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Last fall Mickey Coleman and Plunkett McGartland sat down with Malachi Cush on his Sunday Morning Jukebox radio program and discussed Mickey’s newest song and upcoming album, A Mothers Lullaby. During a lighter moment and as friends do, Malachi poked fun at Mickey about being referred to as the “next Irish folk sensation.” Obviously self-conscious about the reference, Mickey responded without hesitation; “talkin the talks one thing, but walkin the walks another.” Prophetic words…. With his A Mothers Lullaby, Mickey most certainly is “walkin the walk” in the footprints of the likes of Christy Moore and Bob Dylan. Mickey advocates for powerless abused children, innocent casualties of war having no escape from the devastation, loved ones left to cope with suicide, the end of political corruptness, the unemployed and those unfortunates caught up in the associated turmoil. For this album, Mickey has written lyrics guided by his conscience and from his heart. His fine voice lending so much power to the words they take your breath away. Having Plunkett McGartland accompanying Mickey on some of these songs is the perfect compliment to the richness and clean clear sound of the new songs.

A Mothers Lullaby is the next step in Mickey’s journey up the road to becoming one of the great folk singers both in Ireland and here in the states. He’s surely “walkin the walk” with A Mothers Lullaby!      Brilliant Mickey, just brilliant!!!

The reasons why Mickey wrote Mothers Lullaby have been explained eloquently by Mickey himself and would be diminished by any synopsis I could pen here. Visit his MySpace page and read his blog: Mothers Lullaby (why I wrote this song). http://www.myspace.com/mickeycoleman1

Locked Gates, a narrative written by Patricia Campbell, draws not so subtle parallels between County Tyrone’s recent past and present day Gaza. It is brilliant in its simplicity. Agree or disagree with Mickey’s recitation, where and when he spent his formative years makes him uniquely qualified to give voice to these words.

With Brighter Day Mickey describes the strife occurring in present day Ireland, both the Republic and the North. In three short verses Mickey covers dissention and hope for reconciliation, unemployment, alcoholism, corrupt politicians, poor or non existent services, wasteful excess and child abuse. Plunkett McGartland gives added depth to this piece with his considerable talents at the piano.

Mickey wrote Miss You More Than Words Can Say for a mother who had lost her 22 year old son to suicide. It has been included in a charity album, From The Heart, and performed by Mickey during a benefit concert last July to raise the profile of the Suicide Awareness campaign.  This song is beautiful and it’s great to see him share it with a wider audience.

Pillow of Tears gives a voice to faceless closeted children abused by clergy. The stark honesty of Mickey’s words strongly illustrate the almost unbearable pain suffered from these ugliest of acts.

This man writes, sings and plays from his heart whatever the topic. Don’t let his more serious songs overshadow the other touching, more traditional songs penned by Mickey for this album.

Writing, singing and playing from the heart is clearly illustrated  with Culdaff. (a village in Donegal on the Inishowen peninsula). In this one Mickey tells the sad story of high hopes, disappointment and resignation over what will never be, and almost unbearable loneliness for home.

Stranger in the City weaves a tale of youthful exploration, immaturity of decisions made and the wisdom of realizing what’s important in life.

Your Love Pulled Me In and Can Always Count on You are most obviously written for a special person. The first song is the story of finding love at the exact right time, the second a confirmation of love and commitment to a present and future together.

Judgement Day is a genuinely happy tune that’s unashamed by its tilt toward good old fashioned country and western. It’s a toe tapping sing along song that will bring a great big smile to your face. Hard to choose which is more fun, Mickey’s words or Plunkett’s honky-tonk piano style in this one.

A Mothers Lullaby song list:

Mothers Lullaby

Locked Gates

Brighter Day

Your Love Pulled Me In

Miss You More Than Words

Pillow of Tears

Can Always Count On You

Judgement Day

Stranger in the City

Culdaff

Purchase A Mothers Lullaby on Mickey’s website: http://mickeycoleman.com/index.html

Now available at: and

 

Today, 29-Jan-2010, is a big day for singer/songwriter, Mickey Coleman, with the launch of his brand new album “Mothers Lullaby.” Mickey’s been called the next Irish folk sensation, and if the selections on his Myspace page are an indication of the quality and sound of the new album, he’ll have this title for the forseeable future. As part of the release, Mickey will also be embarking on a tour taking him to the cities of Belfast, Derry, Donegal, Dublin, Cork, Galway, Glasgow and London.

