We were the last band of the series to record so the wrap party swung in to action with no delay. The whole set up was really amazing, everyone knew exactly what they were doing so it was an absolute pleasure to play with great sound and great people. Once we finished up playing we did an interview with Annie Mac. Once we were finished we made our way down to the boozer to cash the dinner vouchers and we started into a few pints. The next pub we headed in to Foxy Johns which is a mixture of a pub and a hardware store, we met a few local characters who had the whole pub listening in silence as they recalled a few classic stories. The crew came in and met us all and the session kicked off, the after party was on in the venue we were playing in so we headed back up to McCarthy’s. All the crew and the last of the bands were all there and we sessioned in to the night. Amazing craic and amazing people, deadly experience…

manky drive home with the hang from hell though……

The other voices crew made the whole experience of filming really easy as well, definitely one of the most fun things i got to do last year.

We were stunned to get a personal invitation from Mr. Philip King himself little more than a week in advance, but hey, if he’d called that morning I reckon we’d still have found a way to get there on time. He’d heard our song ‘Captive Blue’ and he wanted us to perform it for OV8. Alright then.

So, about seven days later, there we were, three of us sitting on small stools in a small room in a small pub in a small town in the furthest extremes of West Kerry – West Europe even. Strange enough for three West Cork heads, especially at 11.30am on a cold Thursday morning in December, and one of us already late for a plane – but then there was this film/sound crew pointing back at us. This was totally barmy.

But there was a buzz in this little room. We had the first slot of the day, so the anticipation was palpable on both sides – performers and crew alike. I’m not sure anyone knew quite what to expect, but then it happened. Shortly before the end of our first take, I heard that sound in the depths of Alan’s voice that always makes the hackles stand on the back of my neck. My God, he’d hit the zone already and was bringing Deirdre and I right in with him. This wouldn’t take long. One more take. Done.

From all at LOWmountain, thanks to the OV8 crew for creating such a brilliant atmosphere to work in. Bravo.

Determined to make the most of our Other Voices experience we’re heading down an evening early & staying two nights. It’s the final night of performances in St James’ church & the lineup is possibly the weeks’ best – the XX, Speech Debelle, Adrian Crowley & Richard Hawley. We arrive in town around 6pm & stop off in our B&B, An Capaill Dubh. Staying just about long enough to drop our bags we quickly find ourselves around the corner in the welcoming environs of Foxey Johns. Half ramshackle hardware store, half no nonsense pub Foxey Johns is a unique Dingle institution. Richard Hawley will later eloquently hold court on its’ merits midway through his performance in St James’ Church…………his enthusiasm is entirely justified.

Tearing ourselves away from Foxeys’, we make a quick stop to guzzle dinner before making our way to the church for the main event. The XX are first up & they deliver a short but flawless set. St James’ proves the perfect environ for their beautifully minimalist sound as every note delivers maximum impact. Speech Debelle delivers a stripped back set culled from her Mercury prize winning debut. The night concludes with a double shot of two of the finest voices & songwriters operating today as Adrian Crowley & Richard Howley both entrance with their rich baritones.

Immediately afterwards everyone piles across the road to the bar of Benners Hotel. The place is packed & conversation & laughter abounds. It’s only December 9th but all of a sudden it’s starting to feel very much like Christmas. I’m over 220 miles from my bed but feeling very much at home. Don’t ask me what time we left.

Next morning we rise just in time to coax a few final breakfasts from An Capaill Dubhs’ kitchen. We pass an hour or two by taking a walk around the peninsula before making our way back to Benners where we’re to check in before filming. Formalities over, we’re off up the hill to McCarthys Bar, the back room of which is ‘the Other Room’ for the day. The crew are welcoming & helpful & we get set up quickly. We’re only filming one song named ‘Shoot You Down’. We do a quick run through before the cameras roll. Sounds a bit rough. With the help of the crew & stage manager Ruairi we make a few tweaks & go for a take. Better, but not great. We go for another. Pretty happy with this one but think we’ve a better one in us. Take 3…..good but in hindsight the second was probably better! We’ve 2 takes we’re pretty satisfied with so leave it there. Following some quick shuffling around a couch appears in the centre of the room & we sit down for a quick interview with Annie Mac. Two minutes of blabbing later & we’re done.

Well, what to do now? There’s only one thing for it & before we know it we’re back in Foxey Johns. At some point a few hours later we spot the Chakras on the street & invite them over to join us. A few hours later again & the Other Voices crew arrive fresh from their wrap dinner. Merriment ensues. We decamp to McCarthys. Further merriment ensues. Don’t ask me what time we left.

