This year marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, so Michael and I were eager to visit Titanic Belfast when we were in Ireland this summer.
The Titanic was built in Northern Ireland, and it was fascinating to stand in the spot where the highly-touted ship launched its historic journey, and imagine the hopes and dreams of the passengers as they left the port. Many of those stories are shared in the actual exhibit, and they put real, human faces on the tragic event.
Inspired by the ship itself, the architecture of the building is stunning, and the care and attention to detail that’s been put into the exhibit is unparalleled. There are re-creations of the various class cabins — which include haunting CGI imagery — as well as the dramatic communications that took place when it was apparent the ship was sinking.
One of the most innovative features of Titanic Belfast is the Shipyard Ride, which gives you a builder’s view of the ship’s construction. Michael and I somehow ended up in the one private car on the ride which, we were told, had been where the Queen sat on her recent visit!
The other stand-out feature is Titanic Beneath, where you get a rare opportunity to stand directly over Dr. Robert Ballard’s footage from the wreckage, which he discovered in 1985. Viewing this final resting place is a sobering experience. (Note: If you have a 3D TV, be sure to watch James Cameron’s Ghosts of the Abyss 3D, which is a technically amazing exploration of the remains of the ill-fated ship.)
Feeling personally invested after my visit, I was glad that Titanic was finally released on Blu-ray this month. If you haven’t seen it in a while, this is the way to watch it. There’s a reason that James Cameron’s epic film has gone on to become the second highest-grossing movie in history, and even if you think you can’t stand to hear Celine Dion belt out “My Heart Will Go On” one more time, trust me – you can. There are six hours of special features, including some great behind-the-scenes segments.
To commemorate the anniversary of the Titanic and the release of Titanic, I was given the opportunity to ask a few questions of Gaelic Storm, the Irish band playing, in the movie, when Kate and Leo dance in steerage. It’s a classic scene!
Gaelic Storm has sold over a million albums, and their songs have topped the Billboard World Albums chart. Having spent many of our nights in Ireland singing in pubs with the locals, I’m thrilled to share my interview with Gaelic Storm members Ryan Lacey and Steve Twigger.
How did it feel to be asked to appear in “Titanic?” Did you have any idea the movie would be as big as it became?
RL: It was great to be asked, but really, at the time we had no idea what to expect. Back then in L.A., everyone and their grandmothers seemed to have a script in their back pocket so when we were asked, it was intriguing but we were keeping a level head about the whole experience. It all got very real though when we received a beautiful card from 20th Century Fox inviting us to be in the movie.
Tell us a little about the moviemaking experience. What did you like most about it? What was the most difficult part?
ST: We spent about four 14 hour days in Mexico. We basically arrived and James Cameron just said, “Everybody on the set, this is Gaelic Storm. They played the music that you’re listening to, so just enjoy yourselves and have at it. Let’s have a party!” He was quite interested in our opinion as bar musicians as well, and he’d ask things like, “What would you do once you finished a song?”, and we would tell him, “Well, we would walk over to the bar and laugh about how badly we just played and have a beer.”
RL: As for what we liked most about it, really, it was just the entire experience. None of us had done anything like it before so it was just an eye opening and wonderful time. Obviously the most difficult part was the long days, but still, that wasn’t even that bad. I have to say, I must admit, all in all, it was one of the best experiences of my life.
With you performing “An Irish Party in Third Class,” I have to say that steerage seems much more fun than the stuffiness of first class! Musicwise, what do you think is the difference between the soundtracks of the different classes?
RL: Both of these kinds of music have their wonderful elements, but I think the music of the third class is just more fun and it has more of a broader appeal. It’s about letting loose, dancing, smiling, and generally having a party. The other music is beautiful and emotionally fantastic as well, but, to me at least, it just doesn’t have that instant knee jerk reaction to feel good that the music we were playing has.
The orchestra upstairs continues to entertain the passengers while the ship is sinking – sort of like Nero fiddling while Rome burned. They chose “The Wedding Dance” because the captain asked them for “something nice and cheery.” Was that a good choice? What would you guys have played?
ST: That was a fantastic choice for the upstairs band, and I guess that was cheery. I guess … As far as what I would have played, if I had any song to choose from, past or present, it would have to be “One More Day Above the Roses” from our new album, Chicken Boxer. It’s funny, and it’s all about celebrating life and having a good time. I think it would have fit just fine in that instance.
I visited Titanic Belfast when I was in Ireland this summer, and was so moved by the experience. Have you been there? What do you think of it? As Irishmen, what does this new museum – and the Titanic, in general – mean to you?
RL: I haven’t been to the Museum yet, but we heard it is amazing. When we did the movie, it all seemed so real. As immigrants ourselves, we could really see us as those immigrants on that boat. So we knew that in order to play the part we really had to live it up like those people would have done. Titanic ended up meaning a lot to us for that very reason.
What is it about Irish music that is so universally appealing?
ST: It’s celebratory music, plain and simple. It is played at weddings, wakes and everything in between to celebrate life. And that’s what makes it the people’s music.
How would you describe your own sound?
ST: It’s got so many influences that it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what it is. But if I had to say, I guess it would be a folk band that plays Celtic music with acoustic instruments. Oh yeah, and, we mix in a lot of world music and rock ideas in there as well.
Any other movies you wish you had been in? Any more movies in your future?
ST: No more movies in our immediate future, but like I said, we do have a new album out right now called Chicken Boxer. As far as a movie I wish I had been in, it would have to be Goodfellas. I think it is hands-down the coolest gangster film ever made. I would have loved to be in the room with Joe Pesci and Robert De Niro when he had his famous line, “You think I’m funny?” The tension that he created was off the charts amazing.
Have you actually performed on any cruise ships?!
RL: Yeah, we have been doing these Sixthman cruises over the last nine years. It’s great — we go out with bands like Michael Franti, Better than Ezra, Collective Soul, and the Zac Brown Band and just party non-stop for four or five days. Our livers are the only ones that come off those boats not having a good time.
This post originally appeared on my former blog, StyleSubstanceSoul.com.
I am an architectural snob…raised by an architect and artist, I can’t help but look, cringe at times and want to pull over and make suggestions. This creation is stunning on so many levels. Wow! Thanks for sharing.
I went to the recent historic “100 Years” Titanic Exhibit in the History Museum in Balboa Park (San Diego), and it was very interesting, enlightening and bittersweet to see the recovered artifacts and personal effects of some of the passengers, and so sad to learn more about the identity and personal information for many notable and varied passengers who were aboard that first ill-fated Titanic voyage.
The Titanic exhibit at Balboa Park was awesome. The best part was it was interactive. As you may know, you were given a ticket and had a passanger assigned to you as you toured the exhibit. At the end you found out if you survived or didn’t. That was a very unique experience placing you on either list. Would love to see in IReland as you did the momumental tribute as you described it. Thanks for the commentary and pictures. loved them.
How cool that you got to talk to some of the members of Gaelic Storm. We visited a much smaller, but still very interesting Titanic exhibit at The Maritime Museum of The Atlantic in Halifax this summer. Hope to make it to Ireland soon and this will be on our list.