NO ENCORE is here, fresh off the back of a 'chapeau' from the Irish Times, extra controller in-hand, ready to enter split-screen mode, as Dave Hanratty is joined by his faithful Sonic Architect Adam who will solo speed-run some of the best licensed soundtracks the gaming sphere has to offer. (And by speed-run, we mean carefully dissect and discuss, of course). All of that, as well as the latest news in the world of music on this week's ep, so press the start button and let's load up. Don't...

Join us for the final pre-summer edition of Before The ENCORE, where we aim to direct sunshine in the form of music industry conversations straight into your ears so you can put on the sunglasses of knowledge and wear them with pride. This month, Sonic Architect Adam is joined by producer and violinist formerly based in Dublin, now London, Molly Mansukhani. You might be familiar with her work alongside Kayleigh Noble, JaXson, Tara Devi, V-Sensei or from her time spent in Diffusion Lab as an...

NO ENCORE is back with a trip into the world of music-themed fakery... in the form of real songs written for fictional purposes.  'Solo artist of the written word' Sarah McKenna Barry joins Dave and Adam this week, with songs and musical numbers penned exclusively to reside in the world of film and TV on the agenda.  And, following on from our Taylor Swift bonus episode, there's still no escaping music's newest billionaire.  Don't forget, you can get this and every new NO ENCORE episode 24...

It's a special bonus episode of NO ENCORE in honour of Taylor Swift releasing 11th studio album The Tortured Poets Department and everyone having an online meltdown about it.  One such major talking point emerged via American publication Paste Magazine, which opted to withhold the name of the writer when publishing its review of The Tortured Poets Department.  The move provoked a lively reaction and a lot of debate, from critics, commentators, and hardcore Swifties alike. On this episode,...

Join us for a preview of the latest ALBUM CLUB Patreon series, available exclusively at Patreon.com/NOENCORE. Sign up to NO ENCORE on Patreon for the full episode, additional bonus content, weekly show previews and early and ad-free access to all NO ENCORE episodes. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NO ENCORE goes Hollywood once more as Dave Hanratty and Sonic Architect Adam go to the cinemathèque, take in the previews, and then leave before the film starts.  It's a celebration of the most arresting needle drops featured in movie trailers - blockbuster events and arthouse affairs inclusive.  Elsewhere, a quiet week leads to a pretty one-sided news section. At least Dave now knows how to correctly pronounce 'Coachella', if nothing else... Don't miss the next episode of the NO ENCORE Album...

Cody Rhodes may have finished his story, but it's a fresh chapter in the NO ENCORE saga this week as 'The Donegal Dynamo' Hugh Carr makes his podcast return.  Hugh is just back from a trip to Philadelphia - the "best week of his life", apparently - where he took in many live professional wrestling shows, including the Granddaddy of Them All, the Showcase of the Immortals; WrestleMania.  In that infectious spirit, this week's Top 5 concerns the history of that humble grappling event,...

Join us for a preview of the brand-new NO ENCORE ALBUM CLUB Patreon series, available exclusively at Patreon.com/NOENCORE. Sign up to NO ENCORE on Patreon for the full episode, additional bonus content, weekly show previews and early and ad-free access to all NO ENCORE episodes. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here comes a feeling you thought you'd forgotten - Dave Hanratty and Craig Fitzpatrick, teaming up to co-host NO ENCORE once again!  Sonic Architect Adam looking on, beaming with pride, of course. Craig returns to the fold in honour of the brand new Vampire Weekend album Only God Was Above Us, as he details his career-spanning choice cuts from the New York City faithful.  Before that, we've got a busy news section and the reveal of our new Patreon-exclusive project. Don't forget, you can get...

Freshly returned from Rome following his marathon heroics, news correspondent and NO ENCORE regular Richard Chambers is back with another batch of pop belters for all to enjoy.  The turn of the 2010s is under the musical microscope this week, as the boys explore the most ear-catching songs of the era - warning: parameters may vary as to what constitutes a 'banger' and what even qualifies as 'a good song'.  Elsewhere, Dave derails the news section, much to Adam's bemusement and Richard's...

Welcome back to Before The ENCORE, the limited-run that all the music industry podcast collectors immediately order on the last Monday of every month. Speaking of, if vinyl (or assorted physical musical release formats) are your thing, or you're an artist more about what is involved in getting a record pressed, this is the episode for you. This month, Sonic Architect Adam is joined by Peter Jones of Rotator Vinyl; a physical release broker based in Dublin, Ireland, who specialises in small...

Salut! NO ENCORE is in celebratory mood this week as Dave Hanratty and Sonic Architect Adam hail an act worthy of being named after a spiral galaxy - the one and only M83.  Michael Pope, former frontman for Irish electronica titans Le Galaxie, is on-hand to list his favourite songs from the acclaimed French outfit.  Don't forget, you can get this and every new NO ENCORE episode 24 hours early and ad-free by signing up to Patreon.com/noencore ACT ONE (7:53): Pour one out for the inventor of...

