Celtic & Pagan Folk, World Music, Native American & MesoAmerican Style Flute. My instruments are the Flute, Whistle, Tagelharpa, Folk Fiddle, and keyboard.
We are happy that you found the time for this written interview, we are all looking forward to hear more about your music journey
Would you like to tell us a little about yourself?
Hello, I am Keith O’ Sullivan, I am in my late 40’s, an amateur musician and producer from the Southeast coast of Ireland. The music I mainly focus on is Celtic and Dark Folk.
How has you musical journey been until now?
I will try to be brief, and give a synopsis on the past three decades. I first starting playing music when I was about 15 years of age, my first instrument was the keyboard. In the early 90’s I bought a pair of Technic’s decks and a mixer with my brother Christopher. Which lead to us over the years putting together a small studio set up, and that was the beginning for me in music production. At the time it was just a midi set up, sound modules, Akai Samplers, keyboard like the legendary Juno 106. How I would have loved to have the accesss to the virtual instruments that are available today back then. The music that I played while doing and produced was Techno, I was heavily influenced at the time by German Techno in particular. The next change for me in relation to my music production was a surprise even to me. I heard the Native American Flute played, no instrument ever drew me in like that before. There was beauty and sadness in equal measure, it can be a very melancholic instrument. My brother and I have a nice collection, different keys and wood types. I also have some ceramic and various Mesoamerican flutes.
How long have you been producing music?
What I do now, I started uploading to YouTube ten years ago. That was around the time I first started using virtual instruments, to add music to my flute tracks, before that I was using Akai samplers.
Have you always produced this kind of music, or have you been into other kind of music as well?
Over the past few years I have spent most of my spare time focusing on Dark Folk and Celtic (Gaelic) music, but if you scroll down my YouTube page you’ll see that my musical tastes have been somewhat all over the place throughout the years.
Have you ever been in a band?
No, I have not. I like the quiet life too much.
Do you sing?
No, I have added the odd vocal though.
Have you done any collabs and would you like to share with whom?
I started doing a collaboration with Dervhengrym last year which we never got around to finishing. Due in part to me feeling totally uninspired, and some technical problems I had to sort out.
Would you like to do collabs?
I would like to finish the project with Dervhengrym. He is a very talented musician and vocalist. His song Úlfhéðnar is an amazing track. He has spent much of his time over the past few years crafting his instruments, Tagelharpas, Jouhikkos, and Kravik Lyres. They look and sound really great, his Kravik Lyres are of such a high standard in craftsmanship. He is currently working on some new tracks.
There are some really great collaborations out there. I heard a really good one this weekend, by Bjorth & Noiduin. Kalma. Fantastic raw vocal energy. Danheim has done some great collaborations, his work with Sigurbodi was really good. I think many people would agree that some of the best music is when artists collaborate.
Do you have a favorite track yourself or maybe a band?
A favourite track, there are so many, Lyfjaberg by Wardruna is definitely one I’d have to mention. As for a favorite band, Wardruna, Heilung, and I really love the unique sound of A Tergo Lupi. Heimweh, their latest release, is pure class. The Russian bands Ochelie Soroki and NYTT LAND have got to be included in my favourites. I’d also include a band I’ve only recently encountered, Noiduin from Finland, they have a really cool sound going on.
Do you believe in the old ways yourself?
Coming from the Celtic (Gaelic) tradition, I don’t feel that the Old Faith of Ireland has survived in any real sense. There are many reasons, Druidic cultures did not leave written texts, knowledge was passed down orally. But, I feel that the main reason for the void of ancient knowledge of the old faith in Ireland is due mainly to the Church. A familiar story, many different cultures throughout the world have went through the same experience. I feel that few have faired worse than the Irish when it comes to the depth of ancient knowledge which was lost in the transition to Christianity.
My own belief system is one where I feel and see God in nature, and your time in nature is best spent in the company of dogs. As no one truly enjoys it as much as they do. I am lucky enough to live by a beach. I have a healthy respect for the old ways and the Old Gods of the European peoples, and enjoy exploring the past.
Where do you find your inspiration for your music?
History, culture, mythology, folklore, being in nature, and imagination. As a child, I had this teacher, Mr. Printer, he was from the Northern part of Ireland. He was the best story teller I have ever heard in my life, throughout the year we were schooled on the Ancient Mythology and Folklore Of Ireland, my mind was filled with wonder at the tales he would tell. From the Tuatha Dé Danann, to Cuchulain, Fionn Mac Cumhaill, the Children of Danu. This was where the seeds were planted in fertile soil and my interest only grew over time.
A big influence on me musically, especially back in the day, before I ever heard Wardruna, was Hagalaz Runedance, a German singer called Andrea Haugen. Who sadly is no longer with us. I would recommend her three albums. It was my first introduction to what I would describe as Germanic Neo-pagan folk music. Great lyrics, and energy.
Musicians inspire other musicians, and in this genre today there are so many quality productions coming out all the time. The hard work Danheim has put in throughout the years has seriously impressed me, some really great tracks. As someone that uses virtual instruments within my tracks, I feel credit for inspiration has to go to the creators and sound designers of the instruments and libraries. Eduardo Tarilonte’s virtual instruments at Best Service are truly exceptional. Also worthy of a mention are Giuseppe Caiazzo at Silence and Other Sounds, and Stefano Maccarelli from the Ethera Series. Who both worked together on Cartago, which is one of the best drum libraries I’ve used.
Do you have any music education, or have you learned yourself?
I had several lessons on how to play the keyboard when I was 15, other than that I am self-taught. I have learnt a lot from my brother Christopher in all matters related to modern music technology throughout the years. He is more technically minded than me.
How many instruments do you play on?
The Keyboard was the first instrument, then came the flute period, mostly Native American style flutes, whistles, ocarinas, Irish tin and wood whistles. Then the Tagelharpa, a folk fiddle and Germanic Lyre.
Can it be hard to find time for the music when work an life in general comes in?
It can be hard to find time, and then when you do have time you need to have a peaceful environment to be creative, unburdened by the outside world. Which is not easy in 2025, everything seems chaotic nowadays.
Do you have any other interest like sport, crafting or carving – maybe gaming?
I like working with wood. I made two Tagelharpas and a Jouhikko during the lock down, and will start soon on a bass Jouhikko and a Germanic / Anglo Saxon Lyre. Coming up to the summer is a great time for crafting instruments.
What track means the most to yourself and why?
It would probably be one of my Celtic Slow Air tracks, Prophecy or The King. I love this style, it’s like a Gaelic Windsong, touched by melancholy. My favourite Dark Folk track is Arminius. I really like Path to Valhalla, and will definitely work on more tracks with that type of energy in the near future.
Anything new coming soon from you?
Yes, I am working on some new tracks currently, and will definitely be uploading new tracks to YouTube over the coming weeks, and over the summer.
Do you have anything you want to share with us about your music?
The focus for the remainder of the year will solely be the Dark Folk, Pagan style. Hopefully over time I’ll add Old Irish, and Gaelic lyrics, to create a Gaelic, Celtic Dark Folk sound.
We would like to thank you for answering our questions about your music, and glad we could do this written interview, sure many are happy to get to know you better….
Thank you for all of your time Dorthe, it was very nice talking to you. I wish you and your community greetings from Ireland.
