To Here Knows When - Great Irish Albums Revisited

On this episode I’m joined by Andy White, to chat about 1986's Rave On Andy White, his debut album which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. We chat about living in Dún Laoghaire in the mid-90s; Belfast in the 70s and 80s; Terri Hooley and Good Vibrations; The Clash in Belfast; John Cooper Clarke; John Peel; Billy Bragg; manager Peter Jenner; Dave Robinson and Stiff Records; Tom Verlaine and Television; Janice Long; Peace Together; Sinéad O’Connor; WOMAD; producer John Leckie; recording in Abbey Road and living in Melbourne. Episode notes: www.paulmcdermott.ie/episode-59

On this episode I’m joined by David Kitt to talk about The Big Romance. Our chat takes in: the writing and recording of 2000's Small Moments, his debut record on Rough Trade Records; the recording of The Big Romance, its release and huge success; touring Europe; further albums including 2006's Not Fade Away; touring with and eventually joining Tindersticks; re-recording The Big Romance in advance of its 25th anniversary and a whole lot more. Episode notes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.paulmcdermott.ie/episode-58.

A short preview of Episode 58 – The Big Romance by David Kitt

An archive interview with Nigel Grainge on setting up Ensign Records, signing Thin Lizzy, The Boomtown Rats, The Waterboys, Sinéad O’Connor, Into Paradise and Stump, and other stories. Episode notes: https://www.paulmcdermott.ie/bonus-episode-9

On this episode I’m joined by Bob Geldof to talk about The Boomtown Rats' second album, A Tonic For the Troops. Our chat goes in many different directions: Ireland of the 1970s, signing to Ensign Records, working with producer Mutt Lange, the Catholic Church in Ireland, The Boomtown Rats at 50, ‘Rat Trap’ hitting No. 1 in the UK and more. Episode notes: https://www.paulmcdermott.ie/episode-57