Droning On

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Tune into this episode to hear which famous Irish singer joined Matt to sing about Donuts on his All of Us album.

Here's some of Matt's music with the Electric Heaters: https://electricheaters.bandcamp.com/

And some of his music for kids: https://mattheatonmusic.bandcamp.com/

And of COURSE some of his music with Shannon: https://mattandshannonheaton.bandcamp.com/track/cabin-boy

Be sure to check out Matt & Shannon's guided session in April: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNBgNicF6tU0jlitHYcB03R9bE7MkGBl0<...

Celtic Pink Floyd is a project that's been around for going on two decades now and a lot of very talented musicians have been involved from the beginning. Throughout all iterations, performances, and albums: brothers Damon & Brian Stout have been at the core and Patrick D'Arcy has been sprinkling traditional flavors over every arrangement.

The brothers & Pat join me on the show to talk about the CPF project in general, about the next, "stripped-down," iteration of the group, and to share with us a brand new track from the group, putting their own spin on the Duran...

Just wanted to do a little re-upload in case anyone missing Jeff would enjoy hearing his interview from back in episode 077 (March, 2023).

*Skipping ahead to the 1-minute mark will get you past the old opening "ad" from when this interview was first published.

Jeff also played on a couple tracks for the charity album we did a bit ago, it's lovely to listen to him making music: https://droningon.bandcamp.com/album/pipes-for-peace

Cedar Dobson returns to the Droning On podcast to talk through, and hear samples from, her excellent holiday album, "A Whistle Wonderland". Cedar's done some very cool, "tradifying," of familiar holiday melodies with plenty of her own signature Cedarisms.

Tune into this episode to hear lots of wintertide standards done in a not-so-standard way!

And congrats to Carol (of the Bells?) for winning the D.O.P.E. giveaway! A copy of the album will be headed your way shortly.

To get your own copy, check it out on Bandcamp: https...

Andrew O'Sullivan is back to play through, (and talk through,) some more Holiday tunes!

Tune into this episode to hear Andrew talk about fiddles, smallpipes, and "fiddling around with smallpipes".

This episode features some piping from Andrew & I, but also from:

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Robert Macdonald came on the show back in January of 2024. We talked then about his bagpipe journey, his music making with Pennyland, and more -- including the fiddle playing & tune-making of Cape Breton fiddler John MacDougall.

The most recent episode (136: Music from the Dead, The Tune-Making of John MacDougall by Robert Macdonald) was an, "audiobook," you might say, of what Robert wrote about John MacDougall's work after spending time with him in Cape Breton in 2009.

Tune into this episode to hear a dude who's never been to Cape Breton ask a dude who has been...

Robert Macdonald came on the show back in January of 2024. We talked, then, mostly about his music making with Pennyland.

We talked a bit about his scholarly work on the compositions of fiddler John MacDougall, though, and ever since I've been wanting to dig a bit more into that.

This episode is an, "audiobook," you might say, of what Robert wrote about John MacDougall's work after spending time with him in Cape Breton in 2009.

Tune into this episode to hear an abrupt (but hopefully pleasant) change in sound quality.

Here's a...

With around 40 books published to date, Stuart combine the roles of writer, storyteller and lecturer in Scottish history, folklore and geomythography. Additionally, Stuart has had a fair amount of poetry published and for many, many years worked as a musician. For 30 years he has been teaching at the University of Edinburgh's Centre for Open Learning and has also been visiting schools as a storyteller, as well as focusing as a writer on history, folklore and the Scots language. I was the first Director of the Scots Language Centre in Perth and am a founding member and past-President of the...

Sean is a woodworking, re-enacting, tunesmithing multi-instrumentalist & delightful conversationalist. In this episode we talk about, (and hear samples from,) their recently-released album, Tunes for the Soul.

Tune into this episode to hear Sean say, "when I do number two..." (that's a poop joke, I can't help myself).

Check out Sean's album: https://seanpatrickreidy.bandcamp.com/album/tunes-for-the-soul

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And Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/droning.on.podcast/

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Mikey is an artist in many ways. Two of those ways: bagpipes & hair.

Tune into this episode to hear some universally-applicable wise advice. Truly. Try to find a situation where this isn't applicable: you can't.

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And Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/droning.on.podcast/

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You can write-in to the show with comments, ideas, requests, etc. at TheDroningOnPodcast@gmail.com

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Support the show via Patreon (patreon.com/DroningOnPodcast), or by buying cool stuff...

