The 1975 frontman Matty Healy is a fascinating figure in music.

"Some people think I'm an alternative artist striving for pop or a pop artist trying to impart a message.  The truth is I'm obsessed with culture. I'm a magpie. If it's shiny I'm going to take it. Doesn't matter if it's foil or silver."

Magnetic and dripping in introverted charisma on stage.  He also has the talent, intelligence, honesty and passion to engage whenever he talks. This interview is no different.

He's also very funny:

This dog has already turned me into a Karen

— (@Truman_Black) May 8, 2020

Their brand new album, 'Notes On A Conditional Form' is out May 22 and already it is already being hailed as a masterful creative exploration.

The Fergal D'Arcy Show spoke to Matty about starting the band when he was only THIRTEEN, the creative process, his relationship with Greta Thunberg, and he reveals there may be a 1975 movie on the way!

Check out the multi-layered pop sound magnet that is 'If You're Too Shy' from the new album.

Fergal D'Arcy sat down with Matty for a warm engaging chat when the band played their sold out gig in March this year at The 3 Arena.

 

Kings Of Leon, The Jonas Brothers, The Bee Gees and Oasis all have one thing in common - they're all siblings.

And now Cian, Conor and Eoghan MacSweeny are the latest Band Of Brothers to hit the music scene.

True Tides are a trio from Cork and they exporting a seriously infectious pop sound from the Rebel County and we are here for it.

If you haven't heard 'Survive' then get it now! (a very special live version appears on this podcast - PRESS PLAY for ear joy)

#Survive will be the earworm of 2020 - and the band responsible will be on @FERGDARCY today with a very special isolation live session.@truetidesband Cian, Conor and Eoghan MacSweeny are a band of brothers from Cork. ‍

"Get up!"https://t.co/G2htmvfu9l pic.twitter.com/G0phHSkoQG

— Today FM (@TodayFM) May 13, 2020

We are predicting this banging rocket of positivity to be the earworm that 2020 needs RIGHT NOW!

Never has a song been more appropriate for this moment.

Get up!

Through all your fears and

Get up!

Through all your nights

Get up!

Through your darkest moments

You will survive

 

Cian joined The Fergal Darcy Show to chat and to share a very special isolation session of the latest single 'Survive' the band recorded from 3 separate locations and then a Billie Eilish cover that is sublime and stunning.

He also told Fergal about bringing Saxy Back:

 

Thanks @TodayFM legends! ❤️❤️ https://t.co/lAo9RUGX2W

— TRUE TIDES (@truetidesband) May 4, 2020

 

The Grammy winning frontwoman of Paramore joined The Fergal D'Arcy Show to celebrate the release of her stunning debut album 'Petals For Armor'

Released in two parts the album has a raw, striking and honest approach not unlike the singer herself.

thanks for cryin to my songs

— hayley from Paramore

The Coronavirus has been a hammer blow to the music industry and especially the Irish music industry.

Never has the maxim, 'Adapt To Survive' been more apt.

One band has done just that, The Blizzards cancelled their video plans for the single 'Pound The Pavement' until the perseverance of bass player Louize and an Irish creative production company called Algorithm stepped up!

The song has received incredible support from Irish radio with over 6 million impressions in the first few weeks of release. Pound the Pavement has also featured on Spotify New Music Friday with over 700K active listeners.

So, Bressie and the guys did adapt to survive - Bressie tells Fergal D'Arcy how in this podcast.

He also tells Fergal about an initiative to help raise funds for unemployed crew who's work has been decimated by the pandemic - www.WeAreTheSupportAct.com

Here is the behind the scenes making of...

 

Here is the finished product:

It was recently voted by TodayFM listeners as the greatest Gift Grub sketch ever in twenty years!

Now 'Dry Your Eyes Mate' has officially been given the seal of approval by the man who inspired Mario Rosenstock to write the now iconic Roy Keane sketch song.

Mike Skinner aka The Streets was very impressed when Fergal D'Arcy played it to him.

The man who owned the Noughties with his epic albums, 'Original Pirate Material' and 'A Grand Don't Come For Free' shoots the breeze with Fergal D'Arcy in this specially extended podcast.

Mike shares how he made his first lo-fi smash hit album OPM, working with Tame Impala, Climate Change (he has a very interesting suggestion for the world), dealing with mental health, how music helped him through his Dad's death at a young age and loads more...

The first taster of his eagerly awaited forthcoming mixtape 'None Of Us Are Getting Out Of This Life Alive'.

Released alongside an official video, directed by Mike himself, 'Call My Phone Thinking I'm Doing Nothing Better ft. Tame Impala' is out now.

 

These are worrying times for four sound lads from Mullingar but these are also very exciting times.

Knowing that there's light at the end of this isolation tunnel is a great positive musical hug.

And this is some very happy news:

Craig, Stephen, Matthew and Dean have just signed a major global record deal with Capitol Records!

"It's not what it looks like, I promise!" Aftermath at The Iveagh Gardens... Deffo had a bit of a celebration after If you haven’t heard it yet, listen here https://t.co/MumSJ1Ir7k pic.twitter.com/BZACnIepby

— The Academic (@TheAcademic) April 27, 2020

'Anything Could Happen' is the name of the very first single released on that label.

