Red Carpet Regulars Exclusive Interview with Mover and Shaker Fiona Walsh Our Coverage Sponsored by ECO SWIM BY AQUA GREEN
Fiona Walsh
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Since last we caught up with Mover and Shaker Fiona Walsh, she’s had several different hairstyles! Her biggest achievement has been the launch of her music-related website – www.clubbersguidenewyork.com – a website primarily focused on the underground techno scene in New York. For her 1st anniversary party, Fiona partnered with Trilogy NYC to bring international techno producer and dj, Steve Rachmad to NYC, his first appearance here in about 6 years. The party was a great success.
She also forged a connection with Detroit legend Jeff Mills, one of the originators of techno music. Subsequently she wrote and acted in a short segment which was included in Jeff’s “Something in the Sky” performance. She was honored to be included in Jeff’s book “Sequence – an Axis Records Retrospective”, a limited edition book featuring images and music from Jeff’s 20 plus years in the industry.
Last summer she partnered with Tim Chan, from Pollination to bring some more talent to NYC top live music venue Arlene’s Grocery. Huseyin Evirgen, half of the German techno duo cassegrain made his NYC debut there as well as Realmz, a top PA-based producer and dj. She plays music herself as Spin D at venues all over the city and is looking forward to her first Irish gig later in the year.
On the comedy front she was delighted to be asked to host the NY Irish Center’s Benefit Gala at Symphony Space with top Irish comedians, Brendan Grace and Pat Shortt (Kilnaskully, Garage). The show was a great success and raised much needed funds for the Center. This year she also played at the Irish Arts Center Political cabaret night with well-known Irish economist David McWilliams and singer/comedian from Ireland Late Late Show, Paddy Cullivan. Sundays at Seven, the show she co-produces with her friend Ann Design is now going into its 11th season and continues to draw crowds to the west side Irish Arts Center second Sunday of every month.
Other bits of fun included looping work on Boardwalk Empire and a new James Gray movie.
She continues to be active with the Coalition to Ban NYC Carriage Horses (banhdc.org) and took part in a humane education event for children at the beginning of the year at the NYC Vegetarian Festival.
She is also working on new writing and read some of her material recently at the Irish Writers and Arts Salon at the Thalia Theater at Symphony Space. We are thrilled to present Fiona Walsh as our latest feature in Red Carpet Regulars. Peachy Deegan interviewed Fiona Walsh for Whom You Know.
Peachy Deegan:
How is Warren Beatty doing?
Fiona Walsh:
Aww Warren! Sadly we’ve not made contact yet but I do live in hope. I expect he’s fabulous as always!
We're afraid we're not so techno...how is techno defined and what should the world know about its merits?
Hmm. Good question. I would define techno as a state of mind or at least music that puts you in a very specific state of mind. Obviously mostly designed to make you dance but can be very relaxing too, almost hypnotic. I’ve always been into dance music (you know about my solo show!) so techno almost seems like a logical progression for me. I work hard every day to spread the gospel of techno as I think it is the best music on the planet!
When was the birth of techno and what is its history?
Detroit is the home of techno. Obviously it’s a huge music town with the whole Motown sound coming from there. But essentially techno emerged in the late 80's with people like Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson, Jeff Mills and Juan Atkins bringing it to the fore. The sound traveled to Europe where it got mashed up in Germany (Berlin is a big source of the music) and back to the U.S. Right now NYC is experiencing a techno revival. Every year there is the Movement Festival in Detroit at the end of May that celebrates techno in all its forms from its birthplace and around the world. I will be covering the Festival again this year for my site.
We think Irish anything is better than a noun without being modified by Irishness. Is there Irish techno and if so what are the hottest groups?
There is for sure!! Ireland has always been a great seeding ground for all music and techno is no different. Sian (Graham Sian) is one of the hottest techno producers from Ireland. But there are so many it’s hard to name them all. Many have been featured on my website!
What makes one a successful DJ?
Ah another good question! Well there are many successful djs but that I think makes a great dj from my experience both in front and behind the decks, comes down to feeling a connection to the music you’re playing. I think if a dj is excited about sharing his/her music, it will translate to the crowd and elevate the mood. There are many factors but to me that’s the primary one.
What are your latest Irish jokes?
You will have to come hear them at Sundays at Seven – May 19th!
How is your mom in Ireland doing?
Thank you she’s doing well, My dad passed away in the interim so of course that’s a huge life change for her but she’s happy with our dog Max and her involvement in local events back home.
What are you currently writing?
Well I’m always working on an interview or feature for my website but creatively of course comedy. I’m also tinkering away at a more serious piece about my eating disorder as a teen. It’s a slow process but I did read some of it last month at the Irish Writers and Artists Salon.
What one word best describes you and why?
Enthusiastic!! If a subject or issue or person gets my attention… watch out!
If you could hire anybody who would it be and why?
He’d never do it but if I could hire my friend George Heslin to sit around and talk to me all day I would! He never fails to amuse me!
What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you at a cocktail party?
I don’t think anything too embarrassing – maybe some red wine spillage. I’m generally well behaved!
Who would you like to be for a day and why?
Mayor of NYC so I could help pass all the animal friendly legislation that needs to happen!
If you could have dinner with any person living or passed, who would it be and why?
I think Bill Maher the comedian. I love his show and sense of humor. He’s got a bit of Irish in him and we’d have a good chat I think!
What do you personally do or what have you done to give back to the world?
Oh not enough. I’m very passionate about animal and human rights but I try to use the social media to network for pets who need homes or highlight issues that I think people might need to know about or that get my attention. I volunteer from time to time with animal charities.
What do you think is most underrated and overrated here?
( I said this before but no harm to reiterate!) How friendly NYC’ers are and overrated is pizza!
Other than Movers and Shakers of course, what is your favorite Whom You Know column and what do you like about it?
Laugh with Peachy by Petunia the Pig. I love pigs and the photos are so cute!
Have you tried The Peachy Deegan yet and if not, why not?
I haven’t but its on my to do list!
What else should Whom You Know readers know about you?
I’m from Tipperary and I hate unmanageable sandwiches!!
How would you like to be contacted by Whom You Know readers?
www.clubbersguidenewyork.com or on Facebook – I’m easy to find!
