After performing Dandelion Wine; Martin Minehane clued us in on the song’s meaning. Unbeknownst to the few in attendance at the time, Dandelion Wine is in fact a type of wine created by crushing up dandelions.

Martin told us he tried his hand at making Dandelion Wine, but as the song suggests it didn’t amount to the best batch. A humble insight such as this goes a long way to understanding Martin and his craft as a songwriter.

With that little context, Dandelion Wine takes on a much greater meaning.

Martin then told us about his preferred method of distilling; by making beer from nettles. Before jokingly reassuring the Troubadour crew that his second song isn’t called Nettle Beer.

Instead, Martin changed direction. Teaming up with Troubadour’s own James Christopher, the duo burst into a heavier song. ‘Flying Wild’ is a number the duo have rehearsed in Colaiste Stiofan Naofa. The upbeat spaghetti western theme shows another side to Martin’s writing. The song will also be heard on Colaiste Stiofan Naofa’s upcomming live stream.

-Stephen Cool