The Fergal D'Arcy Show caught up with frontman Craig to ask him about the exciting times ahead and just how the hardest working band in Ireland are keeping sane in isolation.

On the video Craig said:

"We were due to shoot it a few weeks back but then everything changed. The song has taken on an entirely new meaning so we wanted to create something that brings people a sense of hope in these difficult times. We crowd sourced video footage from people all over the world in lockdown who are doing whatever it takes to keep positive. We thought the idea would be fitting in the current climate."

See for yourself:

Grammy nominated. The pen behind some of Niall Horan's biggest hits.

She's also worked with Britney Spears, JoJo, Martin Garrix, Bebe Rexha, One Direction, Avicci, Westlife, John Legend and so many more.

Yet, Ruth-Anne Cunningham is one of the most grounded sound souls you could ever have the pleasure to chat to.

And Fergal D'Arcy had the pleasure today.

The real heroes of the world are care workers and essential workers and they never get the recognition they really deserve. Now we can highlight just what these people do. People say to me oh my God you're Grammy nominated and I'm like no my sister is a nurse just look at the work she does!

She spoke openly about what isolation means to her, writing new music, getting taught the guitar by her Dad (she's always been a piano gal) And she also told Fergal about her own mental health struggles and how proud she is of her sister who is a nurse working on the front-line right now during the Coronavirus pandemic.

 

Grammy nominated singer

Simon Neil from Biffy Clyro literally wears his heart on his sleeve and anywhere else he can find a space. He is known for his impressive array of torso tattoos and his willingness to share his own well honed wisdom on many subjects.

In short he is the perfect man to catch for a pint and chat. He is like the older more sensible (been there done that) brother of Lewis Capaldi.

There's a genuine warmth to him and he displays that in spades with his chat to The Fergal D'Arcy Show.

Social Media became a dark place for a time. Sometimes bringing out the worst in people. But it's becoming a place of love, people donating, trying to spread good vibes.  It is like a rebirth in spirituality. What is happening is horrific but if we can take anything from the current situation it's the sense of togetherness. Ironically we are all completely isolated but I've never felt more part of community or something than I do now. I really hope we retain that for the future.

The band returned this year with a brand new song called 'Instant History' and it's a title that is apt for a modern world where everything is changing so quickly.

'Instant History'

Due to the Coronavirus their new album, 'A Celebration Of Endings' has been pushed back until August but their date at The 3 Arena in October is still going ahead.

Simon Neil told Fergal D'Arcy about how much this horrible situation has brought the world together. This includes how it's brought musicians even closer to their fans.

Simon himself is doling an acoustic evening every Friday on YouTube. Check out those magnificent gold pants! Oustanding.

Featuring a bill of the biggest artists on the planet One World: Together At Home organised by Global Citizen and Lady Gaga. In terms of the number of guests/performers it is probably the biggest concert event to ever take place.

So, to be one of the chosen artists was an outstanding achievement for a bunch of lads from Kildare.

Ryan from Picture This describes it as like an "online Live Aid" and he said they were absolutely honoured to be part of such a groundbreaking event. They appeared on a bill alongside musical superstars like The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, John Legend and so many more.

#TogetherAtHome @GlblCtzn @WHO pic.twitter.com/E8oGQ2sh82

— Picture This (@picturethis) April 14, 2020

The band didn't expect the HUGE reaction online and the whole new set of fans that followed!

WOW

Mabel is set to take over the world in 2020 if she can eventually get out of the house!

Already after scooping the Best British Female at The Brit Awards, she has endeared herself to an Irish audience with two sold out shows at The Olympia while she has lit up the Irish charts with smash hits, 'Don't Call Me Up', 'Mad Love' and now her latest track 'Boyfriend'

She tells Fergal D'Arcy how the ironically titled track about dating was released just as the isolation situation kicked in and how she hopes that modern technology can still help love to flourish!

JUST PRESS PLAY

Enjoying the sun from my garden, how are you guys doing? ☀️ pic.twitter.com/mjsJeFpf6u

— Mabel (@Mabel) April 8, 2020

The daughter of music royalty Neneh Cherry and Cameron McKey she has more than held her own and ploughed a singular career path with her massive attack of talent and a buffalo stance all of her own.

If anything it's harder to make your own way but she has really killed it with her excellent album 'High Expectations' and she is a really assured young woman as you'll hear in this interview with TodayFM.

#BOYFRIEND out now!! Wrote this song with the dream team @KamilleXX and @SteveMacProd to remind u all that wanting someone in your life doesn’t mean u can’t still be dat bitchh. So much love to all my dancers for making this video happen with me https://t.co/VWos9ivMGh pic.twitter.com/e7JP3TRbH1

— Mabel (@Mabel) February 26, 2020

Mabel tells Fergal D'Arcy that she is trying like everyone else to make the most of the current isolation situation by taking over Tik-Tok with her fans, and hoping that people are still doing their best to date even if it's through video apps!

Who’s learnt the dance? Duet w us on tiktok and use #mabelboyfriend so I can find youuu, ima repost my favs pic.twitter.com/RUbRIUdhM2

— Mabel (@Mabel) April 1, 2020