CreativLoop Podcast

n this episode of the CreativLoop Podcast, dancer and choreographer Melanie Otsu discusses the experiences, influences and relationships that led her towards a career in dance.

Born in London and raised in Ireland, Melanie reflects on her Nigerian heritage, her early love of performance and the body-image pressures that made it difficult to remain committed to dance as a teenager. She explains how dance returned to her life at university and how teachers, friends and peer mentors helped her move from musical theatre into commercial dance.

Melanie also speaks honestly about the importance of networking, the cost of professional training, fair payment and the physical discipline required to sustain a dancing career. Now working across performance, choreography and teaching in Ireland and Italy, she reflects on becoming a mentor herself—and offers powerful advice about confidence, adaptability and refusing to let other people’s perceptions determine your path.

In this episode of the CreativLoop Podcast, tailor and fashion designer Stevie Blake takes us inside the creative practice and growing business behind Monto & Perri.

Stevie reflects on his lifelong fascination with clothing and its power to shape how we feel and express ourselves. He discusses studying fashion, learning traditional tailoring techniques from experienced craftspeople, and the advice that encouraged him to take garments apart in order to understand the many different ways they can be made.

The conversation also explores his collaborative approach to designing for individual clients, the financial and practical realities of establishing his own studio, and his belief that clothing should not be restricted by conventional gender categories. Stevie also looks ahead to Fashion Week and the gradual development of a ready-to-wear collection, while explaining why he is determined to grow the brand carefully and on his own terms.

In this episode of the CreativLoop Podcast, guitarist, composer and bandleader Zaska discusses the musical influences, collaborations and creative relationships that have shaped his career.

Born in Germany and raised in Bray and Westport, Zaska recalls the moment he first became captivated by the guitar and his unexpected route into studying jazz at Newpark. He charts the development of his band, from meticulously writing every instrumental part himself to creating music collaboratively with an ever-changing community of musicians and vocalists.

Zaska also speaks candidly about crowdfunding three independent albums, balancing music with family life, surviving the disruption of the pandemic, and the financial realities of maintaining and touring a large ensemble. He also takes us behind the creation of his latest album, Nectar, and shares his ambitions to bring the project to more international audiences.

In this episode of the CreativLoop Podcast, artist, jewellery designer and musician Genevieve Howard discusses her remarkable practice at the intersection of music, craft, science and technology.

Growing up in a musical family, Genevieve initially felt torn between studying music and pursuing visual art. She explains how that apparent choice became the foundation of her work, leading her to translate musical notation, the human voice and birdsong into jewellery and sculptural forms.

Speaking from her studio at Ardgillan Castle, Genevieve also reflects on studying abroad, the mentors and collaborators who helped realise her ideas, persevering through funding rejections, building relationships with galleries and collectors, and the often unseen professional work involved in sustaining a creative career.

In this episode of the CreativLoop Podcast, renowned Irish fiddle player and broadcaster Paddy Glackin reflects on a life shaped by traditional music.

Paddy recalls resisting formal music lessons as a child, before meeting other young musicians—and an inspiring encounter with Donegal fiddler John Doherty—transformed his relationship with the fiddle. He discusses the generosity of the older musicians who encouraged him, the folk revival of the 1970s, his time with The Bothy Band, and his parallel career in broadcasting.

The conversation also explores Paddy’s work with the Arts Council, the importance of education and mentorship, and the remarkable journey of Irish traditional music from the margins to a confident, collaborative and internationally recognised art form.

In this episode, we meet acclaimed Irish saxophonist Michael Buckley. Michael reflects on growing up in a remarkable musical family, finding his own path as a jazz musician, the opportunities and challenges that have shaped his career, and the importance of community to every generation of artists.