Competitive soloist, steam engineer, punk rocker, and orthotics-enthusiast: Aaron Bergen is here! We get some stories, and we sample some tracks from an album Aaron did with The Grinning Barretts.

Tune into this episode to hear the story of how Aaron busted his tailbone!

Check out the Grinning Barretts on Bandcamp: https://thegrinningbarretts.bandcamp.com/

And their website: https://www.thegrinningbarretts.com/

And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegrinningbarretts/

(and anywhere else cool music is happening)

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We're on...

This is the second part of a two-part interview with America Patton & David Duncan regarding the life, philosophy, and music of Rufus Harley.

Tune into this episode to hear some more of Rufus' bagpipe music, some more of his singing, and some more of his philosophy & world-view as well - and to hear some lovely insights from his son, America, and what I think we can safely call his, "artistic heir," David Duncan.

LINKS:

Learn more about Rufus and the Rufus Harley foundation by following America: https://www.facebook.com/america...

This is the first of a two-part conversation with America Patton & David Duncan regarding the life, legacy, philosophy, and music of Rufus Harley.

Tune into this episode to hear some of Rufus' singing, saxophone, and (of course) his piping.

APPLICABLE LINKS:

To learn more about Rufus, the foundation set up in his memory, forthcoming books, albums, and more, follow:

-Rufus' daughter, Noah Harmony: https://www.facebook.com/noahharmony.harley

-Rufus' son, America Patton: https://www.facebook.com/america.patton.52

-Rufus' jazz-piping heir, David Duncan: https...

This is the first part of a two-part interview with America Patton & David Duncan regarding the life, philosophy, and music of Rufus Harley.

Tune into this episode to hear some of Rufus' bagpipe music, some of his singing, and some of his saxophone work as well - and to hear some lovely insights from his son, America and what I think we can safely call his, "artistic heir," David Duncan.

LINKS:

Learn more about Rufus and the Rufus Harley foundation by following America: https://www.facebook.com/america.patton.52

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Sam Vogt plays a mean whistle - but that's not all! A skilled guitarist, a capable collaborator, and a delightful conversationalist (and much more, of course).

Tune into this episode to hear Sam tell us the story of how he once, "made (him)self a flute and then realized... "oh... I don't know how to play this...""

Check out Sam's music on BandCamp: https://samvogt.bandcamp.com/album/whistle-tunes

And on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samvogtmusic/

And congrats to Carol for winning the album! I'll get that to...

This is kind of messy, friends, but here's the TLDR:

Alec is back! A multi-piper, dad, creator of Get Bagpipe Ready, recording artist, performer, and recently-converted-whistler: Alec is an all-around excellent human being and we got to talk through lots of stuff including the recently released Celtic Routes album: Song of the Celts

Tune into this episode to hear Alec's confession regarding an upside-down whistle.

Check out the new Celtic Routes album here: https://www.celticroutes.band/#!/song-of-the-celts

And check out Alec's "Get Bagpipe Ready" group: https://www.getbagpipeready.com/

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Michael Page is an enthusiastic piper of approx. 20 years, currently playing with Wasatch & District and currently on his (approx.) 26th set of bagpipes.

Tune into this episode to hear Mike's tried and tested drone-reed combo!

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We're on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DroningOnPodcast

And Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/droning.on.podcast/

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You can write-in to the show with comments, ideas, requests, etc. at TheDroningOnPodcast@gmail.com

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Support the show via Patreon (patreon.com/DroningOnPodcast), or by buying cool stuff...

Cedar Dobson isn't just a unicycling mermaid: she makes music too! You may well have seen her playing double-whistles under bridges, wild 3D printed whistles in forests, and more. Cedar joined me for an interview a while ago, and we discussed (mostly) her album from 2022. Since then she's released more excellent music, including her very recent, "Decade," album which is truly excellent - check out the links below!

Tune into this episode to hear some samples from Cedar's, "Harmonies," album.

LINKS:

Cedar's Bandcamp page: https://cedardobsonmusic.bandcamp.com/music<...

The cowboy piper from Montana: Hart, himself, has graced the show with his presence this week. A delightful conversation partner, I'm very happy to share this extremely enjoyable conversation with you!

Tune into this episode to hear which pipeband 9/10 Russian Oligarchs trust, when they need bagpipe music at a castle in Scotland

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We're on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DroningOnPodcast

And Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/droning.on.podcast/

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You can write-in to the show with comments, ideas, requests, etc. at TheDroningOnPodcast@gmail.com

Owen Kennedy is an amazing fiddler & a lot of his sets, tunes, stylings, etc will be delightfully familiar to pipers of generally, "Western European, Scandinavian, and North American," persuasion(s).

