Myself and Dave Milligan have got a couple of gigs coming up! We are performing at
Ardkinglas House – Saturday 20th April
The Square, Cairndow
PA26 8BH
Argyll
01499 600261
Also at Edinburgh Tradfest Festival on Saturday 11th May at 6:30pm
Traverse Theatre
10 Cambridge Street
EH1 2ED
Edinburgh, UK
I thought you would like to see this photo of my concertina after Steve Dickinson, concertina repairer took it away from West Country Concertina Players in Somerset and did some work on it.
I’ve never given my concertina away before so it was slightly daunting however when I showed it to Steve he said that he could take it away for a week and fix a few things on it. It was quite a sight! The thumb straps were wrecked as I hadn’t got round to replacing them – just added more tape, I had a red hanky stopping one of the sides from clicking as they rubbed together, my top Bb was missing completely and the button levels were all higgledy piggledy (is that how you spell that phrase?). It still sounded beautiful of course!
As you’ll see from the photo it is now looking beautiful. I’ve got a bit of practice to be doing to soften the thumb straps and get used the instrument in its new state. But that’s an exciting prospect in itself. I’ll have to get on to writing the music for my new piece a’ dol fodha na grèine and having the concertina all fixed up will make a difference.
Found this interesting post on the history of Wheatstone Concertinas!
I’m always looking for new subscribers to my Patreon! Feel free to join!
I’m very happy to tell you that me and Dave Milligan will be playing at Celtic Connections festival on the 2nd February 2024 in the City Halls, Recital Rooms. It would be great to see you and we will be playing a mixture of new and classic material from our new album Portraits and older tunes. You can find out more here
https://www.celticconnections.com/event/1/simon-thoumire-dave-milligan
Hi there! Ciamar a tha thu? What’s happening? Sorry for the long break between these podcasts. Sometimes life just gets in the way… Anyway we are back now with the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards Album of the Year Podcast 2023! Starting of with the winner Duncan Chisholm! If you would like to support this podcast please check out our Patreon www.patreon.com/handsupfortrad.
Black Cuillin by Duncan Chisholm
Track – On the winds of chaos born
https://www.duncanchisholm.com
Tempus by Skerryvore
Track – Everything You Need
https://skerryvore.com
Dialogues by Su-a Lee
Track – Stroma featuring James Ross
https://sualee.bandcamp.com/album/dialogues
Awakening by Ìmar
Track – Bangers
https://www.imarband.com
Fàs by Breabach
Track – Eadar an Da Bhraigh
https://breabach.bandcamp.com/album/f-s
Dusk Moon by Rura
Track – Think of Today
https://rura.bandcamp.com
DIAD by Tim Edey & Ross Ainslie
Track – LUNNY
https://rossainslie.bandcamp.com/album/diad-2
I See A World by Peatbog Faeries
Track – The Sister of Moses
https://peatbogfaeriesofficial.bandcamp.com/album/i-see-a-world
Decemberwell by Decade by Mike Vass
Track – Prisms on the dark sea
https://mikevass.bandcamp.com
Haar by Lauren MacColl
Track – Haar
https://laurenmaccoll.bandcamp.com
Here’s a new tune played by me and Ian Carr and written by Simon Thoumire and Alana NicAonghais with financial help from TASGADH (Traditional Arts Small Grants) and Creative Scotland.
The title is to remind me and Ian where we sit on the stage! It’s full title should be Ian on stage left…
This is a new composition of Ian’s that we recorded in Sweden in September 23. It was originally written in 2021 during the height of lockdown and we made a version of this from our two house. At last we managed to play it in the same room. Find out more https://simonthoumire.ffm.to/invisible
Hi everyone! Myself and Dave are performing at Stirling Tolbooth this Saturday 7th October 7:30pm and we would love to see you! We will be performing music from the new album Portraits and some of our older material. If you would like to come you can find out more here!
Me and Ian David Carr had a great time playing music in Sweden. Here’s a new set featuring Miss Sineag Thomson by Alana NicAonghais, Diddley iPod by Sharon Shannon and Road to Coalburns by Ian Stephenson. Find out more https://simonthoumire.ffm.to/invisible
Hi there, Ciamar a tha sibh? We are back after the summer. My youngest is now back at the school – in his last year! Where does the time go! Anyway loads of great music for you to listen toooo! See you in September!
Live Wire by Mec Lir
Track – Flashback
https://meclir.bandcamp.com/album/livewire
Dream Angus by Claire Hastings
Track – Dream Angus
https://clairehastings.bandcamp.com
Arche by Routes Quartet
Track – Astar
https://routesstrings.bandcamp.com/album/arche-2
Popular Manx Tunes D♭ Edition by Tomas Callister & David Kilgallon
Track – Polkas
https://davidkilgallon.bandcamp.com/album/popular-manx-tunes-d-edition
Dancing Feet by Blair Douglas
Track – Back to the Island
https://gaelicmusic.com/products/dancing-feet-1
Fath mo mhulaid a bhith ann (Being here has caused my sorrow) by Maggie MacInnes
https://www.maggiemacinnes.co.uk
Road to Caolburns by Ian Stephenson
https://ianstephenson.me/index.php/performer/
I See A World by Peatbog Faeries
Track – Clunie Road / The Winning Bid
https://peatbogfaeries.com
Run by Man of the Minch
https://manoftheminch.bandcamp.com
The Dawning by Graham Mackenzie
Track – Josh’s Jigs
https://grahammackenzie.bandcamp.com/album/the-dawning
My dad is having a rough week so here is a tune I wrote for him a while ago – John Thoumire’s Castle. Https://simonthoumire.ffm.to/portraits