After a couple of false starts, finally Paul Brady is heading back to Australia. “I tried to get out there last but it just didn’t come together but I’m very pleased it’s come together this year,” admits the musician down the line from Ireland. “I have enjoyed my last couple of trips to Australia. I’ve had some wonderful gigs there and I like the country, I like the people and I’ve got quite a few friends there so it’s nice to get back.”
Brady’s performance at The Brunswick Music Festival is also significant for the fact that it will see him partner up with his long time collaborator and fellow Irish music legend Andy Irvine. Their partnership goes all the way back to the ’60s and is one steeped in musical legend in their home country. “One of the things I’m looking forward to is hooking up with my old colleague Andy Irvine who I have a long history with and with whom I have collaborated with sporadically over the last few decades,” says Brady. “Every time we do it’s very enjoyable. I think we’ll probably be doing a few songs together at Brunswick.”
Despite their musical journeys taking separate paths over the years, the history Brady and Irvine share brings back memories of the time when traditional Irish music first began to seep into the mainstream consciousness. “Well, it was a very exciting time because we were all in our mid-teens, early 20s and that’s what helped give a big rush of energy into traditional forms (of music) in Ireland,” reflects Brady. “It actually crossed over to the mainstream and there was a period of over five years where I suppose the dominant musical culture was, even on day time radio, traditional music.”
Although traditional music has played a significant part in Brady’s musical journey, the last few decades has seen the musician focus more on his original works and honing his craft as a songwriter and recording artist. “My career has spanned over 45 years and for a decade of that, probably a quarter of my career I performed traditional music,” adds Brady. “So I suppose if I’m doing a tour or concert maybe a quarter of the show will be traditional music but the vast majority of my show is my own compositions and my own work.”
Although Brady has well and truly established himself as a recording artist in his own right, he still sees himself as a preforming artist first and foremost. “Every time I get up on stage it’s a sort of justification of my existence,” he explains. “I very much look on live performance as a justification of why I’m here. Fundamentally what I am is a performing artist and singer. Later in my career I started to write songs and I enjoy that very much and I enjoy recording but fundamentally I’m a singer and a performing artist.”
BY JAMES NICOLI
