Irish Beats with Rob O'Connor

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.

Fresh from their appearance on TV3's The Apprentice and being featured on the Irish Daily Mail's Backstage Pass CD promoting new Irish talent, Kodakid wandered into the Beat studios for a chat with Rob O'Connor about their plans for world domination.

Rob caught up with Marc and Andy from manic percussion-group Torann, just after their packed gig at Electric Picnic. Andy revealed what it's like to be an elderly festival goer and Marc told us all about his celeb spotting in the backstage area.

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!

Paul Savage of melodic tunesmiths O Emperor dropped into the Beat studios to have a chat with Rob a few days before the hotly anticipated launch of their debut album 'Hither Thither.' The podcast also includes some audio recorded on the night of the launch in The Forum, Waterford.

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