Next up was the amazing Speech Debelle who performed four tracks from her Mercury Music Prize winning album ‘Speech Therapy”. She was accompanied by Ciaran on acoustic guitar and the Other Voices onlookers were stunned into silence by her music, which worked unbelievably well stripped bare and pure, the perfect way to hear her lyrics. Her performance was honest and rhythmic, leaving a church full of bobbing heads.

Adrian Crowley and band performed three new tracks from ‘Seasons of The Sparks’ his fifth studio album, released just a week earlier to critical acclaim and critics stars aplenty! He also performed the title track from ‘Long Distance Swimmer’ his 2007 Choice Music Prize nominated album and finished off with a beautifully captivating performance of ‘Photographic Lightning Strikes’ from 2004 release ‘Northern Country’.

Richard Hawley staged a very special extra long performance with his full band this year, delighting the Dingle crowd. He chatted with the audience and told stories throughout his set, saluting Foxy Johns for being the most relaxed bar he’d been in where you can buy a hammer, rat poison and a pint! He performed a song he had written in Dingle the year before, which he told us that when he had played it to Billy Brag his response was “it’s not bad” which in Richard’s world was the equivalent to saying it was pure genius! “In every Elvis film there was one hit song and this was my favourite”, he said, bursting into a fantastic rendition of “Crawfish” and he closed the night saying “The thing about Dingle is you cannot leave without taking something with you and I’m taking tonight” and then launched into an incredible version of ‘Open Up The Door’.

After the Church, Other Voices PR lady Emma Harney nabbed Speech Debelle, Ciaran Fahy her guitarist (who’s father hails from Loughrea) and her lovely tour manager Laura and was insisted on a tour of local pubs. Unfortunately Foxys and Currans were closed , so the wayward group headed to Droichead Beag to challenge the locals on the pool table. They were joined there by Pias’ Bernie Divilly and The Irish Star’s Shilpa Ganatra. Just before they left to return to Benners, Speech free styled over a local whistler, another genuine Other Voices moment.

Benner’s was a mix of tired and excited crew, celebrating the near close of another hugely successful year of Other Voices church recordings. Many however were still on their best behaviour, as tomorrow sees the recording of The IMRO Other Room in McCarthy’s. The very best new Irish acts are in town for their recording sessions including Low Mountain, Valerie Francis, James McMorrow, 202s, O Emperor and The Chakras. The evening didn’t actually come to a close tonight and rumour has it there were a number of small gatherings in bedrooms across Benners. However, what happens in Dingle, stays in Dingle! Over and out!

Next up was the wonderful Adrian Crowley at The Percussion Workshop, which is run by Martin Schärer. Adrian told Annie how he managed to record his new album in two weeks and writes as he goes, so over the year had managed to collect enough material for two albums! The new album, Season of the Sparks, was released worldwide at the end of November. Adrian said that he was incredibly excited about playing St. James’ Church and had played the Other Room on his last visit to Dingle.

Fionn Regan was next up and he performed an acoustic version of ‘The Shadow of an Empire’ in Dick Mac’s Bar. The song is the title track of his forthcoming new album, which releases in February. He spoke with Annie about touring America and how he found the huge distances they travelled quite daunting. He also talked about how having a band with him has been great and that he feels that the level of expectation on a solo artist is lessened when there is a band to share the experience with.

The xx were interviewed in a teeny tiny bedroom! We couldn’t get near, because it was too small, so no insider gossip from that one! We will all have to wait for the TV shows to see what deep dark secrets they shared with Annie!

The legendary Brett Anderson, he of 90’s Brit pop legends Suede, was the first on in St. James’ Church this evening. Dressed in shirt and trousers, we are all wondering if Mr. Anderson has a picture of Dorian Gray in his attic, he looks AND sounds as good, if not better than ever. Brett performed five tracks from his gorgeous new solo album Slow Attack, which was released in November to huge acclaim. Songs included ‘Ashes Of Us’, ‘Frozen Road’ and the breathtaking ‘The Hunted’, each accompanied on piano. He engaged the still audience with every second of his performance.

Jesca Hoop made her Other Voices debut wearing a stunning headpiece creation that looked like a beautiful work of art. Jesca is originally from L.A. and is now living in Manchester and came to Other Voices on the recommendation of Elbow’s Guy Garvey. Jesca performed five songs from her new album Hunting My Dress. She opened her set with ‘Murder of Birds’, which on her album is performed with Guy. Other tracks included ‘Four Dreams’, which she explained was about a tooth fairy and title track ‘Hunting My Dress’. Her unique vocals were perfectly suited to the quiet stillness of St. James’ Church and there is no doubt that Jesca will soon be a household name.

