Open Ears

In this fifth episode of Open Ears, Alain McFadden talks to Dani Larkin. Together they listened to Chrysalism by Linda Buckley.Linda Buckley is an award winning Irish Composer who creates electronic and acoustic music, and has a particular interest in working across many disciplines, most notably film and in the realm of drone and dark ambient music. Chrysalism features on the album Crashlands alongside works from Irish and international composers that premiered in rural locations across Ireland during 2017.Find out more from Linda Buckley here: https://www.lindabuckley.org/about/And Dani Larkin at: https://www.danilarkin.comThis episode is presented by Alain McFaddenMusic: 'Chrysalism’ from Crashlands by Linda BuckleyHost: Alain McFaddenGuest: Dani Larkin

In this fourth episode of Open Ears, Alain McFadden talks to Tolü Makay. Together they listened to Disequilibrium by Amy Rooney.Amy Rooney is a composer from Co. Down. She read music at Queen’s University Belfast, where she completed a PhD in Composition. Her preference is for music which involves some degree of co-creativity; this can present itself through an interactive score, where various decisions assigned to the player produce music that is nuanced, natural and flexible. Disequilibrium was one of the five works, written for 10 performers in collaboration with Crash Ensemble in 2023.Find out more about Amy Rooney at: https://www.cmc.ie/composers/amy-rooney and more about Tolü Makay: https://tolumakayofficial.com/This episode is presented by Alain McFaddenMusic: 'Disequilibrium' from Crash Works by Amy Rooney.Host: Alain McFaddenGuest: Tolü Makay

In this third episode of Open Ears, Alain McFadden talks to Conor O’Reilly and Jonny Pickett of Americana-Folk duo DUG. Together they listened to Senses IV by Yue Song.Yue Song is a composer and pianist based in Dublin, merging various genres, including works for opera, orchestra, Chinese orchestra, various chamber music ensembles, solo pieces, and electronic music. Senses IV was one of the five works, written for 10 performers with electronics in collaboration with Crash Ensemble in 2023.Find Out more about Yue Song at: https://www.yuesongmusic.com/ and more about DUG at: https://www.dugworld.com/This episode is presented by Alain McFaddenMusic: 'Sensers IV' from Crash Works by Yue Song.Host: Alain McFaddenGuests: DUG (Conor O’Reilly - Jonny Pickett)

In this second episode of Open Ears, Alain McFadden talks to Laura Quirke - Musician, songwriter and one half of folk duo Lemoncello.Together they listened to two movements of Lipids by Barry O'Halpin. Barry O'Halpin is a composer and performer based in Dublin, merging approaches and formative influences from contemporary classical, experimental rock, electronic music and jazz contexts. Lipids charts the evolution of Barry O' Halpins inventive and exploratory writing for both chamber ensemble and solo electric guitar, as composer in residence and guitarist with Crash Ensemble.Find Out more about Barry O'Halpin at https://barryohalpin.com/, and more about Laura Quirke at https://www.lemoncelloireland.com/This episode is presented by Alain McFaddenMusic: 'Lipids' and 'Lethargarian' from Lipids by Barry O'Halpin.Host: Alain McFaddenGuest: Laura Quirke

In this first episode of our third season, Alain McFadden speaks to Brían MacGloinn - songwriter, radio host and one of the brothers that make up Irish folk-darlings Ye Vagabonds. Together, they listen to extracts from Jonathan Nangle's Blue Haze of Deep Time.Jonathan Nangle draws inspiration from his field recordings of the sea, made during walks near his home. These sounds form the foundation of the piece, marking the start of a musical journey. Blue Haze of Deep Time was commissioned by Crash and premiered at New Music Dublin Festival in 2025.Find out more about Jonathan Nangle at https://jonathannangle.com, and more about Brían MacGloinn and his music at https://yevagabonds.com.This episode is presented by Alain McFadden, the new host of Open Ears.*Music‘Inbhear Glás’ and ‘Where Grey Waves Rise and Fall Unseen’ from Blue Haze of Deep Time by Jonathan Nangle*Host: Alain McFaddenGuest: Brían MacGloinn

Composer Andrew Hamilton meets singer, songwriter and dance artist, Aoife McAtamney, to discuss Andrew's composition, 'Friendly Piece', composed in 2023 for Crash Ensemble. Friendly Piece was recently part of an installation at the Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray, co. Wicklow. Find out more about Aoife McAtamney at www.daughterofadrum.com * Music Andrew Hamilton - Friendly Piece (available on Bandcamp) * Host: Andrew Hamilton Guest: Aoife McAtamney

As part of Kilkenny Arts Festival 2024, Crash Ensemble spent a day in Shee Alms House recording and performing seven Postcard pieces that had been commissioned by Crash Ensemble. Olga Barry, the Director of Kilkenny Arts Festival, hosted one of the performances for this live podcast episode, featuring live performances and conversations with some of the composers and audience members. With thanks to Kilkenny Arts Festival and The Arts Council. * Music: Paul Scully - Escape Velocity Emmelle Wadding - Junk Jenn Kirby - Waves Maeve Kelly - X-change of Flames Dani Larkin - Lighthouse Michael Sullivan - Through Worlds of Fog Neil O’Connor - The Last Broadcast Title Music: Ed Bennett - Accel * Host: Olga Barry

As part of Musictown 2024, Crash Ensemble collaborated with four different artists for four unique performances: Elaine Howley, Mohammad Syfkhan, Rachael Lavelle and E the Artist. On this special episode, we hear from the artists themselves about working with Crash. We also hear from attendees of our listening groups, who attended sessions with Elaine Howley and E the Artist. With thanks to Dublin City Council Culture Company and the Blow the Dust Orchestra. Artists: Elaine Howley Mohammad Syfkhan Rachael Lavelle E the Artist Recorded live at National Concert Hall, Dublin. * Music Title Music: Accel. - Ed Bennett Outro Music: this is the space between your hand and mine - Rachael Lavelle Available on Bandcamp.

