From the time that I heard about her to when I heard her to when I met her, everything about my experience with Meghan Balogh has been quiet, low volume and understated. She is a breath of fresh air. Somebody that draws you in. Her fiddle plane does just the same. A direct extension of her personality. There’s a lot to be said for just saying something and doing what you do well without having to prove anything more to others. Her lovely and full accompaniment too many local acts has been a welcome necessity. Hear her with her partner Eric Uren quite regularly on most Sundays in the off-season and all Tuesdays in the high season 5 - 8 pm, at The Cove Inn. 

Seamus Cowan: I understand that you’ve been playing the fiddle for many years. Who or what inspired you to pick it up in the first place?

Meghan Balogh: My parents decided that music lessons were a big priority for their daughters, and so I started on the classical piano. At 12, my family moved to a place where we couldn't have a piano for a while, so they put me in violin lessons like my younger sister. I'm glad they did!

Q: You have an extremely smooth sound. I remember you telling me about different styles in the area. What are you most influenced by?

Meghan: I took classical violin lessons for several years first, before discovering my love for Irish fiddle music during college. I was able to develop a repertoire of fiddle tunes by regularly attending traditional Irish sessions in Kingston for the next decade or more, where a lovely and eclectic group of people have been holding a weekly trad session for 40 years. I count some of those individuals as great musical encouragers and influences in my life, as well as some of the "rock stars" of Irish fiddle music around the world, who I have listened to religiously for many years in an attempt to play like them. A few I've even had the chance to take a lesson or two with, like Chicago's Liz Carroll or Ireland's Martin Hayes, two giants in the traditional music world who I count as my favourite players.

Q: We all met you when you met Eric Uren here at the Cove a few years ago. Playing music with him seems to have been an enlightening experience where we see you two as one now. Can you tell us about what it’s like to play music with somebody so close to you?

Meghan: Eric is a humble guy, but you know that if someone will stop to listen when he is performing, they're going to be drawn in by his amazing voice and the genuine, earnest way that he delivers every song. I was definitely struck by his musicality and broad repertoire, and it's been a real joy to attempt to integrate my fiddle into his wide-ranging songbook. I think we've both grown musically together, which is both the challenge and the reward of being very close with someone personally but also trying to be creative together. We're finally dipping our toes into songwriting and recording together, so keep an eye out for some tangible fruits of our labour in the near future!

Q: No doubt the band Seventh Town, who you play with, has really been a mainstay in your career. Why do you think Celtic music holds such an inescapable hug on so many in this area? 

Meghan: The people of Ireland and Scotland heavily settled this region, fleeing various persecutions and trials in the 19th Century. But I think that Celtic music continues to draw people in not only due to their genetics, but also because it's just nice music. These simple songs and melodies are the foundation for so many other genres of music, were carried to every corner of the world and have influenced so many people. We may not have the tradition to the same extent here that families in Cape Breton or Newfoundland still enjoy — where the "kitchen party" is still an everyday part of life — but a little dose of simple, old Irish music is a great antidote to life's woes, I often find.

Q: There have definitely been some incredible opportunities arise as a result of your musical connections around here. Backing up David Francey, playing with comedian Tom Green, who knows what’s next? What is your dream gig?

Meghan: I was lucky enough to have had the chance to play at my "dream gig" this past October, when David Francey invited me along to play at Celtic Colours International, an annual celebration of Celtic music on Cape Breton Island featuring Celtic musicians from all over the world. That was quite surreal, to be rubbing shoulders with many of my longtime heroes in the genre. I'm really grateful to be playing music with David and with his guitarist, Chris Murphy, who is well loved at the Cove and in the area! Tom Green has also given me lots of opportunities in the last couple of years to record and perform, including to be on some of the bigger theatre stages in Ontario in the last year, which has been a very cool experience.