Please Do Something podcast

Hi, I'm Brendan Murphy a singer and songwriter with a band from Ireland called THE 4 OF US. Join me, as I chat to people who make a living in the creative world - I will be asking them how and why they do what they do, and some of the important lessons they have learned along the way and in particular around the big topic of Productivity and Creativity

The Making of Fingerprints 11/14/2024

The Making of Fingerprints As The 4 of Us release our latest album, Crescent Nights, we reflect on the records that shaped our journey. In this episode, co-host Greg Canty (host of the ) and I delve into our fifth album, Fingerprints. Join us as we unpack the rich stories behind each song, discuss the invaluable lessons learned from our missteps in the recording process, and explore how the chemistry between musicians is crucial for creating an unforgettable performance. It’s all about capturing that elusive feel. Tune in for an intimate glimpse into the making of Fingerprints. Brendan /episode/index/show/pleasedosomething/id/33927807

The Making of Heaven and Earth 10/23/2024

The Making of Heaven and Earth The 4 Of Us are set to release our newest album, 'Crescent Nights', reflecting on the previous works that led us here. With our co-host Greg Canty, also the host, we dive into the creation process of our fourth album, Heaven & Earth. We used song titles as writing prompts, drum beats as muses, and a box of tricks called the SU 700 to create atmospheric soundscapes. The result? Songs like Sunlight and Gospel Choir. So, are you ready to hop into our time machine and travel back to 2003? Enjoy... /episode/index/show/pleasedosomething/id/33583012

The Making of Classified Personal 09/09/2024

The Making of Classified Personal As The 4 of Us gear up to unveil our latest album, Crescent Nights, we’re taking a trip down memory lane to revisit the records that shaped our journey to this moment. In this episode, I’m joined by my good friend and co-host, , host of the to explore one of the most pivotal chapters in our story—Classified Personal, our first independently released album. This was the album where everything changed. We unplugged, slowed things down, parted ways with brother Paul, and left behind our Northern roots to start fresh in Dublin. The black suit was out, red was in, and with it came a bold new sound that redefined who we were as a band—The 4 of Us, Mark 2. We’ll unpack the stories behind the songs, the shift in musical direction, and how names like Pulp and The Spice Girls found their way into an album that delves deep into the messy, beautiful world of affairs of the heart. Join us for a candid look at the creation of Classified Personal, and how it set the stage for everything that followed. Let's get into it.. /episode/index/show/pleasedosomething/id/32969207

The Making of Amplifier (the one you may have never heard of!) 07/08/2024

The Making of Amplifier (the one you may have never heard of!) Welcome back to another episode of the Please Do Something Podcast, where we dive deep into the stories behind the music. Today, we’re talking about “the one that got away” – our elusive, unreleased, third album, Amplifier. With no time constraints, no budgetary constraints, and our very own home studio, we thought we had everything we needed to create a great record for The 4 Of Us. But as you’ll hear, things didn’t exactly go according to plan!! Join me as I recount the highs and lows, and how we ended up driving ourselves – and my parents’ dog, Bruce, a little bit mad over the course of a few years. It’s a tale of passion, persistence, and perhaps a bit of folly. Joining me for this journey is my good friend and co-host, (host of the ). Enjoy the show! /episode/index/show/pleasedosomething/id/32044472

The Making of Man Alive 06/14/2024

The Making of Man Alive As The 4 of Us prepare to release our latest album, 'Crescent Nights', I thought it would be fun to explore the albums that have led us to this moment. Joining me for this journey is my good friend and co-host, (host of the ). In today’s episode, we dive into the making of our second album, 'Man Alive'. Did we suffer from the notorious "sophomore slump?” With Man Alive making it into Q Magazine's Top 50 albums of the year and our single 'She Hits Me; brushing the UK charts, we certainly faced some memorable highs and hurdles. Enjoy the show Brendan /episode/index/show/pleasedosomething/id/31746552

The Making of Songs for the Tempted 05/30/2024

The Making of Songs for the Tempted Making an album is always an exciting challenge and adventure. As The 4 of Us gear up to release our latest album, Crescent Nights, I thought it would be fun to chat about the albums that got us here and the lessons we've learned along the way. Joining me for this series is my good friend and co-host, Greg Canty. First up, let's talk about Songs For The Tempted, our debut album. Imagine this: no drummer, so we used preset rhythms on our dad's keyboard to keep the beat. Then there was a video shot in our school gym that gave us our first big break, and believe it or not, we signed our first record deal without ever playing a single gig!!. It's been quite a journey. Enjoy the show!! Brendan Greg Canty is the host of the . /episode/index/show/pleasedosomething/id/31530467

Getting “folkie” with Brian Kennedy 11/24/2022

Getting “folkie” with Brian Kennedy My guest today is fellow Northerner, whose unmistakeable voice and powerful song writing has taken him from the Falls Road in Belfast during the height of the "troubles" to the world's biggest stages, His wonderful recently released album 'Folkie' sees him pay tribute to some of Ireland's greatest folk singers. Enjoy the show! /episode/index/show/pleasedosomething/id/25124574

Talking music and acting with Steve Wall of The Stunning 04/29/2022

Talking music and acting with Steve Wall of The Stunning Today I talk to Steve Wall, lead singer with Irish bands and . Both bands have racked up an impressive number of classic Irish anthems over many years. As an actor his recent credits include roles in Ridley Scott's 'Raised by Wolves’, The Vikings, and The Witcher on Netflix. We chat about the upcoming album Stray Sparks from The Walls, navigating the music business, sparring with Superman Henry Cavill and the differences between the world of acting and playing music. Enjoy the show /episode/index/show/pleasedosomething/id/22947737

