Nialler9

It's the Nialler9 Podcast's monthly episode where Niall and Andrea talk about the albums and songs we loved in the last four weeks.On Episode 228 we are album focused with new LP chat about records from Mitski, Cleo Sol, The Alchemist, MIKE and Wiki; Olivia Rodrigo, Soda Blonde, Natalia Beylis and an EP from Soccer Mommy.There are songs from Annika Kilkenny, Holly Humberstone and two Golden oldies from Anne Clark and Fountains Of Wayne.Plus what's consuming you - Fringe Festival shows, Peter McGann, TV, books and films we are vibing with.* Support Nialler9 on Patreon, get event discounts, playlists, ad-free episodes and join our Discord communityListen to the episode below or subscribe in your favourite podcast app:Listen on Apple | Android | ACAST | Patreon | Pocketcasts | CastBox | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS FeedShow notesSongs played on the Nialler9 Podcast Spotify PlaylistFollow Nialler9 on Insta | Twitter | Youtube | Spotify Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Episode 227, we are joined by the acclaimed music writer Bob Stanley, the man behind one of Niall's favourite books Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop and a member of indie-pop group St. Etienne.To celebrate 10 years of Faber Books are reissuing Yeah Yeah Yeah (with a new chapter taking it up to present day) , along with its prequel Let's Do It: The Birth of Pop (the definitive story of the birth of Pop, from 1900 to the mid-fifties), both on paperback.Along with the books, Bob Stanley also put together a compilation for Ace Records called Latin Freestyle - New York/Miami 1983 - 1992, in his words a crashing electro-funk sub genre of dance music. It was the aural equivalent of a can of thirst-quenching Quatro or a Spanish Harlem dance-off, and it became the electronically constructed bridge between disco and house.Latin Freestyle grew out of electro, and was a more female-fronted classic pop version with frequently Latina vocals, bleepy synth riffs, proto-house piano lines, drum machine hits and lyrics that harked back to '60s girl groups teenage concerns of heartbreak, boys and dancing. We talk to Bob about the books and this subgenre of electro music that developed in New York and Miami in the early 80s and included Madonna, Debbie Deb, Shannon, Alisha, Company B, Lisa Lisa, Exposé, Taylor Dane and went on to influence music from the Bee Gees' Robin Gibb, Pet Shop Boys, Freeez and more.A playlist of Latin Freestyle accompanies this episode on Patron. Sign up from €5 a month.Patreon members get access to the the Discord community, special playlists, ad-free episodes, event discounts & more.Listen on Apple | Android | ACAST | Patreon | Pocketcasts | CastBox | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS FeedShow notes Songs played on the Nialler9 Podcast Spotify Playlist Latin Freestyle - New York/Miami 1983 - 1992 compilation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Justified Ancients Of Mu Mu, the JAMs, the Timelords, The KLF. Episode 226 is a look at the UK band that simultaneously topped the pop charts while being divisive art provocateurs.Two British men, the Scotsman Bill Drummond and Englishman Jimmy Cauty created a notorious music project that engulfed the charts, aggravated the art world, upset the capitalists, annoyed the record industry and almost everyone else.Other musicians have been known as provocateurs before but The KLF were on an whole other level, because they became a massive chart success, while posing questions about the validity of art, original ideas, creativity, commerce and capitalism.This is the story of a band who did things like no one else, who had number 1 hits, who created art installations, defaced billboards, made cryptic advertisements, gave manic performances on Top of the Pops, fired machine gun blanks into the audience, became known as pranksters, and blew all the money in one huge notorious stunt.We discuss their flagrant sampling of Abba and pop hits, their stadium house/rave chart-topping music, how to have a number one hit according to The Manual, a cult weekend on a Scottish Island, involving journalists, Wicker Man and Martin Sheen, The KLF's Brit Awards shenanigans, The K Foundation art stunts, and the literal burning of a million quid.The KLF is a story like no other.Patreon members get access to the the Discord community of like-minded music fans, special playlists, ad-free episodes, event discounts and more.Listen on Apple | Android | ACAST | Patreon | Pocketcasts | CastBox | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS FeedShow notes Songs played on the Nialler9 Podcast Spotify Playlist KLF on the Late Late Show in 1995  The Manual: How to Have a Number One the Easy Way, 1988 References: KLF.De / Who Killed The KLF documentary (2021) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the Nialler9 Podcast's monthly episode where Niall and Andrea talk about the albums and songs they loved in the last four weeks.On Episode 225 we have album recommendations from The Hives, Citrus Fresh and Noname along with song inclusions from Sufjan, Diners, BadBadNotGood, Cartin, Barry Can't Swim and Olivia Rodrigo.Plus what's consuming you, chat about live gigs from The Walkmen, Boygenius, Another Love Story Festival, and the Roisín Murphy thing.