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Michael O’Shea, a name that reverberates with an aura of enigma and artistic innovation in the musical realm. Exposing his eponymous album to the world in 2019, O’Shea demonstrated not only his creative brilliance but also his unique approach to music that went beyond the conventional bounds. A wanderer by nature, the creator’s life was as riveting as his music, with time spent across Europe, Turkey, and Bangladesh, leading to the conception of a unique musical instrument – Mó Cará, the electrified dulcimer.
Featuring a cascade of styles and genres, Michael O’Shea’s album is a captivating work of art, presenting the listener with a seamless mix of the world’s melodic nuances. The album was a doorway to unexplored soundscapes for a new generation of listeners, with its diverse melodic patterns and rhythm melodies. It was O’Shea’s gift to the realm of music, an offering as unique as his journey from being a busker and a globetrotter to sharing the stage with legends like Ravi Shankar and Don Cherry.
Aside from sharing the stage with these musical giants, O’Shea had another claim to fame; his novel instrument, Mó Cará. A combination of zelochord, sitar, and dulcimer, the instrument was an incarnation of O’Shea’s vast musical experience and creative spirit. In his journey between the western and eastern parts of the globe, he had incorporated the musical influences he had been exposed to, creating a device that reverberated with the echoes of the world’s tunes. Such an innovative musical blend was a stand-out even amongst the pioneers of the musical world, contributing significantly to O’Shea’s growing recognition.
The genesis of Mó Cará dates back to a critical juncture in O’Shea’s life. Striving to combine the sounds of a zelochord and sitar, an idea birthed out of necessity and despair for lack of funds for his travels, O’Shea created the first version of Mó Cará in Munich. O’Shea’s novel creation wasn’t just a testament to his creativity but also his resilience in the face of adversities. The Mó Cará went on to be O’Shea’s signature device, that created a confluence of Irish folk melodies with the mystic tunes of Asia, Africa, jazz, and post-punk worlds.
Michael O’Shea’s life was as vibrant and varied as his music. With every transformation and shift, be it to the mystical charm of France or the bustling city life of London, O’Shea displayed his musical prowess in the subways and cafés, serenading the passers-by with the distinctive tunes of his Mó Cará. Building upon the original sounds of the zelochord and sitar, he introduced the influence of another unique device he had devised – the ‘Black Hole Space Echo Box’, adding amplification and electronics to it.
Though O’Shea chose to walk down an unconventional path, he found credibility and support in the music fraternity alongside artists like Ravi Shankar, Rick Wakeman amongst others. He was introduced to Bruce Gilbert and Graham Lewis of Wire, who offer him an opportunity to record for their label, Dome. What began was a one-day recording session resulting in the magnificent album that we celebrate today. However, the enigmatic musician later disappeared into obscurity post his collaboration with Matt Johnson of The The. Furthermore, his tragic death in 1991 led to a premature end to his unique contribution to the world of music.
Today, Michael O’Shea’s music and legacy hold testament to his groundbreaking innovation and artistic creativity. The enchanting tunes of his Mó Cará continue to resonate, a beacon of his extraordinary life and contribution to the world of music. His opus, Michael O’Shea, is more than an album; it’s a time capsule narrating the chronicles of a wanderer and musician whose influence transcended the borders of countries and genres. His life’s work was symbolic of a patchwork, each stitch narrating tales from corners of the world, the shared stage with esteemed artists, and the corridors of music history.
