Stephen Roddy is a Musician, Researcher, and Lecturer working in computing and the arts (sound, music, digital) at the Radical Humanities Lab and the Department of Digital Humanities at University College Cork where he is the programme director for the MA in Digital Arts and Humanities. He holds a Ph.D. in sonification: the use of sound to perceptualize data and convey information. Stephen’s research explores the application of auditory display, internet of things (IoT), and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) techniques, in sound and music computing, human-computer interaction and creative arts contexts. This work involves research methods from both engineering design and the creative arts, with theoretical roots in cybernetics and embodied cognitive science.
Stephen’s previous projects have involved the design of auditory display solutions for large-scale IoT networks and investigated the integration of sonification and AI/ML techniques in generative music, sound art, and digital art applications. Much of this work was carried out under an IRC Postdoctoral Fellowship at CONNECT: the SFI Research Centre for Future Networks and Communications, at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), and subsequently at the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering at TCD. His work is widely disseminated through peer-reviewed journal publications, book chapters, and conference proceedings.
Stephen maintains a vibrant and diverse creative and performing arts practice which forms a core component of his research activity. His artistic projects span a variety of media and styles, including music composition and performance, generative and data-driven music and art practices, digital art, and sound art. His work, described as majestic and sweeping yet beautifully unsettling, is frequently performed and installed at home and abroad. His most recent musical work Leviathan is available through Fiadh Productions. Recent events have included the Wrong Biennale, New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival and the Earth Rising Festival at the Irish Museum of Modern Art.
Affiliations
Current
Previous
Journal Articles
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Roddy, S. (Forthcoming: 2024). Designing an Internet of Sounds Sonification System with FM Synthesis Techniques. IEEE Communications Magazine, 62(10).
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Roddy, S. & Parmar, R. (2023). AI/ML in the Sonic Arts - Pitfalls and Pathways. Resonance: The Journal of Sound and Culture, 4(4).
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Roddy, S. (2023). Nao Tokui in Conversation with Stephen Roddy (Interview). Resonance: The Journal of Sound and Culture, 4(4).
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Roddy, S. (2023). Signal to Noise Loops: A Cybernetic Approach to Musical Performance with Smart City Data and Generative Music Techniques. Leonardo, 56(1).
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Roddy, S. (2023). The Kyoto School and Sound Art: A Nothingness of the Absolute. Resonance: The Journal of Sound and Culture, 4(1).
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Roddy, S. (2020). Using Conceptual Metaphors to Represent Temporal Context in Time-Series Data Sonification. Interacting with Computers.
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Roddy S., & Bridges. B. (2020). Mapping for Meaning: the Embodied Sonification Listening Model and its Implications for the Mapping Problem in Sonic Information Design. J Multimodal User Interfaces.
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Roddy S., & Bridges B. (2018). Addressing the Mapping Problem in Sonic Information Design through Embodied Image Schemata, Conceptual Metaphors and Conceptual Blending. The Journal of Sonic Studies. 17.
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Roddy, S., & Furlong, D. (2014). Embodied Aesthetics in Auditory Display. Organised Sound, 19(01), 70-77.
Book Chapters
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Roddy, S. (2023) Creative Machine-Human Collaboration: Towards a Cybernetic Approach to Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Techniques in the Creative Arts. In: Filimowicz, M. editor AI and the Future of Creative Work. Algorithms and Society Series. Routledge, Focus.
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Roddy, S. & Bridges, B. (2021) Meaning-making and Embodied Cognition in Sound Design Research. In: Filimowicz, M. editor Doing Research in Sound Design, Routledge.
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Roddy S., & Bridges B. (2018) Sound, Ecological Affordances and Embodied Mappings in Auditory Display. In: Filimowicz M., Tzankova V. (eds) New Directions in Third Wave Human-Computer Interaction: Volume 2 - Methodologies. Human–Computer Interaction Series. Springer, Cham.
Reports & Policy Documents
Peer-reviewed Conference Proceedings
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Roddy, S. (2022). A Technique for Controlling the Proportion of Information in the Sonification of Complex Time Series Data. The 27th International Conference on Auditory Display.
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Roddy, S. (2022). Creating Signal to Noise Loops v4. In the Proceedings of the International Conference on Auditory Display, ICAD 2022.
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Roddy, S., & Bridges, B. (2021). The Design of a Smart City Sonification System using a Conceptual Blending and Musical Framework, Web Audio and Deep Learning Techniques. In the Proceedings of the International Conference on Auditory Display, ICAD 2021.
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Roddy S. (2021). The Body in the Machine: Indices Online. In Proceedings of xCoAx 2021, Online (+ Graz) 12th-16th July 2021.
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Roddy, S. (2018). Ambient Data Monitoring w/Generative Music Systems using Evolutionary Computing & Machine Learning Techniques. CSMC 2018, Dublin, August 2018.
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Roddy, S. (2018). Signal to Noise Loops i++ Live. xCoAx 2018, 11-13 July, Madrid.
