Dec 11, 2020
Welcome to Hang the Holly. I'll introduce you to SCREAMING
ORPHANS as we take an inside look at artists in the latest episode
of the Celtic Christmas Podcast.
"The Snows That Melt the Soonest" is the 4th episode of 2020
and show #58. It features Christmas music from Runa, Stephanie
Claussen, David Pedrick, Matt & Shannon Heaton, Steel Clover, Mark
O'Connor, Marc Gunn, deCeadaoin, Andrew D. Huber, The Rogues, Sheri
O'Meara, Abbots Cross, Reilly, Screaming Orphans, Prydein, The Jig
Is Up!.
The show is generously brought to you by the Patrons of the
Celtic Christmas Podcast on Patreon. Please show your Celtic
Christmas Cheer, make a pledge to support the show.
If you enjoy the show, you can rate the show or post comments
on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher.
Subscribe to the podcast at CelticChristmasPodcast.com.
And now on to Screaming Orphans
This four-person, all-women band hails from County Donegal,
Ireland, and despite the loneliness that is hinted at by their
chosen name—they are actually all sisters—with parents! As a
matter-of-fact, their Mam used to be the band’s singer, and their
Da was their engineer and manager before they struck out on their
own to tour. The combination of leaving their parents behind, the
“screaming” sounds that come with four girls living in an active
household, and the fact that a school they attended actually was
(previously) an orphanage all gelled together to create this catchy
moniker for the group. It’s one that is not easily forgotten!
The girls started music young, eventually evolving into a pop
rock band in their teens, and over time they just continued to
blossom. The band began performing locally, and their circle
quickly began to expand. Before long the ladies were chosen to play
at a concert in Kildare, where known names such as Christy Moore
and Sinead O’Connor were also performing. O’Connor chose the four
to to tour with her as her backup singers after this, and they also
opened up for the artist on the Gospel Oak Tour. This extended into
other opportunities, including touring with Babba Maal, and
recording tracks with the likes of Peter Gabriel, Joni Mitchell,
and the Chieftains.
Since those days, the Screaming Orphans have become a
well-known band in their own right, appearing on both the iTunes
World Music charts and the Billboard World Albums charts, among
many other accolades. They have put out 15 albums over the years –
all their own one-of-a-kind recipe of pop/rock with Celtic
influence, and this year they are releasing a Christmas single,
"Song We Used To Sing” for the holiday season.
The single reflects the unusual time we find ourselves in this
holiday—often isolated from our loved ones at the time we are used
to gathering for storytelling, sharing memories, and celebrating
Christmas. It calls forth a nostalgic feel with it’s simple
arrangement and lovely harmonies. An original track, the band
collaborated with songwriter John Spillane to craft a holiday song
that focuses in on warm memories and togetherness at a time these
ideas are most often highlighted. It’s a pretty song with a message
of peace and hope that helps ease the sting of being apart at
Christmastime. Not only is it especially timely for 2020, but this
thoughtful tune will hold up well for future holiday seasons.
Find out more about Screaming Orphans at screamingorphans.com.
If you hear music you love in the Celtic Christmas Podcast,
then support the artists. Buy something from them. Sign up to their
mailing lists. And share the episode with your friends on social or
in your community.
The Celtic Christmas Podcast is free to enjoy. However, it is
supported by the generosity of Celtic music fans like you over on
Patreon. Get Christmas Cheer. Subscribe at CelticChristmasPodcast.com . Nollaig shona
daoibh.