Last late year I had a chat with Irish folk legend Andy Irvine. Andy was in Tasmania together with local musician Luke Plumb for the Cygnet Folk Festival in January. Amazingly, Andy tells me it is his third visit to Tasmania for the year. Andy and Luke have recently collaborated on an album ‘Precious Heroes’ which celebrates some of the lesser known and sadly even forgotten heroes.
Andy, known for being the co-founder of Irish group Planxty has always been a songwriter of principle and in the early days of his career he tells me would perform for the love of music not desirous of being paid. His passion was creating songs of social justice, giving voice to emigrants and the exploited as well as the occasional less serious, humorous song.
Andy was born in London of an Irish mother and a Scottish father from Glasgow. It is to his mum, who was a musical comedy actress that Andy credits his talent and inspiration. Andy himself was a prolific child actor until he left the profession in his early 20’s.
As Luke is now inspired by Andy, so too, Andy was inspired by the American folk artist Woody Guthrie. So much so that as well as playing guitar Andy went on to master Guthrie’s signature mandolin and harmonica as well.
Hopefully we’ll see Andy back at Cygnet next year.
Paula Xiberras
