Rock Island Online

The one, the only…

ust as it was pretty much destiny that Phelim Drew would follow his iconic father onto the stage, following the pandemic, live gigs inevitably moved online.

Still, it’s hard to believe that today, March 12th, marks a full year since artists and audiences could get up close and loud.

Marking the day earlier with a man who has long lived and breathed the sweet and sweaty live gig, Eoin Woods said he was simply lost for words when it came to describing an entire 12 months without his biggest creative outlet.

For Phelim Drew, sharing four kids with an equally prolific and successful wife, Sue Collins (of Dirt Birds and The Nualas fame), has meant that thumb-twiddling is rarely an option. And so the songs, stories and craic have moved online. For now.

The latest outing is something rather special, a full Phelim & The Drew House Band live gig recorded in Newbridge House and now set to hit the interweb as part of Temple Bar’s Tradfest 2021.

All set to debut at 8pm on Saturday March 20th, tickets are just €4.99 here, and the gig will be online for a full week.

In the meantime, we managed to get a few moments with the man himself to find out how the move from lock-ins to lockdowns is treating him…

Recorded in Newbridge House and, we’re assured a ‘cracker of a show’, a whole new world stepping out onto the virtual stage for this Tradfest debut…?
I was delighted to be asked and excited at the prospect of coming together with the lads to have a go ‘as it were’. The house is stunning and in incredible condition. I was so distracted though that I didn’t realise Oliver Cromwell was staring at us from a gilded frame In the corner of the room the whole time! It took a bit of getting used to doing the recording but hopefully people enjoy it.

You’ve evolved quite a lot over the years with your music, exploring the roots of not only Irish traditional music but American mountain music, bluegrass, rock’n’roll and whatever-you’re-having-yourself. A continuous evolution, or have you hit a sweet spot now that you’re calling home…?
Well, a man was born to do one thing and I was born to chance my arm. I’m always pushing myself and and it’s just seems like the right time to look back at my father’s musical legacy through the songs and memories. There’s such a rich vein to draw from that no two shows ought to be the same and that’s what I’m aiming for. It’s relatively new territory with regard to the size of audience I’m trying to reach with this so a learning curve. An upward one I hope.

Given that the setlist for the Newbridge House has well and truly been finalised, what can people expect to hear from this recorded show?
The Tradfest Newbridge House recording is a version of the show that looks back at the people that originally formed The Dubliners and who in turn have influenced me and my taste in music. There are funny stories too that go hand in hand with such a unique collection of band members. My father came home from a series of visits to Spain in the late ’50s with the intention of pursuing a career in music and along with Barney McKenna began a journey that has impacted people worldwide. So I believe that’s worth celebrating.

When did the show actually happen, and was it being recorded for post-match analysis, or for broadcast?
I did a concert in The Pepper Canister Church about two years ago for Tradfest which was really successful. As in it sold out and people seemed to enjoy it. So I was pleasantly surprised to be asked to take part in Tradfests online series of concerts which are to be streamed around St Patrick’s Day and I believe for broadcast on the telly.

Any thoughts on more online shows in the coming months, especially live and dangerous…?
I’ve had a few online engagements. It’s all a bit scratch and sniff. Doing something live without the essential audience aspect is disconcerting but if the demand is there and as long as we’re in this very abnormal situation I and those like me will try to connect through the online platform.

The curtain has been down on live music for a year now – how has the past 12 months been for you? Always believe that the show will go on, once the lockdowns lifted…?
Like everyone else my wish is for things to get back to normal. Performance is only a part of that. As things start to come back when this virus recedes live performance will take its place when people feel comfortable.

You’ve released a few basement tape recordings online – have you been tempted to use all this time off to record an album? Write a book? Finally learn how to dance properly…?
I’ve been using the time productively but without putting myself under too much pressure. Just getting through it is a challenge. I think how hard it is for the vulnerable, the elderly and people with small children and count myself lucky.

Your better half, Sue, has been keeping busy online too. Are you guys working from a carefully laid-out plan, or just following your noses?
Sue has a very strong work ethic. Throughout the pandemic she has worked relentlessly. All for no money. But it’s an investment and I’m so full of admiration and….what’s the word? Oh yes. Inadequacy! We do what we have always done. Get the kids up and out to work and sit back and dream up the next plan of action.

Finally, how ready are you now for a glorious night away from the wife and kids…?
I wouldn’t know what to do or how to behave. I’m addicted to keeping the toilets clean and planning the dinner!

You can grab yourself a ticket for that Phelim & The Drew House Band gig right about here.

Now, go archive digging on the man himself here.