From the short film The Ballad of The Crimson Warrior
Mike – “I had the song written for the film, but I felt it needed another voice. In this song The Crimson Warrior is reawakened from 100 years of sleep to reconnect with a new Ireland. He is the voice of the Irish Cultural Revolution. I called my friend Sive and we spoke about the song. We share a mutual respect for this era of Irish history. Her reply to the Crimson warrior is exquisite. I think the song spans the century beautifully.”
Sive – “I was delighted when Mike asked me to collaborate with him on the Crimson Warrior. It was an opportunity to embody not only the feminine voice of Ireland, which was a huge part of this story, but more generally the voice of the new Ireland that has grown in the years since the Cultural Revolution. For me, that meant an Ireland with the potential to transform its trauma into empathy and embrace everyone who calls it home.”
With Mike and Sive are Seána Davey on Harp, Norah Constance Walsh on piano and Aldoc on whistles and percussion.
Recorded by Aldoc at Aras Chronáin and supported by Culture Ireland.
The film, written by Mike Hanrahan, filmed by Aldoc at Áras Chronáin is now available on YouTube.
The Film, Inspired by the women and men of the great Irish cultural revolution, is a musical narrative of original songs and traditional tunes with stunning portraits of the revolutionary years created by acclaimed Irish artist Mick O’Dea.
Mike “Ten years ago I began a journey exploring the songs of the Irish Cultural Revolution which spanned a 30 year period from 1890 to the beginning of the Civil War in 1921. It was initially driven by a creative artistic community who began searching for their own lost cultural identity. They were both rebel and innovator, writer and fighter who challenged a nation to reawaken its own spirit. This often turbulent yet extremely innovative period of Irish history is a fascinating study on the rebirth of a culture after centuries in chains. My film was inspired by songwriters, collectors, courageous men and women and so many important and decisive events.”
Thanks to Culture Ireland and Áras Chronáin for their support and encouragement.
Mike Hanrahan is a songwriter, author, musician and producer
Mike has been a central figure in Irish music industry for over four decades as writer and musician with the ground breaking contemporary Irish music band Stockton’s Wing, as producer/writer with the legendary Ronnie Drew, as an advocate on the front line for songwriters rights and in recent years as a very successful professional cook of all things organic and author of his critically acclaimed shortlisted memoir ‘Beautiful Affair, A Journey in music, food and friendship’ published by Harper Collins. He is back performing with Stockton’s Wing, Eleanor Shanley and Leslie Dowdall. He is currently studying a Fellowship on brain health and equity at Trinity College with The Global Brain Health Institute and working on a book of short stories on Dementia and Brain Health.
Sive is a songwriter and musician
Sive who was dubbed “one of the most inspiring and exciting artists of our time” by Female First UK. Combining haunting, multi-layered vocals with delicately woven musicality and undeniable charm, Sive has carved a truly compelling style of alt-folk that is not afraid to differentiate from the norm. Her latest album ‘We Begin in Darkness’ was released on VETA Music 2022 to critical acclaim across the board; it was named Album of the Week on BBC Radio’s Late Show, received a 9/10 review in Hot Press Magazine and was described as ‘hugely impressive’ by Paul McLoone on RTE Arena. Having been awarded funding under the Brigid 1500 initiative 2023, Sive is currently working on the composition of a song cycle for 3 voices exploring the folklore and mythology of the goddess and saint, Brigid.
Mick O’Dea is a painter and sculptor
Past President of the Royal Hibernian Academy, a member of Aosdána, an Honorary Member of the Royal Scottish Academy, a Fellow of the Anatomical Society, Chairman of the Stamp Design Advisory Committee for A Post, and a past member of the Board of Governors and Guardians of the National Gallery of Ireland.
Connect with Mike Hanrahan
Bandcamp | Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
Connect with Sive
