Ciaran Algar

[Will S]

While listening to Sam Kelly's new album, I remembered that Ciaran Algar used to be part of his band (The Lost Boys), but he hasn't appeared on the last couple, and I realised that I haven't heard anything of him for a long time.  His FB page has been quiet since 2021 and the last mention on there of his making any music was in July 2020.  His website is defunct and his Youtube channel has no content.

It sounds as if he has stopped making music, which would be a real shame, but maybe his career was one of the casualties of Covid?  Anyone know any more about him?

[ColinB]

I saw him back in 2018 with Greg Russell here in Lancaster and then he did a very good series of collaborations during lockdown with musicians from various countries.

Shame if he's had to stop playing music for whatever reason.

https://klofmag.com/2020/04/ciaran-algar-talks-about-his-corona-collaboration-project/

[Will S]

I saw him back in 2018 with Greg Russell here in Lancaster and then he did a very good series of collaborations during lockdown with musicians from various countries.

Shame if he's had to stop playing music for whatever reason.

https://klofmag.com/2020/04/ciaran-algar-talks-about-his-corona-collaboration-project/

Thanks ColinB. Following up from that article, I went to the Kickstarter page for the album he wanted to create out of his Corona collaborations, and the last update on it was from Aug 2020 when he said he couldn't finish it to his satisfaction and was having to refund people, and giving up music:

"When I started this fundraiser I was fairly optimistic about the future for the music scene. I thought that we'd potentially be returning to venues in some capacity by now, and that this year would merely be a blip (however big a blip.) I've come to realise that there is still no end in sight, which has led me to question my future in a big way. Ultimately, I've decided that I need more stability in my life than that which a full-time career in music could offer me. So there are going to be big changes for me which will impact this album. I'll be starting to work every day which will leave practically no time to finish this album. Also, it's been extremely hard to stay motivated when I won't have a gig for at least 6/7 months. The idea of being a musician or working on anything music related has become a struggle, to be honest."

So it does look as if he has moved away from music making.

[ColinB]

Sad to read that and unfortunately he's not alone in quitting music for something that provides a more steady income.

Ewan McLennan released a few albums, including a collaboration with George Monbiot, but I read that he just couldn't make ends meet so was giving up trying to make a living as a professional musician. Shame, as his album Storied Still Untold is one of my favourite folk records from recent years. His last postings on FB were in 2020.

[Will S]

Sad to read that and unfortunately he's not alone in quitting music for something that provides a more steady income.

Ewan McLennan released a few albums, including a collaboration with George Monbiot, but I read that he just couldn't make ends meet so was giving up trying to make a living as a professional musician. Shame, as his album Storied Still Untold is one of my favourite folk records from recent years. His last postings on FB were in 2020.

That's a shame too. I also like that album a lot.

[Tasha]

 I really liked Ciaran's playing with Greg!

on another note .....are will S and ColinB the same person?
their Avatars seem to suggest so  

[Will S]

 I really liked Ciaran's playing with Greg!

on another note .....are will S and ColinB the same person?
their Avatars seem to suggest so 

   No, we're not!  Even if we do appear to have similar tastes in music (but then that's why we are here in the first place!).

[ColinB]

 I really liked Ciaran's playing with Greg!

on another note .....are will S and ColinB the same person?
their Avatars seem to suggest so 

No, we're not!  Even if we do appear to have similar tastes in music (but then that's why we are here in the first place!).

There's probably an AI app that we could put all our photos into and it could produce a generic Talkawhiler pic. Why does the name Frankenstein suddenly come to mind?  

[Tasha]

 I really liked Ciaran's playing with Greg!

on another note .....are will S and ColinB the same person?
their Avatars seem to suggest so 

    No, we're not!  Even if we do appear to have similar tastes in music (but then that's why we are here in the first place!).

Ah but have you been seen in that same space together at the same time  

[Will S]

 I really liked Ciaran's playing with Greg!

on another note .....are will S and ColinB the same person?
their Avatars seem to suggest so 

    No, we're not!  Even if we do appear to have similar tastes in music (but then that's why we are here in the first place!).

Ah but have you been seen in that same space together at the same time  

If we're all going to Cropredy maybe we should arrange to meet up together, and see if we create a wormhole in the space-time continuum, or if either/both of us disappear in a puff of logic!

[Nick Reg]

Ciaran is on the new album by Paul Walker and Karen Pfeiffer. The album cover looks like its filmed at Middleport Pottery where we go most Saturdays for a coffee after a walk with friends.