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  • The London Ear #392: Mark T Cox + Apollo Munroe

    The London Ear #392: Mark T Cox + Apollo Munroe

    The London Ear #392

    Kicking off Pride month, I have two fantastic guests on this week’s episode of The London Ear who are both valued members of the LGBTQ community. Both Mark T Cox and Apollo Munroe are legends and absolutely brilliant in bringing visibility to the community.

    Interview: Mark T Cox

    Screenshot of Mark T Cox chatting to Nessy on Zoom
    Mark T Cox chats to Nessy on Zoom

    Mark T Cox is a gem, no other way of putting it. He’s an Irish Cabaret performer based here in London and has a show in the Sugar Club in Dublin on June 24th cooly titled ‘ Mark T Cox – Friday Night Pride’.

    We chat about the art of cabaret as well as Mark’s other life in London, as a Walking Tour Guide. Calling Mark a Tour Guide kinda underestimates what he actually does. I was recently on his LGBTQ Walking Tour of London’s Soho was it was more than just a tour. Mark is an architect so his passion for the buildings and their change of use is always very apparent. He’s extremely knowledgeable and has a really lovely manner which will instantly make him one of your favourite people.

    I’ve only crossed paths with Mark in the past year, but he’s genuinely lovely and a very valued member of both the LGBTQ and Irish communities here in London.

    Check out his website marktcoxartiste.com

    Interview: Apollo Munroe

    Screenshot of Apollo Munroe chatting to Nessy on Zoom
    Apollo Munroe chats to Nessy on Zoom

    Apollo Munroe is the pop star we all need right now. Hyper pop with a big dollop of neon is what we all need right now in this dreary world. Really enjoyed the chat and learning more about the LGBTQ music scene in Ireland right now.

    Apollo has a new single out ‘Sweet Tooth’ and a very cute video to match in which he outs himself at the end. Damn, did I just ruin the ending?

    You can find out more about Apollo Munroe on Insta and listen on that there Spotify.

    From The Vault: Phil Lynott – Yellow Pearl

    This week’s Irish track From The Vault comes from the legendary Phil Lynott. Many of us will remember ‘Yellow Pearl’ track as the theme tune to Top Of The Pops in the 1980s. I knew this track as it was on the compilation album, ‘Chart Hits ’82’, as well as being the soundtrack to music’s most important TV show.

    ‘Yellow Pearl’ also appeared on the 1980 album by Phil Lynott, ‘Solo in Soho’ but there were a couple of remixes for 7 inch versions.

    I still love the track.

    Sound of The Underground: Keaton Rich

    I’m seriously impressed by the new single from Keaton Rich. Sound of The Underground is the segment of the show where I introduce you to a London-based artist who you may be unaware of. Keaton Rich certainly deserved your attention. He’s a musician and photographer and a very talented guy.

    Keaton has made some really good videos on Instagram, introducing you to his world and where he has come from. I thoroughly encourage you to check them out. I’ve included the first one here – go look up the others!

    https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cbj2k1QoeuE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
    Keaton Rich on Insta

    Listen to Keaton on Spotify.

    Pretty Promo Pics of This Week’s Guests

    The London Ear Promo: Mar T Cox
    The London Ear - Apollo Munrow Promo
    Sexy Boyz: Promos for this week’s guests

    The London Ear Playlist

    Here’s what happened on this week’s episode of The London Ear.

    Hour 1
    The Swedish Railway Orchestra: Fallen Devil
    Ríona Sally Hartman, Alasdair C Whyte, Ross Whyte, Cian Mac Cárthaigh: Mar is Miann Leam
    Tadhg Daly & Etaoin: Not Over You
    Chat with Mark T Cox Part 1
    Jennifer Paige: Crush
    Irish Track From The Vault: Phil Lynnot: Yellow Pearl
    A Boy in Cords: Stupid Like That
    jackLNDN: Bad Decisions

    Hour 2:
    Diana Ross & Tame Impala: Turn up The Sunshine
    Zoid & Meljoann: Spacemission
    Sound of The Underground: Keaton Rich
    Tadhg Daly & Etaoinn: Not Over You
    Chat with Apollo Munroe:
    Apollo Munroe: Soda Pop
    Chat with Apollo Munroe Part 2
    Apollo Munroe: Sweet Tooth
    Yune Pinku: DC Rot
    Daithi + Ailbhe Reddy: Sunset
    Phoeno: Kelly Brook
    Keeley: Shadow On The Hill
    The Burma: Sleepers
    Minnie Ripperton: Les Fleurs

    Listen On-Demand to The London Ear

    Thanks for listening, The London Ear is broadcast online and on your radio apps, in Ireland and around the world on RTÉ 2XM. You can always listen to the show on-demand after it has been broadcast on RTÉ 2XM on the RTÉ player including all previous episodes. The show is broadcast every Saturday at 1200. PLEASE NOTE THE NEW TIME OF MIDDAY!

