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.

The live music video platform BalconyTV found a home in 100 cities around the world. It was produced by a community of dedicated volunteers. The platform helped launch the careers of Ed Sheeran, Jessie J, Mumford & Sons and a host of other acts. BalconyTV became so successful that it was eventually acquired by Sony, who delisted the original content from YouTube, changed the format, and got rid of the platforms founders. The story of BalconyTV is a microcosm of the global music industry....

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.

If you have ears, you have heard the work of engineer and producer Sylvia Massy. Prince, Johnny Cash and The Red Hot Chili Peppers are just a few of her clients. Sylvia also owns the largest collection of microphones in the world. In this episode of TIMI Podcast she discusses insights, her approach to a unique life in music, and that time she nearly killed Serj from System of A Down by hanging him upside down from the ceiling of a studio for a vocal take.

On the day that Soundcloud started their new fan-powered and user-centric royalty payment system, one of the people responsible for creating and implementing that system discusses the impact it will have on users, creators and how we think about streaming services. The guest in this episode is Mike Pelczynski, Head of Rights Administration and Strategy with Soundcloud. What himself and his team have done is game changing.

Aly Gillani discusses the view from where he sits, managing award winning indie label First Word Records and working for Bandcamp. Mike Hanrahan toured the world, played stadiums, had the ears of politicians, shared stages with an array of Irish folk music legends, but he packed it all in to train and work as a chef. In this episode he lays bare a unique, rich and enlightening career.

The final part of a three part special looking at the music industry organisations that Minister Catherine Martin listed as being influential in informing her departments approach to structuring the €50 Million industry support package. Who do the organisations represent and what do they hope to achieve. Part three features Pearse Doherty, production manager, former Saw Doctor, and Event Production Industry Covid-19 Working Group representative.

Part two of a three part special looking at the music industry organisations that Minister Catherine Martin listed as being influential in informing her departments approach to structuring the €50 Million industry support package that is now open for applications. Who do the organisations represent and what do they hope to achieve? Part two features musician Matt McGranaghan, sound engineer Jackie Conboy and musician Mark O’Reilly. All three are representatives of the Music and Entertainment Association of Ireland.

Part one of a three part special looking at the music industry organisations that Minister Catherine Martin listed as being influential in informing her departments approach to structuring the €50 Million industry support package that is now open for applications. Who do the organisations represent and what do they hope to achieve? Part one features Edel Curtin from the Live Venue Collective (LVC) and Coughlans Venue Cork.

Jenny Greene has been behind the decks since the age of 12. She knew what she wanted to do. In this episode she talks about the highs and lows of being one of the most successful DJ's in Ireland, what it's like to lead the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, that time she resigned from 2FM, and how it feels to see your Mam and Dad right up against the barrier at the front of one of the biggest gigs you've ever played.

Matt Farley is an anomaly among artists. He manages to make a living from his Spotify plays. He has released more than 21,000 tracks under 80 different names. His most popular act are The Toilet Bowl Cleaners; they sing and release songs mainly about poop. This lad is something of a legend. Michael Fry, also something of a legend, records songs with lyrics provided by embarrassing internet moments. He’s a one man indie band with tracks clocking up over 1 million views on Twitter. Both Michael and Matt have some unique insight and advice to share.

Ahead of the Choice Music Prize 2021, Jim Carroll who chairs the judging panel and co-founded the event discusses the purpose and the track record of Choice. He addresses some topics in this episode that he probably hasn't dealt with elsewhere e.g. does he get paid for working on Choice and do the acts who perform at the event get paid. Ben McCormack has begun a petition to introduce a full week of Irish only music on radio stations in the Republic. He discusses why he started it and what he hopes to achieve.