* Support Nialler9 on Patreon, get ad-free episodes and join our Discord communityListen to the episode below or subscribe in your favourite podcast app:Listen on Apple | Android | ACAST | Patreon | Pocketcasts | CastBox | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS FeedShow notesSongs played on the Nialler9 Podcast Spotify Playlist Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 224 is a deep dive into the discography of electronic music pioneer Aphex Twin.t's Richard D James, "the godfather of IDM", "the Mozart of Ambient,", the mischievous enigmatic man who I shook hands with once, the artist born in Limerick who has been making weird electronic music since he was the age of 14 for over 35 years now.As Richard D James turns 52 this Friday, we take a chronological look through his back catalogue touching on the three main strands of his sound - ambient, experimental and dance. We discuss the myths around AFX, the famous 'Windowlicker' and 'Come To Daddy' videos in detail, the side-projects, the live show, the mischievous humour, the ubiquitous Richard D James face and much more.Using quotes from the man in his many interviews, we figure out why the music of Aphex Twin is so unique, how he developed his own scales, how he builds his own instruments and studios, and how he has always been a composer and sound designer first, but also an abrasive techno merchant, a purveyor of acid, drill and bass, electro and creator of beautiful classical melodies. Patreon members get access to the 3 Aphex Twin playlists mentioned - ambient, dance, experimental. * Support Nialler9 on Patreon and join our Discord communityListen on Apple | Android | ACAST | Patreon | Pocketcasts | CastBox | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS FeedShow notes Songs played on the Nialler9 Podcast Spotify Playlist Follow Nialler9 on Insta | Twitter | Youtube | Spotify Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 223 of the Nialler9 Podcast is a return to the festival field with Nialler9 and Andrea Cleary.We review last weekend's All Together Now Festival in Waterford.Niall shares his experiences of the festival's fourth year, a weekend in which ran the weather gamut from rainy to windy, muddy to sunny.We talk highlights and lowlights, the mud, the rain, the wind, festival organisational logistics, stage sound, and tents nearly blowing away on Saturday morning.In between the muck, there was great music and lots to discuss. We shared YOUR weekend experiences from those who emailed us, responded on Insta (we couldn't get to all 199 of you),  Twitter and Discord callouts.Plus, Andrea puts forward the case for more "quiet camping" areas.* Support Nialler9 on Patreon and join our Discord communityListen on Apple | Android | ACAST | Patreon | Pocketcasts | CastBox | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS FeedShow notesSongs played on the Nialler9 Podcast Spotify PlaylistFollow Nialler9 on Insta | Twitter | Youtube | Spotify Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the most popular monthly episode where Niall and Andrea share what's moved them musically from the month of July.On Episode 222 we have selections from Big Thief, Sarah Crean, Andrea's pick of the Barbie soundtrack, another of Niall's song of the summer contenders, Fizz, Aluna, Mitski, The Hives, girlfriend, albums from Blur and Joanna Sternberg and some a tune tribute to Sinéad O'Connor.* Support Nialler9 on Patreon, get ad-free episodes and join our Discord communityListen on Apple | Android | ACAST | Patreon | Pocketcasts | CastBox | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS FeedShow notesSongs played on the Nialler9 Podcast Spotify PlaylistFollow Nialler9 on Insta | Twitter | Youtube | Spotify Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 years ago this week, Singer Sinead O’Connor sparked outrage when she tore up a picture of the Pope during her musical performance on Saturday Night Live.The fallout of that action is at the centre of Kathryn Ferguson's new documentary about Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares - which is in cinemas this Friday.Following the release of last year's Rememberings, O'Connor's biography, the film tells the story of Sinead's upbringing, subsequent success focusing on the early period of her career and the vindication of her actions at the time. Sinead O’Connor was ahead of her time.The documentary celebrates a maverick artist, who never compromised her personal integrity or artistry, who was often ridiculed, and deemed the mad Irish women who shaved her head, who spoke up for minorities, criticised the church for child abuse coverups, Magdalene laundries (which she had direct experience of), and Ireland's fight for abortion rights.These causes and beliefs are now mainstream but at the time, O'Connor was openly mocked for pointing out the abuses of power (especially in America, where she refused to allow the National Anthem to play before her concert) further fuelling an anti-patriotism sentiment around the Irish artist, that fundamentally altered her pop career, one that she never wanted anyway.