The Shnug

The Shnug Podcast: Ep 11 - Bip Henderson

In Episode 11 of the Shnug podcast we speak to author, musician, film maker and vegan activist Bip Henderson. Originally from North California Bip has lived in Galway for over a decade, he chats to us about how his Irish back ground and love of traditional music influenced him to move to Ireland. A regular film buff, Bip tells us about how he got involved in film making via the little cinema and how this led to establishment of RiRun films and in a roundabout way led to the writing of his first book ‘Norse to the Future’. Written during the lockdown, the story follows the unlikely duo of intellectual layabout ‘Jerry’ and libertine viking ‘Sveinn’ who are brought together via a wormhole. On a more serious note, we also touch on Bip’s activism, why he went vegan and why he thinks it is imperative we all follow suit, for the sake of our health and all the animals involved.

The Shnug Podcast: Ep 10- Martisha Sea

In Episode 10 of the Shnug podcast we speak to artist and performer Martisha Sea. From Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine, Martisha speaks about her harrowing journey to Ireland after the outbreak of the war, trying to find a communal space for other Ukrainian artists here in Ireland and how she has been embraced by the local art scene in Galway. Martisha also discusses how the war has affected her, her family and friends. Martisha’s most recent work was the curation of the ‘Point Zero’ exhibition which ran throughout December in 126 Gallery in Galway, featuring work by a number of Ukrainian artists and children now living in Ireland.

The Shnug Podcast: Ep 9 - Echo Harte

In Episode 9 of the Shnug podcast we speak to local singer/songwriter Echo Harte. Echo has been plying his trade across the county for last few years and we chat to him about his early musical influences, the drawbacks of Spotify for emerging artists and how the pandemic presented him with a unique opportunity to play to larger crowds and get his name out there. Echo has been a member of number of bands over the years Blue love Milo, Vulture Casino, and Street Rebellion to name a few but he is predominantly know as solo artist. His debut album ‘Masks’ was released in 2019. More recent releases include ‘Rain in June’ a collaboration with fellow Tuam head ‘Flemingo’ and the ode to summer ‘Blackrock’.

The Shnug Podcast: Ep 8 - Jimi McDonnell

In Episode 8 of the Shnug podcast we speak to writer, poet, journalist and part time rock star Jimi Mc Donnell. A man that has a way with words, we chat to Jimi about his love of language and how this interest has influenced his different pursuits over the rears. An awarding winning writer and published poet, words have been his bread and butter for well over a decade.
Jimi’s other love is music, a onetime music correspondent for the Connacht Tribune and in his early days you might have caught his pounding the pavement’s of Tuam or Galway with different bands such as Hershey Bare and Tradiohead, he is now the front man of The Strolling Homes.
Jimi’s most recent release is ‘After Them’ a collection of poems he has been work on over the past few years. Within he reflects on love, loss and the west of Ireland.

The Shnug Podcast: Ep 7 - Mitch Mac Donald

In Episode 7 of the Shnug podcast we speak to DJ, Promoter and graphic designer Mitch Mac Donald. Mitch has been plying his trade across Galway City for more than a decade and has been a main stay everywhere from the the Front door and Electric to the Rosion Dubh and the Blue Note, either as a DJ or prompting shows as mictchpresents. He has also recently become the resident DJ for Outset gallery in the Cornstore. You may also find him slinging hot sauce down the market at the weekends for Sásta. In recent years he has  branched out into the festival circuit, playing Seas Sessions, Electric Picnic, Life Festival and Galway’s own Éalú Le Grá.
Mitch chats to us about how his family influenced his love of music and helped him get his start in the industry. What local DJ’s showed him the ropes and helped him hone his craft, his favourite tunes and places spots to play and what the future holds for the nightlife industry in Ireland.

The Shnug Podcast: Ep 6 - Rab Fulton

In Episode 6 of the Shnug podcast we speak to seanchaí (Storyteller), writer and educator Rab Fulton. A man of many talents, Rab chats to us about his love of words, the connections between Irish and Scottish storytelling and how his background in performance poetry in Scotland led to his taking up storytelling here. Rab's also uses his experience as a story teller to inspire those of a younger generation to find their own voices via the the storytelling course he runs with Dr Kate Harvey out of the University of Galway. As an Author he has  written 3 folklore books. His most recent work is a sci-fi novel ‘Marcus Marcus and the Hurting Heart’ is out now. He also contributed to the award winning short “Hidden Collision” by Emma Zukovic.
Rab’s live show Celtic Tales entertains audiences from all over the world world with a wide range of stories on a weekly basis. The tales range from comedy to horror to romance and everything in between. They are a mix of Irish and Scottish folklore, myth, urban legends, historic tales, and stories passed down through his family.

The Shnug Podcast: EP 5 - Ronan Connor

In Episode 5 we speak to muralist and printmaker Ronan Connor. His work is dotted across the city from pump lane and Eyre square to his most ambitious work yet in Merlin College. We chatted to Ronan about his early artistic influences, studying in ATU and how the street art he came across while traveling and his work with 126 Gallery inspired him to put himself forward for larger jobs once he returned home. And also, how a recently commissioned piece for All together now festival during the summer has opened new avenues for him. Check out Ronan’s work at @ronnydoodle_art .

The Shnug Podcast: EP 4 - Eimear Finan

In Episode 4 the lads invite another patron into the Shnug, this time it's theatre maker Eimear Finan. We chat to Eimear about her most recent play Tart that ran during the Galway theatre festival, the plays that influenced her along the way such as ‘Low Level Panic’ and the support base she’s found with Fregolit Theatre and Theatre 57.
Tart is a comedic, semi-autobiographical look at her life where we meet the men, devices and apps that have helped and hindered her along the way.