Thank you everyone who came out on August 2nd for our first show of the Irish American songs from my songbook zine! It was a blast. You are the best fans and enthusiasts a gal could ask for. Thanks especially to Eli Hetko on Bozouki and Mandolin, and Jaden Gladstone on Fiddle. Thanks a lot to Jalopy Theatre in Brooklyn and all the folks who work there and make it happen! Thanks to Nicolette Gold for the beautiful photo for the flyer.
irish american songbook
Irish American Zines - Subscription: 1 Year, 4 Zines + Bonus Calendar
For the sacred price of $120, you will get a year-long subscription to Melanie Beth Curran's zines. I release a new zine EVERY season, near the solstice or equinox. At the year's end, you will receive your limited edition Wall Calendar (theme will most likely be potatoes).
Zines are about unsung elements of Irish American life.
Each zine is meticulously hand-crafted and researched. They are art pieces, collectable items, worth their salt, extraordinarily rugged, delicious, etc.
The zines of 2024 include:
SPRING - "Do Me Justice: The Mary Wallopers, Arena and a History of Tin Pan Alley's Racist Sheet Music". Examines Irish American and Black American caricature in music and the lasting effects of this printed material.
SUMMER - "American Irish Songs" - Songbook collection culled from Melanie's life, from Library of Congress Field Recordings, and wherever else I can find songs that embody the American Irish music practice.
AUTUMN - "Bad Boys of Irish America: What They Wear, What They Do, And Why They Art Hot". This zine examines the mystique of Irish American rogue dudes, in media, film, tv, real life, etc. This will be somewhat of a manual of how to act like them (why or why not).
WINTER - "How Brigid Made The Fire: Unverified Personal Gnosis of How Brigid Came to Run My Life". Melanie writes the account of how Brigid, ancient goddess/force/catholic saint/mysterious being from Ireland came to run her life as an American in Brooklyn, New York.