25 episodes

Hey Folks! Welcome to the Brief Encounter Podcast. I've been a professional drummer for over 30 years and have played with some great bands and musicians such as Picturehouse, Marianne Faithfull, Paul Brady, Glen Hansard and The Frames to name but a few.I've always been interested in what it takes to pursue an artistic endeavour and maintain longevity in a very challenging industry so I'll be interviewing artists from all walks of life.

The Brief Encounter Podcast with Johnny Boyle The Brief Encounter Podcast

    • Arts
    • 4.9 • 13 Ratings

Hey Folks! Welcome to the Brief Encounter Podcast. I've been a professional drummer for over 30 years and have played with some great bands and musicians such as Picturehouse, Marianne Faithfull, Paul Brady, Glen Hansard and The Frames to name but a few.I've always been interested in what it takes to pursue an artistic endeavour and maintain longevity in a very challenging industry so I'll be interviewing artists from all walks of life.

    Ep.25 with Irish Electro Pop Artist Paul Quin (Biazarre)

    Ep.25 with Irish Electro Pop Artist Paul Quin (Biazarre)

    Hey Folks,

    Paul has been releasing music since 1989 and on this Podcast episode we discuss his career as well as growing up in the 80s in Dublin. We also look a the challenges artists and young people are facing  with with rising cost of living here in Ireland.
    Below are some links to Paul's music and website.
    https://quinpaul.com/?fbclid=IwAR0gj9Bj7RIgd5p4iVIngF4r-8q_c6vvWxOH4sH65sFddosFYd5ta9bX-jg

    https://music.apple.com/ie/artist/paul-quin/590997881

    Paul Quin has worked in several musical genres since the 1980’s. Alone and in collaboration.
    Considered a pioneer in the field of Irish electronic music, his first single was a radio hit in 1989. ‘The Colour Of Rain/A Better Place’, released by duo Biazarre hit the Irish charts and was played constantly on Irish radio stations.In the years following Paul has featured on Irish dance music compilations from Futuresque records (Music To Move To vols 1 and 2 ) digitally released an EP ‘Goodbye To Mandalay (2000) on the flagship online record label Peoplesound.com, a mini album ‘Future Songs’ (2011) – on Ninthwave Recordings, performed at numerous live performances, art installations and other cultural events as well as regular Dublin gigs.
    Paul’s current musical genre centres on old Skool synth sounds, beats and melodies from electronica / electroclash together with live instruments- piano, cello, violins and sax.
    The first full length album ‘Life On Earth’ is set for release on the well known Russian electronica label  Scent Air Records  in 2021.
    In the leadup a series of singles/music videos will be released and feature on all social media platforms. ‘Life on Earth’ will be available in both physical and digital formats including vinyl.
    This record has been crafted over a period of two years with House of Analogue’s Aidan Casserly ( Sebastian & The Dream , Silver Moon ) co-writing and producing the record.
    Greg Malocca of Egoboo has recorded all the vocal layers and added additional production and as well as mixing the album 
    Some great Irish musicians play on this release such as Rónán Johnston, Simon Quigley, Katherine Atkinson, Paul O’ Connel (who co wrote and produced the track ‘We Are Unbroken’) Gerard Farrelly, and Mick Mc Donnell.



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    • 1 hr 14 min
    Ep. 23 with U.S. based Irish Singer Songwriter Mark Dignam

    Ep. 23 with U.S. based Irish Singer Songwriter Mark Dignam

    Hey Folks,

    This was a great chat about the Dublin Singer Songwriter scene that began with a small group of aspiring artists in the late 80s early 90s. Glen Hansard, Mic Christopher, Mundy, Kila and many others were involved and the Irish music scene was incredibly vibrant post U2's Joshua Tree. I hope you enjoy my chat with Mark as we reminisce about a very special time in the Irish music scene as well as other topics about Mark's career.
    Mark plays  The Scratcher Sessions on April 3rd at 8.15pm in NYC.