Aussie indie rock band, The Temper Trap, much beloved by Irish radio, totally changed the tempo of the evenings proceedings when they hit the Other Voices stage. Dougy Mandagi’s vocals filled the hallowed halls of the church, reaching such high notes that at one point we feared for the safety of the stained glass windows! They kicked off their set with the track ‘The Fader’ followed by ‘Love Lost’ before the audience lost the run of themselves for the big track ‘Sweet Disposition’. They brought the set to a close with ‘Resurrection’ and ‘Science of Fear’. All the songs are taken from their debut album Conditions, which is building into one of the albums of 2009 across the world. They certainly left the Other Voices stage with a whole bunch of Irish fans, old and new, under their belts.

Last up this evening was Bray born troubadour Fionn Regan, who has been nominated for both the Choice Music Prize and the Mercury Music Prize for his debut album The End of History. Tonight, Fionn and his band treated the Dingle audience to brand new tracks from his forthcoming debut album The Shadow of an Empire, which will be released next February. Songs included ‘House Detective’, ‘Catacombs’ and ‘Lines Written in Winter’.

Retreating to Benners, the mood was a little calmer this evening, the result of three days of Dingle merriment no doubt! Gathered around the fire, sipping on pints of plain and the odd glass of water were Universal Music’s David Harris and the gorgeous Chantal Hourihan, blooming with mini baby bump, which had apparently began dancing up a storm when The Temper Trap launched into their first track in the church. Holding court in the bar, was Pias lady Bernie Divilly, who had earlier spent the day in Foxy John’s and, as happens in Dingle, met a long lost cousin five times removed. Richard Hawley has arrived on the scene – everyone in Dingle knows Richard after his visit to Other Voices last year and in fact, we knew he had arrived in Dingle earlier today before he actually had. Vanessa Anderson, sister and travelling companion of Brett, took matters into her own hands, whooshing everyone into the back lounge for a session with Richard, which began on a serious a note and quickly descended into rounds of Christmas caroling. Many sloped off to bed early in an attempt to catch up on much needed sleeps and we all know there’s another big night in it for the last days recording.

Oisin and Mark are staying with us in Dingle until the bitter end. They were telling Annie how they supported Richard Hawley on tour but never actually got the chance to hook up with him and are really looking forward to finally doing so at tomorrow night’s recording session.

Foxy John’s was the venue for an intimate acoustic performance with the legendary Brett Anderson. The Suede frontman performed the stunning ‘A Song For My Father’ from his Back To You EP. He spoke to Annie about the new album Slow Attack and how he enjoyed the complete freedom he had in making it, mentioning that he had made ten studio albums for a label and wanted to make this one for himself.

Jesca Hoop met with Annie in the Art Studio Gallery, where they chatted about her visit to Other Voices. It was Elbow’s Guy Garvey who encouraged her to play at Other Voices. Jesca lives in the same town as the legendary Tom Waits and it took her a year before she got the chance to perform in front of him. He subsequently described her music as ‘going swimming in a lake at night’. Jesca explained that she made the move from Los Angeles to Manchester for the seasons! Apparently there are no seasons in LA! Jesca performed an acoustic version of her beautiful song ‘Tulip’, which is taken from her new album Hunting My Dress.

Aussie indie darlings The Temper Trap rocked up to O’Flaherty’s Pub and shook the barstools with their take on Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Dancing in the Dark’. Chatting to Annie, they explained how they all met when working in the same clothes shop. Annie asked after their sales skills to which Dougie replied ‘a very lazy one’. When asked if they were aware of Brett Anderson, Dougie said that Suede was the soundtrack of his youth.

It’s been a great day in Dingle, despite varying degrees of illness going round the Other Voices houses, many ailments admittedly self inflicted. Big up to Martin Byrne, the in-house homeopath. Well, he’s not really, he came to enjoy the musical feast – in a previous life, Martin was one of the most respected music publicists in the land – however, Martin foolishly revealed his homeopathic trade on day one of the Dingle gathering and has since been inundated with requests for cures and concoctions, potions and lotions to keep the dreaded lurgy at bay! We salute you Martin!

Right, it’s time for off! A quick bite in Ashes (if you can wrangle your way in!) and then it’s show time again!

First to make an appearance was Americana infused folk troubadours The Lost Brothers, hailing from Meath and Belfast. Bosh and Bark treated the audience to some gorgeous tracks including ‘Wake Me Up’ and ‘Under The Sun’. Their debut album Trails of the Lonely Part I & III is out now and is definitely worth checking out!

