Soundings Podcast


The Soundings Podcast was started in 2013 by Dylan Haskins, a broadcaster and producer, and singer-songwriter Lisa Hannigan. The podcast revolves around Hannigan and Haskin's, two Irish expats living in London, reactions to the various "culture, books, music, theatre, films and other weird things that happen." Although each episode the hosts, sometimes joined by guests, discussed their opinions on recent books, films, exhibitions and plays, from the onset Haskins was clear that Soundings was not a review show stating that "People make art to express their ideas and provoke thought and conversation, which is what this show is all about." The name Soundings was chosen by Hannigan as a nod to a Leaving Certificate poetry book.

Style

The show quickly won fans for its relaxed style and the chemistry between its co-hosts. As well as discussing current cultural topics the show also featured segments including the "Education of Dylan Haskins" where Hannigan introduced Haskins to a selection of classic films, and the Desensitization of Lisa Hannigan where they sought to test the nerves of the usually skittish Hannigan through a series of tests, including a visit to Chislehurst Caves.

Soundings episodes

1: Blue is the Warmest Colour, Paul Muldoon's rock lyrics and Subcultures Exhibition
2: Colm Toibin, RIBA Forgotten Spaces and The National: Mistaken for Strangers
3: Brian Eno, The Selfish Giant, The Story of Modern Pop and Ghostbusters 2
4: Philomena, Punch Drunk and Pop Art Plus Spinal Tap
5: Harry Shearer!
6: Dermot O'Leary's Cultural Shopping Guide
7: Malcolm Gladwell, Gravity, Art v Science and The Big Lebowski
8: Inside Llewyn Davis, Sam Mendes' King Lear and Donal Ryan
9: A double dose of Profumo plus Richard Curtis and The Gloaming
10: Cave Outing - The Desensitization of Lisa Hannigan
11: Wes Anderson, John Cleese, Ghost Stories, St Vincent and The Gloaming

Holy Trinity series

In 2015 Haskins and Hannigan expanded the podcast in the Holy Trinity series where they recorded live interviews with a panel of guests in front of an audience.
Holy Trinity - A drag queen, a current affairs broadcaster and a Catholic priest: Panti Bliss, Áine Lawlor and Fr. Peter McVerry with music by Paul Noonan
Holy Trinity - the Lion, the Animator and the Troubador: Willie Duggan, Tomm Moore and Andy Irvine with music by Richie Egan
Holy Trinity - Sharon Horgan, Giles Duley, Andi Oliver, Hudson Taylor and Gabrielle Aplin