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The London Ear on RTÉ 2XM // 328

The London Ear on RTÉ 2XM // 328

Hello, another week, another episode of The London Ear on RTÉ 2XM. I loved all the chat on last week’s episode of the show. This week’s, I feel quite privileged to share an hour of the best contemporary Irish music with you.

Heads up about next week’s show, I will be chatting to Sam O.G. We’ll chat about his upbringing in Co. Meath, being the first African born player to play Championship football in Co. Meath at any level, working as a nurse on the front line of Covid-19 and, oh yeah, his music. He’s got a new single coming out.

Back to this week though, got some great new music from the likes of Elaine Mai feat. MayKay and New Pagans, both of whom have new albums coming soon.

Stick the kettle on, make a cuppa, put your feet up, all set? Now press play!

The London Ear 328 // 6 Feb 21 // Playlist
Here’s what was on the playlist for episode 328 of the London Ear.

1. Elaine Mai (Feat MayKay): No Forever
2. Alex Gough: That’s My Job
3. Basciville: Bloom
4. HALLI – Body Never Lies
5. Those Nervous Animals: The Business Enterprise (My Friend John)
6. New Pagans: Christian Boys
7. Orla Gartland: More Like You
8. The Crayon Set: Moment
9. Pastiche: Heaven
10. Strawman and The Jackdaws: Fields of Wonder
11. Denise Chaila & Jafaris: Anseo
12. Tolu Makay: N17
13. Emma Edel: If I Can’t Have You
14. Darren Regan: Points of View
15. The Survival Code: Magnetic

Listen on Demand to The London Ear

Thanks for listening, The London Ear broadcast on DAB radio, Saorview, nationwide in Ireland and outside Ireland you can listen online. You can listen to the show again on RTÉ 2XM on the RTÉ player including all previous episodes. The show is broadcast every Saturday at 1300.

If you missed last week’s show, you can check it out here.

February 16, 2021
The London Ear 327 // Carrie Baxter + Hawke The Band

The London Ear 327 // Carrie Baxter + Hawke The Band

Hello! Finally getting through January 2021 and to brighten up all our days, I’m delighted to be able to feature two London based Irish musical acts, Carrie Baxter and Hawke The Band, on this week’s episode of The London Ear.

Conversation with Carrie Baxter

Carrie Baxter

Ah, I loved chatting to Carrie Baxter. Carrie was just so open about her musical journey, including the financial aspects of juggling a job and a music career as a solo artist. I found our conversation to be a breath of fresh air. Carrie moved to London in 2009, we chatted about her days in musical theatre, songwriting and much more.

Carrie’s single ‘Pray’ is out now, you can find out more on Twitter and Facebook and buy Carrie’s music on Bandcamp.

Conversation with Hawke The Band

Hawke The Band

Eoghan and Richie, now known as ‘Hawke The Band’ are old friends of The London Ear. I last had a conversation with the lads last summer about their release ‘The Covid Diary’. The lads have set themselves a mammoth task of releasing twelve singles in 2021.

As well as their music, we managed to chat about houseplants and motorcycles, where else would you get it?

Catch up with the lads on social at Twitter, Facebook and Insta.

The London Ear 327 // 30 Jan 21 Playlist
Here’s what this week’s playlist on The London Ear looked like:

1. Cathal Coughlan: Song of Co-Aklan
2. Chat with Carrie Baxter (Part 1)
3. Carrie Baxter: 4/4 (Love Affair)
4. Chat with Carrie Baxter (Part 2)
5. Carrie Baxter: Pray
6. Chat with Richie and Eoghan from Hawke The Band
7. Hawke The Band: Gonna Be Alright
8. Skanger: A Chance to Count The Cost

Listen on Demand to The London Ear

Thanks for listening, The London Ear broadcast on DAB radio, Saorview, nationwide in Ireland and outside Ireland you can listen online. You can listen to the show again on RTÉ 2XM on the RTÉ player including all previous episodes. The show is broadcast every Saturday at 1300.

If you missed last week’s show, you can check it out here.

February 4, 2021
The London Ear 326 // In Conversation with Danny G

The London Ear // In Conversation with Danny G

Woah! What an absolute stomper of a programme we have today. I’m thrilled to chat to Danny G of Danny G and The Major 7ths, about his new album ‘The Lookout’.

