Adventures in The Emerald Isle
An Interview With Musician Joanna Hyde
By Cara DeGette
GPHN Editor
After several years in Ireland, Park Hill native Joanna Hyde recently returned to Denver to pursue music with her longtime music partner and brother, Iain. Ms. Hyde has played classical & folk music from an early age. She graduated with a music degree from Colorado College, and headed to Ireland on a scholarship from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation for an MA in Irish Traditional Music – playing pubs and festivals and other venues. Back in Denver, the Hydes just finished performing and recording with Joanna’s boyfriend, Tadhg O’Meachair, a musician from Dublin. The sister and brother duo are getting ready for upcoming shows in Denver around St. Patrick’s Day, and then Joanna Hyde plans to spend time making music in Colorado, Ireland, and elsewhere – including a trip this summer to perform at a festival in Akureyri, Iceland. She recently shared some details of her adventures in the Emerald Isle:
Greater Park Hill News: Why did you pick Ireland to live, and why did you pick Irish music to play?
Joanna Hyde: Growing up, our parents generously provided us with myriad musical experiences, from classical violin lessons to summer music camps where we learned numerous styles. Along the way, we were introduced to Irish music at a music camp in West Virginia of all places, and simply fell in love. Fast forward to post-college, an ethnomusicology professor of mine – who knew I hoped to someday go to Ireland – nominated me to apply for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Graduate Arts Award, to help fulfill this dream. When I discovered the University of Limerick’s MA program in Irish Trad. Music, it all came together in a wonderful whirlwind.
Greater Park Hill News: How long were you in Ireland, and where did you live?
Joanna Hyde: I lived in Limerick for three years, near the University of Limerick, and traveled throughout the country, from Cork and Kerry down south, up to Donegal and the North of Ireland. I first went to study, which evolved into teaching and performing.
Greater Park Hill News: What was the most magical part about being there?
Joanna Hyde: Everything! I think I have a particularly magical sense of the place because I got to know it through music. This manifested in many ways: studying and working with musicians from across the country; staying up ‘til early morning playing tunes in pubs and at music festivals; finding a whole new community – which became my family over there – with similar passions; and traversing much of the country to take in the stunning, ethereal landscape that is the Emerald Isle.
Greater Park Hill News: Why have you returned to Park Hill? Is it permanent home base?
Joanna Hyde: I love my home here, and missed it. I might add that the rest of this answer isn’t so straightforward. My time in Ireland thus far has been truly incredible. That being said, I made a decision last fall that I wanted to return home and be with family for a while, and pursue music with my lifelong music partner, Iain. We grew up studying many folk/traditional styles; while Irish music is central to that, our nature is to create an eclectic musical fabric. For a long time we’ve wanted to record and pursue our music more professionally, and we recently received a grant to help us do just that. Likewise, I’ll always have a strong connection to Ireland. Musicians work on multiple projects throughout their lives; I am open to all possibilities. I know I’ll return to Ireland, hopefully travel the world even further, and probably not establish a long-term home base for a few years to come!.
Greater Park Hill News: Where can we hear you perform in Denver?
Joanna Hyde: We’re playing at Swallow Hill Music on Friday, March 20, 8 p.m. We’re also playing a series of shows with the Denver Brass at DU’s Newman Center March 13, 14, & 15. Additional info/links: Joanna & Iain Hyde website: http://www.hydesmusic.com/: Swallow Hill show info: http://swallowhillmusic.org/denver-concerts
Greater Park Hill News: Are you going to tour with your boyfriend, Tadhg? Is he going to come back to Denver?
Joanna Hyde: Tadhg will definitely return to Denver. With his busy tour schedule, we’re not sure of when just yet. I’m joining him in Ireland for a couple of months this summer, during which we’ll play music, travel to Iceland for the aforementioned music festival, and put together our own recording in hopes of organizing house concert tours in the US and elsewhere in the near future.
Greater Park Hill News: What is your best leprechaun story?
Joanna Hyde: I remember visiting some friends in the tiny town of Clara one night – we stayed up until sunrise playing tunes, and when we walked out the of the pub I looked across to the stone wall-framed field, with daylight peeking through the glimmering mist, and I’m nearly certain I saw something move in the distance … maybe it was the delirium (or something else), but I feel the scene must have been brought to us by that leprechaun.