The Irish Music Industry Podcast

BalconyTV is a cultural phenomenon, syndicated to 100 cities around the world, it brokered million dollar deals, clocked up hundreds of millions of views, and is now owned by Sony Music. Ed Sheeran, Mumford and Sons, Kaiser Chiefs, Jessie J, and all appeared on the platform in the early part of their careers. Episode 1 of The Untold Story of BalconyTV tells the story of the early days and rise of the platform.

From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of the international music industry, the story of BalconyTV is as engaging as it is entertaining, and until now that full story has never been told. From rags to riches to redundancy, the story of BalconyTV is a microcosm of how the international music industry operates. Episode 2 deals with the business side of BalconyTV and discusses the decline of a globally successful platform.  

The story of BalconyTV is a tumultuous roller-coaster ride with dizzying highs and sickening lows, that leaves punters disorientated, wobbling and woozy, checking their pockets as they stumble away with the screams and laughter of the ride still ringing in their ears. Episode 3 of The Untold Story of BalconyTV looks for some lesson that can be learned from this epic tale.

Everything you thought you knew about how the music industry works is about to be challenged by Ian MacKaye (Minor Threat, Fugazi, The Evens, Dischord Records). He's refused lucrative gigs because the tickets were over priced, refused gigs in venues that couldn't run all-age shows, wouldn't conduct interviews with media outlets with questionable advertisers, but yet Ian MacKaye has forged a rewarding and balanced life in music. In this episode he explains his mantra "Work for free. Get paid for nothing".  If you've ever wonder whether an internationally successful, ethical and sustainable life in music is possible, the answer may lay in this episode.

Jazz pianist, saxophonist & composer Carole Nelson and punk promoter & chronicler Niall McGuirk have forged unique, sustained and admirable approaches to their lives in music. Common themes that both guests hit upon this week are using the power of music for positive change and purposely choosing paths that may not have been the most lucrative. They provide some valuable insight and example.

Ireland's national broadcaster RTÉ announced a competition to find new theme music for one of their flagship TV shows. You'd imagine that a state funded organisation would devise a set of terms and conditions that promotes best industry practice for musicians rights, especially in a project involving their concert orchestra. You'd be wrong. Sarah Glenane CEO of the Screen Composers Guild of Ireland details how RTÉ's approach is more than a little tone deaf.

Composers and musicians Linda Buckley and Emmett Cooke focus on different areas of music; one having pieces played by BBC Symphony Orchestra and the other receiving an award for best original score at LA Film Awards. Both share open and honest insights into what it means to successfully make your living from the creation of music.

Music by BAFTA and Ivor Novello nominated composer Christian Henson features on a host of TV shows, films and video games, from Poirot to Alien: Isolation. He co-founded the music technology company Spitfire Audio. Such is the success of Spitfire that professionals like Hans Zimmer ring them to ask to collaborate. Christian's practice and approach provides an outstanding example of a diverse, rewarding, ethical and sustainable life in music. In this episode he maps out that approach.

What's it like to tour the globe, playing in some of the most iconic venues in the world? What's it like to lead the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and release and produce your own solo album? All-Ireland Champion uilleann piper and multi-instrumentalist Tara Howley explains all, as well as discussing the importance that chicken rolls with taco sauce can play in the recording process. 

Gareth Murphy comes from a family steeped in the business of music. He’s an award winning music writer, and back in the 90's he was working on compilation albums for Buddha Bar. From where he sits in Paris he has a very interesting view of how the music industry in Ireland operates; he doesn’t mince his words. Independent Derry musician Roe has achieved more in the two years that she’s been a self-employed performer and songwriter than most achieve in whole careers. She talks about why she loves her job.