The Fanrealm staff would like to express its’ sincere congratulations and best wishes. Adh mor ort Mickey and continued success. Here’s hoping it goes platinum!

To order Mothers Lullaby or for tour details visit Mickey’s website: http://mickeycoleman.com/index.html

To hear a few of his new songs, visit Mickey’s Myspace page at: http://www.myspace.com/mickeycoleman1

The 6th Annual Guinness Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival will be held Feb 24-28, 2010. 150 songwriters will take part in the event which will feature 20 seminars and 42 concerts. More information about the event can be found at their website http://www.belfastnashville.com/ Tickets may be purchased through the website. I wish I was on that side of the pond as I have a strong suspicion that Belfast today is as much a hot bed of music and creativity as Liverpool was in the 50s and 60s. Liverpool launched The Beatles and enough other great groups that what was known as the British Invasion landed on the shores of the US and the world and forever changed the face of music. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see a Celtic Invasion hit the world any time now with the talent coming out of Ireland and the UK and the talented people the world over who are making their music in Celtic style using traditional Celtic Instruments.

Our readers from the Belfast area should definitely take this event in. The next supergroup a la the Beatles might be right on your doorstep. Two of Fanrealm’s favorites are taking part in the festival. Mickey Coleman will be there on the 24th and Oracle will be playing on the 27th along with another band Oracle’s lead guitarist Chris Logan plays in called Exit. I have listened to them on my space too and they are excellent.

Thanks so much to David from Oracle for the heads up on this event. Oracle will be playing at 8PM sharp on the 27th. You don’t want to miss them (remember that whole Beatles warning above.. ).They are definitely a band to watch. This is a link to get tickets for the Black Box where Oracle will be appearing on Sat night Black Box tickets Black Box is at 18 Hill Street. Doors open at 8PM and Oracle is first up so don’t be late. Tickets are £5 plus P + P.

 

Singer/songwriter Mickey Coleman, from the shores of Lough Neagh, County Tyrone Ireland is on his way to becoming the latest sensation to hit the Irish music folk scene.

Mickey who has been writing, singing and playing music from an early age completed his critically acclaimed debut album Carefully Crafted, consisting of all original material, a short 18 months ago. And, since its debut has been sharing the stage with artists such as The Chieftains, Cara Dillon, Francis Black, Liam Reilly, Steve Cooney and many more.

His talent for penning songs that in some way or another have shaped his life and which have captured the hearts of many in his live performances has been well documented in songs such as The Brantry Boy, The Holylands Belfast, My Coalisland Girl and Kilkeel Fisherman.

Drawing influences from Christy Moore, Bob Dylan and Luke Kelly, Mickey has developed his own identity saying; “I am like myself. I don’t think I sound like anyone” in an interview with popular folk artist and producer Column Sands.

James McGarrity from JW Promotions says; “Mickey Coleman is another example of the class and caliber of new musicians in the Province. This talented singer/songwriter produced a sensational debut album and is set for great things.”

Mickey is currently writing with some of Ireland’s finest and adding the finishing touches to his brand new album, Mothers Lullaby. Scheduled to launch on 29-Jan-2010, it is now available for purchase and pre-order on his website:   www.mickeycoleman.com

Listen to some of Mickey’s songs now at: www.myspace.com/mickeycoleman1   

Become a fan and follow Mickey on Facebook at: 

Mickey Coleman Folk Singer/Songwriter: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=156313743038

 

Merry Christmas, anxious readers! What follows is a conversation I recently had with singer & songwriter, Mickey Coleman. 
I’ve been listening to Mickey’s music and closely following his career for about a year now. Found him quite by accident while researching Northern Ireland for a once in a lifetime trip last summer. As travel time drew close, we decided to include one of Mickey’s performances in our itinerary and meet the man behind the music. Long story short, this first question is totally personal and a wee tease directed to Mickey about the venue where we saw him.

 Is the Terrace Bar in Omagh always loud, rowdy and packed wall to wall with GAA fans cheering Tyrone on to victory?
“No you really got it on a bad day.”

NOTE: Even with the ear splitting noise and chaos swirling around, Mickey did not disappoint, and….. Tyrone beat Kildare that night to proceed to the GAA 2009 semifinals.

