Irish Beats with Rob O'Connor

Despite playing a festival in Longford the night before, Paul Savage of O Emperor managed to find time to drop in Irish Beats to chat about their new album Vitreous, how the band built and then nearly destroyed their own studio and he dishes dirt on their dummer's fashion sense. Paul also performed an acoustic version of 'This Is It' from the album.

Ellie and Louise Macnamara, better known as Heathers dropped by the Beat studios and had a chat with Rob about their critically acclaimed album Kingdom, working with David Guetta and hinted at writing songs for a new Disney project. Busy people indeed! If that's not enough, they performed gorgeous acoustic versions of 'Circular Road' and 'Gather up.' Get listening!

Ahead of their first gig for 2013, Aley and Mark of King Kong Company stopped by the Beat studios for a chinwag. This also includes a sort-of bluesy acoustic performance of a dance tune ... using Ableton Live. Anyway, 'Bagpuss' sounds great. Check 'em out on facebook.com/kingkongcompany

Having just released their latest album 'I Am Not The Crow', Windings dropped by the Beat studios to have a chat about touring in Canada, recording in the Arcade Fire's studio and generally making good music. They also brought the crappest drum machine speaker Rob has ever seen, but the sound was magical - so looks can be deceiving!

Wexford songsmith and string-noodler Joey Ryan popped into Irish Beats as he gears up for his new album release 'Morning Will Come Soon.' Joey financed the recording of the album through a FundIt campaign, which we promoted on Irish Beats, so it's great to hear the fruits of the effort.

The podcast includes a haunting version of Springsteen's "I'm On Fire" accompanied by Clodagh Kearney.

Rob spoke with Beat Fleeter Darragh O'Keeffe, who along with Conor Murphy is cycling 1800km around Ireland in aid of the CRYFoundation, which assist families who've suffered a loss through Sudden Adult Death Syndrome.

When Rob spoke with Darragh, he'd just finished a gruelling 185km session ...

To help celebrate the memory of Thomastown's most famous adopted son, one of the musicians performing at The John Martyn Tribute concert dropped into the Beat studios. Kevin Power and Rov chatted about John's music, the folk scene and the legacy Martyn left behind. Includes some infectious finger noodling on the acoustic guitar.

The surprisingly spiffy Dirty Epics were in with Rob to discuss their new single, forthcoming second album and gigging, as well as the usual "life, the universe and everything" meanderings from the host.

In Rob's opinion (which doesn't count for much), Mark Geary is the finest singer/songwriter currently working today, so he was delighted when Mark dropped by to chat about his most recent album "Songs About Love, Songs ABout Leaving", his upcoming performance at the Gealach Gorm festival and treat us to no less than THREE acoustic tunes. Also, find out about Mark's brush with Christopher Walken in a sexy low-budget horror shlock film. The man's a legend.

An Irish indie band without a guitarist?! What what what!!! Check out this interview with Swords to learn if such a thing is possible

Wexford's finest Chucky's River popped into the Beat studios for a chat and to play a bit of music.

Mark White and Alan Aylward from electronic rock/dance outfit King Kong Company finally made it into the Beat studios to discuss their project to release one new track and music video a month for a calendar year. The show co-incided with the final entry in the series, with Irish Beats having the world premier of their last track 'Eamonn de Valero.'

The King Kong Company lads, being sound and decent people, also have allowed us to included no less than THREE full tracks in the podcast. If you like what you hear, head over to soundcloud.com/kingkongcompany and download them for yourself.

Oh yes, and they did the interview naked. Sure why not? It's radio after all!

Clonmel's finest roots-rockers Crow Black Chicken dropped into the Beat studios to talk about their latest single, the FundIt campaign to finish their album and also to treat s to a few live tunes. You can help 'em out at http://www.fundit.ie/project/crow-black-chicken-album-fund

Wingnut Records are a shining light in the bleak land of bricks and mortar record shops, having found success in Galway. They've now opened an outlet in Waterford and Kate from Wingnut came into Irish Beats to have a chat about how they promote new Irish music and are helping artists get their music out there.

Wexford musician Joey Ryan was in the Beat Studios to promote his FundIt campaign, where he's trying to raise enough cash to record his second album. If you have a listen, you'll be assured of his talent and you may even throw him a few quid! Also, you'll be guaranteed a copy of the album once it's done, so just think of it as a pre-sale. G'wan g'wan g'wan ...

Monaghan-man Ryan Sheridan spoke to Rob O'Connor about his rollercoaster couple of years in the music biz: from busking on the streets to supporting Bryan Adams on his arena tour. He also performs solo acoustic songs for your listening pleasure. Ryan will be doing two dates in the South East in the run up to Christmas: 2nd Dec in The Forum Waterford and 8th Dec in the Wexford Arts Centre.

Capping off the Irish Beats Sunday Social, Propeller Palms played a rockin'set for the packed crowd at the Uluru. The podcast contains 5 live tracks 'All In This Together', 'Get It Right', 'No Foolin' Around', 'Someday We Will Meet Again' and 'Look My Way.' This is a live recording, so bear with the background sounds of clinking glasses and shuffling feet!

We managed to squeeze no less than NINE musicians (and one hairy DJ) into the Beat studios to bring you this interview and session with Waterford rock outfit, Propeller Palms. As well as your standard guitar, bass and drums, we had brass, keyboard and a few backing singers aswell! Brilliant stuff from a great band. The album "All In This Together" is out now - do your ears a favour and check it out!

Thanks to the wonders of TECHNOLOGY (i.e. the telephone), Rob spoke with Dermot Barrett aka Masked Man, who was holed up in Norway, awaiting a trip to Ireland for his forthcoming national tour.

Rob met up with Neil Hannon of the Divine Comedy for a cup of coffee and a chat, as Neil tours Ireland with his solo Divine Comedy show. Neil reflects on his career to date to and postulates on future projects. We also learn about the logistics of lugging a grand piano around to gigs!