Tom Dunne: The Blades should've been bigger, but maybe Sprints will last the course

Paul Cleary's band really could have been international stars, but perhaps Ireland's newest guitar heroes have a better chance of breaking internationally 

Paul Cleary and The Blades.

Is mid-January too early for a hot take? In the debate about whether it is easier to “make it” in music “these days” than it was in ancient times, I have an answer, and a clear one too. It is easier now. Yes, easier today than yesterday.

This revelation came to me in two ways. The first was watching The Blades on Tommy Tiernan. I was gobsmacked to see them. The music guests on Tommy’s show are wonderfully selected, but rarely of that vintage. I found myself a little emotional.