    Mark Dignam was born in Dublin, Ireland, and raised for the most part, in Finglas, a working class suburb known for its rough and tumble character, soccer players, and some fine singers and musicians. His mother, Maureen, sang around the house a lot, and the neighborhood itself, was soaked in music; Irish Traditional, Pop, Rock, Punk, Ska and Reggae tunes seemed to be everwhere. 
    In the late 1980s Mark and his fellow northside friend Glen Hansard, began busking on Grafton Street in the city center, meeting up with Mic Christopher, Kila, Miriam Ingram, Leslie Keye, et al, to establish a street performing phenomenon. It was a racous mix of covers and originals which garnered a staunchly loyal, weekly following over three to four summers. The group became a storied part of Dublins’s music history, and from the vantage point of their pavement stage, they were not unused to seeing members of The Waterboys, Van Morrison, or Sinead O’Connor in the audience. The police were also frequent visitors (not the band!).
     Meanwhile through the early to mid 90s Mark became a popular member of Dublin’s influential songwriter scene, most notably Dave Murphy’s legendary sessions in historic venues around Grafton Street: The Bailey, McDaids and the International Bar. After Mark’s first trip to the U.S in 1991, he began to hone his highly lyrical Folk-Rock sound, releasing Poetry and Songs from the Wheel in 1995. Ireland’s Hotpresss Magazine voted the record one of it’s top ten debut albums of that year, and hailed Mark as a powerful voice on the singer/songwriter scene. He toured extensively in western Europe and the U.S, along with opening for Glen Hansard, The Swell Season, David Gray, Billy Bragg, Joan Armatrading, Richard Thompson and Richie Havens, to name-drop but a few. The debut was followed by 1997s In a Time of Overstatement, And One for All in 2004, Box Heart Man, recorded with Detroit label Timesbeach Records in 2005 and “Rebuild” recorded with a live studio audience at Pittsuburgh’s Treelady studios in 2014. 
    Mark currently lives around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States with his two, much adored teenage children, and is working with producer/engineer Steve Seel, on a new album, titled An American Tune. The album will reflect on his experiences as an immigrant (and now naturalized U.S citizen) and mix elements of both Irish and U.S musical cultures. 
     A highly poetic writer leaning into the folk-rock tradition in the past, Mark has intimated that An American Tune will also investigate the ideas of “historic” and “modern,” bringing together acoustic and electronic instrumention. “What I picture, is a record made by Leonard Cohen, The Waterboys, Peter Gabriel and if I can stretch myself, maybe a little of St. Vincent (Annie Clark).” 
     A single “Angels of Mercy” will be released in early Sept of 2021, with the full-length record following in the Spring of 2022. 
     Mark will begin to tour again as a solo artist and/or with a new iteration of his band The House of Song.
     www.markdignam.com
    Https://markdignam.bandcamp.com/
    Https://www.facebook.com/mark.dignam.5074

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    • 1 hr 15 min
    Ep. 22 with U.S based Irish Drummer/Songwriter Keith Walker (Power Of Dreams)

    Ep. 22 with U.S based Irish Drummer/Songwriter Keith Walker (Power Of Dreams)

    Hey Folks,

    I really enjoyed catching up with Keith. I'll let this Podcast do the talking as it was a great chat where we talked about growing up in South Dublin in the late 80s and how vibrant the music scene was back then.
    Please see the links below to see what Keith has been up to over the last few years.
    Phoenix Arizona 2000 - Present
    The Bollox - Vocals/Guitar/Songwriter
    https://open.spotify.com/track/2ftkqHtPfuYkyy0oy76qBq?si=uftymUSvQUmZ9WShTMpREg
    Sister Cities - Drums
    https://open.spotify.com/track/1abwVZjvYh35fDH2NyZSgN?si=JGB4jY3eT2iwtKuE2vyX0g
    The Holy Coast - Production/Synths/Programming/Songwriting
    https://open.spotify.com/track/53SYMngm4W52CXTNBuMtXj?si=0lzXqRmoSby7YTYv57BZyA
    Snake Heart Society - All except mixing.
    https://soundcloud.com/snake-hear-society/snake-heart-society-the-other-side?si=83aef8b9ce1f45e39e9e23c9b0eec353
    The Deadlys Vocals/Drums/Guitar/Songwriter
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msFw7aCFF9c
    Baby Teith is an 80's Post Punk/New Wave influenced clothing brand I co-own/run here in Phoenix.
    Baby Teith - https://babyteith.com