Next up, rockabilly princess Imelda May stormed the stage looking every inch the international super star with her trademark quiff! Along with her incredible band, which also features her husband Darrel on guitars, Imelda whipped the Other Voices audience into a frenzy!

Her set included ‘May Hem’, ‘Eternity’ and from her current album Love Tattoo, ‘Knock 123’. Though only meant to play four songs, the crowd were baying for more, so in order to avoid a riot on the main street of Dingle, Imelda returned to the stage for two more tracks including a rousing rendition of her huge hit track ‘Big Bad Handsome Man’.

Dublin band The Brothers Movement invaded the stage , bringing their indie offerings to the hallowed halls of our rock n’ roll church! Performing tracks from their self titled debut album, the band rocked St. James’ with tracks such as ‘Is God Dead’ and ‘Someday’. The highlight of their set was their debut single ‘Standing Still’.

Last but most definitely not least, US experimental folksters (and honourary Dingle men after only a few hours in the town) North Carolina’s Megafaun trooped their bearded selves on to the stage in St. James’. The audience was firmly embedded in the palm of their hands from the first few drum rolls and you could have heard a pin drop on the church tiles. It’s hard to describe Megafaun’s sound except to say that it will almost be disappointing when these guys become huge international stars, ‘cos in St. James’ last night, it felt like being at the start of something intensely special, that you really don’t want to have to share with the rest of the world.

Taking us through tracks from their current album Gather, Form & Fly!, Joe, Brad and Phil demonstrated that rare, rare talent of being able to bring an audience, who barely know any of your songs, on a hugely exciting rollercoaster ride of emotions –whispered lyrics exploding into hillbilly whoopin’ and hollerin’. It was immensely powerful, spiritual even and so much fun. At the end of their set, they were joined on stage by our very own Philip King on harmonica and the legendary local uileann piper Eoin Duignan, for a performance of their beautiful track ‘Worried Mind’. It was one of those moments that encapsulates the very essence of the Other Voices experience. Musicians from different corners of the world sharing a universal love of music and a universal talent for music making. On stage tonight, there are no egos, just five people who live and breathe music and want to share that feeling with the audience in front of them. The instruments were silenced and the audience sang this song, that most had never heard, in one voice. This IS Other Voices and what it is genuinely all about.

It was all back to Benners, where the Christmas tree had magically appeared, resplendent with festive cheer and piney goodness! Having exited the church on an almighty high, it wasn’t long before a session started up in reception. Before the first round of pints had had the chance to settle, a gathering was underway, at its core, the fiery and fabulous Imelda May, bodhrán in hand. (If she wasn’t so goddam lovely, you’d be driven demented with green eyed envy!). Our very own stage manager Ruairí O’Flaherty was belting along on guitar, in the very fine company of Breanndán Begley and his accordion and son Cormac on concertina. The wonderful and talented Eithne Ní Chatháin, fresh from supporting John Spillane in McCarthy’s last Friday night, played furious fiddle with a supporting cast of voices and musicians, including a star turn on the concertina from Molly O’Connor King, one of Philip and Nuala’s gorgeous triplets. Joe and Phil from Megafaun connected with their Irish musical roots and the session played on, long into the wee small hours!

With the Other Voices recordings in full swing, day three began with Conor Villagers getting an early wake up call for his interview with Annie Mac. After a chat about life, he finished up his Other Voices experience with an acoustic performance of ‘Set The Tigers Free’ in the window of Ashes Restaurant.

Dublin indie- rockers The Brothers Movement were called to The Barber Shop, Main Street Dingle, not for a haircut, but an acoustic performance of ‘Lay Alone’, the B-side to their last single ‘Standing Still’.

Next up was the wonderful Imelda May, who recorded her session in The Blue Zone Pizza Parlour. She performed the song ‘Kentish Town Waltz’, a track that looks set to become one of the most beautiful love songs ever written. She was accompanied by double bass and acoustic guitar.

Mega bearded mega trio, Megafaun arrived at lunchtime after two brilliant shows in Cork and Dublin. They were whisked off on a guided tour around the peninsula by fabulous ‘friends of Other Voices’ Sinead Troy and Trish Laverty. The North Carolina folksters pronounced their absolute love for Dingle after seeing the breathtaking scenery around the coastline. Phil and Joe went for a beard trim, while Brad steadfastly refused to have even the tiniest of hairs touched! Their acoustic recording of ‘The Fade’ took place in The Dingle Art Gallery (formerly known as The Laundrette, if you didn’t already know…)and post session, the boys wound up in another one, this time in the legendary Foxy John’s.