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In this episode we chat to Phil Wyer whose solo project is The Owl Sounds. He has a busy week with not only the new single K-Town but also a single and album release from Meryl Streek with whom he plays bass and guitar in the studio. Real tales of life in LA, life as a session musician, and as a side man for Streek before stepping out into the limelight with his own tunes. Great chats in his first ever podcast interview! The Owl Sounds on Spotify The Owl Sounds on Bandcamp The Owl Sounds on Instagram Meryl Streek on Spotify BLAB cassettes Tracks played The Owl Sounds - Oscar The Owl Sounds - K-Town Meryl Streek - The Chancer

Goldbug is the moniker of Irish/French artist Danilo Ward. As he releases his debut LP we have a fascinating chat about his upbringing in a religious commune in the quiet isolation of rural Provence, his love of insects and animals and how all this has fed into a stunning collection of songs. Goldbug vinyl album Goldbug Instagram Goldbug Spotify Tracks played in this episode: Aqueduct Blink Backyard Birdbath Will-O'-The-Wisp

A mere four years after our collaboration started with Japanese Jesus' mighty 2022 single Bus Weirdo, we chat to frontman Bertie Kelly on all things JJ related; in particular their recent accidental debut album A Wall To Climb Over and its CD release. From being flown to London aged 17 to play for industry titans to knocking out two albums in a year, as well as a techno side project and being in SWEETS, we rattle through great tales of the Limerick music scene. Mighty craic and whopper music. Tracks played in this episode: Salty Over It Right Back Where I Started I'm In Bits A Wall To Climb Over CD GROUNDS on Bandcamp Supermodel Twins on Bandcamp Woodstar on Spotify

Joe Brody and Jasper Ryan from Dublin alt rock four piece Wifeswap join us to discuss the writing and making of their debut EP Digging. The EP releases on May 28 on streaming platforms and a Blowtorch Records vinyl record. The band play a launch gig in Dublin's Thomas House on May 30 and an instore in Spindizzy Records on June 7. Tickets for launch gig May 30 Tickets for the free instore June 7 Buy vinyl EP here Tracks played in this podcast Bosman Ruling Calliope Pearl Bastard Crutch II Laughter

Sean MacLeod is a Dublin-born musician blending indie pop and alternative rock with philosophical themes. He was a former and founding member of the Dublin based band Cisco and now purveys shimmering pop tunes blended with some avant garde microtonal sounds. We discuss his new album That's When The Earth Becomes A Star and get a sneak preview of music from his already written next album Magic. ⁠Sean MacLeod on Bandcamp⁠ Sean's books on Amazon Songs played Light Up The Sun Who Unchained the Earth from the Sun Don't Let Life Pass You By

One of the charms of running a podcast is that when you love a band, you can have a chat with them. And so, in this episode we talk to Zena, Scott and Will from Portsmouth post punk four piece Noise Factory United. They have recently released their debut EP Visions from the frontier and we discuss the influences, feminist icons, gripes, politics and music which have helped to shape this wonderful record. Noise Factory United Bandcamp Noise Factory United Instagram Norm Archer on Bandcamp (Will's other band) Olympe de Gouges (Quickest blade inspo) London Hammer story

Jesse Bloodgood is an independent songwriter from New York state whose authentic art is recognised for its earnest vocals and real, relatable emotional depth. We chat to him about his new EP 'Wishful Thinker' and he opens up with honesty about hard-to-talk about themes as we work though each track on the EP. This raises issues such as self-reflection, anxiety, depression, and other topics of vulnerability and aspiration for growth. As well as Jesse's music we talk about his experience of being an independent artist, self-promoting, crowdfunding his recording with Plaid Dog studio, the intriguing premise of Porchfest and the vast geographical distances involved in following music in the US. Jesse Bloodgood Bandcamp Porchfest Plaid Dog Studio

Eoin Devereux is a professor of cultural sociology at Limerick University and also one half of Blowtorch Records' post punk duo Dopamine Fix. Gardening Leave is his debut poetry collection featuring 48 poems which explore themes of working-class experience, social injustice, and nature through a bold, political, and often personal lens. They sometimes deliver explicitly local stories and sometimes widen out to show how those stories can intersect with global politics and contemporary social issues.  He reads from the collection and gives his trenchant views on a wide range of topics from poetry itself to Morrissey, The Fall, the demise of universities, the self aggrandisement of political parties and class structures in Ireland and the UK. More details of Gardening Leave