    Power of Dreams released a new album in 2021 and have an Irish tour March 2022.
    Press release and dates below.
    Ausländer, the much awaited comeback album from seminal Irish indie band Power of Dreams is out now via The state51 Conspiracy. Thirty-one years since the release of their seminal debut album, Immigrants, Emigrants and Me, Ausländer is a vibrant and reflective companion piece to the earlier release; very much informed by songwriter Craig Walker’s Irish roots and years of touring living in England, France and Germany.
    Recorded between Berlin, Bath, London and Arizona, Ausländer (the German word for foreigner) bears many of the hallmark sounds of one of Ireland’s most enigmatic bands of the 90s while Walker’s subsequent development as one of Europe’s busiest songsmiths is evidenced throughout.
    Featuring original members Craig Walker, Keith Walker, Ian Olney and joined by producer / bassist  Erik Alcock (Pink, Celine Dion, Eminem) and on keyboard and mixing duties Ali Staton (Turin Brakes, Snow Patrol, Lightning Seeds, Madonna), Ausländer brings a wealth of musical talent to the table.
    Tour dates
    March 12th – Mike The Pies, Listowel.
    March 13th – Cyr
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    • 1 hr 36 min
    Ep.21 with Songwriter/Composer Page Hamilton (Helmet, David Bowie, Band of Susans)

    Ep.21 with Songwriter/Composer Page Hamilton (Helmet, David Bowie, Band of Susans)

    Hey folks,

    On this episode I talk with Helmet guitarist and frontman Page Hamilton.
    Page has worked with David Bowie and on numerous movie soundtracks such as Michael Mann's Heat and Collateral, The Kissing Booth, Saw and The Crow.

    Page is a straight talker bursting with humility and I can safely say it was a real pleasure getting to know him.

    I hope you like our conversation so please leave a comment if you like what you hear.

    Born in Portland, Oregan. He studied guitar at the University of Oregan before moving to New York  to study jazz guitar at the Manhattan School of Music.
    Helmet were formed in New York in 1989.
    Helmet has released eight studio albums and two compilation albums. After releasing their debut album, Strap It On (1990), on Amphetamine Reptile, Helmet signed to Interscope Records and released three albums for the label, including the highly successful Meantime (1992). Their next two albums ― Betty (1994) and Aftertaste (1997) ― were also successful, but did not match the critical or popular acclaim of Meantime. Helmet broke up in 1998, but reformed in 2004, and has since released four more albums ― Size Matters (2004), Monochrome (2006), Seeing Eye Dog (2010) and Dead to the World (2016). The band is currently working on their ninth studio album.

    https://www.pagehamiltonmusic.com/
    https://www.helmetmusic.com/
    https://music.apple.com/us/artist/helmet/105500
    https://open.spotify.com/artist/0qB0cTENhSUc0feov5qbg0?si=Bj_K23-EScyhZVu646Ktig&dl_branch=1



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    • 1 hr 10 min
    EP.20 With Irish Actress/Singer Bronagh Gallagher(Pulp Fiction, Star Wars, The Commitments, A Bump Along The Way)

    EP.20 With Irish Actress/Singer Bronagh Gallagher(Pulp Fiction, Star Wars, The Commitments, A Bump Along The Way)

    Hey Folks,

    What can I say about Bronagh Gallagher. She is one of the sweetest, most talented and humble people you could ever meet. Plus she is incredibly talented and great craic.
    On this podcast we talk about her upbringing in Derry, her stellar film and T.V career as well her 3 solo albums.
    Bronagh has just finished season 3 of Brassic for Sky TV  and has appeared in everything as far as I'm concerned. Just turn on your T.V and you will spot her in any things.
    Recently she released a single with Noel Hogan from The Cranberries called 'CRYBABY'.

