I play in different musical projects based in Scotland & Germany. I’ve been lucky enough to travel and see a bit of the world, meeting some very interesting people and sharing some really great times with them. Experiencing some of the ordinary and some of the most peculiar things along the way. I’ve discovered that most of the things that happen in your life depend on what frame of mind you are in, what your outlook is and the people who surround you.
I write music about life, about love, about relationships and anything else there is in between. if there’s a story to be found in any of my songs, then it is usually about one or all of these. I have always had an ear for music since I was a kid, before I could even play a musical instrument I realised there was some kind of alchemy waiting inside each one. You only had to learn to play it to discover some of its secrets and let a new world open up before your eyes and ears. I tried many different instruments like the piano, harp, chanter, flute, tin whistle, drums and even the Spanish water-pipe before my older brother showed me a few chords and I learned to play the guitar. After that I never really looked back. I knew I’d found what I was looking for. My folks were always very encouraging when it came to a musical education. They taught me the love of a good song and to follow my heart and chase my dreams in life. To be polite and respectful to others and never let anyone tell you something is impossible or cannot be done.
To create something out of nothing can be pretty special. To have a seed sown in your head and let it grow and sprout into an idea, to make it come to life manifesting itself on paper as a piece of scribbled verse or written music, can be magical.
I am chasing after my dream to be a professional musician, making a living from something I love to do. Travelling the world like a smalltown troubadour. Making friends out of strangers and living life to one main simple philosophy….. wherever you go, whatever you do, just don’t be a ****!
The Púca (Irish for spirit or ghost), Pookah, Phouka, Phooka, Phooca, Puca or Púka, is primarily a creature of Celtic folklore.[1]Considered to be bringers both of good and bad fortune, they could either help or hinder different communities. The creatures were said to be shape changers which could take the appearance of black horses, goats and rabbits. They may also take a human form, which includes various animal features, such as ears or a tail.
The púca has counterparts throughout the Celtic cultures of Northwest Europe. For instance, in Welsh mythology it is named the pwca and in Cornish the Bucca.[2] In the Channel Islands, the pouque were said to be fairies who lived near ancient stones; in Channel Island French a cromlech is referred to as a pouquelée or pouquelay(e); poulpiquet and polpegan are corresponding terms in Brittany.[3][4]
Morphology and physiology
According to legend, the púca is a deft shapeshifter, capable of assuming a variety of terrifying or pleasing forms. It can take a human form, but will often have animal features, such as ears or a tail.[9] As an animal, the púca will most commonly appear as a horse, cat, rabbit, goat, goblin, or dog. No matter what shape the púca takes, its fur is almost always dark. It most commonly takes the form of a sleek black horse with a flowing mane and luminescent golden eyes.[10] (The Manxglashtyn also takes on human form, but he usually betrays his horse’s ears and is analogous to the each uisce[11])
If a human is enticed onto a púca’s back, it has been known to give them a wild ride; however, unlike a kelpie, which will take its rider and dive into the nearest stream or lake to drown and devour him/her, the púca will do its rider no real harm. Pooka are also known as great chefs, but only operate in their own village. However according to some folklorists the only man ever to ride the púca was Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, by using a special bridle incorporating three hairs of the púca’s tail.[5]The púca has the power of human speech, and has been known to give advice and lead people away from harm. Though the púca enjoys confusing and often terrifying humans, it is considered to be benevolent.
Agricultural traditions
Certain agricultural traditions surround the púca. It is a creature associated with Samhain, a Goidelic harvest festival, when the last of the crops are brought in. Anything remaining in the fields is considered “puka”, or fairy-blasted, and hence inedible. In some locales, reapers leave a small share of the crop, the “púca’s share”, to placate the hungry creature. Nonetheless, 1 November is the púca’s day, and the one day of the year when it can be expected to behave civilly.
At the beginning of November, the púca was known—in some locales—to either defecate or spit on the wild fruits rendering them inedible and unsafe thenceforth.[12]
“That’s not the promise that you gave to me, When first you lay on my breast
You could make me believe with your lying tongue,
That the sun rose in the west”
― Bert Jansch