A question of culture: musician Colm Mac Con Iomaire

Colm Mac Con Iomaire Musician/composer

Colm Mac Con Iomaire

Declan Cashin

The musician remembers John Prine at Tramore as his favourite gig and his dream duet featuring Bob Dylan and Scarlet Rivera.

Favourite band?

The Bothy Band. They lift the heart – they're individually talented and collectively awesome.

Best gig you've seen?

John Prine at the Fleadh Mór in Tramore in 1993.

Duet dream?

I'd like to join Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue circa 1975 and duet with violinist Scarlet Rivera. She was the violinist around the release of his album Desire. Hearing her playing on that album changed the direction of my life.

Funniest thing you've seen at a gig?

The Frames played a gig in the '90s and were in the final chorus of 'Revelate' when Glen (Hansard) stage-dived into the audience, at which point he was grabbed by bouncers, beaten up and thrown out on to the street. Someone outside pointed out he was actually the singer in the band. They sheepishly re-admitted him in time to finish the song which we had been keeping going wondering where he'd got to. Rock 'n' roll.

Favourite writer and why?

Lao Tzu, the godfather of Taoism. He is thought to have written the book Tao Te Ching around 600BC. Taoism is similar to Buddhism in its emphasis on inner stillness, personal responsibility and the 'out' reflecting the 'in'. The book is succinct, precise and eternal.

Last book you read and loved?

Ivor Browne's memoir Music and Madness. An inspiring story of how one person who sees things in a different way can transform the lives of so many for the better. We need more visionaries.

Favourite film?

Cool Hand Luke. Amazing cast, story and performances. Pure magic.

Favourite tv show?

I finished Borgen recently. It's smart, well-written and very good on the symbiosis between media and politics.

Favourite food?

Home cooking. Being on the road, the shine comes off eating out. I'm coming to the end of my first meat-free year. While not quite a vegetarian, I've been discovering the wonders of the sea.

Cultural blind spot

The X Factor. It's the Olympics of cruelty.

COLM MAC CON IOMAIRE (THE FRAMES) COMPOSES ORIGINAL MUSIC FOR BRANAR'S NEW CHILDREN'S THEATRE SHOW BLáTH/THE FLOWER, WHICH TOURS TO EIGHT VENUES UNTIL JULY 16. DETAILS AT WWW.BRANAR.IE.