    Here's a mini bio below as well as links to Bronagh's albums and movie and T.V credits.
    Hope you enjoy this. Bronagh is always great to hang out with and we had a great conversation.

    Bronagh Gallagher is an Irish-born singer and actress. Born in 1972 in Northern Ireland, Bronagh became involved in the performing arts, including music and drama during her teenage years. She later joined a local amateur drama group known as the Oakgrove Theatre Company. Bronagh made her screen debut in 1989, starting mostly on television series. Her first big feature film appearance was in Alan Parker 's _The Commitments (1991) _ followed three years later in Quentin Tarantino 's Pulp Fiction (1994). Five years after that she appeared in 'George Lucas' 's film prequel Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999). Rolling into the 21st century, Bronagh's work balanced out evenly between television and film. Further film appearances included Tristan + Isolde (2006) and Sherlock Holmes (2009). Her additional television work included Holby City (1999), The Bill (1984), The Field of Blood (2011) and in 2012 Pramface (2012). Bronagh still remains active as a singer as well as a musician.


    CRYBABY – Noel Hogan & Bronagh Gallagher https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGTNOc0WfuY
    Bronagh Gallagher's Wikihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronagh_Gallagher
    Bronagh's albums on Ituneshttps://music.apple.com/ie/artist/bronagh-gallagher/372667685
    Bronagh's IMDBhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0302345/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
    Pulp Fiction (HD) - Overdose Needle Scenehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpMxpzfSRUA
    A Bump Along the Way Official Trailerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2himU26oyKo
    The Commitments - OFFICIAL TRAILERhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSXGeUQc0Co
    Acting Masterclass with Marlon Brando - The Peter Serafinowicz Showhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_wktVpKUNc
    Phantom Menace (1999) Opening Scene feat. Bronaghhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R42v5rt3
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    • 1 hr 47 min
    Ep.19 with Rob Bochnik (The Frames, Glen Hansard, Black Space Alloy)

    Ep.19 with Rob Bochnik (The Frames, Glen Hansard, Black Space Alloy)

    Hey Folks,

    It was a such a pleasure to catch up with my buddy Rob and it's safe to say that we did imbibe during this conversation. This Podcast is 2 hours in length but we did continue to hang out for another 3 hours. So great to catch up with Rob and his wife Cherie.

    On this episode we reminisce about our time touring with The Frames and Rob talks about working at Steve Albini's Electrical Audio studios.
    Rob discusses his solo work as well as some of the notable artists that he's worked with such as Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova and the Smashing Pumpkins.

    Here's a little more info on Rob....

    Rob Bochnik is a musician, audio recording engineer, singer and songwriter. He honed his recording skills while working with Steve Albini at Electrical Audio, as an audio engineer. In addition, Rob played an important role in constructing the studios and overseeing their maintenance. It was his audio engineering work on For the Birds (which was recording at Electrical Audio)  that brought him to the attention of The Frames.
    He began playing guitar and touring with The Frames in 2002 and was asked to join the band the following year. He played on Set List, Burn The Maps and The Cost, as well as on all their subsequent tours. Additionally, he has toured and recorded as the guitarist and backing vocalist with The Swell Season and with Glen on his solo records.
    Rob also records as a solo artist, having released his own records Blowing Out the Cobwebs in 2007 and Lovevolve in 2017.  For more info check out https://robbochnik.com

    https://www.theframes.ie/rob-bochnik/
    https://robbochnik.bandcamp.com/
    https://blackspacealloy.bandcamp.com/releases








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    • 2 hrs 2 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
13 Ratings

13 Ratings

68lostsouls ,

Dance down memory lane

Great look back at the history of the music scene and a glimpse into the future of what’s to come. Great conversation between people who just love music, working hard and gigging. Worth listening to to understand what goes into life in a band and how it can all go

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