 If you fancy following us on our social media pages, just check us out on highlandradio.com where everything has been streamed live as I talk. We welcome our second studio guest, the latest to welcome in the studio, Strength NIA. It features Michael Hagen and Rory Muir. Both of you are very welcome gentlemen. Thanks for having us Paul. Let me see, Michael, can you just talk on that one? Perfect. All right, there we go. Right, first of all, Strength NIA. Where does the name come about from, Rory? Well, we used to just go on with the name Strength and then the name was actually trademarked. So I had to come up with an add-on. But yeah, but I think just the Northern Irish NIA, Northern Irish Aborigines just comes from the kind of just getting like coming from the north, living up in Dairy Lake. It's just kind of getting beyond politics and just getting back to the actual kind of, you know, like the basics of, you know, the earth and what's really important. Music and creation. Well, that's what the name came about. All right, now you're a Dairy Man yourself. You're a Dairy Man. You're a Dairy Man. I'm there, I'm there. And Michael, you're a Taroman, which is good. We're glad to see you. What part of Taronia are you from? Murktown, Ardbow. Oh, you're up about there. Very good. Who was it? Breeds Devlin was a small brand name part of the country, Breeds. That's all Horstlof's type of country. Breeds Devlin, Barri Devlin. Yeah, that's the same. Yep. Very good. Well, listen, it's good to see you and thanks for coming in. We're going to go straight into a piece of music. So the first track of for us, gentlemen, is... It's called Ratcatcher Man. And just a wee quick sort of background to it, Rory. It was inspired by an experience I had when I was quite young, where there's a fella from Dairy. He used to catch rats by the name of Charlie Page. He still did. I think Charlie's Retarbus is certainly in the family, Patricia, and that and I are still in the pest control. So it was definitely inspired by Charlie Page. There's not too many people say their song was inspired by Ratcatcher. It stays with you like whenever you see something like that. Of course, of course. Well, listen, we're looking forward to hearing it whenever you're ready. One, two, three, four. Let me help you understand. No one likes to hear a squeak through the beat. I want to be a Ratcatcher Man. Who's a ferret or a little snarling terrier? I won't put arsenic in the old, old meal to hurt them. I'll just put on right before the disco starts to drive them out from beneath the booths and into the street. So, darling, never, I'll never catch a rat with our traps. Let me help you understand catching rats when they were in use since I want to be a Ratcatcher Man. I catch a wee tune from a Ratcatcher Man. Have you that recorded, Rory? Not yet, no. Have you not? No. How long ago since you wrote that? Maybe in the summertime, around August? It's a songwriting, your sort of main thing, is that what it is? I enjoy songwriting. And you have recorded many albums? I've written and released two albums. Under your own name? Strength the NIA. And how did this partnership come about yourself, Michael? It was actually for another radio broadcast in the Mark Patterson show that Rory just enjoyed my guitar playing and he rang me up a couple of days before he was to go on the Mark Patterson show for the Clipper Festival during the summer. And he rang me up, this is Mick. He says, what do you fancy doing this here? I says, when is it? Oh, it's on Monday. I says, oh, Jesus. I says, right, so we're gonna have to get two songs. Sunday night. This was like Saturday, wasn't it, or something? So I gave me plenty of time. I just worked together before. No, we never worked together before that. We just never met before. No, we kind of just sort of knew each other and passed and didn't we? I'd seen Mick playing up in Derry. I always thought he was a brilliant guitar player and I thought it would be a nice pairing. Because I was over in France for the summer doing a bit of work on a farm and I was playing a lot of guitar and then when I was coming back, Mark rang me and then I thought Mick would be perfectly place to pair the two guitars and do the do the session for Mark, which was in promotion of the Clipper Festival up in Derry. Of course, a great event it was too. That couple of days because we were down at it was pretty amazing. So what struck up between the two is more the style of guitar playing first, would you say, is that what I'd be right and saying that? You know, you notice his guitar playing. I was playing, like I written the song on the guitar and then I think working with Mick, because Mick helped me to put together