Blog 1

Well, Autumn is fast leaving us behind and the canal is turning from its gorgeous tawny browns and golds to the bleak skeletal trees and the crescent moon shining between their silhouettes on wintry nights. Winter can be a hard time to live on a canal boat. Its not that its cold and damp as most people imagine – more that you are naturally spending more time indoors and it is a small space. After a while you begin to feel like you’re in a coffin and can’t wait to emerge, bleary-eyed again in the Spring! But this is all made up for by what you get from being so close to nature: blown around gently by the wind and hearing the rain fall against your roof. Even sweeping up the leaves that fall on you and turn to slime has its joys! (Or at least for Julia – who is far more likely to be seen with a broom in her hand than Sean!)

But let’s talk about the music. The DooLallys had their first proper Oxford gig last month at the Port Mahon in St. Clements. They shared the spot with the talented soulful and melancholic songs of Laima Bite and the gorgeous melodic groove of Stornaway. (Melodic Groove? Is that a genre? It must be. I mean there’s probably at least one person out there who thought it was.)

We had an absolute blast – and so did the audience I am pleased to say! We gave them a few tunes, a few songs and, as ever, the Uillean Pipes tend to touch people and inspire people with their gentle passion. Hopefully at some point soon we will be able to post up a short video of the performance for those of you who are interested! (Courtesy of the ever-talented Mya Padget of Padget Media who filmed us for the night and made us feel ever so slightly famous!) Thanks must also go to Stuart who played the bodhran wonderfully and sang along in harmony. All power to him.

Its true, most people think where they live is the centre of the Universe – and we have to say that sometimes living in Oxford it feels like you are really at the most fantastic musical epicentre. It is truly possible to go from venue to venue without ever hearing a Kylie Minogue song. What blessed relief.

And on that note, we must tell you that we now have another gig on December 22nd for the Jericho Boatyard Campaign Christmas bash. This event will take place at the Jericho Tavern (the lovely pub that gives you free Wi-Fi and makes a mean vegeburger. Or should I say mushroom and tarragon burger with melted dolcellate no less.) Anyway, we’d love to see you there. Come and see some of Oxford’s multi-faceted musical talent, and learn more about our efforts to save/find a new site for the much needed Oxford Boatyard facilities. I am sure it will be a great and drunken night.