INGRID FERRIS

I've spent a good bit of the Covid-19 pandemic challenging myself to learn recording and publishing technology. I initially wrote my new piece, 'Lament for a Pandemic' as a kind of test to run the gamut from concept to completion. However, as creative endeavors often do, it took on a life of its own.

In Ireland the lament is an ancient and revered tradition. Following is an excerpt from a a publication by Angela Bourke, first published in the 'Woman's Studies International Forum, 1988 

"Keening" in English…

It's been a journey to say the least, and true for most of us! But in the world of music, there seems to be tremendous extremes: the exaltation of mastering your art form, the camaraderie of playing with other great musicians, the satisfaction of performing a great show, to the other end of the spectrum, the creative dry spells, the reality of paying the bills, the 'band drama'. I've been through it all, the good, the bad, and the truly awful. And so, for the first time in my career, I have developed a solo…

When I was attending Cornish up in Seattle I lived in a group house with other performers, ( that was a blast!) One of my house mates knew how to play Diamonds and Rust on the guitar, and one day she sat down and taught it to me. Since I am not a highly trained guitarist, the opening lick is probably the fanciest thing I can play! It wasn't until several years later, working with my arranger/producer Diane Sonntag that I realized the potential for recording this song. It was out at Di's lake front house…