the song, seeing his style of guitar playing and how he thinks about composition, how he thinks about guitar playing. It helped me actually to develop the song as well, because I wouldn't see myself as a guitar player such. I'm more of an organ player, a piano player. So what have you worked on? How many songs have you worked on? Well, we've worked on two, but not actually three. I've got several new tracks for this album, but we've only really worked on about three of them. And are you one of these songwriters, Rory? I'll come back to you, Michael, if you don't mind, I'm going to click over. Don't worry about that. Are you one of these songwriters that has to sit down and write at a certain time, or does things just pop up and then you jot them down or what? It doesn't work for you? Well, it's kind of unusual. I don't really know the process. I tend to write kind of album by album. I've kind of got under this way now of writing and I've never used the guitar before to write songs for any of the albums that I've released. I used to use the guitar years ago because I've always written using the organ and the bass guitar, funnily enough. But so it's kind of the, I think one of the things that writing for this third album, I was kind of felt compelled to use the guitar because when I was away working in France, there wasn't an organ or a piano about, so I found myself just playing the guitar, just running the campfire. And I just thought, it'd be nice to actually write some songs, some original songs that I can sing and play if I ever go traveling again, I'd turn if I'm on my own. So I guess that's what got me on the guitar. You talk about touring, have you toured, you know, have you toured in Europe and places? I mean, me and Brandon Sally, who couldn't be here tonight, he was going to do the bass. Me and Brandon were touring, we did some shows in Prague and in Berlin in September. Oh, very good. How'd you find that? Oh, it was so, it was so refreshing. I mean, and it was so good. Was that audience wise or what way was it, do you think? Just the experience, the cultural experience and the different audiences that came out, which is completely different night by night. And it was just such an unusual experience. They have a great love for Irish musicians and music. My experiences, I've loved them generally for a few years, and I've always remarked that they had a great appreciation for live music. And maybe I've been biased, but I always thought they had a great love of Irish music. It's true. I mean, I was meeting a lot of German people who could actually speak Irish. And it was just, and you're right, it was like everywhere. I mean, we actually found ourselves doing a couple of pub sessions and singing Irish songs, and they loved the Irish ballads. And we were just... And your element. And they love their beer. What good beer are those two? You're right. Well, I tell you, we'd love to get another song. We're going to take a nap break. The next song coming up is going to be what? It's a song I've written called The Ethical Swarm. And that's inspired by my experience of living on a farm there in the summer. It was a bit of a commune situation. You write that out there or do you write it when you come back? Wrote it when I came back. We're going to have to listen to it after this break. Don't go away Highland Radio on Monday Night Sessions, Strength N-I-A-N Studio. And we're back after this. Monday Night Sessions in association with Blake's Bar, Letter Kenny. 30 17th November, Blake's Unplugged. The Hawn shows with John McGrory, Neil McGrory and Brian Booner. What's gravity? When does the grass grow greener? Can people with longer legs jump higher? How are plastic cup mate? How filthy are our parents? Which ingredients make the best lime? 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Maybe it's a new Irish made suite, a beautiful dining set or a luxurious new bed. Whatever you have in mind, there's a great selection in stock for immediate delivery, or to order for a guaranteed pre-Christmas delivery. Visit McGinley's Furniture on the Joe Boner Link Road Letter Kenny. McGinley's with great furniture for every room. Broadcasting throughout the Northwest and across the world online. This is Highland Radio with Paul McDevitt. I'm taking on that journey that your song is bringing and I didn't expect it to end. Do you know what I mean? I was transferred to that place. That's magical, just really really magical. Thank you very much. Who inspires you? I'm trying to, it's just kind of Donovan thinking through that in my head. You know, who would you have looked up to as a singer or a songwriter? Like I picked up the nylon string guitar because Leonard Cohen played