 

I’ve already introduced Mickey and his music to many who will read this and am very excited to be able to post this interview for you as well.  “Here we go…” 

You’re born and raised in Ardboe, County Tyrone, N.I. What’s it like there? 

“Well I have to say I love where I live, the people are mostly friendly and when it’s not raining the view is fantastic. I live on the western shores of Lough Neagh which is the largest lake in Ireland, generations of my family made a living from this lake where the main industry is Eel exports to Europe.”  

When did you realise that writing music and singing had become your life’s work?

“I had an accident a couple of years ago playing Gaelic football when I broke my leg. It’s only then that I started to play fulltime and write on a continuous basis at my songs. I have always had a great love for music and writing but it was only then that I had a chance to start doing what I love for a living.” “Follow your heart.”

You’ve posted a long list of people that influenced you but is there one person that inspires you?

“My Mother.”

What are your feelings on the success of your debut album, Carefully Crafted?

“My feelings are mixed; I think it could have been better. I suppose it was slightly rushed and maybe slightly over produced in the sense that there could have been less going on in it, I think it is a little busy at times. My next album will be more stripped back and will focus more on the lyrical input to the songs. I suppose overall I’m happy I suppose my next challenge is to keep raising the bar.”

You recently spent time with the legendary Christy Moore. What was that like? Did he give you any career advice? Is there anything else from that meeting you’d like to share at this time?

“Meeting Christy was the highlight of my career to date and to actually sit down and discuss songs, how we write them etc… was magic. The man has so much passion for the music. He was a real gentleman and has invited me to play with him on stage the next time he’s up North so I’m really looking forward to that.”

 

Your new song, Mother’s Lullaby, is causing quite a stir. What was your inspiration for such a sad, heart wrenching story?

“My inspiration for this song came a few days after the attack on Palestine by Israel on 27/12/08 when there was footage beamed around the world of two kids age 4 and 6 standing crying in front of what was left of the family home. Both parents had been killed in the attack. The first thought that entered my mind when I saw these images was that they would have no mother to sing them a lullaby that night when they would go to bed. Most of the time the truth is not told in the media when it comes to war so I thought that I would give my take on it from what I knew of the situation. I know this fact due to growing up in Northern Ireland where the nationalist community suffered greatly at the hands of Britain due to not having a proper outlet in the media. If you search back in the TV archives, you will see that Gerry Adams voice was always over dubbed by an actor’s because he was deemed a terrorist and so called terrorists had no voice at that time. Yet the same man is in government with them today and has free speech. Does that mean they got it wrong in the media? Need I say more!!!!!”

I know that bringing awareness to the growing problem in Ireland of young people losing their lives to suicide is a cause you passionately support. How did you become involved in the “From the Heart” benefit concert and, will there be another?

“I performed a concert in Derry one night and sang a song “Sunday Morning Calling” from my album, which is about the emotional rollercoaster you go through when you lose someone to this issue. I was approached a few weeks later by a lady who asked me to write a song for an album to raise its awareness in the Derry area. It was a success, the concert sold out over 1,000 people.

There will be another concert 27^thFeb 2010 in Letterkenny, County Donegal.”    

In your interview with singer, songwriter, local radio host, Malachi Cush   http://www.streema.com/radios/Six_FM?f=0    http://www.myspace.com/malachicush  on a recent Sunday morning, you said the Old Ardboe Lament is a traditional Irish tune that you adapted for your album. Do you know the origins of this haunting song?

“This song was written by a local bard by the name of John Canavan whom I think passed away in the early 1900’s, roughly 1920 or there about. The song is about emigration and the first line of the song was recited by a man who was leaving Ireland around that time heading for America never to return. In those days the local people would have a leaving party at a crossroads for the people that where emigrating because a lot of them either died on the way there or would never return.”

Do you enjoy performing more in a small pub or a larger venue such as the Millennium Forum?

“I prefer to perform in theatres or somewhere there is a listening audience as most of my songs have a story to tell. When in a noisy bar they kind of get lost in the noise. Any where there is quiet I suppose.”

What are you listening to on your iPod today or what cd is in your player in the car right now?

“You might be surprised at this; Colbie Caillat. www.colbiecaillat.com/  I think she’s great, just discovered her!

I love all types of music. I listen to James Taylor a lot I also love Glen Frey, Don Henley and Bruce Springsteen. On the Irish scene at the moment I like a guy called Declan O’Rourke. www.myspace.com/declanorourke  Check him out if you haven’t found him already, he’s amazing. To be honest I’m always on the lookout, I love discovering new music.”

