In conversation with John Kelly

What makes a great song – the lyric, the melody or something altogether more elusive? Exploring this fertile terrain through words and live performance in the first of two specially curated songwriting events is one of Ireland's most prolific and enduring artists – Paul Brady.

Brady was swept up in Ireland’s traditional music revival scene of the late 60s and early 70s, recording and touring with The Johnstons, performing with folk-rock supergroup Planxty and forging a formative partnership with Andy Irvine. Following his definitive folk statement – Welcome Here Kind Stranger – in 1978, Brady reached a musical crossroads, branching out and refining his own songwriting skills on a series of acclaimed solo albums and creative collaborations. In 2001 he completed a record run of 23 nights at Dublin's premier music venue Vicar Street. His latest album Hooba Dooba – his first for five years – is an object lesson in sublime songcraft, a multi-instrumental tour de force that tackles big themes from love and death to contemporary politics.

Now, in conversation with writer and broadcaster John Kelly – punctuated by a personal selection of live acoustic material – Brady shares his thoughts on the art of songwriting: key songs, major influences, inspiration, co-writing and collaboration… 

This event is kindly supported by RTÉ lyric fm