NO ENCORE

Spooky SZN is over but we can still get a little bit terrifying, right? Dave Hanratty and David Higgins return with another deep dive into the world of cinema as two iconic horrors take centre stage. In the red corner, it's Dario Argento's giallo classic Suspiria from 1977. In the blue corner, it's Luca Guadagnino's expansive, divisive reimagining of the same picture from 2018.  There's a lot to c...

As Kylie drags us back onto the dancefloor, esteemed music journalist Zara Hedderman completes her hat trick of 2020 NO ENCORE co-hosts. She joins Craig (finally!) for a Top 5 that works as both informative listening guide and emotional rollercoaster through hilariously bad career moves: it’s the Best And Worst Musical Reinventions.  That means Dave misses out on… ACT ONE (7:17) Trent Reznor learn...

Count 'em. Dave Hanratty and Craig Fitzpatrick embrace the week that's in it as they go back and forth on the very best and the absolute dirt worst songs powered by the good 'ol US of A.  There's also the new album from Ariana Grande to consider and plenty of music news to dissect. Plus, Dave gets to test out his shiny new microphone. A big thank you to those who support us over at patreon.com/noe...

Our album breakdown series returns as Dublin rapper Nealo breaks down his emotional debut All The Leaves Are Falling , track by track.  Also on the microphone is Sonic Architect Adam Shanahan , who produced a record that brims with autumnal hues and is imbued by significant victories and losses. In conversation with Dave Hanratty, Nealo takes us through a deeply personal journey, one that at one t...

Scares apparent on NO ENCORE as Halloween arrives and the boys Dave Hanratty and Craig Fitzpatrick engage in fright mode to deliver their Top 5 Scary Songs. Tunes that unnerve and upset the soul for the season that's in it.  There's also a new album from Bruce Springsteen to consider as The Boss unleashes his 20th studio record in the form of Letter To You . Craig is generally on board with the ic...

It's not a good day to be a bad guy . Dave Hanratty and David Higgins rise from their respective graves to discuss 1994 goth cult favourite The Crow , in which a murdered rock star seeks theatrical revenge. Is this a good film? How about the soundtrack? How does Brandon Lee's performance hold up? What is going on with Michael Wincott's voice and general dress sense? And does Jeff Hardy have a wres...

Back once again and kicking things up a level or five – it's NO ENCORE ~!  A stacked episode takes in the new Annie album, the best and worst in TV show theme songs and a special guest in the form of a young man that Dave once mercilessly took shots at. That man is Josh McClorey , formerly of The Strypes , now off on a solo run. Let's see if the two guys can make peace as Craig watches on nervousl...

NO ENCORE returns with another album breakdown episode in which baroque singer-songwriter Paddy Hanna takes us through all 11 songs on third studio record The Hill .  An abstract adventure yields a freewheeling conversation, with everything from cannibalism to Italian horror films to the wisdom of Las Vegas musicians to the conflict of growing up in Catholic Ireland on the agenda. Get involved.  P...

Dave Hanratty and David Higgins return to the world of musical cinema with a full-on epic non-stop music video in the form of Alan Parker's Evita . The film tells the life story of Eva Duarte as she goes from working class youth to B-movie sensation to political titan, emerging as both the most beloved and hated woman in Argentina along the way.  Does the constant barrage work? Is Madonna any use?...

We go again. NO ENCORE 's Dave Hanratty and Craig Fitzpatrick swap out Zoom for Skype this week, virtual prison given a fresh coat of paint as the boys try their best. We're all just trying our best, guys!  On the episode – Future Islands have a new album, the finest live performances come into focus, and the pop culture pendulum swings from Pokémon to The X-Files along the way. ACT ONE (3:25): It...

Our album breakdown – though this time it's a mix tape – series continues as superstar of the moment Denise Chaila and Rusangano Family sensation MuRli join Dave Hanratty in conversation, going through all 11 tracks on debut long-form project GO Bravely . On the agenda; sound of the summer 'Chaila' and the huge reaction to the song, being named as the best act in Ireland right now, MuRli's approac...

Yep, it's episode #236 despite Dave getting that wrong in the intro and it's time to burn, baby, burn. No, not a fun Ash belter from 2001 but rather it's DISCO INFERNO SZN~! A reunited Dave and Craig, under the watchful mirrorball eye of Sonic Architect Adam, get down accordingly.  Elsewhere this week; Róisín Murphy has a new album up for review consideration, Fontaines D.C. get a club-friendly fa...

