For PSP's 9th episode, we have not one…but two guests for your monthly dose of punk scholarly knowledge. Listen to co-hosts Jessica Schwartz and Russ Bestley speak with the Dublin Hope Collective’s Michael Murphy and Niall McGuirk about the history of the Hope Collective and the story of its uplifting ‘four letter word’ namesake, as well as the importance of DIY/DIT complementarity from those who live it and inspire others in their community to become involved in their many projects, working with amazing people as they grow their collaborative network. But, at the heart of the episode is our guests' organizing and academic work, so without further ado...
Michael Murphy grew up in suburban Dublin and got a job in his local record shop because he spent so much time there. At University he became involved in gig organization when one of the record shop’s customers became the Entertainments Officer and put on pivotal gigs for Sinead O’Connor, Virgin Prunes, Five Go Down To The Sea, and the Pogues. Michael emigrated in 1989 and worked for Virgin records in London, and later started his own music management company. His book, Pop Music Management: Lessons from the Managers of Number One Albums, will be launched in February 2025. His co-authored book, Sounds Irish, Acts Global: Explaining the Success of Ireland's Popular Music Industry, was released in 2023.
…And…
Niall McGuirk was born on the opposite side of Dublin City, growing up a river between them but it felt like a million miles away in 1970’s dublin. Music helped broaden that horizon as the small working class area suddenly became less insular thanks to going to see live bands in Dublin. Niall played in punk bands and started putting on his own gigs rather than expecting others to do it for him. This was the tradition of the bands he was listening to. Putting on gigs for his own bands soon broadened out as Niall realised the best way to get bands from outside Ireland to play here was to put them on himself. Hope Promotions became the name on the poster and this spawned to Hope collective as more people helped out. Hope went on to put on over 180 gigs in Dublin and assisted others throughout the island to do something similar. Bands such as fugazi, Bikini Kill, Green Day, NOFX, Jawbreaker, Chumbawamba and Babes In Toyland all played gigs with the name Hope on the poster.
Links:
Sounds Irish, Acts Global: Explaining the Success of Ireland's Popular Music Industry
Pop Music Management: Lessons from the Managers of Number One Albums
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Season 1, Episode 9 was recorded on February 13, 2025 on Zoom with participants in the UK, the US, and Ireland. Jessica Schwartz and Russ Bestley co-hosted and co-produced this episode. Jessica Schwartz edited the audio and audio-synced transcript, available.