She "checked" my tooth, the one (on the bottom, right-hand side), that's been giving me gip and it seems fine.
As it had been a whole ten months since my last X-ray, she reckoned that the chances of there being anything structurally wrong, were low-so, that ruled out a new X-ray. So far so good. Then she suggested that I eat at the other side of my mouth for a while.
Irish dental solutions?
=(Cutting) edge of Europe. Lets hear it for the Celtic Tiger..Envy of the world!!
“Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence.” Hal Borland.
This time last year I was gearing up for the Irish release of my debut album Steafán Hanvey and The Honeymoon Junkies. Friends and acquaintances had started to stop me on the street to say they'd heard me on Larry Grogan, Maxi, The Nikki Hayes Show, Fanning and even Dublin Country Mix, would you Adam and Eve it? My da in Downpatrick phoned to tell me that Gerry Anderson (BBC), George Jones (BBC), Gerry Kelly, Maurice Jay (U105), Lisa Flavelle (Downtown Radio) were all playing it.
I had laid the groundwork, done the training, the press-ups, so to speak. I felt like a prizefighter, who, after months of preparation and contemplation was finally “ready”. Last minute hiccups kept me on my toes and awake some nights, but come show time in Dublin's (then) newest venue, Radio City, and notwithstanding the challenging soundcheck, (Andy, did you really have to go to India?) the show went swimmingly. I was proud to share the same stage as my band, The Honeymoon Junkies.
I walked out of the room they call the dressing room to the theme of Hong Kong phooey, (last minute decision, thanks Duncan!) only to find a venue packed with people, most of whom I'd never seen before. I was quite taken aback. I knew that only one family member, my cousin Marselle was in attendance and that I didn't have that many friends, so this was encouraging. I was so used to playing to other artists' audiences that when I walked out and saw the audience were there to see me, you could say, I was rather chuffed. One part of me was genuinely bowled over, the other part warm with the realisation that the turnout made sense, that finally, maybe, the hard work was beginning to pay off.
The audience clapped and laughed in the right places. They left happy. The Jagermeister, certainly hit the spot. So much so, that some well wishers who came to offer their congratulations and "advice" were soon overcome by (Jagermeister?) delusions of grandeur. For another time.
The further we got into the promo campaign, I felt less like the prizefighter and more like a juggling artist. The opening rounds went well, reviews came in, I gave as good as I got. Hotpress gave the record 7 out of 10, calling it “a rare delight”. They went on, saying I had "travelled to some dark places"-, oh, if they only knew, thought I. They said 'Hundred Days of Snow', was an uplifting swirl of dissonance and sunshine". It pleased.
I had already been through the album release dance in Helsinki the year previous and was aware of some of the rewards and pitfalls of being an independent songwriter. Although the reviews in Finland, my erstwhile abode, surpassed all expectations, there is a satisfaction that goes that little bit deeper when the folk at home start raving about you, and rave they did. News filtered through from Aine (my publicist/guardian angel) that such and such liked it and so and so wanted to do an interview. It was chaotic but enjoyable for the most part. Radio playlisted the singles and I got to promote the record on national television a couple of times. The Honeymoon Tour (my first headline tour of Ireland) beckoned.
"And all our friends came through". Van Morrison
To be continued
TV3/Ireland am appearance. Featuring Jenny Wood & Connor McCreanor:
