Ask Marc Gunn
Got a question that you'd like answered, email me.
Q. Do I need the your permission to record a live show?
A. I strongly encourage anyone to record (audio or video) any and every performance solo or with my band. Each show is completely different so record AND share! That's right. I give you permission to share your recording with others - just don't sell them. For that matter, you can post files to my Internet Archive to share with others.
Q. Do you mind if people do covers or filks of your compositions?
A. Cover away! I strongly encourage anyone who likes any of my songs to perform your own version. Or filk it. Share as much as possible. I love it even more if you tell folks you learned the song from me. You are also welcome you to record any of my songs. I even offer limited free licenses for any recordings. Contact me for details.
Q. What does sláinte mean?
A. I studied a little bit of gaelic. And sláinte is the one bit of gaelic I still remember. It means "cheers" or "good health".
Q. Do you know where I can find ____ song?
A. Probably not. I confess I'm relatively new to Celtic music having not listened to it before 1999. Thanks to my podcasts, I find a LOT of great songs, but if it's obscure, it's not likely.
Q. What are your plans for the future?
A. I have several life goals that include: 1) educate, inspire, and help other musicians and artists to attain their artistic dreams; 2) get involved more in charity working and supporting non-profits; 3) continue to grow as I make music and art.
Q. What is this Eventful Demand and how do I use it?
A. The purpose of the Demands is to determine pockets of popularity around the world. The more people in a your area, the more likely that it will be financially viable to visit your area. 100 fans in any area using demand is enough to secure most small venues.
Q. How can I get you to perform at a venue near me?
A. If you want us to perform near you, you can do one of two things: 1) make a demand and send an email to your local venues telling them about me; or 2) organize and promote a show. When I wanted to bring Voltaire to perform in Austin, I went to the local Goth club, talked to the booking agent, organized and promoted the show. I was the promoter. You need to be that sort of champion.
I need you to talk to a local folk club, Celtic, or folk festival. Organize a concert. Talk with the booking agent. Tell them why you think I would be a profitable addition to their venue. Special Note: Renaissance festivals and Irish pubs typically do not have the financial resources to fly a music group to their venue.
Q. How can I get you to perform at my venue?
A. If you want to book as at your venue, you can contact my booking agent or contact Andrew to book Brobdingnagian Bards.
Q. What inspires you to compose a song or poem?
Dumb luck! hehe. I wish I could say I write great poems and songs on a whim. But most of my best material comes from some sort of inspiration, events, romances, friendships, sad times, happy times. Although, on occasion I sit down and just start strumming my autoharp and a song idea erupts forth.
Q. What's your hair-care regime?
A.
Hehe! I love my hair. Mostly because I get a lot of compliments for it. So I take good care of it as I was taught by my long-hair sensei, April. I wash my hair with Jason shampoo and conditioner every other day to take advantage of my natural oils. I brush my hair only with my hands. I never color my hair, and I try to trim my split ends on a regular basis, but don't. Excuse the frizzle. I also wear my hair up 90% of the time. Some think that that is more trouble than it's worth. But it allows me to have long hair when I want to, which is what I prefer.
Q. Why Celtic music? Seems kind of a big jump from being in a punk band to going Celtic....
A. Destiny! I was born on St. Patrick's Day. heh! Actually, that has nothing to do with it. It was more a fluke. After my last rock band broke up, I switched to the autoharp to be a singer/songwriter. Most of my songs were more acoustic alternative folk. But I had two semi-Celtic songs that I played on the South Mall of UT Austin when someone asked me to try out for a Renaissance festival. Then when Andrew and I started playing together, the sound of the recorder and autoharp gave it a "Celtic" sound. And people started suggesting Irish songs. So we learned them.
Q. Why the autoharp?
A. My dad played every folk instrument under the sun when I was growing up. One of those instruments was the autoharp. His fascination with instruments passed to me. So I took one of his autoharps with to college, but I didn't play it until AFTER my last rock band broke up. I picked it up because I wanted to write songs that had decent melodies and not worry about being a guitar god. I found the autoharp simple to play but with a lot of delicate musical possibilities. It was easy to write and learn melodies. Then I found there was a LOT that no one had ever done with the autoharp. That was the perfect challenge for me.
Q. What do you like/what would you change, if you could, about being a performer?
A. I love making that brings so much joy to people. I love setting my own schedule. I love seeing the world. On the downside, I have a poor constitution, so I can't travel nearly as much as I would like to.
Q. Have you had musical training/what was it?
A. Minimal. I had a short-term piano and guitar teacher when I was a kid. Six months or so of each. I was in choir in junior high and took a music theory class in college. Most everything else I taught myself.
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