the nylon string guitar and he was one of my people that I looked to just for enjoying music. And I always loved the sound of what he was doing and I was like, what is he playing? And then I figured out he was playing a nylon string guitar. So I just sort of practicing Leonard Cohen songs on the guitar and learning some of the songs. So I guess definitely he's like Cohen's definitely, definitely inspired by Leonard Cohen. Do you see your songwriting, your songwriting style is, it's not about emotions or things like that. It's more about items. You know, I'm not probably not saying it right, but do you write about, you know, broken relationships or things like that? That seems to be more, you know, your songwriting seems to be on a different level. It's kind of your titles and your content. It's not about sort of broken relationships and stuff, is it? Or do you? Relationships and life and stuff like that. No, it's more about, you know, the one, the first one was about rat catchers. That one, you know, it's not about individuals or people, is it? Well, that one definitely was about people. Like I feel that, that, like... So you have two running the one line. Do you get what I'm saying or maybe I'm not putting it across right? I feel that that second one was to do with like people, like because I was living in a commune situation, I found that a lot of people that I was, because those situations can be quite intense. And when you're in a situation like that, different people have different ways of seeing life. And I felt very much like I kind of had to find within myself kind of how I seen life, you know, out of being out of my comfort zone, being out of Derry, being out of Ireland in a completely different cultural situation and a different type of situation with people. I felt that I had to really find who I was and what I was about. So there was a... So there is a personal sort of emotion attached to that? Certainly in that one. If you don't mind me asking, but you mentioned a commune. What took you over there? What brought that on? Just a change or what? I was over there doing about a work a few years ago before the COVID situation. Friends of mine from Park beside Derry were a guy, Jamie, a friend of mine. He does a lot of traveling. And I think that just the traveling thing has kind of been in my family, like my brothers and my uncles have always kind of been, you know, they've always been travelers or traveled around. So I like to travel and go and see different cultures in different countries and be in different situations, because I find them very just very refreshing. And they just fill me with... They rejuvenate me sometimes when I go away. Is it an easier style of living? Easier style of life? I didn't find that. I mean, kind of the goal I feel of the commune that I was living in was they were trying for that kind of utopian thing of everyone's living together. Everyone's sharing very kind of idealistic situation where we're all sharing food. We're all helping to grow the food. We're all, you know, everyone's pitching in here. But you find that even in that situation, that human relations always become strained because there's personalities. And that's very interesting. And it could be very intense. It's not what you may imagine, that everybody just loves everybody. Exactly. Exactly. That's what people want. People are striving to be like that. Yeah, people are striving for a better world in these communes. I think that's why people go there because they become disillusioned with society. You can be disillusioned with a commune very quickly. Exactly. You know what I mean? It's not all what it's meant to be. Did you enjoy it? Oh, I loved it. Absolutely loved it. I mean, the personal challenge and the growth I just thought was beautiful. I went on my own and I had a great, personal experience. And also being surrounded by nature and working with different animals and stuff. It was beautiful. Would you go back again? I would. It's good to know what it's there, then, if things pile up a bit on you here, you just say, right, that's it. I'm away. I think it's a bit of a thing. There's a thing called woofin. I think it's known as and you can travel and live on farms around France or Germany for free and you just help with the farm and you work on the farm. It's a nice way to see the world. It's unusual, no. Nice story. I recommend it, Paul. If you ever listen. You're talking to somebody who may go for a bucket of cool somnit and just make them come back. And I've been too much to delay to my wife, I can tell. But thanks, Rory. Thanks for sharing that and I appreciate that. Michael, I've turned to yourself and as a fellow Taroma and now the stage is yours, but