Flautist Lina Andonovska meets with author Ciara Geraghty for the first time, and together they listen to excerpts from The Last Hotel, which Lina joined Crash for in 2015. Lina performs alongside Crash Ensemble on Sunday 30th June 2024 for a performance at Sundays at Noon in the Hugh Lane Gallery. Find out more about Ciara Geraghty at ciarageraghty.com. With thanks to the Offbeat Ensemble and Cantaloupe Music. * Music Ed Bennett: - Accel Donnacha Dennehy - The Last Hotel (Available on Cantaloupe Music) * Host: Lina Andonovska Guest: Ciara Geraghty

Composer Bekah Simms recently marked the end of her two years as composer-in-residence with Crash with a world premiere at New Music Dublin 2024. While in Dublin, Bekah met for the first time with dancer, choreographer and geologist Silver Kezir, and listened to Crash's most recent release metamold. With thanks to Dublin City Council Culture Company. metamold was commissioned by the Barlow Endowment for Music Composition at Brigham Young University. * Music Bekah Simms - metamoldEd Bennett - AccelReleased on Crash Records. Available on Bandcamp. * Host: Bekah Simms Guest: Sylvester Kezir Produced by Matt Rafter

The first instalment of Season 2 of Open Ears is a special episode, featuring Crash Ensemble's cellist and Artistic Director Kate Ellis chatting with Principal Conductor Ryan McAdams, and listening to the Free State recording of Amanda Feery's It's in the trees, it's coming. Crash Ensemble return to Ireland's foremost new music festival, New Music Dublin, with 3 not-to-be-missed concerts and an installation, from 26–28 April 2024. Visit newmusicdublin.ie for tickets and more information. * Music Amanda Feery - It's in the trees, it's coming Ed Bennett - Accel Released on Crash Records. Available on Bandcamp. * Host: Kate Ellis Guest: Ryan McAdams Produced by Matt Rafter

Crash Ensemble pianist Eliza McCarthy chats to her friend Amy and listens to Crash's most recent release, Children In The Universe by Sam Perkin. * Music Sam Perkin - Children In The Universe Ed Bennett - Accel Released on Crash Records. Available on ⁠Bandcamp⁠. * Crash Musician: Eliza McCarthy Guest: Amy Houldey Producer: Matt Rafter

Crash Ensemble guitarist Barry O'Halpin sits down with his neighbour David Ball, and listens to Crash's recording of Barry's piece Wingform. * Music Barry O'Halpin - Wingform Ed Bennett - Accel Released on Crash Records. Available on Bandcamp. * Transcript Available here. * Crash Musician: Barry O'Halpin Guest: David Ball Producer: Matt Rafter

Crash Artist-in-Residence Diamanda La Berge Dramm sits down with her cousin Max LaBerge, and listens to the Crashlands recording of Ann Cleare's Fiáin. * Music Ann Cleare - Fiáin Ed Bennett - Accel Released on Crash Records. Available on Bandcamp. * Transcript Available here * Crash Musician: Diamanda La Berge Dramm Guest: Max LaBerge Producer: Matt Rafter

Crash Bass Player Malachy Robinson chats to writer and actor Mark Doherty about music for donkeys who like music, written for Crash by Andrew Hamilton and featured on our CrashLands album. * Music Andrew Hamilton - music for donkeys who like music Ed Bennett - Accel Released on Crash Records. Available on Bandcamp. * Transcript Available here *Crash Musician: Malachy Robinson Guest: Mark Doherty Producer: Matt Rafter

Crash Violist Lisa Dowdall chats to her brother-in-law Brian about one of her favourite Crash recordings, A Wild Furze by American composer Julia Wolfe. * Music Julia Wolfe - A Wild Furze Ed Bennett - Accel Released on Crash Records. Available on Bandcamp. * Transcript Available here * Crash Musician: Lisa Dowdall Guest: Brian Guilfoyle Producer: Matt Rafter

On this episode of Open Ears, the sixth and final episode of Season 3, Alain chats with Kate Stables of This Is The Kit. Together, they listened to Aleksandr Nisse's Pleonexia. Aleksandr Nisse, Titular Organist of St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in Dublin, is a composer of Russian and French descent based in Ireland.  He has written for Hochschule der Künste Bern and Crash Ensemble, with notable works including áiséirí (2019) and NOTINTUNE, which explores the impact of digital distractions on society. His compositions, The Eve of St Agnes and Francis Bacon’s Studio premiered in Dublin’s Hugh Lane Gallery in 2022.Pleonexia was one of five works, written for 10 performers and organ in collaboration with Crash Ensemble in 2025 as part the Crash Works programme. Pleonexia features on Crash Works II which was released on Crash records in September 2025.Find out more about Kate Stables/This Is The Kit at: thisisthekit.co.ukThis episode is presented by Alain McFaddenMusic: 'Pleonexia’ from Crash Works II by Aleksandr NisseHost: Alain McFaddenGuest: Kate Stables