Band member Kevin Crawford, who was born and raised in England before relocating to Ireland in 1989 at the age of 21, recently answered some questions from Brooklyn, where he has lived since 2014.
Q. What are you up to today?
I just was just finishing up a Skype lesson. It’s the wonders of technology. I’ve been in the States for four years and doing them that way since I moved. I used to teach a lot at home in Ireland and I didn’t want to cut off that relationship I had with my students. I embraced it against what I thought was my better judgement but it has proven to be an enormous tool for teaching. I was afraid of it but it works great.
Q. What was it like on “Cas” working with singers like Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tim O’Brien and Natalie Merchant?
It was a big deal for us because it was new territory. We were incredibly honored and proud and thrilled that everybody we asked came on board without a thought. The outpouring of goodwill and support from the artists gave us a massive boost, if I’m being honest.
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Q. What's your impression of the Ohio Celtic scene?
You guys have a brilliant, sustainable, organic, grassroots scene going on in Ohio. It has always been there and it’s not reliant on transient musicians coming and going. There is a real core there, I know from playing in festivals and teaching there. There are great scenes in Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus and Cleveland. It’s really, really strong. There are incredible music schools and amazing musicians that have come through the ranks that are now playing Irish music professionally.
Q. What can folks expect from Thursday’s concert?
We do shows with singers from time to time, but this gig is just Lúnasa with a variety of all-instrumental pieces to take you on a journey throughout the night. We don’t take ourselves seriously at all. All of us are capable of having a bad night but it’s not life or death. If we mess up, my God, we’re going to own it and have a laugh about it.
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WANT TO GO?
Who: The Vic 150 Series presents Lúnasa
Where: Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14
Cost: $30-$60
More info: 937-228-3630 or www.ticketcenterstage.com
Artist info: www.lunasa.ie
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