Liam Byrne Broadcaster Under The Spot Light
 Did you always want to be a broadcaster on radio?
Absolutely! Ever since the heyday of the 80s, the bug has been there!
- How did you get into it?
A community group I was involved with was given a slot on the local station, and since I was interested in radio I was asked to get involved. It was a step up from what I'd imagined, because instead of the old dream of playing music, it involved checking what was on in the locality, seeing what was suitable to cover, and then going out-and-about, interviewing people, editing interviews and putting the overall show together. But it made me appreciate even more what “real” radio was about – bringing “what's out there” to the listener.
- How do you go about putting a show together?
This varies depending on the type of show; previously, I had done a show that had 70s & 80s tracks, and the aim was to offer a mix of “favourites” and little-known-gems. The “Access All Irish” show doesn't have that luxury, really, since it's all new music that the listener isn't familiar with or hasn't ever heard.
So it's now about checking out what acts and bands are on MySpace – listening out for gems and potential, and combining this with new releases that the PR companies send on, as well as a few that people have texted in about over the previous few weeks.
- What is the hardest part of your job?
Varying the music to keep people interested; some people mightn't like a particular genre, and so I'll tend to vary the pace and style of music across the show so that – hopefully – someone will stay with us to hear something they like that they mightn't otherwise have heard.
I've also have a compulsion with timing the show so that no song gets cut to meet an ad or the news....it's completely unfair to the people that like that song – and to the artist - to say “ok, you've had that much, but this is more important”.
Oh, and avoiding falling into the trap of asking different bands and acts the same questions every week! Every act – and show – is fresh and unique!
- Do you get nervous before going on air or does it come naturally now?
Used to get REALLY nervous, but now it's pretty natural; after all, if you put on an act then the listeners will see through it! You're human, they're human, so they'll run with you being you on most things, but a bit of adrenaline combined with being professional is certainly required.
- If musicians were to contact you, how would you advise them to do it?
There's the email address [liambyrne@clare.fm], a MySpace page for the show [http://www.myspace.com/accessallirish] or the station's own website [ http://www.clare.fm ] and, of course, there's always the “snail-mail” address to post in a CD
- What’s your current view of the Irish music scene?
I can honestly say that it's currently top-class!
The standard of most artists and recordings would easily match more established and imported acts, and in many cases surpass them, I can't see any reason why stations don't simply drop the new acts into the mainstream playlists – they're easily good enough, across all genres. How can a song or act become a “favourite” if people don't get to hear it ? Most acts would easily hold their own – they just need to be given a chance.
- Who is your favourite musician from 2009 so far?
OOOOOh – tough one! And having predicted Neev, Nell Bryden, Wayne Brennan and The Script as “ones to watch” last year, along with the slightly more established Luan Parle, this could be a tough one!
There definitely isn't “one”, though – it varies depending on what I'm in the mood to listen to; so can I – again - list four well worth checking out ? Messiah J & The Expert, Sinead Madden, Pocket Promise & Celine Carroll.
- Have you seen a change in the industry over the past number of years? If so in what way?
Music or radio ? The music industry is way better, with lots of talent and lots of new avenues for acts to get heard; all that's needed there is for radio stations to take a few risks and not play it safe with what's played during the day, and for a few gig venues to take a little bit of a chance on smaller acts.
Ireland always did great music, but whether it's a technology thing (recording facilities, computers & sites like MySpace and downloadmusic.ie all helping to get music recorded and “out there”) or whether it's that people have improved and experimented, the quality and range of Irish music available at the moment is phenomenal; you just need to hear it!
Once upon a time, the “Irish” content of radio stations' output was predictable and – without knocking the artists involved – stale through repetition and over-exposure.
Now, there's no excuse; and while there are shows that do provide an outlet for new music, and that's a plus, I'd actually like to see the day when shows like mine weren't strictly required; instead of automatically just putting Westlife or Pussycat Doll's new release, or the latest gone-next-year X-factor rubbish, on a daytime playlist - listen to a few new Irish acts instead and put them on it!
I remember it being a huge talking point when Irish acts made the soundtracks of big U.S. Shows like “Beverly Hills, 90210”; now acts like The Script get onto “Ghost Whisperer”, and it's hardly mentioned. It's tough that they don't get as much media coverage of it as before, but maybe that's a compliment in itself – they're good enough, so they get on; maybe it's like us going on our holidays not being comparable to The Wright Brothers!
- Would you advise going into radio as a full time career?
Everyone views it as “cool”, but it's hard work at times behind the scenes; doing “good” radio isn't just about pushing buttons, talking about your favourite bands and interests, etc – it's about merging interesting music and features with the listeners' and local interests, and keeping it fresh; also, given that it depends on advertising for revenue, it's not exactly cushy at the moment!
But for all that, I couldn't – and wouldn't - give it up!
Extra random questions (to keep it fun)
- What’s your favourite smell?
Freshly cut grass – no contest!
- Are you a summer or winter man?
There's a difference ? In Ireland ? Really ?
Seriously, though – if we did have proper seasons I'd be both; I love snow and frost, and I love warm, sunny days as well. Even thunderstorms! It's drizzle and damp I can't stand; reckon that means I was born in the wrong country!
- What did you want to be as a child?
Bigger! As in taller/grown up [ just in case ye have any dirty minds reading!
- Song to get you singing along to?
Pretty much anything that isn't from a manufactured boy/girl “band-with-no-instruments” or TV “so-called-reality” show!
I even started singing quietly along to Clare band “The CMC”s original track at a “Battle of the Bands” competition last week.....they'd won our “Banner's Next Big Thing” competition and I knew the song from their entry – but no-one else did!
- Happiest when ...
On-air, listening to music, reading, chilling out with friends......and filling out questionnaires that make me feel important!
What do you think of Ceol Pr in 3 words?
Great. New. Music
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