The National Folk Festival spoke to The Rambling Boys’ Gino Lupari for an insiders look behind one of the most famous bodhrán players in the world. Gino, from Magherafelt, a small town in Co Derry Ireland is a founding member of the well loved and amazing Four Men and a Dog who burst onto the scene at the Belfast Folk Festival in 1990. Their first album, Barking Mad took Folk Roots best new album award, the first Irish band to ever do so.
Gino’s most recent outing is a new Irish super group. Following a series of successful concerts at the Irish Sea Sessions in Liverpool in 2013 Gino joined David Munnelly (Accordion), Sean Regan (Fiddle and Vocals) and Alan Burke (Guitar and Vocals) to form The Rambling Boys. This collaboration creates a unique sound, exploring new ideas focusing on arrangement and composition. Rambling Boy’s debut album What Next, released in August 2015 has received rave reviews. As well as being a bodhran virtuoso Gino is a terrific singer and dedicated teacher of Irish music. He has toured all over the world and played with many great artists and is the soul of any band with his driving rhythm and keen ear. Here’s what Gino had to say.
GINO LUPARI – The Rambling Boys
What are you listening to right now?
Wow what a killer to start, I do a show on BBC-Radio Ulster so I get to listen to loads of stuff but in the spirit of the question, I’m listening to the new Boz Scaggs new album ‘ a Fool to Care ‘ and loving it !!!
Who is the musician that you most admire?
Well let me see, having played with 4 Men and a Dog for the past 25 years, the musicians I most admire are Cathal Hayden Gerry O’Connor Kevin Doherty and Donal Murphy ;;;; the dogs.
What is your hidden talent?
My hidden talent Ha Ha….. I love to cook & bake. It’s a great perk as a travelling Músicain Food !!! Eating & trying new tastes & then cooking it for family & friends.
What is your all time favourite album/
Favourite album Oh come on my musician taste is very varied. It ranges from hard rock, to country, to trad, to big bands. The albums that I ALWAYS have on my iPod are Thin Lizzy – Live & Dangerous & The Band – the Last Waltz… they never never get old.
Who was the most influential musician on your music?
The most influence on my music, now that’s more like it; Without a doubt it was & is Artie McGlynn. He has played with almost everybody from Van the man to Paul Brady to the Clancy Brothers. He is such a low key guy but is such a great influence on me & my musician peers today & in music from Ireland.
What was the first album you ever purchased?
The first album I ever bought was Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel ) & the first single I bought was TRex: Ride a White Swan. I still have both of them.
What was your most interesting gig?
Most interesting gig – Are you kidding me having played for over the past 25 years I’ve done a few !!!
After a bit of thought I have two. The first one was in Bangladesh; we played to around 10,000 people for a free gig and we’re the first band to play in Dakar since Boney M. The second was in Yellowknife in Canada, it was -20degs & we played in Athens local hall & everyone left their dogs & sleadh outside. But the kicker was the next day we played in Las Vegas in the Sammy Davis memorial park for the Las Vegas folk festival
What is your claim to fame?
I acted in a BBC series called The Passion, I was in charge of the folk band in the series & my best mate in the show was Gina McKee (Love Actually ) &. (4 Weddings & a Funeral.
We can’t wait to hear Gino performing with The Rambling Boys at the 50th National Folk Festival in 2016. Listen here via Youtube
Gino: We (The Rambling Boys) are looking forward to the National. I was there once before with the wonderful Liz Doherty. I’m looking forward to seeing some old friends & playing the odd tune.
Don’t miss a moment. Just Be There!
The 50th National Folk Festival will be held 24-28 March 2016 at Exhibition Park, Canberra. Heavily discounted Early Bird Season Tickets are now selling. Stay connected through Facebook and Twitter.
NatFolkFest Insiders - Stories Behind the Music 