The London Ear #389 Vale + Xnthony

The London Ear roundel logo over the London City skyscape

The London Ear #389

Show number 389 of The London Ear. I’m delighted to have Vale and Xnthony on The London Ear today. I really enjoyed chatting to them both. This week’s Irish track From The Vault comes from Stanley Super 800 and this week’s Sound of The Underground comes from Joe Hertz.

In the week where Jake Daniels made history, I just had to start this week’s episode of The London Ear with ‘Fashanu’ by London Irish band, elephants and castles.

From The Vault: Stanley Super 800

This week’s Irish track ‘From The Vault’ from Stanley Super 800. The band were from Cork and formed when members of Ceili Allstars started playing electronic instruments. Their second album, ‘Louder and Clearer’, was nominated for a Choice Music Prize in 2007.

You can still get the band’s music on Bandcamp and there is occasional presence on Twitter. My God, What a band!

Sound of The Underground: Joe Hertz

Sound of The Underground is the section of the programme where I introduce you to a London-based artist or band. Joe Hertz has a new single ‘Black Oak’ which features Livigesh on vocals. Joe released his debut album ‘Current Blues’ in 2020. It’s well worth a listen. He spent time after that in Ibiza, figuring out what the next move was. He hooked up with Jasper Tygner which led to releasing music on Shall Not Fade, a Bristol-based label. But now Joe is back making music and releasing it on Juicebox Recordings.

Check out the new single ‘Black Oak’.

Interview with Vale

PL-R Vale, Tomato Plant, Nessy, Mic

It was great catching up with Vale, aka Eoin Hally, to chat about his new EP, Aftertouch. I’m a sucker for good electronica, good production, and great songwriting. Aftertouch has these in abundance. Really enjoyed chatting about his work as a music and songwriter and it was also brilliant to find out more about his work as a booker for The Clonmel Junction Arts Festival and his new festival ‘When We Next Meet’.

Find out more about Vale on Facebook and Twitter

Interview with Xnthony

Xnthony – Photo from Facebook by Luxxshoots

I’ve been meaning to chat to Xnthony for a while now but our paths never crossed til now. He’s such an interesting performer and I’m delighted to have his platform to share his story and work. Xnthony is currently workshopping his new show ‘Oliver Cromwell is Really Very Sorry’. It was really interesting to hear why Xnthony is doing this and why he wanted to get audience feedback before bringing the show to the masses.

I was also very impressed with how Xnthony is now passing on his business knowledge to up and coming artists and performers. Very impressed indeed!

IF you want to find out more about Xnthony and his work, head to his website and Insta.

The London Ear Playlist May 21 22

Here’s what was on the menu for today’s episode of The London Ear.

Hour 1
elephants and castles: Fashanu
Lydia Ford: In My Head
Patrick Stefan: Head Voices
Be By Your Side
Interview with Xnthony
Elkae: White Dress
Wastefellow: Post Credits Scene
From The Vault: Rolled Up In Gold
Elizabeth Fraser and Damon Reece: Golden Air
Klubber Lang: Make Amends

Hour 2:
Space Moth: Pipe and Pistol
Ailbhe Reddy: Inhaling
Sound of The Underground: Joe Hertz feat: Livigesh
Zoid feat: Meljoann: Portal
Interview with Vale
Vale: Warning Sign
Interview with Vale Part 2
Vale: All Rise
Keith from Wekin introduces May Day
Wekin: May Day
Aoife Nessa Frances: Emptiness Follows
Phoeno: Kelly Brook
Def Nettle: War Machine
Yard: Lawmaker

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Thanks for listening, The London Ear is broadcast online and on your radio apps, in Ireland and around the world on RTÉ 2XM. You can always listen to the show on-demand after it has been broadcast on RTÉ 2XM on the RTÉ player including all previous episodes. The show is broadcast every Saturday at 1200. PLEASE NOTE THE NEW TIME OF MIDDAY!

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