A bonus episode before Season 2 begins. This episode doesn't revisit an Irish album, but instead details an incredible Irish music story. Fail We May, Sail We Must – the story of how a chance meeting in 2008 between Andrew Weatherall, the world-renowned DJ, producer and remixer, and Gerard Sheehy, a Co. Cork fisherman inspired Weatherall to use the phrase “Fail We May, Sail We Must” as a personal mantra and get it tattooed on his arms. The documentary tells how the phrase, in turn has become an inspiration for thousands of others. It details how in 2021, on the first anniversary of Weatherall’s death, Sheehy was identified as the source of the phrase and tells how the two disparate worlds of the music and fishing industries collided. First broadcast on UCC98.3FM, 17 February 2022 with sound supervision by Kieran Hurley. Recently this documentary was broadcast on Australian radio and at the end of the episode you’ll also hear me chatting to the Australian broadcaster Axel Moline all about this production. Episode notes are: https://www.paulmcdermott.ie/bonus-episode-2

Season 1 ends with the story of Microdisney. For this episode I revisit Iron Fist in Velvet Glove - the story of Microdisney, my documentary from 2017. It tells how Cathal Coughlan and Sean O’Hagan met in Cork at a New Year’s Eve party in 1979 and formed a band. Microdisney went through several incarnations before Cathal and Sean upped sticks to London in July 1983. Over the course of the next five years they released two albums on Rough Trade Records and a further two on Virgin Records before disbanding in 1988. One of those records was 1985’s The Clock Comes Down the Stairs. The album topped the UK Indie Charts upon its release and has regularly featured at the top of “the best Irish album of all time” lists. Contributors include the members of Microdisney and key figures in their story including: Robert Forster (The Go-Betweens), Geoff Travis (Rough Trade), Richard Boon (New Hormones), Elvera Butler (Downtown Kampus at the Arcadia in Cork), Jamie Lane (producer of The Clock) and many more. Cathal Coughlan sadly passed away on 18 may, 2022 and this Episode is dedicated to his memory. Episode notes: https://www.paulmcdermott.ie/episode-20

A short preview of Episode 20 – The Clock Comes Down the Stairs by Microdisney

This episode focuses on 1977 by Ash, released on Infectious Records in 1996. Tim Wheeler joins me to talk about: the band's earliest days, recording demo tapes, signing to Infectious, recording with Owen Morris in Rockfield, the writing process of the songs on 1977, supporting Therapy? and Babes in Toyland, revising for A-Levels while doing press interviews, the rollercoaster of touring between 1995 and 1997, playing small clubs and eventually headlining the Point Depot, the culture shock of touring in Japan, performing 'Girl From Mars' on Top of the Pops, the success of 1977 and its singles, the 'Give Peace a Chance' concert before the Belfast Agreement Referendum and much, much more. Episode notes: https://www.paulmcdermott.ie/episode-19

A short preview of Episode 19 – 1977 by Ash

This episode focuses on Grand Parade by The Frank & Walters, released on Setanta Records in 1997. Paul Linehan and Ashley Keating join me to talk about: the band's initial success in the UK; touring in support of their first album; returning to Cork after two and half years; recharging their batteries for a few years in the mid-90s, writing songs for Grand Parade, working with producers Edwyn Collins and Dave Couse, Polygram buying Go! Discs and returning to Setanta, the song-writing process, the renewed resurgence of interest in the band, touring abroad, the power of songs, the enduring popularity of 'After All' and much more. Episode notes: https://www.paulmcdermott.ie/episode-18

A short preview of Episode 18 – Grand parade by The Frank & Walters

This episode focuses on A House's second album I Want Too Much released on Blanco Y Negro Records in 1990. Dave Couse and Fergal Bunbury join me to talk about: meeting producer Mike Hedges and recording I Want Too Much on Inisbofin off the Galway coast, the Abbey Road sound desk and equipment that Mike Hedges brought to Inisbofin, mixing the album in Abbey Road, signing to Setanta Records, working with Edwyn Collins on I Am the Greatest, releasing ‘Endless Art’, signing with Parlophone Records and reissuing ‘Endless Art’, the Pre Extinction Tapes – the archive project that Fergal and Dave have been working on to document A House’s entire recording career, and recording No More Apologies with Mike Hedges in France. Dave talks about working with The Frank & Walters on their Grand Parade album, and much more. Dave and Fergal also chat about reconvening in 2019 as A House is Dead to perform I Am the Greatest at the NCH. Episode notes: https://www.paulmcdermott.ie/episode-17

A short preview of Episode 17 – I Want Too Much by A House