It's the most patriotic week of the year and we're barely talking about it, because that's how we roll.  The actions of Irish artists dominate the news section, though. Speaking of, Julie Hough of HAVVK fame returns in honour of new album To Fall Asleep, which is out RIGHT NOW.  Plus - some songs we don't feel all that great about listening to anymore.  Don't forget, you can get this and every new NO ENCORE episode 24 hours early and ad-free by signing up to Patreon.com/noencore ACT ONE:...

Rejoice! Dave Hanratty and Sonic Architect Adam Shanahan are joined in-studio by Luke Daly and David Prendergast of Overhead, The Albatross.  The band have just released emotive new single 'Your Last Breath' and we're going to talk all about it, oh yes.  Elsewhere on this episode, there's time for an ultra-brief news section before we get to our shouts for standout spoken word samples in songs. Spoiler - all of them are from movies.  Don't forget, you can get this and every new NO ENCORE...

Won't someone please think of the children? It's time to go full Helen Lovejoy as NO ENCORE examines some of the most eyebrow-raising controversies in music history. From immediately-outdated censorship to divine proclamations to mystifying monikers, Dave Hanratty and Sonic Architect Adam Shanahan shine a quizzical light on scandals gone by. Don't forget, you can get this and every new NO ENCORE episode 24 hours early and ad-free by signing up to Patreon.com/noencore  ACT ONE (4:48): Another...

It's 2024 and the last Monday of February, which means we're back in the world of the music industry and taking a look behind the scenes all over again! This edition of Before The ENCORE, I had the pleasure and privilege to sit down opposite Chris Bubenzer, producer extraordinaire and one half of Diffusion Lab. Chris has an extensive discography and is one of the main figures in production responsible for the sea change in sound in Irish music back in the mid-2010s with artists like Soulé,...

Let's get divisive.  NO ENCORE returns with a sequel as Dave Hanratty, Sonic Architect Adam, and returning guest co-host Zara Hedderman join forces to discuss the musical acts that simply do not do it for them.  Before that, we've got the usual mix of news and general life ramblings to enjoy - and don't forget you can get this and every new NO ENCORE episode 24 hours early and ad-free by signing up to Patreon.com/noencore  ACT ONE (3:14): Irish Women in DISharmony, Ridley Scott is 'Staying...

Broadcast after the fact from Sector 7G in the heart of beautiful Springfield, it's NO ENCORE~!  Recorded on the most momentous night of the romantic year, Dave Hanratty, Sonic Architect Adam, and Mark O'Brien of Enemies and Royal Yellow fame show some love to the first family of animation by listing off their shouts for the finest musical exploits of... The Simpsons.  Before that, we've got plenty of news to catch up on, and some cinema trips, too.  ACT ONE: Dave and Adam went, separately,...

Dreams... and nightmares. For what is a dream, and what is a nightmare? And how do they musically manifest?  Dave Hanratty and Sonic Architect Adam intend to find that out, alongside Kieran McGuinness of Delorentos, and now Driven Snow, fame.  Driven Snow, made up of Kieran and former Republic of Loose member Emily Aylmer, release their debut album A Kind of Dreaming this Friday, 9 February. And so there's no better time to drag Kieran into NO ENCORE HQ for a deep meaningful conversation...

NO ENCORE is back for a brand new season and we've got an entire month of music - and some movies - to talk about.  Dave Hanratty and Sonic Architect Adam Shanahan run the critical rule over multiple news items including the possible demise of Pitchfork, the inexplicable presence of the Mean Girls remake, the equally baffling popularity of Saltburn, the contenders for this year's RTÉ Choice Music Prize, the positive and negatives of Eurovision 2024, and Donald Trump's new favourite band.  If...

It was the best of times, it was the…. Nope, that’s it! THE BEST OF NO ENCORE 2023 is upon us. Join Sonic Architect Adam as he takes you through plenty of laughs and great moments from Dave Hanratty and co. throughout the year from the show-proper.  Nothing but good vibes for your ears before the close of another wonderful year of programming for you, dear listener, at NO ENCORE. Thanks for spending your Friday mornings (or whatever listening schedule you partake in) with us.  We’re off for a...

Heroes. Villains. Regrettable PR disasters. Unavoidable phenomena.  And our shouts for our favourite music of 2023.  It's the year in review, with plenty of awards to hand out - some more coveted than others. It's longer than Oppenheimer yet shorter than Killers of the Flower Moon. Truly, we went the distance. It is our Christmas gift to you, dear listener. Much love!  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NO ENCORE returns for the final regular episode of the year and we've got a blockbuster guest in the wonderful and the amazing Fionnuala Jones. It's a lively one as the pair clash over modern-day list-based etiquette and consider their shouts for the very best and very worst songs that hit number one at Christmas but aren't actually about the festive season. ACT ONE (3:08): Dave has an almighty rant and Fionnuala matches him every step of the way, we wrap on Spotify Wrapped, Taylor Swift is...

NO ENCORE travels to the wilds of County Clare (actually very peaceful, to be honest) for one week only as Dave Hanratty interrupts his time off to jump into a different studio – with the blessing from afar of Sonic Architect Adam, of course.  Local boy Daithí returns to the podcast, with his faithful drummer and operations manager Alex Ridley for company. With their powers combined, the trio boot up and download accordingly as they get into the intriguing world of diegetic music in video...