A question of taste - Jack Crotty

Jack Crotty is from Douglas in Cork. He runs the Rocket Man salad business and is also involved in the organisation of the Sounds From A Safe Harbour music festival in Cork this weekend.

“I’ve had a mad summer from travelling around India, working at Haven Festival in Copenhagen with Mary Hickson, and being chief vibe commander at Clonmel Junction.”

Best recent book you’ve read:

Lisa McInerney – Glorious Heresies. As a person from Cork, I felt it did the city a great justice. I can’t wait for her next book.

Best recent film:

Dunkirk — I thought it was beautiful. It’s the only war film I’ve ever seen with sunshine.

Best recent show or gig:

Teac Damsa’s Swan Lake/Loch na hEala at Clonmel Junction — the music was stunning, and I enjoyed the pace of the show. The music was performed live by Slow Moving Clouds — I can’t wait to catch them again this weekend at St Luke’s.

Best piece of music you’ve been listening to lately (new or old):

I’ve had a sneak peek of the Ye Vagabonds new album that’s due out in October, it’s incredible, they’re bound for greatness.

The best gig or show you’ve ever seen (if you had to pick one!):

M Ward at Electric Picnic a few years ago, he’s an incredible songwriter.

One gig you’re most looking forward to at Safe Harbour?

All the secret shows and People events, I don’t know what to expect — new collaborations are at the heart of the festival.

Tell us about your TV viewing:

I fall asleep watching TV all the time, but Peaky Blinders keeps me awake.

Radio listening and/or podcasts:

Loose Joints, Irish Man Abroad, and I eat audiobooks.

You’re curating your dream festival — what three artists are on the bill, living or dead?

Jeff Buckley, Anna Mieke Bishop and David Bowie.

Your best celebrity encounter:

Marianne Faithful kissed me on the cheek and told me I can tell my friends that I kissed Marianne Faithful… I told her to tell her friends she kissed Jack Crotty.

You can portal back to any period of human cultural history or music event — where, when, and why?

2008, Jack Johnson in Dublin, I had a date, and I forgot my passport, and was due to fly into Dublin from London that night… I missed my flight.

Do you have any interesting ancestors or family?

Apparently I have an uncle who used to hide guns for the IRA near Nano Nagle’s grave.

Unsung hero — individual or group you think don’t get the profile/praise they deserve:

My mum, Simone.

You are queen/king for a day — what’s your first decree?

Democracy.