A Question of Taste - Brenan McCahey
My wife, Marion, recently got me John Lennon: The Collected Artwork, by Yoko Ono. The illustrations show pictures by John from his teens right up to 1979. In this collection, you can clearly see John’s artistic talent shine through, from the self-portraits to the Japanese and New York drawings. It’s great to see he was a doodler like the rest of us.
I was watching Dallas Buyers’ Club only last week and I just thought it was a very powerful film. Matthew McConaughey’s performance was exceptional, but, for me, Jared Leto stole the show. It was tragic to see the misunderstanding and treatment for Aids sufferers at that time, but to be living in Dallas must have been an even worse fate.
I went to see Interpol at The Olympia, Dublin, a few weeks ago. I’ve been a fan since their first album, Turn On The Bright Lights. They played all the hits and plenty of new material from their new album, El Pintor. I’m also looking forward to Villagers in the same venue, in a few weeks, too.
I have lots of CDs, but I collect vinyl, too. The music that I can’t get in the shops I usually download and the radio is always switched on in our house. I’ve recently started using Spotify, so, in short, I get my music from every source possible.
I’m still intrigued by Nite Flights, the Walker Brothers, especially the songs by Scott Walker, and, for some reason, I always go back to the music of Can. I heard a new Irish band the other night, on The Paul McAloon Show, called Little X’s For Eyes and I thought they sounded great.
Frank Sinatra, David Bowie, Scott Walker, Robert Plant, Thom Yorke.
Mercury Rev at The Olympia (just truly amazing).
Dexter, The Following, Game Of Thrones, Love/Hate, Other Voices, Later with Jools Holland.
The Breakfast Republic, Tubridy Show, Dermot and Dave, Colm Hayes Show, Colm O’Sullivan, Paul McLoone Show, and lots of late night 2FM on the way home from gigs
I sang the national anthem at the All-Ireland Handball Championships just last week. I was amazed at the level of skill in this game. Ireland has the top players in the world at this sport. It would be great to see it get more TV coverage.
While in London recently, recording at Brit Row Studios, I met John Cleese, who was recording a voice-over in one of the other studios.
We have three dogs (two pugs: Mr Binkles & Miss Tallulah and a labrador, Honey Bumps), so meeting these guys every morning is a truly amazing sight to behold, as they tell me, in their own way, to ‘Get a move on, we’re starving’.
I bought one of Darren Kennedy’s suits. I must have worn it out at this stage, but it was well worth it. He is a super tailor and is going from strength to strength. I met him when I was on The VOI and he’s a great guy.
Making music, I use Pro tools, both digital and analogue drum machines and synths. I have an iPhone 5C, my PC is old and falling to pieces, but still going. The apps I usually use are Twitter, Instagram, Bandsintown, Tumblr, Adverts. I mostly use the apps to connect with my fans and get my music out there.
AHAR (Animal Heaven Animal Rescue) — just go on their Facebook or Twitter site and read the horrific stories, then see the truly amazing work they do to rescue these innocent animals.
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