• Front of House: Keith Killen (Skinny)

    November 16, 2016 - By 

    In the latest installment of Front of House, photographer Tara Thomas shoots and talks work, experience and breaking through in the industry with Irish tour manager, backline tech and touring guitar tech Keith Killen AKA Skinny. Hi Keith! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Well, I like long walks in the rain and… I’m 30, I work as a touring guitar tech, backline tech and tour manager for a number of bands as well as FOH and some corporate work. I absolutely love my job and don’t like having too much time off, idle hands and all that!…

  • Front of House: Bettine McMahon & Graham Sharpe of KnockanStockan

    July 12, 2016 - By 

    Very few Irish music festivals are imbued with the sheer independent spirit and passion for homegrown sounds that continues to set Co. Wicklow’s KnockanStockan Festival apart. Set to return to Blessington Lakes this weekend with a host of the country’s very finest artists in tow (full line-up below), Mike McGrath Bryan chats to Bettine McMahon and Graham Sharpe, festival director and music director of KnockanStockan, about their humble beginnings, the festival’s annual schedule, only booking Irish acts and what the future holds. Photos by Moira Reilly. Hi guys. Give us some insight to the beginnings and roots of Knockanstockan. Bettine:…

  • Front of House: Rocky O’Reilly (Start Together Studios)

    June 26, 2015 - By 

    In the latest installment of Front of House, Laura Carland chats to Rocky O’Reilly of Start Together Studios about the origins of the studio, making music as part of Malibu Shark Attack, his career highlights to date and much more. Photos by Colm Laverty. Hi Rocky! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Hi, my name is Rocky O’Reilly and I’m a recording engineer , producer and mixer. I co-own Start Together Studios in Belfast where I spend most of my time recording all sorts of music from doom metal through to indie-pop and rap music. How did you first become involved in music? I guess it was…

  • Front of House: Davy Matchett (Third Bar)

    May 26, 2015 - By 

    In the latest installment of Front of House, Cathal McBride chats to Davy Matchett of Belfast’s Third Bar Artist Development. Co-ran with Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody, Third Bar have mentored, managed and planned single and album campaigns for the likes of Desert Hearts, Robyn G Shiels, Ed Zealous, Wonder Villains, A Plastic Rose and many more. Photos by Ryan Richards. Hi Davy. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and Third Bar? Certainly. My name is Davy Matchett and I have been following Manchester United since 1985, Ards Football Club since 1986 and going to gigs since 1987. My first…

  • Front of House: Blue Monkey PR

    May 21, 2015 - By 

    In the latest installment of Front of House, Mike McGrath Bryan chats to Blue Monkey PR agent Darren Johnston about his background in the industry, its role within a burgeoning Cork music scene and how others can get involved in the music PR industry in the current climate. Photos by Melanie Mullan. Hi Darren, could you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved with Blue Monkey? Well, I’ve worked within the music scene in Cork for the last 10 years both in bands as a musician and supporting bands through various means and I’ve been involved with…

  • Front of House: Louise McElvanna (CQAF)

    May 19, 2015 - By 

    In the latest installment of Front of House, Brian Coney chats to Louise McElvanna, Event Manager at the likes of Open House Festival, Belfast Festival at Queens and the recent Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. Photos by Sara Marsden. Hi Louise. You’ve just finished working at this year’s Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. First off, any highlights? Hello The Thin Air. It’s always a mad 11-day whirlwind. There were so many highlights for me, but The Staves show was amazing, I just love them. I’m considering applying for the position of fourth Stave, but I’m not actually sure there’s a vacancy going! It was also…

  • Front of House: Bernard Flanagan

    April 9, 2015 - By 

    In the latest installment of Front of House, we talk to Belfast-based freelance sound engineer Bernard Flanagan about starting out, his typical work day and working with the likes of Biffy Clyro and Therapy? Photos by Liam Kielt. Hi there. Can you tell us about yourself? My name is Bernard Flanagan and I’m originally from Maghera. I have lived in Belfast on and off for 10yrs. I have also lived in London and Glasgow. How did you become a sound engineer and how long have you been involved in it? I have been in the music industry since I was 14-15.…

  • Front of House: Michelle Whitehead (MCD)

    March 30, 2015 - By 

    In the latest installment of Front of House, we chat with MCD music publicist Michelle Whitehead about the day-to-day workings of her job, her long history in promotion and ways in which to get involved within the industry. Photos by Isabel Thomas Hi Michelle. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Hello! Sure, I’m a music publicist for MCD Productions How did you become a promoter and how long have you been involved in it? I’ve always been interested in promoting since before setting up own club night called Lockdown Dublin –which was a weekly club night for rock…

  • Front of House: Caroline Duke

    April 24, 2015 - By 

    In this installment of Front of House, we chat in depth with Caroline Duke who is a production manager working primarily in Vicar Street in Dublin. Photos by Isabel Thomas. Hi Caroline. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Hello! I’m Caroline, 32 from Athlone. I moved to Dublin when I was 18 to study film production (I just wanted to learn about making music videos), then moved to London for a few years, a six-month stint backpacking, then back to Dublin again. I’m currently living in Celbridge with my partner Conleth and our dogs Dexter and Sadie. How did…

  • Front of House: Chloé Nagle

    March 9, 2015 - By 

    In this installment of Front of House we chat to Chloé Nagle, a freelance sound engineer and part-time teacher based in Cork. Photos by Brid O’Donovan. Hi Chloé! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Sure! My name is Chloé Nagle and I’m a Front of House Sound Engineer. I’m based in Cork and work on a freelance basis for various bands, venues, production and PA companies. I also teach sound part-time on the Music, Management and Sound course in Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa in Cork. How did you become a sound engineer and how long have you been involved…