IMRO Chats

In this episode of the IMRO Podcast, we report back from the Music Current Festival 2024. Music Current is an annual contemporary music festival produced by Dublin Sound Lab, and taking place in the Project Arts Centre and Contemporary Music Centre in Temple Bar. The festival showcases contemporary Irish and new international electronic music as well facilitating workshops, professional developmen...

On today's episode we’re bringing you the second installment of a mini-series of conversations from Zara Hedderman that explore the various practicalities, challenges and, of course, the joys of running a record label in Ireland. In the first episode, we heard from Leitrim-based Willie Stewart of Nyahh Records, who shared great insights into the label’s catalog and more, since that episode ha...

On today’s episode, we are focused on something different - an initiative first started in February 2019, called ‘Me & My Music’   ‘Me & My Music’ brings together Musicians and Students in secondary schools across the country The workshop series teaches students the fundamentals of songwriting and allows them to create an original composition over the course of a school day. They also get...

In the first of a series of interviews focused on Irish record labels, today Zara Hedderman brings us an in-depth chat with Willie Stewart of Nyahh Records. Based in County Leitrim, Willie Stewart started Nyahh Records in 2021 and it’s described as a “home for sound collectors, noise makers and music builders”. A musician and member of Woven Skull, a filmmaker and no stranger to working within the...

On today's episode of the IMRO Podcast we're delighted to bring you an in-depth interview with Moonchild Sanelly. For the uninitiated, Moonchild is a South African singer, songwriter and designer, one of the biggest in fact - she's collaborated with everyone from Beyoncé to Gorillaz, developing a sound she’s dubbed 'Future Ghetto Funk'. Originally from Port Elizabeth, Moon...

On today’s episode of the IMRO Podcast, we have insights and expertise from Brian d’Souza. Brian is an award-winning sound artist, DJ, music producer and live performer with a masters in music psychology and sound design In 2007, he founded the playlist curation and music strategy company Open Ear, going on to work with thousands of brands around the globe including Nike, Google, Dr. Martens, Self...

On today's episode of the IMRO Podcast we meet Ahmed With Love. Releasing music since 2019, he’s quickly made a name for himself as a versatile and creative storyteller collaborating with like minded peers in Rory Sweeney, E The Artist and Bricknasty to name a few.   He spoke with Danny Carroll back in September, just after staging Clash At The Quays as part of the Dublin Fringe Festival. A u...

On today's episode we're bringing you conversations from a sunnier time, August in fact, when Danny Carroll travelled to the Treaty City - Limerick, and met some of the musicians performing at Féile na Gréine festival 2023.    Féile na Gréine is a free festival of emerging and experimental music, entirely volunteer led, with a DIY perspective, the festival celebrates art and community in...

On today's episode we’re focused on the Borderline Festival.   Borderline is a two day event supported by IMRO, held in the Workman’s Club on the 15th and 16th of February showcasing forward-facing music from Ireland and abroad   The inaugural event is being organised by the promoters Singular Artists, and ahead of the two day showcase Danny Carroll spoke with some of the people involved. Com...

On today's episode of the IMRO Podcast, we're in the company of Julie and Fiachra from NewDad   NewDad are a quartet originally from Galway, now based in London, that have just released their debut album Madra to much acclaim. Just before the album dropped last week, they spoke to Danny Carroll all about it - topics include working with producer Chris W. Ryan, the influence of bands such...

Today, we bring you the first of a two-part exploration into Ireland’s Night Time Economy; where we’ll look at what it is, who it affects, where we’ve been going wrong, and its current status as we approach 2024. From this two part focus, presented by Zara Hedderman, you’ll see just how broad this topic is and how it extends way beyond headlines about nightclubs staying open until 6am.  There’s so...

We’ve already shared the first part of an exploration into Ireland’s Night Time Economy, where DJ and Give Us The Night campaigner, Sunil Sharpe gave us a comprehensive overview of the topic. In this episode, the concluding part, Zara Hedderman interviews Mark Davies and Deputy James Lawless. Something discussed in Part One was the importance of a Night Time Economy Advisor - also known as Night M...

Singularity is a rarity in any artform, but Gavin Friday is as distinctive an artist now as he was in the late 70s to mid-80s when he was the primary focal point of the unclassifiable Virgin Prunes.  In this episode of the IMRO Podcast, Gavin Friday talks to Tony Clayton-Lea about his life in music and art, his solo work, his enduring friendship with U2 and his forthcoming album.

