The IMRO Podcast

On today’s episode we have an in-depth interview with the godfather of electronic music in Ireland, Roger Doyle. A composer, keyboardist and producer, he’s been writing music for over 50 years.

Starting in the Royal Irish Academy Of Music, he went on to develop his craft at the Dutch Institute Of Sonology and later the Finnish Radio Experimental Music Studio. His curiousity around new technology and recording techniques led him to using the Fairlight CMI - an early sampler and synthesizer that changed the course of modern music. In 1986, his group Operating Theatre released the single Spring Is Coming With A Strawberry In The Mouth. Although at the time of release the song didn’t have much impact, it's gone on to become a cult classic, with acclaimed US singer Caroline Polachek releasing a very popular cover of the song earlier this year. Naturally, we talk about this, and other compositions over the years, as well as Roger’s ceaseless appetite for writing new work. All featured songs are used to be kind permission and available to purchase on Roger Doyle's bandcamp page. His latest album We Who Live Under Heaven was released on the 9th August.

Featured songs:

1. We Who Live Under Heaven (part 1)
https://rogerdoyle1.bandcamp.com/album/we-who-live-under-heaven

2. Cool Steel Army https://rogerdoyle1.bandcamp.com/album/cool-steel-army

3. Spring Is Coming With A Strawberry In The Mouth (Lopez/Doyle) https://rogerdoyle1.bandcamp.com/track/spring-is-coming-with-a-strawberry-in-the-mouth-doyle-l-pez

4. Coat Hanger Kisses https://rogerdoyle1.bandcamp.com/track/coat-hanger-kisses

5. Solar Eyes https://rogerdoyle1.bandcamp.com/track/solar-eyes

6. Finn-estra (Part 1): https://rogerdoyle1.bandcamp.com/track/fin-estra-part-1

7. We Who Live Under Heaven (part 1) https://rogerdoyle1.bandcamp.com/album/we-who-live-under-heaven

8. Paavo’s Engagement - https://rogerdoyle1.bandcamp.com/track/paavos-engagement

9. We Who Live Under Heaven (part 3) - https://rogerdoyle1.bandcamp.com/track/we-who-live-under-heaven-part-three

Caroline Polachek - Spring Is Coming (Cover): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p95zDvzO5Es

Stockhausen - Hymnen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SV4Uy-3b0c8

Roger Doyle explains the CMI Fairlight in 1983: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4RjUIjHlFo

Roger Doyle performs Baby Grand on The Works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEKJD2Avda4