Is there a release date for your new album and will it be available at cdbaby as well as your website?

“To be honest I don’t have a release date. It keeps being put back as I don’t want to rush it and the finance of course. However, I am hoping one of two things: Either I get recognized by a record label or I put up my fee.  lol….

I am hoping that it will be complete by the end of February, God willing. I will certainly keep you all posted on that…”

One we all want to know ~~ when can we see you here in the States?

“I’ve been and gone, Diane. Was in Florida for 2 weeks and had a great time. Thanks to Jill Pearson for inviting me as Celtic Thunders street team special guest.”

And finally, what would you most like your American fans to know about you? 

“That I love them sincerely and I really appreciate their love for my music. It’s great knowing that people on the other side of the world love my music and songs.”

 “Thank you so much.”  

Find and follow Mickey at these sites:

http://mickeycoleman.com/index.html

http://www.myspace.com/mickeycoleman1

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=156313743038

Click on the cover to download album at ITunes

Mickey recently posted that he “Will be appearing on Malachi Cush radio show mid 106 on Sunday at 12.00 along with Plunkett McGartland… We might even get a song from Malachi TUNE IN…..”

Malachi is another incredibly talented NI singer and local radio personality. His show originates in Cookstown, County Tyrone. Give the lads a listen if you’re up that early.

http://www.sixfm.co.uk/portal/

As many of you know, I spent 10 days this summer past in Ireland, mostly touring the North. Along the way, I was able to connect with a young lad I discovered quite by accident (almost a year ago now) while researching the trip. He stole my heart with the first song of his I heard, Holylands Belfast.

My intent for this website tonight was to describe Mickey’s gig performed at the Terrace Bar in Omagh last August and my experiences that night. Believe me meeting him was one of the highlights of my trip. He is every bit as charming and unassuming as you would imagine him to be.

I promise, soon I will write that wonderfully funny story. However, I just ran across a Myspace post from Mickey asking folks to visit his Myspace page to listen to the new song he had just uploaded. But before listening, he wanted folks to read the blog he posted. I did, and thought this piece would tell you more about Mickey than my little story. It’s important, so, here goes.

Mickey Coleman’s blog:

Sunday, October 25, 2009
Mothers Lullaby (why I wrote this song)
I wasnt going to release this song until the completion of my next album but the response I have been getting recently when playing it live has sparked interest in it…. “Mothers Lullaby” is an anti war song written after I viewed footage beamed across the world of the gut renching scenes and distruction on the Gaza strip which began on the 27th Dec 2008.. In the footage there where two young girls their home had been blown to bits along with their mother and father. The first thought that came in to my head was that they would have no mother to sing them a lullaby when they where going to bed that night and that maybe some of us take many of the simple things in life for granted. Should this be happening in the world today?..It really touched my heart and I felt that I had to write something about this issue… I would also like to thank my good friend Plunkett McGartland for his input to this song without him it wouldnt be possible… I have been really touched by the response to this song.. I suppose growing up in a troubled Ireland made me more aware of the situation in Gaza I hope you enjoy the song.

God Bless

Mickey

http://www.myspace.com/mickeycoleman1 Thanks to Mickey for permission to reprint his blog here

By StaceyP

For the last several months I have been listening to the first CD of Mickey Coleman, called “Carefully Crafted”. Most of the songs on it are composed by the artist, and are just incredible! I like to compare Mr. Coleman to Bob Dylan, only I love Mr. Coleman’s music far more than Mr. Dylan’s. (No insult meant to Mr. Dylan at all, in fact he should consider it high praise to have Mr. Coleman compared to him)

My favorites on the CD are Brantry Boy, Destination, Soldier Soldier, and Holyland Belefast. All of the others on the CD are wonderful too. Just take a listen, and I think you’ll agree.

http://mickeycoleman.com
http://www.myspace.com/mickeycoleman1

Carefully Crafted is available through cd baby, and http://www.mickeycoleman.com

Song List

The Holylands Belfast
My Coalisland Girl
Somewhere Else Instead
Plastic Paddys
Kilkeel Fishermen
Life and Me
Fishermans Lament (Old Ardboe)
Brantry Boy
Sometimes Its Hard
Sunday Morning Calling
Soldier Soldier
Destination

Mickey also has a new album due for release in Dec. 2009.