Danny’s music has a soulful funky style which, to be honest, always makes me think of summer days and good times. He is an extremely talented singer and songwriter and extremely humble. It’s not hard to see why so many other brilliant musicians want to collaborate with him.

I really enjoyed the chat with Danny. We chatted about his background, musicians he admires as well as love songs and songs with social commentary having a place in the world.

Today’s episode also gave me the opportunity to do something which I haven’t done before. Danny comes from a very musical family, his Dad, Jack has released a few albums. I had previously known ‘The Gorgeous Colours’ which featured Tim Groenland and I always presumed they were brothers. Danny confirmed this during our chat. Knowing that Paj is also a brother gave me the opportunity to give listeners a triple whammy of Groenland goodness. Looking back, I wish I left Stevie Wonder out and played some music from Dad, Jack. Maybe next time.

You can find out more about Danny G and his music on his website and you buy a copy of ‘The Lookout’ on vinyl from Bandcamp.

Check out the video for ‘When It All Runs Out’

During the course of our conversation, myself and Danny spoke about songwriting which incorporated social commentary. Danny explained that a trip to his wife’s home country of Venezuela, and news about the country’s oil production inspired the song, ‘When It All Runs Out’. Check out the video below.

The London Ear 326 // 23 Jan 2021 Playlist

Here’s the playlist for today’s episode of The London Ear, featuring, three members of the same family in three different musical acts. I think that’s a first. Here’s what was on today’s playlist.
1. Danny G & The Major 7ths feat Fehdah and Zaska: Time The Healer
2. Interview with Danny G (Part 1)
3. Danny G & The Major 7ths: Call Me
4. Interview with Danny G (Part 2)
5. Danny G & The Major 7ths: When It All Runs Out
6. The Gorgeous Colours: It’s OK to Be Normal
7. Stevie Wonder: If You Really Love Me
8. Paj feat Zeenie Summers, Rob De Boer, Uly, Fiachra Kinder & Joe Furlong : Superman

Listen on Demand to The London Ear

Thanks for listening, The London Ear broadcast on DAB radio, Saorview, nationwide in Ireland and outside Ireland you can listen online. You can listen to the show again on RTÉ 2XM on the RTÉ player including all previous episodes. The show is broadcast every Saturday at 1300.

If you missed last week’s show, you can check it out here.

January 27, 2021
The London Ear on RTÉ 2XM // Show 325 (16/01/21)

The London Ear on RTÉ 2XM // Show 325 (16/01/21)

Well, a couple of weeks in and 2021 seems like it’s 2020 on speed. At least I have a bag full of tunes to brighten up the January days.

I was just thinking the other day, I started my first radio show on RTÉ 2XM in July 2011. That’s nearly ten years of being able to share wonderful music, arts and culture with you. I’d love to mark the occasion in some way. If you have any ideas on what I should do, please let me know. I don’t really want to do just a ‘Best of’ series.

Also don’t forget if you’re releasing new music, get in touch. nessy@nessymon.com Make sure you include a press release and downloadable wav. If your music fits in with what I play, I’d love to hear from you but Irish artists will always get the priority.

The London Ear on RTÉ 2XM // Show 325 Playlist
Here’s what I played on this week’s episode of The London Ear.

1. Danny G and The Major 7ths: When It All Runs Out (Hipdrop Records)
2. Celeste: Love is Back (Polydor)
3. Little Comets: Total Abject Paranoia (Little Comets Llp)
4. Skanger: A Chance To Count The Cost (Self Release)
5. Biig Piig: Feels Right (Sony)
6. Josh Clorey: Puffin Clovers (Self Released)
7. Denise Chaila & Jafaris: Anseo (nanolane)
8. Jake Isaac (feat Samm Henshaw & Mumu Fresh): Remember (AntiFragile Music)
9. Aleigh: I’m All Wrong (Self Release)
10. Carrie Baxter: Pray (Independent)
11. Mulcahy: Breathe
12. The Art Crimes Band: In The Dark Of The Evening (Self Release)
13. Laura Mulcahy: The Ballad of Lucy Sands (Self Release)
14. James OR: Ins and Outs (Self Release)

Listen on Demand to The London Ear

Thanks for listening, The London Ear broadcast on DAB radio, Saorview, nationwide in Ireland and outside Ireland you can listen online. You can listen to the show again on RTÉ 2XM on the RTÉ player including all previous episodes. The show is broadcast every Saturday at 1300.

If you missed last week’s show, you can check it out here.

January 21, 2021