A Question of Taste: Brian Hassett, Coughlan's Live

Brian Hassett is from Blackrock in Cork, and has been involved in various aspects of music in multiple guises. As well as running the Coughlan’s venue on Douglas St, Cork, and helping to organise this weekend’s Right Here Right Now festival, he has played in bands with the likes of Mick Flannery and Jack O’Rourke.

Best recent book you’ve read:

I recently finished Life 3.0: Being human in the age of Artificial Intelligence, by Max Tegmark. It was certainly thought-provoking about the developments in technology, and the wider socialand moral implications and challenges that it raises.

Best recent film you’ve seen:

The last film I saw was Uncut Gems where Adam Sandler plays a New York gem dealer/hustler.

Best recent gig you’ve seen:

I went to Liverpool to catch Conor Oberst but it was on his album tour where he had the Felice Brothers as his band, where they played pretty loud and loose with his songs. A really nice surprise was also catching the support band Big Thief.

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

I do tend to listen to a lot of music that I am also working on so have really been enjoying the new album from Arborist, a great Northern Ireland songwriter who is playing at Right Here Right Now Festival and I have also been lucky enough to get a sneak preview of the new Malojian album that was recorded with Jason Lytle of Grandaddy which is due for release later this year.

First ever piece of music or film that really moved you:

I am trying to remember my earliest memories and it was possibly both a film and the songs within it that had a big impact and the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory comes to mind, was it the film or the music or just maybe all the sweets that got me so excited.

Favourite gig from Coughlan’s over the past year:

Jason Lyttle of Grandaddy came and did a show last year that was really special to me. I never had the opportunity to see the band live before they broke up so to get to meet him and have the opportunity to see him play his songs so up close and personal was a real treat.

Favourite moment from previous RHRN festivals:

A personal highlight was getting to play in Anna Mitchell’s band alongside the Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra. An amazing opportunity to be able to perform alongside over 30 other musicians and hear them reinterpret and reimagine her songs.

Tell us about your TV viewing:

It tends to be late night viewing of documentaries and movies on Netflix, I’m trying to cut back a little on watching Irish political shows late at night, not good for the blood pressure!

Radio listening and/or podcasts:

I would have RTÉ Radio 1 on quite a lot, their shows Arena, Late Date and John Creedon are all highlights, as well as the new Irish music shows on both 96fm and Red FM on Sundays.

I don’t think I’ve missed an episode of The Point Of Everything, Adam Buxton’s, Golden Plec’s or the Irish Music Industry Podcasts.

Your best celebrity encounter:

I got to play as part of a band at Mountain Jam Festival in Woodstock, upstate New York, a few years back and was a big fan of a lot of the line up, but having Robert Plant eating in the same catering area with the rest of us mere mortals was amusing.

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

Feile’ 96 at The Point in Dublin to tell my 13 year old self that even though it was a pretty life changing experience you probably shouldn’t try to run away to join the music circus just yet.

You are curating your dream festival — which three artists are on the bill?

The Jesus Lizard, Tom Waits, and Johnny Cash.

You are king of the music business — what’s your first decree?

Recorded music isn’t ‘free’ anymore, it’s worth so much more than to be just ‘free’.

Right Here Right Now takes place in Coughlan’s and Cork Opera House from Friday to Sunday, featuring the likes of Donal Lunny, Mick Flannery and Valerie June.