Episode 157: pianist extraordinaire Mike Garson joins Fender Jackson from his home in Calabasas, California for a wide-ranging conversation recorded on Monday 14 April 2025.

Though Mike has performed with the likes of Nine Inch Nails, St. Vincent, Duran Duran, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Pretty Reckless, and many more, this episode focuses on his deep and lasting connection with David Bowie, whose band Mike was part of for over 30 years.

Conversation includes: Zoom audio check; an improvisational introduction; Fender’s kid podcastbombing; Mike’s portrait by Bowie; the Woolsey fire of 2018; Bali; Max Garson; introductions; Susan, Mike and David’s time in Ireland; Fender first meeting Mike in Belfast City Hall on 5 Dec 1995; Mike’s favourite memory of David; Mike’s Dad being a huge inspiration; working with Trent Reznor for the HBO series ‘Watchmen’; Lester Console Piano; Knabe Piano; Steinway and Yamaha; Mike’s meeting David; Mike’s audition; David’s appreciation of jazz; Mike’s analysis of his solo on ‘Aladdin Sane’; the making of album ‘1. Outside’ being David coming out of the 1980s unhappy; Reeves Gabrels; Erdal Kızılçay; Sterling Campbell; Carlos Alomar; Brian Eno; Tom Waits; Mike’s playing style; Mixolydian Mode vs. Mixed Up Mike; Farfisa solo on ‘Seven Years In Tibet’ on ‘Earthling’; an earthquake warning; ’Lady Grinning Soul’; bookending ‘Changes’ with Alicia Keys; writing credits; the Dublin Bowie Festival, Tommy Crampton and Gerry Leonard; living in Belfast in 1975; playing in BIMM and other topics.

Warning! This episode contains some music theory.

Relevant Links

https://mikegarson.com

Additional Links

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1q1zDWf6QLWDYFMp7kRdjr?si=d5b996570d784f7d

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Episode 156 Ireland’s first and only Chess Grand Master Alexander Baburin chats with Fender Jackson in Dublin on Sunday 13th April 2025. He is editor-in-chief of the e-mail distributed chess newspaper Chess Today and is a coach and author.

Conversation includes: introductions; the background of being Ireland’s only Chess Grand Master; International Masters Sam Collins, Brian Kelly, Conor Murphy; Grand master norms; ratings vs. titles; Alexander’s highest rating; rating inflation; Alexander’s move from Russia to Ireland; Eamon Keogh; Michael Crowe; Philip Short; how chess has evolved in Ireland over the years; how chess could be supported more in Ireland; the Irish Chess Union (ICU); the advantages of playing chess; dealing with setbacks; the importance of thinking you have a chance of victory before a game; playing against Viktor Korchnoi; other memorable games; the relationship between brain and body; playing techniques; establishing why a move is bad and why one made the move; analysis, chess engines and spell checks; advice on improving classical games; ‘World Chess Championship Candidates Tournament Zurich 1953’ by David Bronstein; ‘Ficheall’ by Úna O Boyle; Peter Svidler; Wesley So; Anar Rajabov; Patryk Rekuc; Hikaru Nakamura; advice for young players; advice for parents of young chess players and other topics.

Relevant Links

https://www.alexbaburinchess.com

http://www.chesstoday.net

Additional Links

https://www.icu.ie

https://www.theirelandpodcast.com/latest-podcast/episode/a6e8bd8a/34-una-o-boyle-chess-woman-candidate-master

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Episode 155 has Eoin Kinsella, Managing Editor of Dictionary of Irish Biography in conversation with Fender Jackson on the phone on 10th April 2025.

Conversation includes: introductions; origins of Dictionary of Irish Biography; Royal Irish Academy; Linde Lunney; gaining traction in the 1990’s; going free online on 17th March 2021; what the DIB is; managing biases; the time between a death and an entry; Martin McGuinness and Ian Paisley; Éamon de Valera; Dr. Patrick Maume; the frequency of new entries; the criteria for being included; early entries; breakdown of users; Noël Browne; gathering sources; National Archives; National Library; conflicting sources; the census; the 20 new entries; Adrian Hardiman; Peter Barry; Barry’s Tea; Alice Litster; Mother and Baby Homes; Dr. Niav Gallagher; the freedom of increasing the word count by going online; Pascal Whelan; Mary Gough; Noreen Dennehy; Maura Lynch; the similarity in the DIB and The Ireland Podcast; Ann Lovett; the Research Database; the process of a new entry; Liam Cosgrave; Fr. Pat Heron and ‘The Heron Papers’; 'Teacht den tSliabh Tráthnóna' by Aodh Ó Canainn; The Doegen Records Web Project; recording your parents and grandparents; plans for the future; being part of a network of national biographical dictionaries; new functionality; funding and other topics.

Relevant Links

https://www.dib.ie

Additional Links

https://www.dib.ie/contributor/kinsella-eoin

https://www.ria.ie

https://www.doegen.ie

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Episode 154: Sonya Lennon began her career in fashion as a stylist, then broadcaster, and designer. Now, as a passionate equality advocate, she has turned her sights on designing better workplaces and a better society. Fender Jackson chats with Sonya in her Dublin home on 1 April 2025.

