Episode 123 - Pete Best

On this week’s episode we are joined by David Geraghty, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and founding member of Bell X1. Dave takes us back to his early musical influences, his years with Juniper and the journey that followed with Bell X1. He reflects on the band’s evolution, their success and the songs that have stayed with him along the way. We also explore his work as a solo artist, from Kill Your Darlings and Monomania to his new album Komorebi. Dave talks about his songwriting process, composing music for film and the fascinating story behind the single, “Miss Manhattan”, inspired by the extraordinary life of model and muse Audrey Munson. From his early days making music in Leixlip to his ambition to make a living through music, this is a great conversation about creativity, songwriting and following your own path.

On this week’s episode we are joined by Shobsy, the Dublin singer, songwriter and performer who first came to prominence as frontman of Irish rock band State Lights. Shobsy takes us through his musical journey, from discovering Michael Flatley and Riverdance as a child to the influence of David Bowie, Queen, U2 and Elvis. He also reflects on the time spent developing his sound with State Lights before embarking on a solo career. We talk about Shobsy’s distinctive voice, his love of big choruses and theatrical performances, and how he approaches songwriting. He also tells us the stories behind songs like “Champagne” and the personal experiences that have shaped his music. We also discuss the performance that brought Shobsy to a much wider audience, his stunning acoustic version of Bronski Beat’s “Smalltown Boy” on The Late Late Show, a song that took on an even deeper meaning following the murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee in Sligo. From his work with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra to performing sold-out shows around Ireland, Shobsy talks about his ambitions, his influences, the music industry and what he wants audiences to feel when they see him perform live.

On this week’s episode we are joined by Cormac Battle, guitarist and songwriter with legendary Kilkenny rock band Kerbdog. Cormac takes us back to the early days of the band, their influences, recording their self titled debut album with Nirvana producer Jack Endino, and the making of their second album, On The Turn, in Los Angeles. We talk about the frustrations surrounding the delayed release of On The Turn, the album’s growing reputation, Kerbdog’s reunion and the experience of playing those songs live again. From being one of Ireland’s most exciting young rock bands in the 90s to becoming a hugely influential cult favourite, Kerbdog’s music has continued to find new audiences long after the band originally split. Now, as they mark 30 years of On The Turn, they’re returning to the stage to perform the album in full at Dublin’s 3Olympia. Cormac also talks about the songs, the studios, the bands that influenced Kerbdog and what it feels like to revisit an album that has taken on a life of its own.

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Peggy Seeger, one of the most influential figures in folk music on both sides of the Atlantic, a singer, songwriter, musician, feminist and activist whose extraordinary life has been intertwined with some of the biggest names in folk music. Born into a remarkable musical family, Peggy grew up surrounded by music. Her mother was the pioneering composer Ruth Crawford Seeger, her brother was Pete Seeger, and the family home was visited by legendary figures including Alan Lomax, Lead Belly and Woody Guthrie. Peggy talks about her childhood, learning music from her mother, Pete’s influence and her journey to Britain in 1956, where she met Ewan MacColl. She tells the brilliant story of their first meeting, when she sang The House Carpenter and discusses their relationship, musical partnership and enormous influence on the British folk revival. We talk about folk music, singing songs from your own culture, feminism and the story behind Gonna Be an Engineer, which became an anthem of the women’s movement. Peggy also reflects on traditional ballads, activism, songwriting and the importance of truth and character in performance. She shares memories of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, the song Ewan wrote for her, as well as the hilarious story of forgetting a line while performing it on The Late Late Show after 70 years of singing the song. We also discuss her final album, her farewell tour and what she hopes to pass on to the next generation of musicians. Insightful, funny and completely unforgettable, this is a conversation with one of folk music’s great characters.

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Gavin Murphy, guitarist and manager of These Charming Men, one of Ireland’s best known Smiths tribute bands, and a man whose love of The Smiths has taken him from Dublin’s northside to stages around the world. Gavin takes us back to growing up in Donaghmede, his early love of Horslips and Thin Lizzy, and the moment hearing “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now” changed everything. He tells us how These Charming Men came together in 1995, the story behind their incredible trip to the Smiths and Morrissey Convention in Los Angeles, and how they ended up playing the main stage at Japan’s Fuji Rock Festival in front of 35,000 people. We talk Johnny Marr, the painstaking process of recreating his distinctive guitar playing, the enduring appeal of The Smiths, and why the band’s fans are among the most passionate you will find. Gavin also gives his thoughts on Morrissey and Marr, the possibility of a Smiths reunion, and reveals the story behind a personal letter he received from Morrissey. There’s also Gavin’s own music, including his 2020 album 45RPM, his work teaching guitar and ukulele to children in Sligo, These Charming Men’s sold out Olympia shows, Forest Fest, Electric Picnic and what keeps the band going after more than 30 years. Passionate, fascinating and packed with stories about one of the most influential bands in British music history, it’s a brilliant conversation with the man behind one of Ireland’s most enduring tribute acts.