Ash Sheehan: The man behind the music - by Johnny P Collins
Irish Traveller film maker Johnny P Collins was in for a few surprises when recently took the train to Birmingham to meet musician and session drummer Ash Sheehan - who hails from a Traveller/Circus background himself …
It’s lunchtime and I made it to Birmingham. The weather was grey, and I was tired. I thought to myself on that two-hour train journey from Euston that this would be an in and out interview, but - as I walked down the staircase at New Street and turned the corner to meet the legend Ash Sheehan, I was to find out this interview would be special.
Ash – who works as a session drummer and is also in a rock band called Twang - looked dapper in a fine suit and hat, and with his gold watch and rings to match, I felt as I was in the presence of a rockstar. He had taken time out of his day for this interview and even picked me up. Ash was driving me to a special location for our interview, but first we had to make a side quest.
As we drove, Ash spoke about his music and the tours and where it took him around the world and how for the first time in a long time, he has just spent three weeks in the UK. But the true heart of the man behind the music shone through as he spoke about his family. His uncle Jonny Goldfinger; who became a father figure to him at a young age and taught him the music which led him on the path he’s now on, and how his mother was the first to hand him a tin flute when he was a child in the crib.
Jonny Goldfinger was the man who inspired Ash throughout his career. Ash spoke fondly about his uncle and the more he spoke about him, the more joy I could see in Ash’s eyes. He spoke about how Jonny wasn’t taught but learnt himself, and how he was a self-made businessman who owned his share of homes but enjoyed the feeling of being in a wagon as a way to stay close to the Traveller culture.
We took a turn into a local auto shop and jumped out. Walking in Ash gave me a first hand look at his new reg which spelled out GYPSY! We moved on to his friend’s mechanic shop and it was quickly fitted on to Ash’s van. I saw how Ash interacted with his friends and how his friends interacted with him, the man was loved and didn’t allow ego to control him as I’ve seen with some creatives in the past.
We travelled to the location and my eyes widened as I saw for the first time in my life a vintage shop for Travellers and Gypsies alike called the Tinks Trove Emporium in Feckenham, Worcestershire.
The owners Sarah and David welcomed us with joy and took us round their wagons, including a beautiful Showmens trailer, and I saw also props and clothing currently being used for film and TV. Ash and Sarah took me around the store taking me on a journey through history, a personal tour through our shared culture.
As Ash sat ready with his guitar warming up for his live performances, we gathered round, and I set my camera to record. As Ash performed you could feel his passion for the music that drove this man through life. As Ash sang and played guitar something strange happened - the lights around him began to warm - and a surprise was revealed when we played-back the video footage. On film we could see that a glowing orb had appeared beside Ash, dancing along with joy. As I watched the footage my thoughts came back to the conversation earlier and the joy Ash spoke of his dear uncle. Our final thoughts were that it was that uncle Jonny Goldfinger had come back to cheer his beloved nephew on and to remind him that he’s always about.
As we began to wrap up filming, I was to have another supernatural reaction as a Showman’s spirit decided it was best to spook me with a shock to the hands and cold shivers, something I shall never forget!
By the time I was on the train heading back to Euston Station, I couldn’t help but wish I had booked a later train so I could have spent more time at Tinks Trove Emporium and have the joy of learning more about my culture – whilst also becoming more spiritual in mind!
As a creative in the film that comes from the Irish Traveller community, meeting Ash was a welcome refresh for me, as it’s rare that I meet another Traveller creative in my work – and one who’s level minded while also protective, respectful and proud of their background! I’m glad I got to meet Ash Sheehan - a true inspiration in music and life.
Video, photographs and words by Johnny P. Collins for the Travellers’ Times
Johnny P Collins is a Writer/Producer
LinkedIn/Instagram @Johnnypcollins
www.durahanpictures.com
Tinks Trove Emporium can be found on Facebook and Instagram – as can Ash Sheehan