The Shape I'm In: Paddy Cullivan, musician, composer and MC

Witty and upbeat, the band has introduced some of the biggest names in the world. But while Paddy has played with the great and brave, it was only recently he met his hero — astronaut Chris Hadfield.
“It was a real moment in history for me to put together my sci-fi interests and meeting an astronaut for the first time — I think that was the pinnacle of my career,” says Paddy, 40.
A man of many parts, he is also a composer, MC and works on political cabaret and satire, appearing with economist David McWilliams and writing material with comedian Oliver Callan for Callan’s Kicks on RT… radio. They also worked together for the TV show Callan Kicks the Year, broadcast on New Year’s Eve. And to celebrate the exit of the Troika from our shores, he recently penned the ironic Christmas song, Turning The Corner.
Though he studied art in NCAD, a love of music has defined his career. His dad, Tom, is a classical music composer and Paddy started taking lessons in piano at the age of four.
“At home we were apolitical, anti-establishment, very untrusting of authority. As we’ve seen, the system collapsed in 2007 and it affected me as much as anyone else. I consider my generation to be a lost generation,” he says.
Married to film maker Jenny Keogh, the couple live in Donegal with their dog, Bailey.
I’m reasonable and slimmer than usual from filming with Oliver Callan for the TV special. I’ve lost about a half stone. I don’t believe in marathons, I believe in fast walking every day for 40 minutes.
I used to be two stone heavier and I could feel it. I’ve the usual concerns everyone has, we all know it’s heredity now. But I believe the way the country has been run for the past five years would give you more health concerns than anything else.
Breakfast is my favourite meal. I love blueberries with museli and natural yoghurt, poached eggs, freshly squeezed orange juice and kippers. But it’s bready lunches and heavy dinners that are my downfall.
Cheddar cheese and cheese and onion Tayto.
Sometimes I have a very late gig followed by an early morning and something like that throws me out of whack. But when I sleep, I sleep like I’m dead.
Mel Brookes, Jonathan Meades, Orson Wells, Tina Fey and Joan Rivers, who I’ve already had sandwiches with — I’ve played with her in Vicar Street.
In Donegal it’s the smell of ozone and sea and cold, fresh Irish air.
I’ve always worn glasses but I’d love not to have them for tennis and surfing. I’ll never do the laser operation — I’m fearful of it.
I’d like to say it was when we played with Commander Hadfield on the Late Late Show. But, to be honest, it was when my Sky box got fixed yesterday.
Meanness, pettiness and exclusion.
My mother is American, so I have the pursuit of happiness built in as opposed to a stoic European acceptance of suffering.
I pray there is a God.
In Donegal it’s the way people help each other. It’s a version of Ireland that I like.