Let Christy Take It

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.

Let Christy Take It are proud to bring you Peggy Seeger.

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Thanks to our sponsor Irish Woodcraft, please check them out at https://irishwoodcraft.ie

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.

Let Christy Take It are proud to bring you Gavin Murphy

If you enjoy our show please Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts

Thanks to our sponsor Irish Woodcraft, please check them out at https://irishwoodcraft.ie

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Arthur Mathews, one of Ireland’s most celebrated comedy writers and the co-creator of Father Ted, a man who somehow turned priests, crazy golf and Craggy Island into television history. Arthur’s route into comedy was anything but straightforward. From growing up on a farm in County Meath and working at Hot Press, to playing drums, creating the legendary Joshua Trio and even applying for the Manchester United manager’s job, comedy was never exactly the plan. As Arthur puts it himself, he simply “drifted into it.” In this fascinating and very funny conversation, Arthur takes us behind the scenes of Father Ted, revealing how his priest uncles helped inspire the show, how Dermot Morgan, Ardal O’Hanlon, Frank Kelly and Pauline McLynn came to be part of it, and why Father Stone is his favourite episode. We talk about his time writing for British comedy shows, and his later collaboration with Matt Berry on Toast of London. Arthur explains the strange world of Steven Toast, the origins of Clem Fandango, his love of surreal and visual comedy, and even hints that there might be more Toast to come. There’s also I Keano, Arthur’s love of football and Drogheda United, a comedy western, a possible musical or two and Arthur’s adventures with petrol and matches. Funny, fascinating and full of stories, it’s a brilliant conversation with one of the great Irish comedy minds. 

We’d like to offer a special word of thanks to Drogheda United’s number one fan, Johnny McEvoy, and Eamonn Murtagh for helping make this interview with Arthur possible.

Let Christy Take It are proud to bring you Arthur Mathews.

If you enjoy our show, please like and subscribe whenever you listen to your podcasts

Photograph Credit Dara Mac Dónail

Thanks to our sponsor Irish Woodcraft, please check them out at ⁠https://irishwoodcraft.ie

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Arthur Mathews, one of Ireland’s most celebrated comedy writers and the co-creator of Father Ted, a man who somehow turned priests, crazy golf and Craggy Island into television history. Arthur’s route into comedy was anything but straightforward. From growing up on a farm in County Meath and working at Hot Press, to playing drums, creating the legendary Joshua Trio and even applying for the Manchester United manager’s job, comedy was never exactly the plan. As Arthur puts it himself, he simply “drifted into it.” In this fascinating and very funny conversation, Arthur takes us behind the scenes of Father Ted, revealing how his priest uncles helped inspire the show, how Dermot Morgan, Ardal O’Hanlon, Frank Kelly and Pauline McLynn came to be part of it, and why Father Stone is his favourite episode. We talk about his time writing for British comedy shows, and his later collaboration with Matt Berry on Toast of London. Arthur explains the strange world of Steven Toast, the origins of Clem Fandango, his love of surreal and visual comedy, and even hints that there might be more Toast to come. There’s also I Keano, Arthur’s love of football and Drogheda United, a comedy western, a possible musical or two and Arthur’s adventures with petrol and matches. Funny, fascinating and full of stories, it’s a brilliant conversation with one of the great Irish comedy minds.

We’d like to offer a special word of thanks to Drogheda United’s number one fan, Johnny McEvoy, and Eamonn Murtagh for helping make this interview with Arthur possible.

Let Christy Take It are proud to bring you Arthur Mathews.

If you enjoy our show, please like and subscribe whenever you listen to your podcasts,

Photograph Credit Dara Mac Dónail

Thanks to our sponsor Irish Woodcraft, please check them out at ⁠https://irishwoodcraft.ie

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Lloyd Cole, one of Britain’s most respected singer-songwriters. As the frontman of Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, he helped shape alternative music in the 80s with classic albums like Rattlesnakes, before going on to build a critically acclaimed solo career spanning more than four decades. In this fascinating conversation, Lloyd looks back on the formation of the Commotions, the stories behind songs like Perfect Skin and Are You Ready to Be Heartbroken and the literary influences that have always been at the heart of his songwriting. He also opens up about the pressures of success, the creative tensions that eventually led to the band’s breakup, and why moving to New York gave him the freedom to reinvent himself as a solo artist. We also discuss his love of music, from David Bowie and Bob Dylan to Steely Dan and disco, his ever evolving approach to songwriting, and why he believes the key to a lasting career is trusting your own artistic instincts rather than following trends. Insightful, honest and full of humour, it’s a conversation with an artist who continues to challenge himself creatively while remaining true to his own unique vision.
 
Let Christy Take It are proud to bring you Lloyd Cole.
 
If you enjoy our show please Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.
 
Thanks to our sponsor Irish Woodcraft, please check them out at https://irishwoodcraft.ie
 
Photo Credit: Doug Seymour