Please Do Something podcast

Acclaimed jazz and blues singer Mary Coughlan's first album "Tired and Emotional " rocketed her to overnight fame in 1985.

Since then, she has recorded 15 further solo albums, drawing heavily from her legendary heroes Peggy Lee, Edith Piaf and Billy Holiday (to whom she devoted a double album of her songs).

In 2020 she released 'Life Stories' a collection of songs that showcase her unique style and give some insight into her own remarkable life.

We'll be chatting about that album and an exciting new project she has in the works involving the songs of acclaimed jazz singer Peggy Lee. Plus she warns me about the dangers of yoga and the ups and downs of rowing her own boat as an independent artist in the choppy waters of the music business!

Enjoy the show

Brendan Murphy, THE 4 OF US

This podcast has been produced by Fuzion Communications.

On this episode I'm joined by Hamlet Sweeney the man behind Dublin based music publishing and management start-up The Nucleus.

On a mission to become the first Irish company to bring a modern model of collaborative songwriting to Ireland, The Nucleus provides a central place where professional songwriters, producers and recording artists can collaborate.

This year The Nucleus entered a global joint venture with Peer Music, the world's largest independent music publisher. I first met Hamlet in Nashville in 2019 and as he reminds me it was his idea that I start a podcast. We chat about songwriting in today's world and what we can learn from the songwriting hotspots like Stockholm and Nashville.

Enjoy the show!

Brendan Murphy, THE 4 OF US

This podcast has been produced by Fuzion Communications.

Bass player Dave Pegg "Peggy" has had a crucial role in the continuing story of Fairport Convention, the most influential and enduring British folk-rock act in history.

He has also helped to grow their annual festival Cropedy as well as working with a who's who of artists such as Jethro Tull, Richard Thompson, John Martyn and Nick Drake.

On today's episode Peggy talks about the Birmingham beat scene of the 1960's, the unlikely downside of having John Bonham as your drummer, persuading the Chieftains to use microphones on stage and the enduring appeal and influence of Fairport Convention.

Enjoy the show!

Brendan Murphy, THE 4 OF US

This podcast has been produced by Fuzion Communications.

"Some guys got it down, Leonard Cohen, Paul Brady, Lou Reed, secret heroes" - Bob Dylan

Paul Brady's songs have soundtracked Ireland since the 1970s, spanning folk, rock and everything in between. From his early days working with folk pioneers Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny and a brief spell with Planxty to his transition to a more contemporary sound with songs like Crazy Dreams, The Island, Nobody Knows and The Long Goodbye.

During our chat he shares insights into some of the many rewarding twists and turns his music career has taken.

Enjoy the show

Brendan Murphy, THE 4 OF US

This podcast has been produced by Fuzion Communications.

Sodajerker On Songwriting is a podcast co-hosted by Liverpudlians Simon Barber and Brian O'Connor. The fact that they are songwriters themselves may help to explain how informative and revealing their interviews are with the likes of Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Sting, Nile Rodgers, Jimmy Webb and others.

Today they take me behind the scenes of one of the best music related podcasts out there and reveal insights gained from conversations with the best of the best.

Enjoy the show

Brendan Murphy, THE 4 OF US

This podcast has been produced by Fuzion Communications.

Were the sixties really swinging for a young songwriter working in London's Tin Pan Alley? What was the producer's role on albums by artists as diverse as The Bay City Rollers, The Dubliners, Planxty and Sinead O'Connor? How did Phil transition to becoming a best selling recording artist? This and much more in a trip through his storied career. Enjoy the show

Brendan Murphy, THE 4 OF US

This podcast has been produced by Fuzion Communications.

In part two of my chat with Declan we discuss how we came to write and record Sugar Island an album of songs inspired by our shared experiences as brothers growing up on the border during the Troubles.

Enjoy the show

Brendan Murphy, THE 4 OF US

This podcast has been produced by Fuzion Communications.

Is it an advantage to work with a family member?

Who does what in our band THE 4 OF US?

I discuss this and more in the first of a two part conversation with my brother and creative partner Declan Murphy as we recount the ups and downs of working together for over 30 years.

Enjoy!

Brendan Murphy, THE 4 OF US

This podcast has been produced by Fuzion Communications.

John Spillane talks writer's block, finding your own voice and how a collaborative approach helped to bring about his wonderful, brand new album 100 Snow White Horses.

Enjoy the show!

Brendan Murphy, THE 4 OF US

This podcast has been produced by Fuzion Communications.

In the second part of my interview with award winning singer and songwriter Moya Brennan she recalls how the sound of Clannad developed from purely traditional instruments to incorporate synthesisers and vocal harmony resulting in their first global hit "The Theme From Harry's Game".

She also talks to me about her successful solo career, the gift of making music with her own children and a valuable lesson she learned from working in the studio with Bono on " In A Lifetime,"

Enjoy the show!

Brendan Murphy, THE 4 OF US

This podcast has been produced by Fuzion Communications.