    You can find all previous episodes on the pages of this site here.

    My guests on next week’s show will be Tadhg Daly & Etaoin and also Lee Rogers.

  • The London Ear #389 Vale + Xnthony

    The London Ear #389 Vale + Xnthony

    The London Ear #389

    Show number 389 of The London Ear. I’m delighted to have Vale and Xnthony on The London Ear today. I really enjoyed chatting to them both. This week’s Irish track From The Vault comes from Stanley Super 800 and this week’s Sound of The Underground comes from Joe Hertz.

    In the week where Jake Daniels made history, I just had to start this week’s episode of The London Ear with ‘Fashanu’ by London Irish band, elephants and castles.

    From The Vault: Stanley Super 800

    This week’s Irish track ‘From The Vault’ from Stanley Super 800. The band were from Cork and formed when members of Ceili Allstars started playing electronic instruments. Their second album, ‘Louder and Clearer’, was nominated for a Choice Music Prize in 2007.

    You can still get the band’s music on Bandcamp and there is occasional presence on Twitter. My God, What a band!

    Sound of The Underground: Joe Hertz

    Sound of The Underground is the section of the programme where I introduce you to a London-based artist or band. Joe Hertz has a new single ‘Black Oak’ which features Livigesh on vocals. Joe released his debut album ‘Current Blues’ in 2020. It’s well worth a listen. He spent time after that in Ibiza, figuring out what the next move was. He hooked up with Jasper Tygner which led to releasing music on Shall Not Fade, a Bristol-based label. But now Joe is back making music and releasing it on Juicebox Recordings.

    Check out the new single ‘Black Oak’.

    Interview with Vale

    PL-R Vale, Tomato Plant, Nessy, Mic

    It was great catching up with Vale, aka Eoin Hally, to chat about his new EP, Aftertouch. I’m a sucker for good electronica, good production, and great songwriting. Aftertouch has these in abundance. Really enjoyed chatting about his work as a music and songwriter and it was also brilliant to find out more about his work as a booker for The Clonmel Junction Arts Festival and his new festival ‘When We Next Meet’.

    Find out more about Vale on Facebook and Twitter

    Interview with Xnthony

    Xnthony – Photo from Facebook by Luxxshoots

    I’ve been meaning to chat to Xnthony for a while now but our paths never crossed til now. He’s such an interesting performer and I’m delighted to have his platform to share his story and work. Xnthony is currently workshopping his new show ‘Oliver Cromwell is Really Very Sorry’. It was really interesting to hear why Xnthony is doing this and why he wanted to get audience feedback before bringing the show to the masses.

    I was also very impressed with how Xnthony is now passing on his business knowledge to up and coming artists and performers. Very impressed indeed!

    IF you want to find out more about Xnthony and his work, head to his website and Insta.

    The London Ear with Nessy - Guests
    This week’s guests on The London Ear

    The London Ear Playlist May 21 22

    Here’s what was on the menu for today’s episode of The London Ear.

    Hour 1
    elephants and castles: Fashanu
    Lydia Ford: In My Head
    Patrick Stefan: Head Voices
    Be By Your Side
    Interview with Xnthony
    Elkae: White Dress
    Wastefellow: Post Credits Scene
    From The Vault: Rolled Up In Gold
    Elizabeth Fraser and Damon Reece: Golden Air
    Klubber Lang: Make Amends

    Hour 2:
    Space Moth: Pipe and Pistol
    Ailbhe Reddy: Inhaling
    Sound of The Underground: Joe Hertz feat: Livigesh
    Zoid feat: Meljoann: Portal
    Interview with Vale
    Vale: Warning Sign
    Interview with Vale Part 2
    Vale: All Rise
    Keith from Wekin introduces May Day
    Wekin: May Day
    Aoife Nessa Frances: Emptiness Follows
    Phoeno: Kelly Brook
    Def Nettle: War Machine
    Yard: Lawmaker

    Listen On-Demand to The London Ear

    Thanks for listening, The London Ear is broadcast online and on your radio apps, in Ireland and around the world on RTÉ 2XM. You can always listen to the show on-demand after it has been broadcast on RTÉ 2XM on the RTÉ player including all previous episodes. The show is broadcast every Saturday at 1200. PLEASE NOTE THE NEW TIME OF MIDDAY!

    You can find all previous episodes on the pages of this site here.

