Tag: radio

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.

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.

May 21, 2022
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.’

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 – 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.

May 19, 2022
The London Ear 387 with Missing The Ferry

The London Ear #387

Show 387 of The London Ear on RTÉ 2XM. Along with 113 shows of Culture Cafe, before I moved to London, that is a total of 500 shows on 2XM, which I have to say, I’m very chuffed with. Here’s to 500 more! Here’s what went down on this week’s episode of The London Ear, with my special guest, Chris Anderson from London Irish band, Missing The Ferry.

Thanks very much to Matt Taylor and Rachel for sending me their voice notes to introduce their tracks.

From The Vault: Dara

This week’s Irish track From The Vault comes from Dara. Dara, aka Daragh O’Toole, released an album called ‘The Eye of The Clock’ in 2000. I loved this album. When I was working in a post-production house, making CDs and cassettes, we manufactured Dara’s album. I was lucky enough to hear this album and the singles before release and I absolutely adored the production on it. Daragh has a knack with strings and arrangement and also did the string arrangement on U2’s The Sweetest Thing and has done lots of film work including ‘The Gangs of New York.’ P.S. Josie Doherty’s vocals on this track are absolutely immense.

Daragh is still making music, you can find him on his website.

Sound of The Underground

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 Moreish Idols. Originally from Cornwall, the band moved to London and signed to Dan Carey’s Speedy Wunderground label. Dan is a bit of a legend and worked on Fontaines D.C.’s ‘Dogrel’ amongst others.

You can find out more about Moreish Idols on Bandcamp, Facebook, and Insta.

Interview with Chris from Missing The Ferry

It was great to catch up with Chris from Missing The Ferry to chat about the band’s new single, ‘Castlebar’. Chris was previously a guest on The London Ear as a member of elephants and castles.

Chris, his brothers, and a childhood friend formed Missing The Ferry in St Albans and over the past couple of years, have built up a nice little following here in London with their London Irish music. It’s a good mixture of Irish folk mixed with contemporary tales.

I chatted to Chris about his second-generation Irish identity, the convergence of punk and folk and Tony Cascarino. Spoiler: Tony Cascarino was on my train just before I spoke to Chris.

You can find out more about Missing The Ferry on Bandcamp, Twitter, Facebook and Insta.

The London Ear Playlist May 7 2022
Here’s what was was on the playlist for this week’s episode of The London Ear.

Hour 1
Sinead O’Brien: Good Times Are Coming
Fears: 16
Vale: Warning Sign
Rachel: Maybe We Could Be Something
Kae Temptest feat Grian Chattan: I Saw Light
Roe: I Dare You
Ger Eaton: Phoenix (Reborn)
Dani Larkin: Heron, Until We’re Free
Sack: Sleeping On The Floor
Sam O.G. Heated
From The Vault – Dara: The Way
Aby Coulibaly: On My Ones
The Clumsy Giantess x Shammen Delly x Tuath: Summer Is A Cumin In
Hour 2
Working Mens Club: Circumference
Naked Lungs: Why Do People Change
Sound Of THe Underground: Moreish Idols
Matt Taylor: April 13th
Soak: Puragatory
Interview with Chris from Missing The Ferry
Missing The Ferry: Duty Free
Interview with Chris from Missing The Ferry Part 2
Missing The Ferry: Castlebar
The Whileaways: Toss The Bobbin
Wekin: Seven
Mogwai: Bolt For Cover

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.

May 12, 2022
The London Ear #384 with Emét

The London Ear #384 with Emét

Welcome to The London Ear #384! Lots of fun on this week’s episode. I loved catching up with Emét, aka Emmet McGonagle from Derry, to chat about their new album ‘Carlin’s Farm’ and had great fun choosing the music for the show.

From The Vault

This week’s Irish track From The Vault comes from Berkeley. They were a band that everyone was talking about for a while. They formed in 2001 in Donegal and recorded their debut album ‘Hope, Prayers and Bubblegum’ with Steve Albini. Tommy McLaughlin from the band now runs Attica Studios and let’s face it, he’s a bit of a legend!

Sound of The Underground

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 Sweet Giant.

Here’s what the band say about the tracks: “The songs were a product of the time spent during lockdown and a need for escapism from the world we were experiencing. We decorated our little box of a studio with colourful materials, pictures and plants to try to make it feel like we were somewhere far from the grey of north London. The wallpaper on our computer screen is a photo Marco took in the Desert (Joshua Tree). We would look at that and imagine it was a window while we were playing. I think there is a common theme on this EP of trying to ‘get away’ and find somewhere better.”

Gang, as long as you’ve got bucket loads of Factor 50, I’m happy to head off to the desert with yiz!

You can find out more about Sweet Giant on their website.

Check out the video Sweet Giant’s last single and title track from their EP, ‘Til You’re Gone’. It really has that dustbowl vibe that emanates from their music.

Interview with Emét

Emét and Nessy chat via Zoom

It was an absolute pleasure to chat to Emét on what was the release day of his album ‘Carlin’s Farm.’ It can’t be easy releasing an album when you’re living away from home, when you’ve recorded it at home. I’ve spoken to lots of Irish people on The London Ear about moving away from Ireland and this interview with Emét really struck a chord with me personally. Each time we move country, or even the longer we live outside Ireland, we all develop a different sense of what Ireland is and what it means to us. I guess that’s the whole point of The London Ear.

Emét is originally from Derry and now living in Calgary, Canada. I have to say it sounds awesome. Emét described the place as a ‘gay cowboy town’. I’ve always wanted a stetson!

Carlin’s Farm is a beautiful album, I encourage you to sit down for an hour and chill out to this masterclass in storytelling. I love how visual each song is, you can see the movie play out as you hear each song.

FInd out more about Emét on their website and on Insta and Twitter.

Check out the video for the title track from Emét’s album below:

The London Ear April 16 22: Playlist
Here’s what was on the playlist for this week’s episode of The London Ear.
Hour 1
Sack: Sleeping On The Floor
SPIDER: I’M Fine I’M Good! I’m Perfect!
Nixer: Decisions
First Class & Coach: Neon Hip
Dirty Dreamer: Downhill
Fontaines DC: Skinty Fia
Cornerboy: Blackstairs Winter Snow
Zapho: Peoples
Hercules & Love Affair & Anohni: Poisonous Storytelling
Pillow Queens: The Wedding Band
Berkeley: New Star
Soak: puragtory
Blossoms: The Sulking Poet
The Clockworks: Endgame
Hour 2
Self Esteem: You Forever
Just Mustard Mirrors
Rosie Carney: dad
Sound Of The Underground: Sweet Giant
Roe: I Dare You
Interview with Emét
Emét: Carlin’s Farm
Interview with Emét (Part 2)
Emét: Sticky Floor Serenade
It’s Just Cat: Not a Vibe
David Holmes: It’s Over, If We Run Out Of Love
Jamie XX: Let’s Do It Again

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.

April 20, 2022