Irish folk song and the feeling of leaving home - interview with sean nós singer Chan Reid

Irish folk song and the feeling of leaving home - interview with sean nós singer Chan Reid

Author: Fair Folk December 23, 2025 Duration: 1:12:51
In this episode I talk with Irish sean nós (old-style) singer Chan Reid about the experience of living as an immigrant far from one’s ancestors, and how experiences of migration and dislocation resonate in the heart of Irish traditional song and music. Chan sings some heart-cracking-open songs, and even obliges me by explaining how Irish traditional singers do the “diddly bits” that make sean nós songs sound so unbelievably cool. Join my pagan ritual song course here: https://www.danicaboyce.com/pagan-ritual-song Follow or contact Chan Reid here: https://www.instagram.com/seannossinger Join my mailing list here: https://enthusiastica.substack.com/ References: Joe Heaney for sean nós songs Irish Traditional Music Archive: https://www.itma.ie/ Scottish sound archive Tobar an Dualchais (Kist o' Riches): https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/ Songs in the episode: Dooley Gate by John Shiel (sung by Chan Reid) Here's a Health to the Company, traditional (sung by Chan Reid and Danica) The Shores of Loch Bran (sung by Chan Reid) Thank you to Sylvia Woods whose tune, Forest March, is the theme music to Fair Folk podcast

There's a deep, resonant history woven into the melodies passed down through generations across Europe, and Fair Folk Podcast is an invitation to listen closely. Each episode feels less like a lecture and more like a quiet conversation in a familiar room, where the focus rests entirely on the music itself-the ancient carols, the seasonal ballads, the work songs that carried people through their days. We explore these traditions not as dusty artifacts, but as living expressions of community, spirituality, and the human experience. You'll hear the songs in their raw, often haunting beauty, accompanied by reflections on their origins and the cultures that sustained them. This isn't about polished production; it's about authenticity and connection. Tuning into this podcast offers a rare space to slow down and let these timeless sounds settle in, revealing stories and emotions that feel both profoundly old and surprisingly immediate. It's a journey for anyone curious about the roots of folk music, the power of sacred song, or simply the comfort found in a melody that has weathered centuries. The Fair Folk podcast serves as a gentle guide, ensuring these resonant traditions find new ears and continue to echo into the future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 67

Fair Folk Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Iceland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:11
Elves, epic poetry, sheep milk and murder... welcome to the world of Icelandic folk music! This episode features an interview with Bára Grímsdóttir and Chris Foster, two of the most accomplished performers of Icelandic f…
Rarer Carols [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:37
This episode features some of the more ancient and obscure midwinter traditions that have endured alongside Christmas, as well as some lesser-known carols of this festival, many of which are pagan in origin. Content warn…
Saints & Demons of December [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:09
This episode, you’ll learn why the Swedish will be wearing candles on their heads and dressing up as goats this week, you’ll hear about Saint Nicholas’ past life beating and kidnapping children with his demon slave compa…
Finland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:50
***CORRECTION*** In this episode I talk about Sami joik, and then play a Karelian joik, which I have been informed is not related at all. This episode of Fair Folk delves into the rich musical and mythical world of Finla…
Witches [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:37
This episode of Fair Folk you’ll hear about how an early modern Scottish king literally wrote the book on witchcraft, making Harry Potter possible for future generations, I’ll tell you about the Swedish Queen who is reve…
Giants [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:32
On this episode, you'll find out just how many landscape features can be attributed to the petty hostilities of overgrown men, you'll hear about that one time Stan Rogers dabbled in druidism, and you'll learn what Fe Fi…