If you go down to the woods today...

Apparently there lurks a bear in the Glenealo Valley, specifically in the woods of An Spinc. I did not see it today, but prepare to be surprised if you're in the zone any time soon.

Today marked my return to hillwalking: the first outing of 2013, and I've decided to open up my blog to include tales of the trekking variety.

I chose to start with a visit to Glendalough on this fine, crisp January day. Though I have been there numerous times as a 'tourist' in my own backyard, I haven't spent much time exploring the outlying lands and hills. A typical visit to the area includes ample photo ops at the Monastic Village, a gentle stroll to the Upper Lake, maybe a pint of Guinness (or three) in Larragh, and then onward or homeward. Truth is, this land is truly awesome, and you can imagine the inspiration felt by those early settlers - centuries ago - as they stumbled on this perfect valley. If you have been, you'll know what I mean. If you haven't been - go. One of Ireland's greatest treasures, for sure.

My particular venture started at the Visitor's Centre Car Park, and I took the boardwalk route to the Upper Lake - an easy 2km stretch to get you warmed up, and exchange pleasantries with several small family groups. This section of the walk roughly traces a short section of the famed Wicklow Way, up past the Poulanass Waterfall, before bearing right towards An Spinc (Pointed Hill). For approximately 5km, a well built boardwalk will guide you along the very steep cliff overlooking the Upper Lake, all the while affording plenty of naturally beautiful views in all directions.

This route doesn't provide any navigational difficulties - it's a well marked, well trodden circular - but care should be taken in frosty / icy conditions, as some of the railway sleepers can be too slippery to pass. I couldn't resist taking a customised detour to Lugduff for a lunch stop. There is a decent track leading all the way to the peak, and several comfy outcrops on which to set up your pop-up cafe! With views to Lugnaquilla, Conavalla, Turlough Hill, Mullaghcleevaun and Tonelagee as well as back to base, this makes for a mighty fine rest-stop. I descended using a fairly direct bearing to Van Diemen's Mines and the footbridge that will allow safe crossing of the Glenealo river. The old miner's track will return you all the way to the Start / Finish point. There's a kind of 'sweet spot' halfway down the zig-zagged track, where you can get a little overwhelmed at the perfect nature set before you. Probably something to do with the fading light and the extremes of peripheral vision. Either way, it's a bit special:

Distance: 15.45km
Highest Elevation: 644m
Climb: 505m
Duration: 4hrs 20 mins inc. Lunch

Until Later

Shane (Composer and Hillwalker)

Happy Wintermas

Men at Work, The Beach Boys, Pearl Jam, Skunk Anansie, Faith No More, The Eagles, Queensryche, Rush, King's X, King's X again, Rush again, Dire Straits, Pink Floyd, Mr. Big, Cutting Crew, Def Leppard, Joni Mitchell, John Mellencamp, Bryan Adams, Brad, King Swamp, Stone Temple Pilots, Jerry Cantrell, Zero Pilot...*

I cut down the fir that will be our Xmas tree today. A little belated so we are, in bringing the festive spirit into our home. However, since Xmas paraphernalia has been available in Tesco since before my (September!) birthday, I don't think we were in danger of being bypassed.

As is my wont, I tend to reflect a little at this time of year, asking life's tough questions: Do I have enough booze in the house? What time is dinner served on 25th December? How bloody good is Jerry Cantrell's 'Degradation Trip'? Heavy stuff, right?

As I review 2012, it has been very fruitful year on the musical front, with the release of 'Unauthorised Soundtrack', 'Mountain Goat Misadventures in the Wicklow Wilderness' and most recently, 'Mission'. These were all solo efforts, all produced entirely by myself for my own amusement, on a strict budget, in a limited space. In the background, I've been working heartily on a number of collaborative efforts, though. It is these that are likely to form the backbone of next year's output, and in the spirit of eclecticism, it's going to be an exciting ride. Here are a couple of names to look out for in 2013:

Maggy Simpson
Working on this debut album with Bat Kinane since June. Expect an original album of genuine breadth early in the New Year. We've already courted comparisons with King's X, Maiden, Glyder, QOTSA, The Kinks, Pantera, Santana and U2, among others. Plenty of hot playing, matched by smartly crafted stories, and pure songwriting skill. Here's a sample:



Filthy Bayonets
Working on this project with Trev Mooney, Dave Horan and Justin Maloney. The near future will be occupied with tracking down a top notch percussor to add even more weight and dexterity to our Groovy, Grungey Rock / Metal tunes. This will be for anyone that loved the good stuff in the '90s - Unapologetic Hard Slabs of ROCK with memorable tunes, and devious dollops of PROG. Y'Know, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, Tool, Corrosion of Conformity. As opposed to the 2D punk by that other famed Pacific North Western combo. No offence.



Anyway, I want to wish everyone I know a delightful, wondrous Christmas season. I certainly won't be able to catch up with you all individually, so SPAM it is ;)





*oh yeah...the eclectic set of artists whose work is currently within arms reach

Mission - The Update

My new (mini) album will be available tomorrow over at bandcamp, so here is a sneak preview for your bemusement:

Until Later

Shane

Mission

Details of the upcoming release from The Room of Rock in Wicklow:

'Mission' is a 7 track album (probably considered to be a mini album in this day and age!) of original works in the cinematic PROG style I have become known for in my house :)

Written, recorded and produced on a very tight budget between August and October of this year, the tracklisting is as follows:

Side One:
SPC40 Overture
The Why Factor
Frank
Wednesday's Child

Side Two:
Mission to Mars
Mission to Civilise
Mission Accomplished

Full release details to follow.

Until Later

Shane

The Hits just keep on coming!

Well, it's actually been a couple of months since the last one, but I'm pleased to say this track got picked up by a Canadian media production house - based in TO, they specialise in ads for the auto industry.

Originally written for a brief listed on TAXI nearly 3 years ago, this was probably my very first attempt at more commercially biased material. It was rejected at the time, but I always had a soft spot for it. The brief called for something in the vain of Nickelback, Creed, Foo Fighters for a sports show. Never having been great at copycatting, it was quite a challenge and I don't think my tune owes that much to the aforementioned bands. Anyway, after a few revisions, it started me on a journey that still pays the occasional dividend, and is testament to the durability of good quality music: if it doesn't fit in the first time around, it may still fit somewhere down the road.

You can enjoy it here:

Nickel Creek at Yooka Music

or here:

Nickel Creek at Bandcamp

...and while you're at it, check many of of my other masterpieces :)