The Acoustic Balladeer
My good friend John Broomhall gave me the nick name, “The Wild Irish Rover”,
and it stuck, to my good fortune. But as an Irish/Australian singer/songwriter I’m not just that, I’m all of the above!
My evening show is based around the characters I’ve met and those songs that I’ve written about them. Then I throw in some Irish songs and tunes that I’ve adapted and play them on a range of instruments and in various tunings including the Bodhran (The Irish Drum). Then I stir this melting pot and present this feast from a stage and I know that you’ll know some of my material.
I’m a singer song writer, performer and a finger style guitar player. I love alternate tunings on my guitars and I love guitars as well as other stringed instruments, in their many shapes and form. I also love performing to an audience, presenting what I’ve found in the form of songs & tune or stories and I believe the old saying ‘There are new songs within old melodies”. It is all very true. This is why I lean on my Irish heritage for assistance and my childhood in England and Australia and particularly what was played on the radio & TV from pop to jazz ,blues folk and of course the acoustic singer song-writer so I am “The Acoustic Balladeer”.
I have a mother who danced a father who sang and a granny that played fiddle in Dublin, Ireland. And having been born there, that’s enough reason for me to carry on the tradition. I think!
As a player I use a lot of musical styles, I am constantly being teased and seduced by what I hear. Can I play this on my guitar I ask? What would that sound like? An audience would love this!
So now you know a little about me, read on I’ll explain my recordings and my travels, because travel is the food of inspiration.
I have performed from wooden boats festival Brest, in France, to the magic of Port Fairy, Woodford, ABC concerts in Australia. I’ve had airplay for my songs with radio & TV. I’ve attended music lessons in North Carolina, under the tuition guitarist El McMeen. And I have played with and supported many performers on many stages. I also teach guitar each year at The Lake School of Celtic Music Song &Dance.
As a songwriter I will always be working on my next album. But my last was a few years ago called ‘Between the Moon and Sun’. Written for George Town, Tasmania’s Bi-Centenary. So I have been working on a new bunch of songs to be released 2007 and I refer to these as my “Story Songs”. I come from a story teller’s background and love to tell the tale accompanied by music. As a fulltime musician and performer I work with adults and children in early childhood, were stories and music play a big roll in their life’s. So a story is heard or sung or played out, from the cradle to the grave.
The album is about my travels and the people whom I’ve met along the way and their influences and stories. But not all is from the spoken word. I read a lot and get excited about history, people like Charles Strutt, whom accompanied Lord Earl Grey’s Orphan girls to Australia as a surgeon onboard The Thomas Arbuthnot . A great story worthy of a song!
Hi Vince, thanks for adding me as a friend. I had a listen to your songs, they're really great, and I like your version of 'Caledonia' too! A beautiful song. Hope to see you in concert oneday soon - Cheers - Jill Meehan : )
Braemar is proud to announce that La Trobe University and the School of Historical and European Studies will host a free, public lecture highlighting Lochaber No More on Sunday 20th September 2009 at 3.00pm. This performance will be introduced by Dr Jennifer Ridden of the History Program. see La Trobe University Public Lecture
Hey thanks Siobhan. What a great pleasure it was to hear you play & meet you're family. Siobhan you're bless by the ancients and your singing and playing of such beautiful and melodic airs is sublime! I will be in Wales in September and I'll think of you as I'm playing my songs. You have a huge future ahead of you, take it all in your stride and be true to your self. Cora & Toni loved what you did and I know welcomed you to the sisterhood of musicians. They're wonderful musicians and friends to me and I know they'll follow your endeavors. Good luck with everything including school and stay intouch Much love & wishes in music & friendship Vince Toni & Cora
Fantastic songs Vince, Great to listen to your music with rich stories in your lyrics, particularly love Billy Bones (haunting sound with great atmosphere). We'd love to hear your thoughts on our new album!! Keep up the great work Vince, best wishes Fay & Rob
Charles Strutt & Lord Earl Grey ? Forgive any ignorance I may be demonstating, but we're talking about the same Earl Grey - as the tea? What year was the voyage and how did Strutt figure in the event?
I hope this doesn't feel too much like twenty questions - well, its a few off twenty, but you get the idea.
I feel like I'm chasing a private history lesson. I trust thats ok.
Hi Vince. It was great catching up with you and Margie on the weekend. When you can send us your address and i will send you off our cd's. I will wait the extra week to send them so you can get the Lochaber No More cd when it comes out . Cheers hope to see you both soon. Eddie.
Vince Brophy - a truly inspiring performer who shares his musical heart, voice & talent with all who care to listen. A truly unique & genuine Ozzie Irishman with beautiful songs that not only tell stories & tales of many different people & places, but also somehow remain in one's mind to draw upon when inspiration is needed. An honour to have met him. Looking forward to your next Album/s Vince. Dave Tognon.
heya darlin, I thought youd gone all strange with me....LOL....Im happy u contacted back you salty dog you...Im in St. Lucia..West Indies for 2 months..life is very good to me...talk to you soon and of course Ill keep in contact..yes Im sooo glad Ive escaped the gong.....many Hugs and as they say here in the carribean IRIE...hugs Delight...
I trust you're well. I've been crazy busy with the band's CD launch and stuff. I haven't forgotten about helping out with your web sites, I'll be in contact with you soon.
heya vince, long time no see,,my love, when are you heading to the gong again,,just come back doing the parent thing.so glad i dont live there anymore,,Im here in Noosa,,for awhile anyways ..awesome to hear your voice again,,, keep in touch,,now,,,lots of kisses and yummy hugs....delight aka sheila crilly
Hi Vince, Delighted to be the first to comment on your myspace.
Thanks for supporting the Harpers of Ireland as we take a stand for TARA. On Saturday 22 September 2007 at 3 p.m. Harpers of Ireland will gather at Dáil Éireann to demonstrate publicly the strength of their opposition to the current destruction of historic cultural sites in the Tara/Skryne Valley. The Harpers will assemble with their harps along Kildare Street Government Buildings, and will submit a petition to Minister John Gormley insisting he implement alternatives to the current destruction which is taking place.
Harpers petition online at www.myspace.com/TaraHarpers
There's a love Tara march on the 15th in Dublin. www.myspace.com/hilloftara
You can sign the petition at www.petitiononline.com/TaraM3/petition.html Listen to Liam Ó Maonlai singing Tara's Eye free to download at www.myspace.com/songfortara
Please do what you can to make people aware of the destruction of TARA, our most ancient Sacred site.