In this edition of the IMRO Podcast we meet David A. Tapley, the songwriter behind indie-rock outfit Tandem Felix Last week saw the release of the second Tandem Felix album, 'There's A New Sheriff In Town'. An eclectic, sometimes dark collection of songs, the album draws upon an impressive set of guest musicians, with Tapley and producer Stephen Dunne collaborating once again on an...

In this edition of the IMRO Podcast we are looking at international touring - from visa requirements to customs procedures, there's a number of crucial aspects that artists need to be aware of when touring abroad. Over the course of this episode Danny Carroll speaks to a diverse range of industry experts, discussing how artists best prepare themselves - particularly when attempting to tour th...

In this edition, Aoife Barry hosts a panel discussion on mental health and mindfulness in the music industry.  The podcast aims to shine a light on the mental health challenges faced by creative communities in 2023, as well highlighting the platforms and services available to those working in the industry. Featured on the panel is Kim O'Callaghan (Director of Minding Creative Minds) and Joe H...

In this edition of the IMRO podcast, we have an in-depth interview with Michael McGlynn - the composer, producer, director, and founder of the vocal ensemble Anúna.   Founded in 1987, Anúna has had an undeniable impact on the world stage, with Michael producing and recording 19 albums to date. The group has performed everywhere from the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, to Radio City Music Hall in New Y...

In this episode of the IMRO Podcast, Zara Hedderman meets songwriter/producer Elaine Howley backstage at The Sugar Club in Dublin.  Ahead of a sold-out show supporting The Bonk, Elaine spoke to Zara about her critically acclaimed debut album The Distance Between Heart And Mouth, which was released one year ago this week, and described by Pitchfork as "an ad hoc collection of songs that draw t...

Moderated by Paul McLoone, this panel discussion explores and demystifies the process of engaging and working with live music booking professionals and venues. Providing advice and insights on the panel are: É amonn Conway - MCD Booker/Artist Manager Stephen Bradley - Booker for The Belfast Empire Emily O'Connor - Singer with Vernon Jane Aiden O'Connor - Booker for Mike The Pies, Listowe...

In this episode of the IMRO Podcast, Tony Clayton-Lea meets singer-songwriter Gemma Hayes. Over 20 years ago, Gemma Hayes carved out a path for herself with a series of critically acclaimed albums that marked her out as one of Ireland's best songwriters.  Now back in the fray after a lengthy hiatus Gemma talks to Tony about the benefits of taking time out, her early days as a performer, her s...

Every year RTÉ 2fm in partnership with IMRO picks 10 emerging Irish acts to showcase on their station. In this episode Danny Carroll meets three of the acts that were chosen for 2023.  The podcast begins with 2fm’s Head of Music Adam Fogarty who explains what goes in to the Rising initiative, and we follow that with Dundalk duo Negro Impacto, Crumlin rapper KhakiKid and the Galway based MC Sweetle...

Since the 2016 release of her debut EP, Cork singer / songwriter, LYRA has embedded herself in the Irish music landscape, as well as making serious waves internationally.  In a wide-ranging conversation, LYRA talks to Tony Clayton-Lea about her songwriting background, early days in music and all the exciting things to come in the year ahead.... This is LYRA on the IMRO Podcast. 

This edition of the IMRO Podcast is focused on the Music Current Festival 2023. Taking place in the Project Arts Centre and Contemporary Music Centre in Dublin, the Music Current Festival showcases contemporary Irish and new electronic music across four nights from the 12th to the 15th of April. First started in 2016, this year’s Music Current Festival features four new concerts and a chamber oper...

For over 50 years, Paul Brady has proven his worth as a highly-proficient artist and performer, who is creatively fluent in many genres, with songs that blend innate melody with lyrical strength. His song-writing style was once described by U2's Bono as "the iron fist in a velvet glove." We are delighted to have Paul Brady on this episode of the IMRO Podcast to talk to Tony Clayton-...

Ahead of the release of a much-anticipated second album, and a run of gigs in North America culminating at SXSW, Zara caught-up with Ailbhe Reddy for this episode of The IMRO Podcast.  Direct from New York City, we hear all about the process, hard-work and passion that has gone into Endless Affair - which is set for release on March 17th.  Endless Affair follows the critically acclaimed, and Choic...