Dark Room Notes hailed originally from Galway and featured Ronan Gaughan, Ruairi Ferrie and Ruairi Cavanagh (drums). They were joined by Arran Murphy from Wicklow and Darragh Shanahan (drums) from Dublin. This session for Alison Curtis ‘Last Splash’ show on TodayFM was recorded in 2007. They released two albums ‘We Love You Dark Matter’ in 2009 and ‘Dark Room Notes’ in 2012. The band is no more but there is a nice Austrian fansite here. The photo is courtesy Sean McCormack.
Lovesong (2007)
Another great band that are sorely missed round these parts, Future Kings Of Spain were founded by Joey Wilson (guitar & vocals), Anton Hegarty (bass) and Bryan McMahon (drums). Their first gig in 2000 was a support slot for J Mascis & The Fog. They were joined in 2003 by Karl Hussey (guitar). I first came across them on the March 2003 HMV Playlist CD. This is a 2007 interview with Alison Curtis on her TodayFM show ‘The Last Splash’.
Joey Wilson (Future Kings Of Spain) – Alison Curtis Interview (2007)
Radio listeners missing their weekly ration of A House frontman Dave Couse of a Sunday night will be happy to hear that he is back on our airwaves, temporarily at least, all this week on TodayFM. Dave will be in Paul McLoone‘s chair from 9pm – midnight, Monday – Thursday this week while Paul is busy with The Undertones. Dave last sat in back in April and he was kind enough to say some very nice things about us and play a few tracks which we suggested. So turn off the TV and tune in your radio, who knows, you might like what you hear!
Listeners to Sunday’s Dave Couse Show on TodayFM this week got a little more than they bargained for. Dave was hosting a special all Irish ‘An Teach Solas‘ edition to commemorate our national holiday when with 15 minutes to go he announced that his show was to be axed. Dave had apparently known for some time but as he himself says, naively thought a reprieve might come. Alas that was not the case and the Sunday evening 10pm – midnight show which has been running for almost 6 years has but two final installments remaining. Check out the show on the TodayFM player.
Dave Couse Axed (2014)
Dave Couse is doing a Saint Patricks Day special this Sunday night from 10pm featuring two hours of tunes by Irish artists. He has form here so be sure to tune in. The current promo for Dave’s show is a 2014 update of ‘Endless Art by A House..
Endless Art (2014)
Photo (c) Sunday Times
George Byrne, Irish Independent (22/11/2013)
Declan Lynch, Sunday Independent (24/11/2013)
RTE.ie (24/11/2013)
Tom Dunne, Newstalk (4/12/2013)
Ray D’Arcy Show, TodayFM (28/11/2013)
John Caddell, ‘Finest Worksongs’ Phantom FM (28/11/2013)
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 10 years since one of my favourite bands called it a day. Joe Chester, Pat, John and Dermot Barrett and Terry Cullen in other words the band that was Ten Speed Racer are having an impromptu reunion this Friday upstairs in Whelan’s. Originally listed as a gig by The Hedge Schools (Pat’s post 10sr solo project with Joe), all 5 original 10sr members will be on stage which is no mean feat given that a number of them no longer live in the country. Dermot and Joe (who produced Ryan Sheridan’s album, currently at the top of the German charts) will appear on Colm O’Sullivan’s TodayFM show tonight. If anyone has any sessions please get in touch.
Joe & Dermot with Tom Dunne (3rd May 2013)
Joe & Dermot on TodayFM (1st May 2013)
To celebrate the imminent release of ‘Good Vibrations‘ the movie about an independent record store in Belfast, based on Terri Hooley’s autobiography ‘Hooleygan‘ Paul McLoone on TodayFM will be having a Good Vibrations show tonight in his 9pm – midnight slot. Paul will feature an interview with Terri as well as lots of great music from the era. As they say round these parts, go see the movie early and often! If you check back after the show we hope to add a recording, blank tapes willing and all that.
Update: Adding recording of the show. Fans of Ulster Punk might want to check out the IFI on Saturday at 16.10 where you can catch the John T. Davis documentaries ‘Shellshock Rock’ & ‘Self-Conscious Over You’.
Terri Hooley on the Paul McLoone TodayFM show (28.3.2013)
Terri Hooley on the Dave Fanning 2FM show (6.4.2013)
Trailer:
https://youtu.be/SE17U5ML9dQ
We like radio specials and Dave Couse is revisiting what we still call ‘An Teach Solas‘ this Sunday for only the third time. He hasnt said too much on the subject but we are hoping for 3 hours of Irish rock music from the last 4 decades all hand chosen by the frontman of Dublin’s A House interspersed with a few anecdotes. An Teach Solas is a loose translation for The Lighthouse which is what Dave’s TodayFM Sunday night show used to be called before the suits became confused. We hope to record the show and post it here for posterity but just in case you’d like to catch it live consider yourselves forewarned.
