Dublin Community Television’s (DCTV) and John Breslin’s Broadcasting Authority Of Ireland (BAI) -funded traditional music series “Coppers and Brass” returns for a second season tonight.
Presented and researched by Tommy Fegan – a trad scholar and musician himself – the series showcases the music, the players and the issues that often don’t get discussed in the world of Irish traditional music. Featuring interviews in studio, as well as from the Willie Clancy week in Clare and other key get togethers on the trad calendar, each episode is wonderfully rounded off with a performance from the legendary Cobblestone pub in Dublin 7.
The first episode in season 2 explores the music and legacy of the legendary musician and composer Seán O’Riada. Tommy’s special guest, Síle Denvir, helps Tommy delve in to the experimental work of – and reverence surrounding – O’Riada. The episode also includes a performance by four of the younger members of the Mulligan family, playing two hornpipes: Con McCarthy’s & The Home Ruler.
Series producer Barry Lennon is very excited to announce the broadcast of the second season of Coppers and Brass:
“The project provides a fresh insight into the traditional Irish community in Ireland.. It was a great honour to work closely with those deeply routed in this community: including Tommy Fegan who presented the series and researched it, the Cobblestone pub in Smithfield where we filmed all the live performances and Dundalk Insititute of Technology. After the success of season one which is now available to view online here we hope everyone enjoys season two as much as we did making it.”
The rest of the second season will cover subjects such as etiquette at sessions, the pros and cons of trad competitions, the effect immigration and emigration have had on the music as well as the boundaries of traditional music and ownership of it across the border. It will also feature performances from some of the finest proponents of trad instrumentation such as Seán Gilrane & Davy Sheridan , Eamonn de Barra, Gay Mckeown and Fintan Vallely.
Season 1 of Coppers and Brass aired weekly on DCTV last September & Season 2 kicks off this Tuesday, July 1st at 8pm on DCTV’s UPC Channel (802), and will run weekly until August 12th. Episodes will be available on DCTV’s youtube channel & vimeo channel the day after each broadcast.