  • The London Ear #388 DirtBirds + Sive

    The London Ear #388 DirtBirds + Sive

    The London Ear #388

    Back once again like the renegade master with another episode of The London Ear. Two, no, three great guests on the show today. In the first hour of the show, I chat to Dirtbirds about their upcoming show in London and find out about always having to be funny. In the second hour, singer-songwriter, Sive, popped in for a chat about her new album, ‘We Begin In Darkness’, which is just beautiful. The most gorgeous album of the year so far. Show #388 also has regular features of ‘From The Vault’ and ‘Sound of The Underground.’

    Dirtbirds on The London Ear with Nessy - social media image
    Sive on The London Ear With Nessy - social media image
    This week’s guests on The London Ear

    From The Vault: Little Palace

    This week’s Irish track From The Vault comes from Little Palace. They were absolutely cracking band from my hometown of Kells, in Co. Meath. They featured Michael Brunnock, Anne Louise Mulvany, Anthony Cregan, James Quinn, Martin Quinn and Ian Melady (later of Turn) on drums. They released the Beekeeper EP, a 4-track CD, which I had on constant rotation, about 1996. I chose to play ‘Secret’ from the EP.

    Sound of The Underground: Wu-Lu

    Sound of The Underground is the section of the programme where I introduce you to a London-based artist or band. This week’s artist is Wu-lu and their new track ‘Blame’. The single is taken from the forthcoming album ‘Loggerheads’ which will drop on July 8th on Warp Records.

    Another South London boy on The London Ear, keep an eye out. Wulu seems like an interesting character. The album is described as ‘an urgent, post-genre masterpiece for modern times and Wu-Lu’s most fully-realised music yet. Born out of fearless self-examination and expression, LOGGERHEAD is music for the ignored, underrepresented, and those without a voice.  A soundtrack to these richly troubled times intended to inspire and encourage.’

    Find out more on Facebook and Insta.

    Interview with Dirtbirds

    Dirtbirds in Gorey - Photo from Facebook
    Dirtbirds – Photo from Facebook

    *Cue dramatic superhero style voiceover* Sinead Culbert and Sue Collins are comedy writers and performers, each in their own right. But when they join forces, they are ‘Dirtbirds’. Dirtbirds have become a bit of a cultural phenomenon in Ireland, thanks to their irreverent real-life comedy, as seen by thousands on their videos.

    The pair are coming to London for a show in the London Irish Centre on June 17th and it’s set to be a cracker.

    To be honest, it’s a bit daunting, knowing you’re ‘Interviewing’ (I prefer chatting) a pair of comediennes. The pressure!! I did throw one in there though. Really enjoyed the chat with Sinead and Sue and I’m sure the show will be be a cracking night out.

    Book your tickets for the show here

    Interview with Sive

    Sive and Nessy make silly faces on Zoom

    I have to say that I was seriously impressed with Sive’s new album ‘We Begin In Darkness’. The musicality and production are just sublime. As I said during our chat, I’ve been listening to more electronic and rock music lately but this just blew me away. The layers and detail of the sounds on this record are just *chef’s kiss*. But that does not take away from the actual songwriting. As it should, it only enhances everything – beautifully.

    It’s the first I had the opportunity to chat with Sive and I really enjoyed chatting about her music and chatting about Embrace Music which is a fantastic initiative run with Sharon Murphy. “For the last seven years they have worked both together and separately in County Kildare running community choirs and delivering music sessions to people living with dementia and other age-related illnesses. The overall aim of Embrace Music is to give people as many different opportunities to embrace music, movement and other art forms as possible in their own locality, or even in their own home.“

    Find out more on her website: sivemusic.com

    The London Ear Playlist May 14 2022

    Here’s what happened on this week’s episode of The London Ear.

    Hour 1
    Strabe: Magic
    Roe: A Temporary Thing
    Elkae: White Dress
    Ger Eaton: Phoenix (Reborn)
    Louis Brennan: Full House
    Danger Mouse and Black Thought: No Gold Teeth
    Interview with Dirt Birds
    Pastiche: Written and Directed
    Aoife Nessa Francis: Emptiness Follows
    From The Vault: Little Palace: Secret
    faith Oliveyolive(feat Daryl Bengo, Kevon Dupri & Ammani Bengo)
    Axis Of: Blackcomber

    Hour 2
    Motel Club: La Plage
    Brooke Scullion: That’s Rich
    Sound of The Underground: Wu-Lu: Blame
    Interview with Sive
    Sive: Think Before I Speak
    Interview with Sive Part 2
    Sive: Dancing Alone
    Interview with Sive Part 2
    Sive: Annamackerrig
    Eimhin: Lately
    Keeley: 1990’s Brightest Star

    Listen On-Demand to The London Ear

    Thanks for listening, The London Ear is broadcast online and on your radio apps, in Ireland and around the world on RTÉ 2XM. You can always listen to the show on-demand after it has been broadcast on RTÉ 2XM on the RTÉ player including all previous episodes. The show is broadcast every Saturday at 1200. PLEASE NOTE THE NEW TIME OF MIDDAY!