Conversation includes: introductions; occupations; permission; childhood in Malahide; family background; being driven; being an ENTJ personality type (Myers Briggs); benevolence bias; Sonya’s interest in communication from an early age; Loreto College burning with the tragic deaths of six elderly nuns on June 2, 1986; Sonya pioneering online shopping; brogues and legwarmers; fashion virality; the thrill of empowering people; doing a Masters in Business Equity, Diversity and Inclusion under the recognition of prior learning programme (RPL); selling and trust; becoming a stylist; to move or not to move to London; working for the RTÉ makeover show ‘Off The Rails’ in 2008; the global recession; media training for moving as a stylist into the role of TV Presenter; celebrity and pressure; reticular activation system; goals vs. direction of travel; Leading Ireland’s Future Together (LIFT); Work Equal; Lennon Courtney; Kilkenny Design; DEI in USA today; “affirmative action” and quotas; homophily and monoculture; ‘A Cry From The Far Middle’ by P. J. O’Rourke; Sonya’s time split; meditation; sea swimming; Peter Cat Recording Co.; Prince; CMAT; Madeleine Peyroux; plans for the future and other topics.

Relevant Links

https://sonyalennon.com/

Additional Links

https://liftireland.ie/

https://workequal.ie/

https://www.lennoncourtney.com/

Ep. 154 Spotify Playlist

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Episode 153 Music Global Producer, Tour Manager (and other roles) Aoife Ahern chats with Fender Jackson on the phone from Cork on Saturday 29th March 2025. Aoife has worked with the likes of One Direction, Chris Brown, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Sting, Madonna, Michelle Obama, Mumford & Sons, Blackpink, BTS, Phil Collins, Fleetwood Mac and Billy Joel.

Conversation includes: introductions; LinkedIn; Aoife’s journey to working with the top names in the music industry; Andrea Grainger and Stevie G DJ; Zowie’s Club in Cork; booking DJ Swing; Mandy Young and Religion Shop; running a hip hop night in Cork; Gilly Robertson; Brian and Soul Clinic; Rock School in Ballyfermot; the secret of selling out a night; what makes a good flyer; restarting the Trinity Ball; starting UCD ball; Niall Morris; Dennis Desmond; Duchess; advancing Oxygen; working in an online medical bureau; going on tour with Gavin Friday; the tour manager as a personal assistant; transitioning from festivals to live events; thick skin and positive affirmations; Brian Eno; SJM; Live Nation; VIP Nation; Cecille; Michael Rapino; Prince; David '5-1' Norman; Andy Redhead; CeeLo Green; One Direction; Beyoncé; the importance of sleep and food; Sugababes; Rhian Givens; mentoring and other topics.

Relevant Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifeahern/

Additional Links

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/326633-foo-fighters-tour-2011-production-rider/

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Episode 152 features The 4 Of Us brothers Brendan and Declan Murphy with Fender Jackson in Galway on Saturday 29 March 2025.

Conversation includes: introductions; their ‘Please Do Something’ podcast; early life; Elvis as David; the story and structure behind their hit ‘Mary’; the reason why there’s such a big gap between releasing records; a performance of ‘Mary’; Mary’s longevity; ‘Luka’ by Suzanne Vega; Elvis Costello; songs as nursery rhymes; life in Newry during the Troubles; having their van hijacked by the Provisional IRA after three gig in Féile (Trip to Tipp 1990); being born into the Troubles; the boredom of the Troubles; the Crescent Bar on the Sandy Row in Belfast; the background of their new release ‘Crescent Nights’; Brendan studying law in Queens University Belfast; favourite ‘Talking Heads’ record; Stuart Neville; Linda Ervine; catching lighting in a bottle and keeping and audience; Tom Waits; wrong footing themselves; Gillian Welch & David Rawlings; ‘Sugar Island’; working with Enda Walsh in his ‘Amberville’ studio; writing backwards from the emotion; having a group of about 6 (mostly non-musician) people who give feedback on demos; Prince; Willie Nelson; Van Morrison & Bob Dylan; transitioning from a live band only to a live and online band; John Cale and Brian Eno; their weekly shows online at 8pm every Thursday (Newry time); a performance of ‘Going South’ and other topics.

Relevant Links

www.the4ofus.com

Additional Links

https://www.instagram.com/the4of.us/

https://www.facebook.com/The4OfUsOfficial

Spotify Playlist for Ep. 152

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Episode 151 is the second half of the chat with the inspirational Singer Songwriter Eddie Winston and Fender Jackson in Galway on Tuesday 25 March 2025. This episode deals with alcoholism and drug dependency.

Conversation includes: a performance of ‘Butterfly’ with overdubbed double bass from Fender; the background of ‘Butterfly’; seeking help with addiction; John Devlin; singing lessons; advice to people looking to stop drinking or taking drugs; Coolmine; Jordan Peterson; AA, CA and NA; the definition of success; the big busk in Dublin; feeling worthy; urges; Shobsy; Ciara Dignam; reaching one’s limit in a bar; Galway; posting art online; Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond in the Desert; the artist John O’Donnell; Johnny Cash; a performance of ‘Build A Bridge’ with overdubbed double bass from Fender; Eddie’s mother and other topics.