“I'm not a pop star. I'm just a troubled soul who needs to scream into mikes now and then.”Sinead O’Connor was a protest singer, first and foremost. Joining Niall and Andrea to discuss the Sinead O'Connor film is pop critic Louise Bruton. We discuss her relationship with Gay Byrne, the parallels to Britney and MIA, that Bob Dylan tribute concert, and the aforementioned themes from the film. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a rewind of an episode from 2021.Today's episode is all about my favourite subgenre of disco and dance music - Italo. What it is, where it came from and why it's so enduring.Italo disco is a European form of electronic disco that proliferated throughout Europe in the early '80s. It’s a catch all term for 80s electronic pop of mostly Italian origin.Italo is what happens when disco starts getting made with drum machines and synthesizers - a loveable curio of romantic pop, a tasteless yet tasteful novelty item, A simple music born at a time when music was increasingly sophisticated.Italo is big fun electronic pop music that doesn't take itself too seriously. It is time capsule of a generally more innocent time of bad dancers, keytars, moustaches and chrome-shimmering fashion.From Vice’s A Bullshitter's Guide To Italo-Disco by Angus HarrisonImagine, if you can, if somebody made a B-movie of the entire disco genre. Music so obviously emotional, it becomes inescapably affecting. This is Italo and its heartstring-pulling magic. It's not disco, in fact in most cases it's technically a lot worse, but there is untold charm in the chintz.Niall and Andrea take you deep into how US disco morphed into Italo, how Moroder and Hi-NRG fits in, the characteristics of Italo disco, the glitz, the glamour and the keytars. Plus, we talk about the Nialler9 Podcast theme song - Red Dragon Band's 'Let Me Be Your Radio...Patreon members get exclusive access to my 8 hour Italo Disco playlist featuring all of the songs played on this episode, which includes classics likeDoctor’s Cat – Feel The DriveMr. Flagio – Take A ChanceLa Bionda – I Wanna Be Your LoverRAF – Self-ControlKen Laszlo – Hey Hey GuyRyan Paris – Dolce VitaSabrina – Boysand many more.Support Nialler9 on Patreon and join our Discord chat Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For a subgenre deep dive, Niall takes a dip into the idea of Balearic music, and finds out that it's not as easy to explain as he first thought.Balearic is often thought of as a signifier of music that is evocative, sun-kissed and downtempo, but as our deep dive discovers Balearic is a feeling, an approach, that encompasses those things but also can be cheesy, soft, rocking, easy listening, dancey, slowed-down, dreamy, psychedelic and as dance music writer Frank Tope put it “it’s pop music that sounds good on pills.”The true origin story of Balearic is certain to includes the music selections of the Ibiza DJ Alfredo who DJed at Amnesia during the years of 1983 to 1988, just as all-night licences were coming to the Island.You know Ibiza as the Balearic Island haven where superclubs bang out techno and house and big name DJs hold residencies now, but in the '80s, the story of clubbing in Ibiza was being built from the ground up.Alfredo played an eclectic mix of pop, soul, disco, electronic, house, psych rock and Latin pop including Sade, The Cure, Derrick May, Simply Red, the Pink Panther Theme, Madonna, Richie Havens, Queen, psych rock wigouts, The Woodentops, and The Style Council, but was initially derided for his DJ sets.Our tale of Balearic music is linked to the Bhagwan Oregon cult selling MDMA on the island, new age dropouts, hippies, gays and party jet-setters, chillout Cafe Del Mar sunsets, and a sunny island mecca that became a setting for ecstasy-fuelled music epiphanies, that spread dance and club culture throughout the UK and Europe.Episode notes / references Songs played on the Nialler9 Podcast Spotify Playlist DJ Harvey on Balearica Did the Cult From 'Wild Wild Country' Introduce MDMA to Ibiza? Last Night A DJ Saved my Life - Bill Brewster, Bill Broughton Joe Muggs - The Balearic Aesthetic guide Alfredo Spotify Playlist Alfredo @ Amnesia, Ibiza (1985) / Youtube. Cian O'Ciobhain’s Balaeric special Balearic Beats Ritmo Fantasía: Balearic Spanish Synth-Pop, Boogie And House (1982-1992) Support Nialler9 on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Note, this is a rewind of an episode from 2021 to mark our second Indie Sleaze night on September 29th in Workman's Cellar.You may have heard of the term Indie Sleaze lately. A term newly coined to describe a nostalgic trend of post-Y2K era of culture and aesthetics of indie music and parties that crossed cities and continents.Niall and Andrea are talking indie-rock, blog house, nu-rave, electro-clash and the alternative scene of the years of 2004 to 2012 that gave us the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Crystal Castles, CSS, Uffie, MGMT, New Young Pony Club, MIA, Hipster Runoff, Mashups, The Cobrasnake’s hedonistic flash photography, Dublin clubs like Antics and spawned an Indie Sleaze instagram account.So how are Gen Z co-opting the vibe of the era and is the Indie Sleaze trend just a Tik-Tok-enabled churn in nostalgia economy?Plus, Louise McSharry, host of the new topical news podcast Catch Up, drops in to talk about her experiences of indie, electro and alternative of that time, the fashion and the tunes she still loves, and why she wants to start a club night in the era’s honour.