Born Optimistic

The Man Whom aka Ian Doyle explains how a full-time job in local government turned him into a pessimist. Now that he's gone freelance and makes gorgeous albums like his new one 'The Dancer From The Dance' he's beginning to look on the brighter side - but just a little bit!

Gavin Harte - a musician, environmental activist and educator recalls how a favourite forest being cut down when he was a child set him on his path. He talks realistically and incredibly informatively about the options open to us if regarding climate change. 

Gabriel Kahane - a fascinating conversation with a singer who's current Book Of Travelers album centres around stories he collected on a phone free train odyssey around America just after Trump was elected. He urges us to switch off social media and engage with each other. He makes his Irish debut at NCH Studio on April 9th.

Clare Sands - fiddle player, singer, guitarist, jiu jitsu champion and surfer from Cork who is melding styles from left, right and centre to full effect. From Morocco to Clare she's collaborating with all she meets from Susan O'Neill, to The Hothouse Flowers to Steve Cooney.

Ye Vagabonds - Brothers from Carlow singing songs inspired by what sounds like a pretty fun upbringing in an interview with elements that could easily be stirred up as something controversial. Or Not. Either way, a very valid lesson in the fallacy of preconceptions. 

Inni-K - '‘The Hare and the Line’ is an album you must hear. Inni-K's second album, just out. From start to finish a joy. Inni-K popped into Born Optimistic HQ to share some time which yielded a great chat that covered many topics.

Luke Howard - reknowned modern classical composer and pianist who plays Dublin on March 23rd.

Lean in close and listen to Davy Lyon's tale of what quiet determination can achieve. Hear his story of turning his back on a lucrative legal job to go travelling and working on farms. A woman who ran a vineyard told him that if he wanted to be a singer he had to sing. Two and a half years ago he moved to Barcelona to become a musician full time. She's then he's recruited a band, signed a record deal and now he's just about to release his debut album.

After our extended holidays, Born Optimistic podcast is back with season three. What an artist we have to restart with. Beautiful words, music and melodies flow so naturally from Jim Page that being in the same room as him is a rare treat. He's from Seattle but has been visiting Ireland for a while. He's on an extensive tour of Ireland right so check out his live dates at JimPage.net and get to one of his shows.

Nina Hynes kicks off Born Optimistic season three. Interviewed in her Berlin home on the occasion of her return to Ireland to play her first shows in five years.

Our last episode of season two features a singer who does not lay claim to being an optimist and shares some very interesting views on embracing disappointment. A riveting interview.

Eternally smiling through life's ups and downs, Dermot shares tales of his illustrious times to date from Blink to Garageland. An inspiring chat what a man adept at climbing back into saddles with a smile.

A delightfully circular  conversation with a troubadour who point blank refuses to be pinned down regarding anything. With such a terrific way with words it's no surprise he's written so many amazing songs.

Larry Beau Bonus this holiday Monday to remind you Larry joins Steve & Joe Wall this Saturday June 9th in the Unitarian church Dublin.

The beginnings of getting to learn more about the great Mik Pyro. Known to many as the lead singer of Republic Of Loose, now embarking on a solo journey with an amazing new song called 'Very Strange' just about to come out.

An incredible artist who draws his inspiration from the Galway landscape he grew up surrounded by and the people he encounters on his travels.

The enthralling Patrick O'Laoghaire aka I Have A Tribe talks about his muse and how he channels it. Methinks he's being overly humble but he takes zero credit for the amazing music he makes and insists that he just finds it hidden in various places.