Recording in his Dublin Darklands studio, Dan Doherty is one of Ireland's most in demand producers. Before that he was in two well known Irish bands - Ghosts Estates and SICKBOY. He has recently picked up his drumsticks again to play with Galway chaos merchants Slyrydes. Many people might know him for his work on the first three Fontaines DC singles, however his list of credits is incredible, ranging from established artists such as The Jesus and Mary Chain, Hope Sandoval and Denzel Curry to raw, young talent bringing the latest rap, post punk or hip hop. P.S. if you do listen, sick boy is a lyric from The Stooges' Death Trip - no need to send a postcard!! The podcast opens with October and closes with Wake Up both by Ghosts Estates Darklands website Darklands on Instagram Ghost Estates on Spotify SICKBOY on YouTube

In this episode we are delighted to be joined by all four members of Galway band In Athens who recently released their debut EP Mirrorism, four tracks laced with notes of post-punk, shoegaze and fuzzy, experimental rock.  We discuss all things In Athens related, who does what, how many other bands they have been in, Galway weather and whether or not drummer Mosey is a heavy hitter. Mirrorism is available on a 12" vinyl LP via Blowtorch Records Tracks played: Or Anything Days Into Days Tides Expiration Marks

Beaming in from his Orc's Lair studio is Darragh Hansard, one half of funky psych pop duo Unique Freaks, along with his partner in space/time Beth Doyle. With a recent name change from Thee UFO and a brand new album to obsess over (Enjoyment Planted) there's plenty for us to chat about. For example, previous albums Beaming A Moments Reflection and Ponderous Fug; snails; production and mastering work for the likes of Search Results, The Daisy Chain, DUMB POSH HIPPIES and Puck; and err ... glasses. Tracks played: Junk Funk Garbage Surveyor Unconditionally Loving Pets Somebody Special (not Something Special as I said a couple of times - sorry!) Links Orc's Lair instagram Unique Freaks on Spotify Buy Enjoyment Planted on Bandcamp Contact Darragh: theeorcslair[at]gmail.com

In this episode we are delighted to welcome Emily Dollery, bassist and lead vocalist for THERAPY HORSE. She tells us her musical story, how the band came together, how the music comes together and the story of their epic 12 hour recording session. THERAPY HORSE are a Cork/Limerick trio bringing a terrific blast of no wave/noise rock/shoegaze energy to the Irish alternative guitar scene. They are completed by Cormac Donovan O'Neill and Eoin Schuch, who are also in Pebbledash. Their debut single LET ME BE CLEAR was released in August 2025 and second single LOVE/MERCY on September 26. THERAPY HORSE on Instagram Powgirl on Spotify Mother of Pearl LP on CD Lady Lazarus by Sylvia Plath Live Dates Dolans Kasbah Oct 2 with Mother of Pearl Cork Kino Oct 4 with Skinner Dolans Kasbah Oct 16 with The Low Field The Grand Social Nov 20 with Slyrydes

As Galway's thrillingly abrasive yet melodic four piece Slyrydes release their debut album 'What Happens If You Get Happy' five years after it was recorded, we chat to frontman Rafto and bassist Eoin. This is not a inquest into what went wrong, more a celebration that this brilliant album is now available for everyone to hear. A combination of Covid and personal issues scuppered the original release and they don't shy away from talking about the addiction and communication issues which hampered them. But now clean, sober and raring to go they look forward to live dates, a vinyl release and potentially new music. Highly recommended listening. Slyrydes Bandcamp Order album vinyl Slyrydes on Instagram Slyrydes live Tracks played: Mental Health Procrastination Is A Fear Of Failure Famous To Five Million Just For Show

Taking time out from a busy schedule as the band rehearse for the recording of their debut album, accordion maestro Finn Ó Mainnín guides us through all things Cardinals. A Cork band with heart, soul and principles. They continue to develop their unique sound on latest single 'Big Empty Heart' and look forward to a big festival Summer including supporting Fontaines DC. Then it's an Autumn tour taking in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. Flying high and unionising romance. Cardinals' Instagram All gig tickets

In our latest episode we are heading over the Atlantic to chat to Andy Gesner. Andy is the founder and president of HIP video promotion based in New Jersey in the USA. His company have promoted over 4800 music videos, starting with someone called Johnny Cash and his video for Hurt. Interestingly they have turned down over twice that number which for us that marks them out as a company of integrity. Andy shares over 20 years of experience in this field and has great advice and tips on how up and coming artists can produce and promote videos which will help them carve out a career in a tough industry.  As he says "if you are a music creative your visual is your most potent and powerful piece of marketing currency" You don't get a second chance to make a first impression! HIP website HIP on Instagram