* Support Nialler9 on Patreon for extra persk.Show notesOur Indie Sleaze night with guest DJ Louise McSharry.Follow Nialler9 on Insta | Twitter | Youtube | SpotifySubscribe to Andrea Cleary's Ghost newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 220 is a chat with the journalist, pop culture writer, and author Michael Cragg.Michael's new book Reach for the Stars is a rip-roaring oral history of UK pop music between 1996 and 2006, told through the interviews with the popstars, the songwriters, producers, label executives, pop fans, svengalis and culture writers of the day.It's an unputdownable behind-the-scenes history of British pop music that tells the story of the Spice Girls, 5ive, Steps, S Club 7, Atomic Kitten, Girls Aloud, JLS, Liberty X, Sugababes, The X-Factor and more.The book contains many anecdotes like Geri Halliwell missing the Spice Girls audition because she had sunburn or 5ive saying 'Baby One More Time' is "fucking wank” to Max Martin's face.We spoke to Michael about pop stars' mad schedules, the lack of mental health awareness, Xenomania, the moguls like Pete Waterman; the homophobia around boy bands coming out, TOTP, Smash Hits and the media landscape of the day, and the crazy pressure they were under in which a number two record is considered was failure.Michael Cragg will also be appearing for an interview and Q&A with our pal Louise Bruton at the Smash Hits Poll Winners Party on Saturday July 15th at Wigwam. Tickets are on Eventbrite.* Support Nialler9 on Patreon for extra persk.Show notes Buy Reach For The Stars Michael Cragg Author Interview and Pop Party on July 15th Follow Nialler9 on Insta | Twitter | Youtube | SpotifySubscribe to Andrea Cleary's Ghost newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the ever popular monthly episode where Niall and Andrea share what's moving them musically from the month of June - new music and older stuff too.On Episode 219 we have selections from King Krule, The Hives, Bright Eyes, Peter Gabriel, Maija Sofia, Glasser, Slaughter Beach, Dog, Niall's song of the summer contender and some oldie shouts from Butthole Surfers, Freestylers, Joy Anonymous and Bikini Kill.* Support Nialler9 on Patreon, get ad-free episodes and join our Discord communityListen to the episode below or subscribe in your favourite podcast app:Listen on Apple | Android | ACAST | Patreon | Pocketcasts | CastBox | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS Feed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are keeping our summer school vibe going for a bit for the season by keeping episodes relaxed and casual for a bit while the weather is a bit nicer.Episode 218 of the Nialler9 Podcast then, sees Niall take the reins of the going out buzz after last week's Andrea Goes To Slane episode.It was a busy festival weekend with Beyond The Pale, Body & Soul and Seas Sessions all taking place in Ireland this past weekend. Niall went to the first two for Body & Soul Festival on Friday and Saturday and then festival hopped to Beyond The Pale on the Sunday.He shares his experiences of both, from the weather to the site cleanliness to the highlights, lowlights and an attempt to answer the question that was om everyone's lips - why was Beyond The Pale and Body & Soul clashing on the same weekend?There were thunderstorms, lightning, big sets, stage time delays, vibe checks and crowd checks to consider.Plus, we share your highlights and lowlights from your festival weekend experiences from our Insta and Discord callouts.* Support Nialler9 on Patreon and join our Discord communityListen to the episode below or subscribe in your favourite podcast app:Listen on Apple | Android | ACAST | Patreon | Pocketcasts | CastBox | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS Feed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 217 of the Nialler9 Podcast is all about that great Irish music institution - Slane Castle.22 years (!) after Nialler was last at the big annual concert in Meath, Andrea makes her first trip to Slane for the Harry Styles concert and our roving vibe reporter is here to share her experiences from the gig day out, the food on offer, and the car park saga after.Plus, there's a look at the recent Why Not Her? radio report, a new official Beatles song via AI, some fascinating facts culled from the recent New Yorker piece on the Ed Sheeran/ Marvin Gaye copyright case Plus, the US plan to hike up artist visa prices from $460 to $1,615 per individual musician or crew member, meaning a lot less international touring acts going to America to play if it goes through.* Support Nialler9 on Patreon and join our Discord communityListen to the episode below or subscribe in your favourite podcast app:Listen on Apple | Android | ACAST | Patreon | Pocketcasts | CastBox | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS FeedShow notesSongs played on the Nialler9 Podcast Spotify Playlist Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.