your guitar playing is very complimentary. I just watched. Are you self-taught? Self-taught. And music wise, what's your sort of line of music? Who would you? A lot of the folk sort of musically came out of the sixties sort of folk revival in the sixties like a gaze like Bert Jancz and John Randborn and Davey Graham. I see them names. Don't spring into my vocabulary at all. Well, you said about Donovan there, sort of the same, that sort of same line there. Donovan would have been influenced very much by Bert Jancz and these guys and Davey Graham and a lot of English and Scottish, English and Scottish folk singers. They're not very much guitar, sort of bass, sort of folk. Bert Jancz. Spelled roughly. Right, we'll get that. Would the music be on Spotify and YouTube and all that? I love it when you come up here. You think you've heard all the artists you're going to hear and then somebody, I get that a lot. You know, somebody would say, I always take it down because I want to hear something new and it's nice. Bert Jancz had a bit of a big influence on like. What brought you on to that? Because that's an unusual combination of artists. I don't know. I was into like folk stuff and I've been into Donovan and Bob Dylan and Ralph MacTales. I still want to buy big sort of influences. You know what, I could put that on the Ralph MacTales. He'll put on one of that as well. Rory, that was Donovan, that kind of style. It was music at home? Was there music in the house? No, no, no. I just sort of picked it up myself. It was sort of a thing that I don't know. Well, it sounds great. It actually sounds, your guitar playing. And I get that you're coming from Rory, you see, because it's obviously inspired you for your songwriting. But I love your style of playing. I'm not a guitar player by no means, but I just love the sound that's coming out of it, especially for somebody that's self-taught and fairness, you know? So well done on that. Have you recorded before or have you worked on anything? I have recorded stuff, but I've never released it. I think I'm going to write and stuff on my own there at the minute. I've only sort of released kind of YouTube videos and stuff and a couple of things to on your own name, on your own name. On under my own name, aye. Well, I'm sure we're invested to get them too, you know? I love listening to just some times you get new music and you go, wow, where have I been? Maybe this boy's dead and buried or something, you know what I mean? It's left great music, you know? It's fantastic. Well, you're playing a gig in Belfast in the limelight on the 25th of this month, is that right? Saturday, the 25th of November, aye. We're supporting Amy Montgomery up at the limelight in Belfast. Yes, Amy. And is this your first time to support Amy? First time supporting Amy, aye. Looking forward to it? Looking forward to it, aye. The limelight's a great venue with a great PA system. We played up there with David Kenan and it was everyone, I think it was during the last kind of the TLN there of the lockdowns and everyone had to sit down and socially doesn't. So this one will be about difference and I think people will be allowed to have a bit of a dance, which will be good. That's a good crowd. Right, we're going to move on to music again and, Michael, are you doing a wee number yourself this time? I'm going to do an original of mine. Well, what we'll do is we'll give you a chance to get up and tell us about the song for us, Michael. I wrote the song earlier, really earlier in this year, like around maybe, was it around January, February? And I've only been this year, I've gotten into the songwriting. And it was a thing, it just sort of, when I write songs, I write the air sort of first. And to me, it was like an Irish, real sort of air, sort of air. And I sort of, sort of joined together different wee parts of things I've heard over the years into the air. But the song itself is about, I thought, you know, write something like about a traveler's experience. It's called A Tinker's Tale. I'm looking forward to hearing this thing after this break. Don't go away. Monday night sessions in association with Blake's Bar Letter Kenny, Sunday 20th November, Sunday evening session with Swamp Shack Shakers, featuring Jack McHale and James Graham. Trad session every Monday night, all musicians welcome. If something's free, why would you turn it down? I mean, a free haircut from a five year old. Oh no, or a free sample of onion paste. Well then, how about a free tour of your neighbor's new shed? Ah, sounds well. Okay, look, they were bad examples. But how about a free eye test and free glasses from the 69 year old range of spec savers with your PRSI? Well, that sounds like