Behind the music – Pauline Scanlon

Trad artists Pauline Scanlon and Barry Kerr begin a nationwide tour of their collaborative traditional singing project The Longing on 24 March at Moynihan’s Bar Clonmel and 26 March at Campbell’s Tavern, Headford. We asked Pauline the BIG questions . . .

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They also play 6 May at Aras Chronain Dublin and 10 June at St John’s, Listowel.

Both established performers, The Longing is the result of years of concerts, sessions, and late-night singsongs where a mutual repertoire and telepathy brought them together.

Tell us three things about yourself . . .

I’m from Dingle, I’m a mature student in University for the first time, and I have mysophobia – I hate eating sounds.

How would you describe your music?

Folk/traditional with broader influences from my record collection dating back to my teens.

Who are your musical inspirations?

Sinéad O’Connor, Carol Keogh, Joni Mitchell, Éilís Kennedy, Leonard Cohen, Tony Small, Eithne Ní Úllacháin . . . and loads, loads more. I really love musicians and singers who sound free and unconstrained.

What was the first gig you ever went to?

The Hothouse Flowers in the CBS hall in Dingle in the late eighties, possibly very early 90s.

What was the first record you ever bought?

True Blue – Madonna,

What’s your favourite song right now?

I listened to Newcastle by Lankum this morning and just loved it.

Favourite lyric of all time?

“And Jesus was a sailor when he walked upon the water, And he spent a long time watching from his lonely wooden tower, And when he knew for certain only drowning men could see him, He said all men will be sailors then until the sea shall free them” – Suzanne – Leonard Cohen.

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If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?

There are so many to choose from, and my inclination is usually towards darker songs, but I think that may be a bit melancholy for an entire lifetime, so I’ll go sequins and dancefloor – The Pointer Sisters – Don’t it Drive You Crazy.

Where can people find your music/more information?

My website.