NO ENCORE returns with another album-focused episode.  This time, Dave sits down with folk-indie singer-songwriter sensation Ailbhe Reddy to get the lowdown on her debut offering Personal History . It's a terrific record, well worth the wait, so be sure to dive into it properly after getting an in-depth track by track breakdown across this hour. Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore  ...

What’s wrong with being sexy? On the latest episode of NO ENCORE, we find out. As Craig Fitzpatrick (ie me) makes his return on a jam-packed show, we’re on a voyage of discovery, seeing a different side of Vin Diesel, deep diving the latest album from Sufjan Stevens and bringing the (occasionally nauseating) raunch with the Top 5 Sexiest Songs of All Time… And the Top 5 Least-Sexy “Sexy Songs”. It...

In the first of a new album-focused series, Pillow Queens break down long-awaited debut In Waiting - out now, do go listen ASAP - track by track. Dave caught up with Sarah Corcoran and Pamela Connolly from the band in a buzzy enough Workman's Club a couple of weeks before the record's arrival, hearing the stories behind the music – from inspirations to artwork to general conversational points aris...

The musical revolution will be televised as Dave Hanratty and guest co-host Zara Hedderman get lost in the vivid world of songs in advertisements for this week's top five. It's a busy episode in general with lots of news, a real-time reveal of the Mercury Prize winner and a spirited discussion on UK not-punks IDLES. ACT ONE [5:07]: Rolling Stone provides both list and op-ed gold, Dave is fierce pr...

Roll up, roll up. NO POPCORN returns with a modern arthouse classic – 2015's dizzying one-take triumph Victoria . As noted on the episode, we strongly urge you to watch this film knowing as little as possible so go and do that when you can.  As for the episode, Dave, Higgs and Norma are joined by Victoria super-fan Daithí as the quartet get lost in a dreamlike Berlin, fall madly in love with Nils...

Stay safe, wear a mask. As the lockdown baton passes from Craig to Dave, the NO ENCORE boys ponder the latest Top 50 from the so-called paper of record.  Elsewhere, there's a review of the new Everything Everything album and a Top 5 concerning the calendar. Craig has a reason for that selection, and it's a good one. ACT ONE [2:31]: A busy news week brings yet another contentious list, Noel Gallagh...

It's about that time. Dave and Craig rock up for another round of NO ENCORE mayhem as a duelling top five brings the best - and worst - out of your beloved hosts.  There's another notable return in the form of Doves, back with their first album in 11 years. Throw in some news items and baby, you've got yourself a music podcast. ACT ONE [5:52]: County Mayo and ukuleles feel Craig's wrath, Dave deba...

Dreaded technical difficulties strike but the NO ENCORE team powers through. We're all just doing our best, right?  Can the same be said for UK dance titans Disclosure and their third album? What about songs related to the school experience? And did *anyone* watch the MTV VMAs?  ACT ONE [6:02]: Award shows, governmental brainwaves, surreal futuristic cities and disastrous festivals - it's the news...

Back at it as another August weekend looms towards the grey and dreary. NO ENCORE is a ray of sunshine by comparison, of course. Dave and Craig sift through yet another contentious rundown, throw out their own shouts for the most noteworthy fictional musical acts and enlist a friend to talk about The Killers and their latest album. ACT ONE: Vice did a top 50 about landfill indie. The boys react ac...

Too often accused of 'hating The Beatles', Dave sets out to prove once and for all... that Yesterday is a complete shambles of a cinematic enterprise.  Norma and Higgs are also present with their own hot takes on the Danny Boyle / Richard Curtis musical train-wreck that quite a lot of people flocked to in the summer of 2019. ACT ONE: What We've Been Watching including emotive arthouse affairs, can...

Let's get emotional.  NO ENCORE is back with a stacked agenda in the form of a devastating Top 5 face-off, the first Bright Eyes album in almost a decade and the absolute STATE of the Irish government... ACT ONE: Craig's got mail. ACT TWO [8:46]: Confusion reigns over the status of small Irish gigs in the time of Covid-19 and the government really isn't helping. Dave chats with Vinny Casey of The...

Dave is proud of that top five moniker but will he be as happy when the actual rundown occurs? Only one way to find out, dear listener, as NO ENCORE returns for a brand new episode set against a backdrop of a ferocious dead heat. ACT ONE [4:51]: A whimsical news section takes in the American Song Contest, yet more problematic concert gatherings, Nick Cave addressing cancel culture, Lewis Capaldi c...

NO ENCORE does the 'movies and music' blender mix again as Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams do their utmost to pay respect to the most beloved European knockout music competition there's ever been. Dave, Higgs and Norma may be a touch less enamoured. We'll see. ACT ONE: What We've Been Watching featuring about 10 minutes on Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy because that never goes out of style. Sp...