Make Me An Island

Voices From Yonder

For this Bank Holiday special edition Dónal Dineen returns to the theme of the singer and the song, beginning this stretch of the journey in the Georgia Sea Islands off the southeastern United States. We encounter Bessie Jones and hear the magical Margret Barry courtesy of Alan Lomax.
 
Eithne Ní Catháin (Inni-K) joins Dónal for an illustrated guide to the Sean-nós singing traditions in Connemara and Cúil Aodha in the second half of the show.

Make Me an Island in Sligo

Made in conjunction with Cairde Festival, this Make Me An Island Special comes from Sligo. It's destination Model Niland Gallery for an in-depth look at fiddle music in the company of Steve Wickham. Donal also pays a visit en route to Kevin Barry's Ballinafad writing shed.
https://cairdefestival.com/
https://www.themodel.ie/
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/143091/kevin-barry

Make Me An Island vs Fire Draw Near

This extended episode starts with a visit to Armenia to hear the singular sound that Djivan Gaspryan achieves on the duduk. It's wind-based instruments all the way as Ian Lynch of Lankum joins Donal to discuss the history of piping and singing in Ireland after a couple blasts of tin-whistle magic from Paddy Moloney and Sean Potts.
 
Ian's Fire Draw Near radio show on DDR is essential listening. Two worlds collide. 
https://listen.dublindigitalradio.com/resident?id=5de90fcdd06fc4001420e176
 
(picture: Malcolm McGettigan)

Mining Guinean Gold with Diamond Fingers

In this extended episode Dónal Dineen goes deep into the musical revolution that followed Guinean independence in 1958. He explores the legacy of Bembeya Jazz National and discusses the importance of their guitarist, Diamond Fingers, with musician and producer Brendan Jenkinson.
A conversation with composer Linda Buckley closes the show.

Make Me An Island 'Black Lives Special Edition'

In this extended Black Lives special, Dónal Dineen talks to guitarist Niwel Tsumbu, rapper Murli Beobi and singer Senita Appiakorang about making home and music in Ireland.
The second half features an extended interview with Los Angeles based author, photographer and film-maker Brian Cross about the situation on the ground in the eye of the hurricane.

Sweet Concertina Music and the Sound of Kinshasa

In the second of a series of extended weekly specials, Dónal Dineen talks concertinas with producer and virtuoso player Jack Talty. 
Guitarist extraordinaire Niwel Tsumbu gives an in-depth guide to the music of the Congo...

Re-Presenting The Gladiators

In this inaugural weekly episode, Donal Dineen goes island hopping in the Caribbean before stalling in Jamaica to examine the seminal recordings made by The Gladiators at Studio One in the company of writer Carl Finlay. 
Dancer and Choreographer Oona Doherty discusses her recent collaborations with Jamie XX and Girl Band...

Make Me an Islander #4 with Peter Broderick

For the final transmission from his isolation pod on Mountjoy Square, Dónal is joined by prodigious musical artist Peter Broderick.
They talk Arthur Russell, Laurie Anderson, Arvo Pärt and more, between snippets from his own glittering back catalogue...
 
Transmissions will continue on in some form - keep an eye out here as we emerge from isolation, send a mail to donal@makemeanisland.ie or check out the Patreon link here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32902440
Your support is truly appreciated!! x

Make Me an Islander #3 with Brigid Mae Power

In this episode, special guest Brigid Mae Power talks about her music and the influence of singers like Joni Mitchell and Tim Buckley on her craft...

The Lonely Passion of Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou

From his isolation pod in Mountjoy Square West in Dublin, Dónal Dineen presents an illustrated guide to the musical universe.
This episode skips between the sacred and the profane. Tribute is paid to Little Richard, as is a visit to Jerusalem to hear the divine music of the Ethiopian nun Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou...