on like it is, the more you do, the more you want to do, but it is from shear enjoyment. I really, really love what I do and I just love music!

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