2019 marks the fifth year of the National Concert Hall’s Music in Mind programme - a participative music programme for people living with mental health concerns such as depression or anxiety. Designed in partnership with Mental Health Ireland, the programme provides 8-week percussion and singing workshops to service users, staff, and friends/family of mental health support centres in 16 of MHI's network of mental health associations. This podcast documents Music in Mind: Celebrate Together - a gathering of participants at the National Concert Hall, taking part in workshops as well as performing for one another on Tuesday 19 November 2019.

NCH Podcasts

NCH Behind The Music: Episode 8: Music in Mind Celebrate Together

Nadine O'Regan speaks with composer and arranger David Coulter about interpreting the classic Tom Waits album Swordfishtrombones. David will be re-imagining the 1983 opus as part of the NCH Perspective Series on Tuesday 29th November.  Joining him on the night is an impressive team of musicians and special guests - LA singer and performance artist Dorian Wood, Austrian musician and producer Soap&Skin, Mercury Prize nominee Nadine Shah, acclaimed folk singer Lisa O’Neill and singer and songwriter Matthew E. White to the line-up. Here, he speaks to Nadine about first hearing the album, falling in love with Waits music, collaborating with him, and what we can expect from Swordfishtrombones: Revisited. Perspectives is sponsored by Davy as Innovation Partner and media partner The Irish Times.

NCH Behind The Music: Episode 7: David Coulter on Swordfishtrombones

Nadine O'Regan speaks with Rough Trade/River Lea Records founder Geoff Travis alongside Cavan singer-songwriter Lisa O'Neill.  Lisa will perform as part of the NCH Tradition Now series on Saturday 5th October as part of a lineup curated by Geoff Travis, Tim Chipping and Jeanette Lee.  Also on the bill that evening are Ye Vagabonds and Brìghde Chaimbeul. Tradition Now is sponsored by Davy as Innovation Partner and media partner The Irish Times.

NCH Behind The Music: Episode 6: Geoff Travis & Lisa O'Neill

Nadine O'Regan speaks with Gavin Friday & Ute Lemper, two of the performers who will take to the stage for Change the World: Bertolt Brecht Songs & Poems for 2019

NCH Behind the Music: Episode 5: Gavin Friday & Ute Lemper

NCH CEO Simon Taylor, Head of Programme Planning Gary Sheehan and Head of Learning and Participation Nigel Flegg speak with Nadine O'Regan about the NCH Programme for 2019/2020. 

NCH In Conversation - Programme 2019/2020

Singer-songwriter, rapper, bassist and peerless giant of expression Meshell Ndegeocello talks to Ben Eshmade ahead of her Irish debut on May 29th. The 10-time GRAMMY nominee discusses the inspiration behind her stunning 12th album Ventriloquism; what she looks for in musicians, and the importance of artistic experiences in shaping the person she has become. 

Behind the Music - Episode 4: Meshell Ndegeocello

Nadine O'Regan talks to Rose McGowan ahead of her appearance at the National Concert Hall. Actress, feminist, whistle-blower, activist and agent of change Rose McGowan talks about her early life, her career and the events that inspired her to write the ground-breaking memoir Brave. Rose and Nadine discuss the origins of the #MeToo movement; how it has served to improve conditions in the entertainment industry, and its effects on society at large.

NCH WORDS+IDEAS: Episode 4 - Rose McGowan

Nadine O'Regan interviews Matt Haig ahead of his appearance at the National Concert Hall.  Author of Reasons to Stay Alive and Notes on a Nervous Planet, Matt Haig is one of the UK’s leading voices on coping with depression and the impact of modern life on mental health. Primarily known as a novelist, he has collaborated with artists across the board and it was recently announced that the producers of award-winning show Fleabag are developing a comedy drama based on Reasons To Stay Alive – his best-selling book.

NCH WORDS+IDEAS - Episode 3: Matt Haig

Nadine O’Regan interviews Catherine Mayer ahead of her appearance at the National Concert Hall. Writer, activist, speaker, consultant and the co-founder and President of the Women's Equality Party, Mayer is also the author of three books: Amortality: The Pleasures and Perils of Living Agelessly, Charles: The Heart of a King and Attack of the Fifty Foot Women: How Gender Equality Can Save the World! Catherine talks about her fascinating career, discrimination, gender representation in tech... fighting back, and much more.

NCH WORDS+IDEAS - Episode 2: Catherine Mayer

Musician and writer Viv Albertine, formerly of The Slits, speaks to journalist and broadcaster Nadine O’Regan in episode 1 of the NCH’s new WORDS+IDEAS Podcast. The series takes an in-depth look at the lives and careers of some of the guests who will appear in the WORDS+IDEAS talks series hosted at the National Concert Hall. Viv Albertine comes to NCH on March 9th and 10th.  

NCH WORDS+IDEAS - Episode 1: Viv Albertine

Musician and writer Viv Albertine, formerly of The Slits, speaks to journalist and broadcaster Nadine O’Regan in episode 1 of the NCH’s new WORDS+IDEAS Podcast. The series takes an in-depth look at the lives and careers of some of the guests who will appear in the WORDS+IDEAS talks series hosted at the National Concert Hall.

National Concert Hall CEO Simon Taylor chats to RTÉ lyric FM's Liz Nolan on the various programmatic highlights of the 2018/19 winter season, sharing insights on a broad range of classical and contemporary artists, genres and NCH developments.

NCH In Conversation: Simon Taylor with Liz Nolan

Britain’s most important post-minimalist composer, Gavin Bryars, speaks to Ben Eshmade about his career and works that have impacted the musical landscape profoundly. Reflecting on his best-known works (Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet, The Sinking of the Titanic) and explaining the inspiration behind some of his more recent works (Winestead, The North Shore etc.), Gavin also talks about the vast array of artists he has worked with over the years (Brian Eno, Father John Misty among others) and whether music can change the world... 

NCH Behind the Music - Episode 3: Gavin Bryars

Chris Thile of Punch Brothers speaks to Ben Eshmade about everything from the band's origins and their influences to the odd things you won't know about each member of the band... and much more. Punch Brothers play the NCH on November 19th as part of our Perspectives series. More info at nch.ie.

NCH Behind the Music - Episode 2: Chris Thile (Punch Brothers)

Sorcha Kenny talks to the NCH's Head of Programme Planning Gary Sheehan about the thinking behind the new Perspectives Series. The podcast includes interviews with Lisa Hannigan, Chris Thile of Punch Brothers, Gavin Bryars, Meshell Ndegeocello and Philip Glass. Perspectives opens on October 6th and 7th with a collaboration between Lisa Hannigan and Berlin outfit stargaze. The series closes with a very special Philip Glass residency. Interviews with Lisa Hannigan and Philip Glass come courtesy of the Barbican Centre, London.

NCH Behind the Music: Perspectives - Episode 1

Insight, opinion and more. Explore the thoughts and influences of many of the artists appearing at the National Concert Hall in these exclusive podcasts.

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NCH Podcasts

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