Tune into this episode to hear Owen say that his favorite dancers to play for, are the ones he can't see or hear (JK, he loves playing for dancers, I'm joking).

Here's Owen's website: https://www.fiddlerokennedy.com/

And the album we talked through for this episode: https://fiddlerowenkennedy.bandcamp.com/album/oh-when-now-2

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We're on Facebook: https://www...

Quite possibly the worlds first and most recognizable online bagpipe instructor, Andrew Douglas, is back, folks! Advice on solo competition, musing over healthy habits, and more - check it out!

Oh, and, "people should join the Dojo".

Tune into this episode to hear Andrew & Jim reinvigorate the good ol' Tide Pods meme(s).

Check out everything Andrew and his team are doing over at the Piper's Dojo / Dojo University: https://www.pipersdojo.university/

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And Instagram: https://www.instagram...

Arle's a really fun person to talk instruments with - his experience across a lot of, "uncommon," instruments ranges from wide to deep. He has cool music scattered all over the internet, definitely worth a google!

Tune into this episode to hear the true secret to making good money busking.

Here's Arle's Soundcloud page: https://soundcloud.com/arle-richard-lommel

And Arle's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/fenevadka

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It's a 3-episode month, y'all!

Jeremy's back! And it's about time - this album is long overdue a discussion and sampling. If you haven't checked it out already, be sure to do so! We cover a lot of tracks in this episode, but not all of them! Links below for this and all of Jeremy's other excellent music.

Tune into this episode to hear James somehow get drunk as Jeremy drinks whiskey about 1,000 miles away.

Here are links to Jeremy's stuff:

Matt DeBlass is a delightful musician, teacher, and conversation partner. Check out the very cool album of originals, "Small Musics," from which we pulled tracks for this episode along with lots of other releases over on Matt's BandCamp page (link below).

Tune into this episode to hear Matt share, The DeBlass  Theory of Folk Song Fatality: "...if they don't otherwise explain how they die, just assume it was werewolves."

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We're on Fa...

Matt DeBlass is a delightful musician, teacher, and conversation partner. Check out the very cool album of originals, "Small Musics," from which we pulled tracks for this episode along with lots of other releases over on Matt's BandCamp page (link below).

Tune into this episode to hear Matt share, The DeBlass  Theory of Folk Song Fatality: "...if they don't otherwise explain how they die, just assume it was werewolves."

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We're on Fa...

The more I talk to, read about, watch, and listen to Donald Lindsay the more baffled I am at what all this person has accomplished - and he's not slowing down!

Tune into this episode to hear a bagpipe maker talk about why Emu's in the garden were a nostalgic sight for his father - probably the first time that's ever happened on a podcast!

Donald's work is all over the internet, but here are a few good links:

Jordan Alexander Key is a bagpiper, composer, music lover, teacher, mathematician, podcaster, and so much more.

Tune into this episode to hear us hit a new record for, "math-chat," in the show's history.

And check out Jordan's work at the following links and elsewhere:

Website: https://www.jordanalexanderkey.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JordanAlexanderKey

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jordan.key.33/

And if you haven't yet, check out their very cool podcast, "The Dudelsack," wherever fine podcasts are streamed!

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Tommy is a talented multi-instrumentalist: if an instrument is uncommon and/or challenging, he's probably into it. The piper+whistler+banjo plucker for the Dunkirk Riots, Tommy took an hour to chat with me when he could've been making music so I'm very grateful to him and very excited to share this interview with you!

Tune into this episode to hear Tommy speak these fateful words: "I picked up a banjo along the way..."

Check out the Dunkirk Riots' website: https://dunkirkriots.com/home

And their music on Bandcamp: https://dunkirkriots.bandcamp.com/<...

Ross Ainslie is a piper (and much more) who needs no introduction. Very excited to welcome him back on the show, this time to talk about his new album, "POOL".

Tune into this episode to learn Ross' secret to keeping live performances interesting: always stay uncomfortable!

Here's a link to the new album on Bandcamp: https://rossainslie.bandcamp.com/album/pool

And here's a link to Ross' website: https://www.rossainslie.com/

And be sure to check out, "The Ollam," with whom Ross will be touring in 2025: https://www.theolllam.com/<...