‘Butterfly’ and ‘Build A Bridge’ composed by Eddie Winston

Eddie Winston: Vocals & Guitar 

Fender Jackson: Double Bass

‘Build A Bridge’ is released on all popular music platforms on Friday 28th March 2025.

Relevant links

https://linktr.ee/edwinstonmusic

https://www.instagram.com/eddiewinstonmusic/

Spotify Playlist for this episode

Ep. 150 Eddie Winston - Part 1

Additional Links

https://mqi.ie/

https://www.alcoholicsanonymous.ie/

https://www.na-ireland.org/

https://ca.org/meetings/ireland/

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We are proud mark the significant milestone of the 150th Episode with the inspirational Singer Songwriter Eddie Winston as he chats with Fender Jackson in Galway on Tuesday 25 March 2025. This episode deals with alcoholism and drug dependency.

Conversation includes: a performance of ‘In Between’ with overdubs from Fender; introductions; inspiration for the song; artist John O’Donnell; Dublin Simon Community; Eddie’s journey into hard drug dependency; methadone; the costs and methods of financing an addiction; prison; justifying crimes; William S. Burroughs; apologies; Jordan Peterson; Fender’s alcoholism; alcoholic dreams; crack; heroin; methadone; citric acid; Merchant’s Quay; sharing needles; sleepwalking; kicking the habit; the importance of role models; BCFE and other topics.

‘In Between’ composed by Eddie Winston

Eddie Winston: Vocals & Guitar 

Fender Jackson: Double Bass; Piano; Banjo & Backing Vocals

Relevant links

https://linktr.ee/edwinstonmusic

https://www.instagram.com/eddiewinstonmusic/

Spotify Playlist for this episode

Ep. 151. Eddie Winston Part 2

Additional Links

https://mqi.ie/

https://www.alcoholicsanonymous.ie/

https://www.na-ireland.org/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 149 Songwriter and Performer Peter Wilson a.k.a. Duke Special chats with Fender Jackson in Peter's house in Belfast on Thursday 20th March 2025.

Conversation includes: a performance of ‘Nursery Magic’; introductions; early life; the origins of Duke Special; The Empire Music Hall in Belfast; the Great Soprendo; The Velveteen Rabbit; Jan Carson; Lyric Theatre & Replay Theatre; Robert Wilson’s ‘The Black Rider’ with Marianne Faithfull; ‘Man on the Moon’; Andy Kaufman; Nick Cave; the use of props; Deborah Warner; ‘Mother Courage and Her Children’; Bertolt Brecht; Tony Kushner; ‘I Read the News Today, Oh Boy: The short and gilded life of Tara Browne, the man who inspired The Beatles’ greatest song’; Paul Howard; mellotron; Casio keyboards; using limitations as an advantage; The Beatles, Beach Boys and bouncing tracks; first exposure to music; doing a community work degree in Jordanstown University; being oneself; singing with a Belfast accent; Van Morrison’s ‘Coney Island’; having a self belief in where you’re from; performing with Gerry Leonard, the other alumni of Bowie’s band and the RTÉ Orchestra as part of Dublin Bowie Festival 2025; David Brophy; Shobsy; ‘Quicksand’; BIMM Music Institute; The Spirit Store in Dundalk; a performance of ‘Ballad Of A Broken Man’ and other topics.

Relevant Links

https://www.dukespecial.com/

Ep. 149 Spotify Playlist

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Episode 148 Comedian, actor and writer John Colleary from Sligo chats with Fender Jackson in Galway.

Warning: this episode contains music.

Conversation includes: introductions; the Colleary name; Sligo; the family; myna bird; David McSavage; Paul Chowdhry; The Life and Death of Peter Sellers; winging it; Andy Warhol; the teacher impersonation; the west of Ireland; not taking credit; south Dublin; coloured coded velcro; joining the guards; garda skills; working with Ken Loach; Jimmy’s Hall; Jimmy Gralton; The Savage Eye; Irish people not taking their jobs seriously; Borat; real encounters with the gardaí; the importance of laughter in Irish employment; Colin Geddes; dickie bows; David McSavage vs. Tommy Tiernan; Time Travellers; Pat O’Donnell; Instagram; Steve Lillywhite; Daniel O’Donnell; future plans including upcoming gigs and other topics.

Upcoming Shows 

TF Royal, Castlebar, Co. Mayo - Fri, 4 Apr 2025

3Olympia Theatre, Dublin, D2 - Thu, 15 May 2025, 19:00

Bantry, C, IELive By The Bay at The Maritime West Cork - Sat, 18 Oct 2025, 20:30

Gleneagle INEC Arena, Co. Kerry, KY - Sat, 1 Nov 2025, 19:30

Relevant Links

https://www.johncolleary.ie

https://www.instagram.com/colleary.john/

https://www.facebook.com/lesley.shortall.9

Additional Links

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPISMWa0SMU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDBzXYjkl8k

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=205857359164834

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