"Oh, The Starlings" with Kieran Goss and Annie Kinsella 02/28/2022

"Oh, The Starlings" with Kieran Goss and Annie Kinsella “Oh, The Starlings’, is the debut album from Irish duo It was recorded in New York with eight time Grammy winning engineer and mixer Kevin Killen at the helm. “’ has been described by songwriter Rodney Crowell as: “So good, it’s heartbreaking...the record itself feels like an old friend.” On today’s episode, Kieran and Annie talk to me about their experience making the album with some celebrated American musicians and a few Irish ones including guitarists Gerry Leonard, John Doyle and our very own Declan Murphy. Enjoy the show /episode/index/show/pleasedosomething/id/22278818

"Oh, The Starlings" with Kieran Goss and Annie Kinsella 02/28/2022

“Hail Mary” Coughlan 01/26/2022

“Hail Mary” Coughlan Acclaimed jazz and blues singer first album “Tired and Emotional “ rocketed her to overnight fame in 1985. Since then, she has recorded 15 further solo albums, drawing heavily from her legendary heroes Peggy Lee, Edith Piaf and Billy Holiday (to whom she devoted a double album of her songs). In 2020 she released ‘Life Stories’ a collection of songs that showcase her unique style and give some insight into her own remarkable life. We’ll be chatting about that album and an exciting new project she has in the works involving the songs of acclaimed jazz singer Peggy Lee. Plus she warns me about the dangers of yoga and the ups and downs of rowing her own boat as an independent artist in the choppy waters of the music business! Enjoy the show /episode/index/show/pleasedosomething/id/21906167

Hamlet Sweeney of The Nucleus - It's all about the Song 11/22/2021

Hamlet Sweeney of The Nucleus - It's all about the Song On this episode I’m joined by Hamlet Sweeney the man behind Dublin based music publishing and management start-up The Nucleus. /episode/index/show/pleasedosomething/id/21249323

Peggy on the Bass 09/25/2021

Peggy on the Bass Bass player Dave Pegg “Peggy” has had a crucial role in the continuing story of Fairport Convention, the most influential and enduring British folk-rock act in history. /episode/index/show/pleasedosomething/id/20597498

Twists and turns with Paul Brady 09/01/2021

Twists and turns with Paul Brady Paul Brady’s songs have soundtracked Ireland since the 1970s, spanning folk, rock and everything in between. From his early days working with folk pioneers Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny and a brief spell with Planxty to his transition to a more contemporary sound with songs like Crazy Dreams, The Island, Nobody Knows and The Long Goodbye. /episode/index/show/pleasedosomething/id/20336402

Talking songwriting with Sodajerker 07/28/2021

Talking songwriting with Sodajerker Sodajerker On Songwriting is a podcast co-hosted by Liverpudlians Simon Barber and Brian O’Connor. The fact that they are songwriters themselves may help to explain how informative and revealing their interviews are with the likes of Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Sting, Nile Rodgers, Jimmy Webb and others. /episode/index/show/pleasedosomething/id/19958597

Phil Coulter - A man of many talents. 06/14/2021

Phil Coulter - A man of many talents. Were the sixties really swinging for a young songwriter working in London’s Tin Pan Alley? /episode/index/show/pleasedosomething/id/19476476

The road to Sugar Island 05/20/2021

The road to Sugar Island In part two of my chat with Declan we discuss how we came to write and record Sugar Island an album of songs inspired by our shared experiences as brothers growing up on the border during the Troubles. /episode/index/show/pleasedosomething/id/19174976

He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother 05/06/2021

He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother Is it an advantage to work with a family member? Who does what in our band THE 4 OF US? I discuss this and more in the first of a two part conversation with my brother and creative partner Declan as we recount the ups and downs of working together for over 30 years. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/pleasedosomething/id/19009226

To Bishopstown and Beyond with Cork Bard - John Spillane. 04/11/2021

To Bishopstown and Beyond with Cork Bard - John Spillane. John Spillane talks writer's block, finding your own voice and how a collaborative approach helped to bring about his wonderful, brand new album 100 Snow White Horses. /episode/index/show/pleasedosomething/id/18678479

Part 2 of a fascinating chat with Moya Brennan of Clannad 03/18/2021

Part 2 of a fascinating chat with Moya Brennan of Clannad In the second part of my interview with award winning singer and songwriter Moya Brennan she recalls how the sound of Clannad developed from purely traditional instruments to incorporate synthesisers and vocal harmony resulting in their first global hit “The Theme From Harry’s Game”. /episode/index/show/pleasedosomething/id/18377759

From the hills of Donegal to the world stage with Moya Brennan 03/05/2021

From the hills of Donegal to the world stage with Moya Brennan Grammy and Emmy award winning singer, songwriter, harpist and philanthropist Moya Brennan talks to me about her early days with Clannad and their rise to international acclaim in the first of a two part conversation. /episode/index/show/pleasedosomething/id/18196031

From Bank to Broadway with composer Ronan Hardiman 11/06/2020

From Bank to Broadway with composer Ronan Hardiman I talk to composer Ronan Hardiman, the man behind the scores for Michael Flatley's globally successful 'Lord Of The Dance', 'Feet of Flames', and 'Celtic Tiger' Dance spectaculars. /episode/index/show/pleasedosomething/id/16472324

Fearless Sharon Vaughn, Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame 09/17/2020

Fearless Sharon Vaughn, Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame I talk with Nashville Hall of Fame songwriter and good friend, Sharon Vaughn. /episode/index/show/pleasedosomething/id/16056017

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