    You can find all previous episodes on the pages of this site here.

    Join me next week for chats with Vale and Xnthony.

  • You Don’t Have To Be An Activist, You Know?

    You Don’t Have To Be An Activist, You Know?

    International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2022

    Seeing as today, May 17th, is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2022, I thought that today was the right time to share this piece I recently wrote.

    It’s something that was said to me during a recent conversation. I sat there not replying. They just didn’t get it. “You don’t have to be an activist, you know?”

    During the first lockdown, I took over as Acting Chair of the London Irish LGBT Network. Believe me when I say that this was something I really didn’t want to do. But, I didn’t want the group to come to an abrupt halt either.

    I’ve never been someone who is extremely out there. I live my life, get on with it and if you don’t like it, well, I don’t really need you around anyway. I know I’m very lucky. Not all queer people are afforded that luxury. I’m very lucky where I was born and where I live. But that doesn’t mean there is no homophobia or hatred.

    Again, I’ve been lucky. Me and Tallulah got a bottle thrown at us years ago, one night at Whitefriars in Dublin, just at Aungier Street. Terrible throw, missed badly. In Paris, a few lads cheered at us as they were cruising in their banger adjacent to the Seine. Ooh la la!

    In Ireland, I was never involved in LGBTQ community groups or work or politics, or anything. Just didn’t do it. It could be a hangover of Catholic guilt or the fact that there’s always someone who knows someone. But, when I moved to London, I really didn’t give a shit who knew anything about me.

    Taking over as Chair of the LILGBT Network gave me a sense of purpose during lockdowns. Something other than the day job. Organising online meet-ups and getting really good positive feedback from people, was massive. I was doing something right as Chair.

    But what does a London Irish LGBT group need to do, who do we represent? This is one question I’ve been asking since I got involved. Are we a social group, a campaigning group? I wasn’t sure and it took me a while to figure out. As a community group, we can facilitate bringing people together in a safe space, online and now that it’s a bit safer to meet up, in person also.

    We’ve run nights speaking to musicians, and actors, talking about housing, and Trans rights. It occurred to me that although not everyone comes to the meet-ups all the time, it’s important that our members, friends, and allies know that we’re always there. We don’t judge them for who they are and it’s a space where they can be themselves.

    The Colours of the light spectrum on a dark background -International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
    All the colours of the spectrum

    Hate Crimes on The Rise

    Homophobic and transphobic hate crimes have been on the rise for a number of years, it’s been something that has bubbled under the surface as the right-wing media stir the pot up. I organised an online event for London Irish LGBT Network with Robbie Lawlor and Veda Lady from Poz Vibe podcast, two HIV activists, and I thought that this was one of the last great taboos. I still do. There’s no shame in having HIV and there is still a huge amount of education surrounding it to be done. But, it was then that I was told ‘You don’t have to be an activist you know?’

    That’s not true. I’ve never considered myself an activist. I just do what I do and as a member of the London Irish Queer community, if I can do something to help others in my community, so be it.

    That activism and that sense of community are more important today than it has been in years. Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee, two members of the LGBTQ community were brutally murdered in Sligo not long ago. The beautiful west coast of Ireland where this shouldn’t happen. Ireland: the first country where marriage equality was voted in by a public vote.

    We Can All Be Activists

    I’m a firm believer that if you’re a member of a minority group, you should strive for equality or equity for all minority groups. I believe we should live in a fair society where we live and let live, and everyone has enough to eat. I don’t understand hatred. It takes a lot of energy to be angry and then to remain angry at a person or group of people. Imagine how much energy is wasted on homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic assaults and how many lives are changed for the worse.

    Even over the past while, there have been a rising number of these attacks on the LGBTQ community in Ireland. It breaks my heart. At home in Ireland and at home here in London, we as a community need to stand together and use our voices. Hate crimes are not okay and it’s not okay to ignore them just because they don’t affect you. Whether online, verbal, or physical, abuse is wrong. Friends, allies, and siblings in the LGBTQ community, use your voice, call these people out, and report ALL hate crimes. This can’t continue.

    The only way to make a better world is if we all act – if we’re all activists.

    Thanks for reading, I’d love your feedback and comments on we all can be better activists.