1. Why did you take up playing the uilleann pipes?

My decision to play the pipes goes back to when I was about 11yrs old. When I first heard that sound it struck me as magical, and one which I couldn't describe or even imagine could come from a musical instrument. I always envisaged it as some strange animal singing! I actually started playing guitar at eleven, but I burned with desire for the pipes until my Dad loaned me the money to buy a half-set when I was 18.

2. How difficult is it to amplify the uilleann pipes and does this affect the integrity of the sound?

They can be a nightmare to amplify. As the sound is very Omni-directional, sticking a mic in front of them is useless, and pick-ups can be very metallic sounding. I tried all kinds of ways until, one night in 1988, I was doing a support to the brilliant band 'Moving Hearts', and their piper showed me he had a small sax/clarinet 'bug' actually stuck onto the reed. It sounded great so I got one and that is what I have used since. Obviously, it does not sound the same as the acoustic sound, but it is big , wild, and bloody loud! You can hear the sound of the "electric pipes" on both of our live albums. And in the next town.

3. In your early days with iona, you were not a member of the band. What was it that attracted you about the band that eventually led to you becoming part of it .

Well as you probably know, I appeared on the first three albums as a guest. When Iona was beginning , I had a band (1990) and Dave had a copy of the album and asked me if I would play on some tracks. So I did. At the time, to be honest, I thought " Here we go....another 'Clannad' rip-off " but when I heard the finished album I thought "hello, there is something happening here!" I was struck by the honesty, and It developed from there and as time moved on, I just naturally started to get more involved. I threw myself in as an "official" member in 1995. I am still here ...

4. There is a strong sense of the wild in the sound of the uilleann pipes (especially wild geese!) and low whistles. Is that something that you are aware of, and do 'wild places' influence your music?

Yes, I am very aware of that wild sound. To me the sound is deeply evocative and very romantic - a sound coming from somewhere very ancient, either real, or imagined. I think the same principal applies to, as you describe, 'wild places'- nature as a mysterious force, real or imagined. Nature influences my music, and us all deeply.

5. Tell us about your guitars and there place in your 'soundscape'

My guitars are very important in my musical make-up, though you might not see it so much. I do tend to use guitars in a very atmospheric way. I remember years ago, my Northern mate Dave kind of nailed it when he said to me: "You play guitar in exactly the same way as you play Low whistle and Pipes". Dead right. It is that same expression I strive for. I don't play many guitar solo's in the band. We have Dave who does that quite brilliantly!

6. You have influenced the sound of iona over the years. Has the 'iona sound' progressed as far as it will go now ... in other words, has it matured, or can you see different areas to explore?

One of the major developments in the evolution of the band, is the unison playing between the Uilleann Pipes and Electric guitar. It is a monstrous combination! we have seen the effect it has on people, and that is splendid because that is the effect it has on us too. The Iona sound has, I think, 'converged' into its dream - Joanne's unique one-of-a-kind 'out-there' voice, and that wild Pipes/Guitar sound. I think these two define the band. But we still intend to, seek out Life, and new civilizations, to boldly go where no band has gone before ...

7. Tell us a bit about your on-stage set-up in terms of effects (I notice you have used delay on the uilleann pipes in some songs), amps and instruments.

I have on stage Uilleann Pipes made by Dave Williams (which I send through a Roland GT-5 effects processor) Overton Low Whistles pitched in low A, Bb, B, C, D and E, Generation Tin whistles, a Bouzouki made by the marvellous "Fylde" in Cumbria and a Fylde "Oberon" acoustic (which goes through a Korg Toneworks Acoustic processor) and an electric guitar made by Patrick Eggle (also goes through my GT-5).

8. Your new album: Could you provide some info about who plays what & maybe a synopsis of the tracks.

My new album is called "The Pursuit of Illusion" and I could write a book on the "making of...". Suffice to say, huge effort has gone into its construction. What has been brilliant is the support I have been given by all my friends, and it has been wonderful to have some repeat offenders from "The Unseen Stream". The album has 7 pieces:

1) CONSCIOUS: Can't describe this one to you I'm afraid! Its a secret....

2) THE PURSUIT OF ILLUSION: This features Joanne ( an astounding performance!) and the glorious Emperor String Quartet. It is inspired by the story of Chung Ling Soo, the Magician who died while performing "The bullet-Catch trick.

3) LITTLE WINDOW: Can't describe this one either. Isolation I think! but it features an Oboe ( the amazing Chris Redgate) and electric guitar duet. It also features wonderful Piano playing from Neil Drinkwater.

4) THE FLOATING WORLD: Ah! this is inspired by something I discovered on my last trip to Japan. In the 17th-18th Century, Tokyo had a community of Artists, Musicians, and Poets who had a "village" of boats/platforms off the coast where the authorities couldn't touch them. Basically, they were free to do as they liked so Sake, Opium and courtesans were naturally high on the agenda! this features my old friends Andy Duncan, Terl Bryant and Nick Beggs. It also has some incredible violin improvisations ( all one take ) by the legendary Peter Knight, virtuoso of Steeleye Span.

5) A BRIDGE:

6) FRAGMENT: This features the choir "York Cantores" and another wonder- vocal from Jo. This is a section of one of the 'Communions' found in one of the "lost scrolls of the Essene Brotherhood" translated from the Aramaic by Dr. Edmond Bordeaux Szekely.

7/8) COLOUR OF THE DOOR part 1/2 : Can't describe any of this! you will just have to go in and see what happens to you!! it is over 20mins long and features everyone.......... So that's it.

I must mention the beautiful artwork photography by Pete Hopkins. I intend to do some limited edition prints of the extraordinary "Eye" on the front cover, for those interested. Watch this space. The album is available now from my website www.troydonockley.co.uk and in the shops later ...

9. At what age will you crack up when playing those reels?

Yeah, they are a bit berserk!. Well, I am 74 now, so I reckon I have another 40yrs at the speed we play at. I might have to calm down a bit after that !