P.S. Ed Smith producer of the Paul McLoone show and host of ‘Ed’s Indie Disco‘ 10pm Saturday nights on TodayFM is also hosting an all Irish edition for the weekend that’s in it.
Update: Adding the audio for those who missed the show. Tracklist to follow.
An Teach Solas 3.0 (17th March 2013)
Andy White – Religious Persuasion
Undertones – Mars Bars
Blue In Heaven – Just Wanna
Into Paradise – Rain Comes Down
Fatima Mansions – Blues For Ceausescu
The Pale – Joan Of Arc On Broadway
Power Of Dreams – Never Been To Texas
Delorentos – Little Sparks
Brilliant Trees –
Rollerskate Skinny – Speed To My Side
Favourite Sons – Safe For All Seasons
The Frank & Walters – How Can I Exist
Republic Of Music – I Like Music
Simple Kid – Truck On
Morrissey – Suedehead
Thin Lizzy – Dont Believe A Word
Pugwash – Anyone Who Asks
Sinead O’Connor & Shane McGowan – Haunted
Sinead O’Connor – Queen Of Denmark
Stars Of Heaven – Someone Is Getting Tired Of You
Rory Gallagher – Follow Me
U2 – A Sort Of Homecoming
The Infomatics – Wake Up
David Long – London Is Fog
O Emperor – Holy Fool
Whipping Boy – The Honeymoon Is Over
Van Morrison & Chieftains – She Moved Through The Fair
Adrian Crowley – The Wishing Seat
A House – Take It Easy On Me
Boomtown Rats – Looking After Number 1
My Bloody Valentine – If I Am
Electric Penguins – Self Portrait
That Petrol Emotion – Cellophane
David Holmes – Gritty Shaker
The Pogues – If I Should Fall From Grace With God
Microdisney – Are You Happy Now?
Engine Alley – The Flowers
Briana Corrigan – Monster
Horslips – The Man Who Built America
Boa Morte – Tonight She Said
Elvis – Danny Boy
This week’s Hot Press has a feature on a new TodayFM show ‘Poetic Champions Compose‘ a series revisiting classic Irish albums, presented by Fiachna Ó Braonáin.
In the coming weeks eight contemporary Irish artists will lead a celebration of eight classic albums, sharing stories of how these seminal LPs have played a part in their own musical journey and treating listeners to an intimate performance of a track from their chosen album.
We’ll also hear from some of the artists, managers and producers who worked on the records and some of the music industry giants who are still under their spell, decades later.
Expect to hear
[Oct 21] Julie Feeney – ‘The Lion and The Cobra‘ (Sinead O’Connor)
[Oct 28] Paddy Casey – ‘Fisherman’s Blues‘ (The Waterboys)
[Nov 04] Damien Dempsey – ‘Alive & Dangerous‘ (Thin Lizzy)
[Nov 11] Kila’s Colm Ó Snodaigh – ‘A Tonic For The Troops‘ (Boomtown Rats)
[Nov 18] Duke Special – ‘Moondance‘ (Van Morrison)
[Nov 25] Gemma Hayes – ‘Loveless‘ (My Bloody Valentine)
[Dec 02] Bressie – ‘Achtung Baby‘ (U2).
The show kicks off this Sunday 14th October 2012 at 7pm with Mundy who chose ‘Rum, Sodomy & The Lash‘ (The Pogues).
Fiachna Ó Braonáin previews the series on the Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show (12th Oct 2012)
We have a soft spot for record shops but seem to have ended up charting their demise. This morning Ian Dempsey chatted to the boss of Dolphin Discs, Talbot Street, Dublin who after 40 years in business are closing their doors. Ian spent 10 minutes reminiscing with Paul O’Reilly who had a few interesting tales to tell including a few of strokes pulled. The shop closes Sunday and as Ian says everything must go so head on down share a few memories and maybe pick up a few bargains.
Paul O’Reilly of Dolphin Discs on Ian Dempsey (25.9.12)
The great reviews for the new ‘Strange Passion- Explorations in Irish Post Punk, DIY and Electronic Music 1980-83‘ compilation on Finders Keepers offshoot Cache-Cache are coming fast and furious and Darren McCreesh the man behind the release has been out and about giving interviews. Here’s what happened when he visited the TodayFM studios to talk to Carrellines (anyone got their Fanning session?) singer Paul McLoone. While you’re waiting for this to load up why not check out the reviews by Pitchfork, factmag, avclub, norman records and state magazine. An album stream is available here. The CD and vinyl release come with detailed liner notes so do yourself a favour and pick up the physical release. Personally we’re hoping Darren will concentrate solely on the RTE Fanning Sessions for his next compilation.