something to smile about. Book an appointment or find out more at specsavers.ie. Hi dad. Just popping on to say hi love. How did you manage to video call? I'm a bit of a computer whiz these days. I can see that. And it's not just video calls with high digital's free online course. Paddy also learned to do the grocery shopping. And you can too. So how are you dad? Hang on, I've a very funny gift to send you. Or is it Jeff? Learn essential online skills today at highdigital.ie, brought to you by Vodafone Ireland Foundation, Active Retirement Ireland and alone. Vodafone, together we can. This is Highland Radio with Paul McDevitt. It is, and you're welcome back. And we're along with Strength NAA. And I'm delighted to have them here. Rory Murr, of course, and Megal Hagen. Megal, are you set to go? I'm set to go now, yeah. Good man, yourself. Tell us a bit about the guitar, of course. Is it a special guitar, or what, what me? It's a Yamaha, it's a Yamaha LL16 from the L series of Yamaha guitars. I just love the, it's sort of one of my, the guy we were talking about earlier, about the Yamaha and its later career, like a Yamaha L series. I'm not sure what, you know, but I just like the sound of it for the start of the thing that I wanted to do. And your own, Rory, if you don't mind me asking, that's a, this is a Spanish made guitar. It's probably from the mid 60s, which I picked up on an auction on eBay. And I've kind of restored it. It's very, it's actually a three quarter, three quarter size classical Spanish guitar. It's a lovely, it's a lovely instrument. I remarked that just from the command. I know nothing about them, but I just like, just sometimes you look at some, because they're very personal to the musician out there. Absolutely. Right, we'll have to, we're going to get to Michael's song now. We'd like to say hello to, of course, Helen Daugherty celebrating their birthday tomorrow. That's our good friend Helen, Desert Hegney. Well, you're, you're, of course, Mary and Dennis said hello and to wish you all the best. And Mary, listen, our Helen have a great birthday and comes in with best wishes from ourselves all up here, titled original as well. Right, Michael, whenever you're ready. Yeah. This is a song called, original mine call, A Tanker's Tale. The place comes along, traveling along the byways like many times before. My dad, there's no score, but well I do. How I dream it wasn't so. We could come and go as we please just as the winds may blow. And finally our little flower home had came into a hole. A spot down by the river where we built our campfire high. Singing all songs I fiddled along right well into the night. Oh, my father's a proud tanker man and I'm a tinker too. Hating men, the pots and pans for all the friends that we knew. But one cold winter's evening, one he came in late from time. His head was opened, his mind was shook, and his soul was in the grind. News have come and passed and I missed the old folks there. Though off times I do see them and I know there's aren't anything that's free. Oh, that's how they came and that's how they went and that's how they'll always be. A tanker man and me traveling days are through. My wife's shit surely what was not dull and free that I came into this play. I've been down and out and having a bob when I joined that old rat race on a job with a fine quarry firm. Oh, what will I ever do? Anya wants new. I can still see the trails of the campfire smoke still hanging in the air and all them old songs carry over the den. Our life can be so unfair. All songs carry over the den. Our life can be so unfair. Absolutely brilliant. That for a song is written by yourself, Michael, full credit. Thank you. Yeah, I was listening to like a young homie make them there. That's what I was getting. All right, I. Your vocals are, your vocals land, your very, very great delivery, beautiful delivery. Thank you. Rory and Michael Strength, NIA, playing support to Amy Montgomery in the 25th of this month in the Lime Night in Belfast. And before we go, Rory has to a big request. I just like to say a very, very happy birthday to me, Father. No more. It's his birthday today. Good man, Noel. A happy birthday, Noel, and I hope it's going well for you. Not a great day of a birthday on Monday, but you're celebrated all weekend. It's your very own birthday. Of course, of course. Listen, it's an absolute delight. Thank you so much indeed. Thanks for having us. And continued success. And maybe sometime you'll pop up again and see us. Strength NIA. Are you on social media? Yeah, we can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp, Spotify. Check us out. Everything. Strength NIA. Michael Hagen and Rory Muir. Thank you so much indeed.