Joe and Steve Wall have been household names since their days with “The Stunning”. Since 2000 the brothers have been making music together as “The Walls”, while still recording and gigging with the Stunning. There’s a new album coming from the Walls so Joe talks to Ger about it and about the brothers’ musical journey thus far.
The High Kings have been part of the musical landscape in Ireland and farther afield for the past 15 years. The lads are about to embark on the first ever world tour and they’re just about to launch something special by way of their new album. Darren Holden of the High Kings talks to Ger about it all
There is definitely a knack to playing the harmonica. Remembering how Santa Claus brought many a young person a harmonica at Christmas down through the years and how not knowing what to do with the instrument resulted in many being forgotten about at the back of cupboards. In the off chance that Santa delivered some harmonicas this year Ger Sweeney went to meet one of Ireland’s best harmonica players, Mick Kinsella, to find out just how make the most of the gifted harmonica.
He first came on to the “music radar” as a member of The Johnstons in the late 1960s and since then we’ve seen Paul play and sing with Planxty, as a musical partner to Andy Irvine and as a solo artist. One of Ireland’s foremost singer/songwriters Paul Brady has penned a cross-section of hits for himself and others and has toured with greats such as Eric Clapton and Dire Straits and he is still going. His recently published memoir titled “Crazy Dreams” is a very honest account of his life to date. He spoke recently to Ger Sweeney about this.
Mick Hanly has been making music and singing songs for over 50 years. The Limerick man has just released his latest album called “Marathon”. It is a mixture of new Hanly compositions, a fresh sound to some familiar ones and a few covers. He talks to Ger Sweeney about it, and a few other things.
Described as a Folk/Americana trio, The Raines, comprising Ruth Dillon, Julianna Erkkonen and Yvonne Tiernan are based in Galway. Each is an experienced and talented folk musician so since joining forces in 2019 it is fair to say that they have been making beautiful music that has caught the attention of audiences far and wide. Ger Sweeney spoke to The Raines in December 2021 and this is how the conversation went.
It was during the Covid restrictions so the meeting between Camilla Griehsel and Ger Sweeney was via Zoom but the ensuing conversation flowed as freely as if they were sharing a coffee overlooking the sea in beautiful West Cork.
Camilla is Swedish and has been singing since she was five years old. Her journey to her home in West Cork has taken her via Britain, the United States and South America. She sings in many languages and has been an important part of the Irish music scene for many years. Camilla spoke to Ger for his Irish radio programme on Spain-based Talk Radio Europe. Listen below.
This episode is the second part of Bowyer’s Limerick, a documentary that Ger Sweeney produced with the late Brendan Bowyer. Brendan was a native of Waterford but moved to Limerick when he was two and remained in the city until he was a teenager. Limerick has always been one of his “homes” in Ireland and he was very proud to be associated with it. On a wet day in February of 2009 Ger walked the streets of Limerick with Brendan, reliving his memories of neighbours, friends, his homes, his time at the Model school, returning with the Royal Showband and much more. Along the way they met some of those friends and the memories flowed……
This is the first part of a documentary that Ger Sweeney produced with the late Brendan Bowyer. Brendan was a native of Waterford but moved to Limerick when he was two and remained in the city until he was a teenager. Limerick has always been one of his “homes” in Ireland and he was very proud to be associated with it. On a wet day in February of 2009 Ger walked the streets of Limerick with Brendan, reliving his memories of neighbours, friends, his homes, his time at the Model school, returning with the Royal Showband and much more. Along the way they met some of those friends and the memories flowed……
This episode features the last person to win the Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland, Eimear Quinn. I’m releasing this on the 24th anniversary of that win. On that fateful night in Oslo Eimear sang a Brendan Graham composition called “The Voice”. My conversation with Eimear covers her love of music from a young age, THAT Eurovison win, what’s been happening since and some news of her new album, Ériu, on release from May 29th