Darren McCreesh on Paul McLoone show (12th July 2012)
A cracker of a show on Sunday night from Dave Couse on TodayFM for An Teach Solas 2.0. Here’s the playlist and for the next 6 days you can listen back on the TodayFM website, parts one and two. Not sure I would have predicted too many of these choices but am certainly going to be listening back to this show.
The Movement – Tell Her (1967)
The Fatima Mansions – Blues For Ceaucescu
That Petrol Emotion – Candy Love Satellite
Sinead O Connor – Jerusalem
Rollerskate Skinny – Swingboat Yawning
Patrick Kelleher – Miracle Candle
The Frank & Walters – Franks Right
The Radiators From Space – Television Screen
Thin Lizzy – The Farmer (1970)
Gemma Hayes – Hangin Around
Whipping Boy – Favourite Sister
My Bloody Valentine – Strawberry Wine
We Cut Corners – The Leopard
And So I Watch You From Afar – A Little Bit Of Solidarity Goes A Long Way
The Outcasts – Self-Conscious Over You *
Brian – Understand
Taste – Same Old Story
Horslips – The Man Who Built America
The Infomatics – Wake Up
David Holmes – Gritty Shaker
A House – I’ll Always Be Grateful
The Brilliant Trees – Let It All Go
Engine Alley – The Flowers
Paul Clancy – Halo
Briana Corrigan – Angels Cradle
The Undertones – Julie Ocean
Sugar Shack – Morning Dew
The Blades – Revelations Of Heartbreak
The Pogues – Dark Streets Of London
The Divine Comedy – Tailspin
Maskedman – Stupid Earth Boy
* most requested band/song of the night
An Teach Solas (2012)
Dave Couse (A House) has a TodayFM Sunday night show called The Lighthouse. Two years ago he did an all Irish special called ‘An Teach Solas‘. Dave has now decided it’s time to do a second show in the same vein and is asking his listeners to request their favourite Irish tracks. The show goes out in two weeks on St Patricks weekend from 10pm till midnight on March 18th. Dave has been known to extend the show if he doesnt manage to squeeze everything in and I’m hopeful this might be just one of those occasions. You can email him your requests or text TodayFM during his show next Sunday. He will not be able to play vinyl so if your choice is of that era he’ll need ample notice but he open to accepting MP3 submissions. Let the games begin..
From Dublin The Minutes are Mark Austin (vocals & guitar), Tom Cosgrave (bass) and Shane Kinsella (drums). They have made an impression round these parts with a number of very catchy singles, the latest of which ‘Heartbreaker’ was song of the week on Ian Dempsey‘s TodayFM breakfast show recently. They are about to perform a sellout show in The Academy before embarking on an extensive UK and european tour so tell your friends.
Heartbreaker (live)
Stayed up way way too late last night but was fascinated by this special broadcast on Donal Dineen‘s TodayFM show ‘The Small Hours’. In the show Donal talks of his early RTE career with ‘No Disco‘, moving to Radio Ireland with his ‘Here Comes The Night‘ show, working alongside John Kelly and finally the transition to TodayFM and ‘The Small Hours’.
Donal Dineen took part in a very special event as part of Culture Night 2011 .It was part of an overall night called Sounds Alive which was put together by Julian Clancy as something of an ode to radio; featuring special guests, interviews, stories, talk and performance from the world of radio.
For Donal’s contribution to the night he hosted a special live version of his Small Hours show, celebrating his adventures in broadcasting with his fans, some very special guests, and some incredible music.
The live show took part at Hello Operator and special live guests included Si Schroeder, Patrick Kelleher and Angkorwat- who dropped by for a chat about Arthur Russell. The show also features a rare interview with Donal – conducted by Julien- where he talks about his love of radio as a medium, what made him want to work in radio and memories of those early days at Radio Ireland.
This special radio event was sponsored by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland
Donal Dineen: An Ode To Radio (2011)
Donal Dineen originally came to our attention as host of RTE2 TV music show ‘No Disco’. Since the launch of Radio Ireland in March 1997 he has been a stalwart of the Irish airwaves first with his show ‘Here Comes The Night’ (which followed the John Kelly hosted ‘The Eclectic Ballroom’) and latterly with his now TodayFM show ‘The Small Hours’. 14 years later on Thursday December 1st this show will come to an end. Tonight at midnight will see Donal’s last regular show playing records because tomorrow a recording of his “An Ode to Radio” show for Culture Night will air. Next week promises to be very special as Donal has lined up a long list of guests in studio including; Lisa O’Neill, katie kim, Cian Nugent, Sean Carpio, Sean MacErlaine, Niwel Tsumbu, Patrick Kelleher, catscars, Moths, Si Schroeder and Sunken Foal. The Small Hours Wake will take place on Friday December 2nd at The Joinery. Check out pieces from harmlessnoise, On The Record, Mick Heaney and a Hot Press interview from 2002. If anyone has any ‘Here Come The Night’ recordings they would like to share please drop us a line we promise to give them a good home. There are some ‘Small Hours’ shows and playlists on Donal’s TodayFM page as well as some ‘Fresh Air’ podcasts on iTunes. For the “Dineen motherlode” however check out smallhours.fm.
