Fia Rua launches album number four

Album number four from Fia Rua (Eoghan Burke) has been five years in the making - a journey that started on tour in Switzerland with long time collaborator and fiddler Christophe Capewell, and ended in Covid isolation in the Midlands.

Following a post-gig discussion in Vevey, Switzerland, the initial goal was to create a more intimate, atmospheric album with electric guitar, piano and strings, allowing Kildare-born Fia, who has been living in Westmeath for the last two years, to engage with his lower vocal register. Music for the nighttime.

Eight of the ten tracks were recorded in an old Georgian house in Dublin, on the same street once occupied by James Joyce. The song themes move from the personal to the fictional, murder ballads, and evictions in the 1800s, to inward-looking songs of loss and hope, with one track serving as a contemplative anthem for Covid times. The album also includes a song written by fellow Urchin Collective artist Pearse McGloughlin (Bright Star) and features guest appearances by Sweeney Lee (vocals), Adam Downey (drums) and Ross Rooney (bass).

Westmeath-based Fia Rua splits his creative pursuits between music, acting, storytelling and writing. He spent time recently as Reader in Residence in Westmeath Libraries and hosted the first of a music video series made by the Siamsaíocht group in Athlone broadcast on Athlone Family Resource Centre social media channels.

His new album 'Behind the Grey' was launched online at the weekend.

He took time out recently to answer some questions.

What's your first musical memory?

I remember being about three and jumping around the room to Paddy Works On The Railway, a record by The Dubliners, which was later covered by The Pogues.

Where did your musical name come from?

Fia Rua - it means Red Deer as Gaeilge, not that I see myself as a red deer, that would be strange. I just liked the way it looked and sounded.

When did you realise that music could be more than a hobby?

To be honest I never saw it as a hobby, it had too much of a hold on me. I sacrificed everything for it, without really questioning why. It was just a feeling, a passion, especially in my 20s, I was obsessed.

Lately I’ve found other things to be pasionate about, like acting, which takes a bit of the weight off my back.

How have been coping with the strange times we're living through and staying creative?

Well, it might sound strange, but since Covid, I’ve been more ‘creative’, I would say. I was spending a lot of time doing gigs I didn’t enjoy that much, and other work too. It was the first time I gave myself permission to not leave the house, and create new stuff, like storytelling, video making and of course writing a few songs and finishing the album.

What's the inspiration behind your new album?

It varies, from the deeply personal, to stuff outside myself, from real life to fictional. It was written over five years too, so I was in various, states, when writing. If I was to but a random stamp on it I would say it was an album of loss, love and hope.

What do you miss most about live gigs?

I miss playing with my friends, which sounds like something a child would say, but it’s the same feeling you get, playing with your friends, its pure and magical. It can also be awful, but we won’t focus on that.

What song do you wish you wrote?

Sweet Jane by Lou Reed Biggest musical influences? Bob Dylan, The Cure, The Smiths, The Pogues Best advice ever given? Not sure, but it definitely wasn’t from my career guidance teacher who told me to be a landscaper for a golf club.

How do you balance your time between music, storytelling, writing and acting?

This is the first year that it’s been a bit difficult to make time for everything, but I love being busy, and I’m always grateful of work that I like doing.

I guess I put things in order of their artistic importance to me, which might not always be the best financial decision, but I just take each day as it comes, and I'm seldom not able to say yes.

Is there one pursuit you prefer over the other?

Difficult question. I guess being a singer/songwriter and performing my own songs is my first passion, but I give equally to any theatre performance I do. Stuff like the storytelling just kinda happened, and I love doing it, I love that I can put different masks on for different jobs, I’m really glad I ventured out of whatever box others, or myself put me into.

Have you enjoyed your time as Reader in Residence in Westmeath Libraries?

Very much. I got to meet some lovely staff members in Moate and Athlone and I got to work with different settings around the county. It also helped me brush up on my reading, which is no harm at all.

You've also been involved in the recent Siamsaíocht videos, is the arts scene in Athlone healthy in your view?

Well, I’m originally from Kildare, and I’m only in Westmeath two years. I think stuff like Siamsaiocht has given a voice to some of the creative talent in the county. I feel Athlone, and Westmeath in general has a more down to earth feel about it, in the music, or arts scene. I spent many years in Galway and it got to the stage where I was dying to meet someone in the bar who wasn’t from the arts scene, it can be intense and a bit navel gazing.

What more can be done by the powers to be to help the arts community in the current restrictions?

I think there’s been a lot of initiatives taken by public bodies since Covid to help the arts scene. Some things can’t be fixed, an we've got to take on the responsibility ourselves and think outside what’s comfortable or familiar.

This time last year I had a lot of fellow artists really worried, it was scary enough, and I include myself in that. I guess each person has their own story.

Three favourite things about Athlone?

If permitted I have to jump outside Athlone and big up Magico Bakery in Moate, it’s been a lifesaver over the last year, friendly staff, amazing bread, pastries and coffee.

In Athlone, well that broad majestic Shannon, washing through the town, its thrilling. Also the Athlone Family Resource Centre which has been given artist amazing projects and opportunities.

What are your hopes for 2021?

Well, the album, I want it heard, I’m extremely happy with it, it’s my 4th record, and I’m proud of all my children, but ye know, the youngest will always be the best.

Compiled by Deirdre Verney.