Swan is back for another New-Year episode & book chat, this time the title is "Effortless Mastery" by jazz pianist, instructor, and author (obviously) Kenny Werner.

Tune into this episode to hear Jim come to several somber realizations regarding his own unhealthy shadow - live on air!

Here's Kenny Werner's website: https://kennywerner.com/

And here's the book as listed on Amazon (though it's available all over the place): https://www.amazon.com/Effortless-Mastery-Liberating-Master-Musician/dp/156224003X

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Andrew O'Sullivan is back to help kick-off what we might call, "Season 2," of the Droning On Podcast with a very special holiday-music episode.

Tune into this episode to hear way more tunes about Donkeys than you were probably expecting...

Here are links to some of the albums, musicians, etc we referenced in this episode:

And congrats to Brad for winning...

Thanks so much for listening, friends!

The celebratory album is currently available on all major streaming & music-purchasing platforms. Just search for it by the album name, "Pipes for Peace," or the main-artist name, "The Droning On Podcast".

And, of course, it's still available on BandCamp: https://droningon.bandcamp.com/album/pipes-for-peace

Thanks again for listening, here's to a robust "Season 2" soon!

Hello friends!

As if two episodes in a row of (mostly) monologues weren't enough -- this week what I have for you is chapter two of this 123-year-old book about bagpipes.

The chapter heading reads as follows:

Ancient musical instruments - Priestly harpers - Hereditary harpers - Irish versus Scottish harpers - Royal harpers - Use of harp universal - Welsh sarcasm - Mary Queen of Scots' harp - The last of the harpers - "The Harper of Mull" - From harp to pipes - the Clarsach - Pipes supplanting bards - The...

Tune into this episode to hear EVEN MORE of Jim's inner monologue...

Check out Barry's cool books: https://capebretonpiper.com/products

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We're on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DroningOnPodcast

And Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/droning.on.podcast/

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You can write-in to the show with comments, ideas, requests, etc. at TheDroningOnPodcast@gmail.com

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Support the show via Patreon (patreon.com/DroningOnPodcast), or by buying cool stuff at BagpipeSWAG.com

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Tune into this episode to hear waaaaay too much of Jim's inner monologue...

This included brief meetings with friends old and new, including some who've been on the show before, like:

Al: episode #7

Heidi: episode #1

Jeff: episode #77

Diana: episode #2

And more!

Check out Ian MacHarg's cool album: https://iainmacharg.bandcamp.com/album/ce-l-na-beinne-music-of-the-mountain

And check out Barry's cool books: https://capebretonpiper.com/products

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We're on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DroningOnPodcast

And...

William Wallace - yes, indeed, THE Sir William Wallace, is here for an interview. Enjoy, folks!

Tune into this episode for, among other things, some great coffee shop ambiance...

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We're on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DroningOnPodcast

And Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/droning.on.podcast/

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You can write-in to the show with comments, ideas, requests, etc. at TheDroningOnPodcast@gmail.com

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Support the show via Patreon (patreon.com/DroningOnPodcast), or by buying cool stuff at BagpipeSWAG.com

Erik, if we can convince him, is going to need another half-dozen 2-hour episodes for us to begin scratching the surface of his body of work, wealth of knowledge, etc.

Tune into this episode to hear way more than you'd really like to know about, "Pasta Pestilencia," and many, many other things.

Erik's Website: https://www.ask-upmark.se/indexeng.html

Falsbordone's Website (Erik has a lot of projects, but we mostly focused on their 1350 album): http://www.falsobordone.se/

And be sure to get the album on Bandcamp or elsewhere: https...

Ruth Chiles is a specialist in Focal Dystonia and, as a musician herself, she works particularly with musicians. She's created support groups, hours and hours of video, appeared in many interviews, and written a book, (with another book on the way!) Links to her work are below.

Tune into this episode to hear Jim ramble on incessantly, proving that Ruth is a very patient and gracious listener. Obviously an excellent person to work with!

Here's a link to her website: https://focaldystoniacure.com/

Here's a link to her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube...

So sorry for the late upload, friends. And I'm afraid even for all that, it's not a, "typical," episode, either. I have several great interviews with very cool guests all in the edit-phase and didn't manage to get one ready for this weekend, so instead I'm pulling out the first chapter of an audiobook production I've been putting together of this 123-year-old book about bagpipes you may've heard about - I hope it's reasonably enjoyable! Thanks again for tuning in, and have a lovely week!

Tune into this episode to hear Jim mispronounce so, so many names...<...