Fans of Neil Hannon / The Divine Comedy are sure to enjoy this show from the archives. It dates from 11th August 1998 when Neil dropped in to the TodayFM studios to talk to John Kelly about the upcoming Divine Comedy album ‘Fin De Siecle‘ and to chose some favourite songs. John Kelly’s show at that time was the ‘Eclectic Ballroom’ which he presented until 2000 when he moved to RTE to drive the ‘Mystery Train‘.
The Divine Comedy – Life On Earth (Fin De Siecle)
The Walker Brothers – The Electrician
The Divine Comedy – Sunrise
John Coltrane – A Love Supreme
The Divine Comedy – Thrill Seeker
The Divine Comedy – Commuter Love
Ginny Arnell – I Wish I Knew What Dress To Wear (1964)
The Simpsons – Who Needs The Kwik-E-Mart?
The Divine Comedy – National Express
Prince – If I Was Your Girlfriend
The Divine Comedy – Sweden
Nino Rota – Something from ‘La Strada’
Eclectic Ballroom (11th August 1998)
Imelda May was a guest on the Paul McLoone show last night picking 15 of her favourite tunes and a real treat it was too. Imelda is currently #7 in the UK charts following her Graham Norton show appearance (longer version including interview). Here’s what Imelda chose:
Wanda Jackson – Hard Headed Woman
Billy Fury – Gonna Type A Letter
The Stray Cats – Stray Cat Strut (1981)
Laverne Baker – Voodoo Voodoo
Gene Vincent – Bluejean Bop (1956)
The Cure – The Lovecats (1983)
Howlin Wolf – Smoke Stack Lightning (1956)
Johnny Burnette – Train Kept A Rollin (1956)
Santo & Johnny – Sleep Walk (1959)
Johnny Horton – Honky Tonk Man (1956)
Hank Williams – I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry (1941)
Ike Turner – Matchbox
* Charlie Rich – Behind Closed Doors
Teddy Wilson Orchestra – Blues in C Sharp Minor
Elvis Presley – Trouble
Patsy Cline – Got A Lot Of Rhythm In My Soul (1959)* Paul McLoone mentioned this but I didn’t hear it
Imelda May on Paul McLoone Show (10.2.2011)
The Frank And Walters featured on tonight‘s Paul McLoone show on TodayFM recorded live in The Green Room. They can be seen in Crosshaven on 14th July, Ballinhassig on 16th July and Skibbereen at Cork X Southwest on 31st July, full details here.
The Parson (2010)
Colours (2010)
Tony Cochrane (2010)
Dave Couse devoted his Sunday night show The Lighthouse on TodayFM to all irish music last night and here’s what he played. I did glean some new information from the show and i have updated one blog post accordingly. I also realised I have not yet posted a track by one band so that will feature tomorrow.
republic of loose – i like music (2008)
radiators from space – television screen (1978)
therapy? – nowhere (1994)
golden horde – 100 boys (1990)
stars of heaven – telescope
the atrix – treasure on the wasteland (1980)
u2 – out of control (1980)
the would be’s – i’m hardly ever wrong (1990)
messiah j and the expert – check the vision (2003)
whipping boy – we dont need nobody else (1995)
blue in heaven – i just wanna (1986)
pugwash – monorail (2009)
microdisney – loftholdings wood (1985)
adrian crowley – season of the sparks (2009)
david holmes – gritty shaker (1997)
the outcasts – self concious over you (1979)
ruefrex – wild colonnial boy (1985)
stiff little fingers – suspect device (1978)
rollerskate skinny – speed to my side (1996)
my bloody valentine – soon (1991)
guernica – orange and red (1986)
sack – song from g (1984?)
that petrol emotion – cellophane (1987)
sinead o connor – nothing compares 2 u (1990)
villagers – the meaning of the ritual (2009)
dubliners or luke kelly – raglan road
An Teach Solas (7th Feb 2010)
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In the absence of an official RTE Fanning Session archive consider this blog a humble starting point. Any musical submissions would be gratefully accepted as are any corrections or recollections... click on the pic to send an email or even better comment on the post in question. We are interested in anything recorded from irish radio or TV in the 1980s and 90s.
The Fanning Sessions Archive 