Let Christy Take It

Let Christy Take It

An Irish podcast based in Dublin, Ireland with an international twist. Kieran, Derek and Mark are passionate pop culture nerds. Join the lads as they discuss and offer their perspective on movies and music with a dose of Dublin wit and humour. Guests from across the wide spectrum of pop culture join the lads to chat and give us the inside story on the classics they were a part of! Enjoy and follow us on all social media and @https://letchristytakeit.ie/index.php/episodes-list/

  1. Episode 146 - Ron Sexsmith

    1D AGO

    Episode 146 - Ron Sexsmith

    On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Ron Sexsmith, Canadian singer, songwriter, master melodist, and one of the most quietly revered writers of his generation. From discovering a dusty box of records under his family stereo as a child, from doo-wop, Johnny Cash, The Everly Brothers, and Buddy Holly’s It Doesn’t Matter Anymore. Ron’s lifelong relationship with song began early. That Buddy Holly record, in particular, ignited something profound: melody, mortality, and the magic of songwriting all colliding at once. From there came The Beatles, The Kinks, Elton John, country music, Leonard Cohen and, ultimately, Gordon Lightfoot, the songwriter who showed him that you didn’t have to be a rock star to move people.  You could just stand still and sing the truth. We talk about the moment everything changed at 21, when becoming a father sparked a songwriting frenzy that led to Speak with the Angel and set his career in motion. Ron reflects on finding his own voice over time, a voice fully realised by the time of Retriever, and the craft behind his songs: the structural worries, the demoing process, knowing when a lyric has said enough, and why he still believes in the album as a complete, living statement. We also dive into his fiercely independent “no co-writing” rule for his own records, his deep admiration for writers like Ray Davies and Gilbert O’Sullivan. From touring relentlessly to curating deeply personal tribute shows to Gordon Lightfoot and Warren Zevon, Ron remains as devoted to the song as ever, whether it’s his own or one he carries entirely from memory, lyric for lyric, as part of what he jokingly calls his “savant” superpower. Join us as we talk to Ron about melody, memory, songwriting discipline, album-making, missed label opportunities, and the thread that runs through a body of work spanning decades, a songwriter growing older, wiser, and still chasing the perfect song. Let Christy Take It are proud to bring you Ron Sexsmith. If you enjoy our show please Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.   Thanks to our sponsor Irish Woodcraft, please check them out at https://irishwoodcraft.ie Photo Credit: Kerry Vergeer

    1h 4m
  2. Episode 145 - Marky Ramone of the Ramones

    JAN 18

    Episode 145 - Marky Ramone of the Ramones

    On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Marky Ramone, drummer, songwriter, and former member of one of the most influential bands in music history, the Ramones. Emerging from the gritty punk scene of 1970s New York, the Ramones helped redefine rock music with their fast, loud, and unapologetically direct sound. As a key member of the band during both their classic and later years, Marky was behind the kit on some of their most celebrated recordings and relentless world tours, helping to cement the Ramones reputation as one of the greatest live bands of all time. Their legacy was later recognised with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, acknowledging their lasting impact on generations of artists and fans. Beyond the Ramones, Marky’s musical journey has included time with bands such as Dust and Richard Hell and the Voidoids, as well as a lifelong dedication to drumming, touring, and keeping punk rock’s spirit alive. He’s also the author of the memoir Punk Rock Blitzkrieg, where he tells the story of his life in music. Join us as we talk to Marky about the raw early days at CBGB’s, meeting Jimi Hendrix as a teenager, life on the road with the Ramones, the challenges and triumphs of staying sober in the middle of chaos, and the deep friendships that shaped the band, as well as his ongoing mission to keep the Ramones music alive for future generations, including his upcoming Dublin show where fans can expect a full throttle, 35-song Ramones set, played exactly as it was meant to be heard.   Let Christy Take It are proud to bring you Marky Ramone   If you enjoy our show please like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.   Thanks to our sponsor Irish Woodcraft, please check them out at https://irishwoodcraft.ie

    31 min
  3. Episode 144 - Craig Finn

    JAN 15

    Episode 144 - Craig Finn

    On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Craig Finn, American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and frontman of the acclaimed indie rock band The Hold Steady. Raised in Minnesota and now based in New York City, Craig first made his mark leading the ’90s Minneapolis indie outfit Lifter Puller, before forming The Hold Steady in 2003. With his band’s rich blend of rock driven guitar work and vivid, character centric storytelling, they quickly earned critical acclaim and a loyal global fanbase across nine studio albums. Craig’s lyrical style, dense, evocative, and deeply human has made him one of rock’s most compelling voices of his generation. Beyond his work with The Hold Steady, Craig has built a strong solo career, releasing a run of acclaimed albums, most recently Always Been, where his narrative songwriting is brought to the forefront through carefully crafted songs. This January, Craig performs at Whelan’s in Dublin on the 27th, offering audiences a chance to experience his storytelling and songs up close in a venue that has long been at the heart of Dublin city’s live music scene. Join us as we talk to Craig about his journey from Minneapolis to New York, the evolution of his songwriting, his life in music with The Hold Steady and as a solo artist, and what keeps him inspired on the road and in the studio. Let Christy Take It are proud to bring you, Craig Finn. If you enjoy our show please Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts. Thanks to our sponsor Irish Woodcraft, please check them out at https://irishwoodcraft.ie

    49 min

About

An Irish podcast based in Dublin, Ireland with an international twist. Kieran, Derek and Mark are passionate pop culture nerds. Join the lads as they discuss and offer their perspective on movies and music with a dose of Dublin wit and humour. Guests from across the wide spectrum of pop culture join the lads to chat and give us the inside story on the classics they were a part of! Enjoy and follow us on all social media and @https://letchristytakeit.ie/index.php/episodes-list/