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Roddy, S., & Furlong, D. (2018). Vowel Formant Profiles and Image Schemata in Auditory Display. In Proceedings of HCI 2018 4-6 July 2018, Belfast.
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Roddy, S. (2017). Composing The Good Ship Hibernia and the Hole in the Bottom of the World. In Proceedings of Audio Mostly 2017 23-26 August 2017.
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Roddy, S. (2017). Absolute Nothingness: The Kyoto School and Soundart Practice. In Proceedings of Invisible Places 2017.
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Roddy, S., & Bridges, B. (2016). Sounding Human with Data: The Role of Embodied Conceptual Metaphors and Aesthetics in Representing and Exploring Data Sets. In Proceedings of the Music Technology Workshop 2016 June 10th, Michael Smurfit Business School, University College Dublin, Dublin, (pp. 64-76).
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Roddy, S., & Furlong, D. (2015). Embodied Auditory Display Affordances. In Proceedings of the 12th Sound and Music Computing Conference: National University of Ireland Maynooth (pp. 477-484).
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Roddy, S., & Furlong, D. (2015). Sonification Listening: An Empirical Embodied Approach. In Proceedings of The 21st International Conference on Auditory Display (ICAD 2015) July 8–10, 2015, Graz, Austria. (pp.181-187).
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Roddy, S., & Furlong, D. (2013). Embodied cognition in auditory display. In Proceedings Of the 19th International Conference on Auditory Display, July 6-10 Łódź, Poland ( pp. 127-134).
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Roddy, S., & Furlong, D. (2013). Rethinking the Transmission Medium in Live Computer Music Performance. Presented at the Irish Sound Science and Technology Convocation, Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology.
Peer-reviewed Abstracts & Talks
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Cybernetic Resurgences: Human-machine Co-creation in the Age of Artificial Media. November 1st 2024. Ubimus 2024 International Symposium, University of Saint Joseph, Macao S.A.R., China.
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Reflections on Signal to Noise Loops. The 2nd Symposium on Digital Art in Ireland. June 13th 2024. The Aula Maxima, University College Cork.
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Roddy, S. (2023). Signal to Noise Loops A Cybernetic Approach to Musical Performance w/Smart City Data and Generative Music Techniques. The Irish Human-computer Interaction Symposium. Dundalk Institute of Technology.
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Roddy, S. (2023). Signal to Noise Loops A Cybernetic Approach to Musical Performance w/Smart City Data and Generative Music Techniques. The Irish Human-computer Interaction Symposium. Dundalk Institute of Technology.
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Roddy, S. (2018). IoT and AI-Driven Audio in the Smart City: A Rhythmanalysis Inspired Approach. The Irish Sound Science and Technology Association Conference. Ulster University, Magee Campus, Derry/Londonderry.
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Dormer, A., & Roddy, S. (2016). Sound, Place & Multiplace. The Irish Sound Science and Technology Association Conference. Ulster University, Magee Campus, Derry/Londonderry.
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Roddy, S. (2015) Sonification and the Digital Divide. Digital Materials. The National University of Ireland Galway.
Popular Science & Technology Writing
Musical Performances & Sound Art Installations
Recent/Forthcoming Performances & Installations:
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Thonis-Heracleion, peaceful beneath the waves. Sound of the Anthropocene. Alphabet Art Center. The New Museum of Networked Art.Cologne, Germany. July 13th - August 30th 2024
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Signal to Noise Loops v6. The 2nd Symposium on Digital Art in Ireland. June 13th 2024. The Aula Maxima, University College Cork.
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opening to the ambient light, Becoming-Machine Pavillion at The Wrong Biennale 2023. Curated by Isil Ezgi Celik, CapitArt. November 2023-March 2024. Physical exhibition at Artsect Gallery, London in November 2023.
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Signal to Noise loops V5, Metatopia - Hybrid Spaces Pavillion at The Wrong Biennale 2023. Curated by Luciana de Paula Santos, Aisthesis Lab. November 2023-March 2024.
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Thonis-Heracleion, peaceful beneath the waves @ the Leviathan Album Launch, the Radical Humanities Laboratory, October 6th 2023.
The Signal to Noise Loops Project: Data-driven Generative Music w/AI&ML.
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Signal to Noise loops V5.1, UbiMus2023 International Symposium on Ubiquitous Music, Ulster University, Derry. November 2nd-4th 2023.
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Signal to Noise Loops v5: Breathing Space @ Earth Rising Eco Art Festival , Irish Museum of Modern Art:IMMA, 21-23 October, 2022.
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Signal to Noise Loops v4 @ The International Conference on Auditory Display 2022.
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Signal to Noise Loops v4 @ S3 of the Video Sound Archive, February 2022.
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Signal to Noise Loops v4 @ Culture Night Dublin, September 2021.
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Signal to Noise Loops v4 @ Audio Mostly, Trento, Italy, September 2021.
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Signal to Noise Loops v4 @ The International Computer Music Conference, Santiago, Chile, July 2021.
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Signal to Noise Loops v4 @ The New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival 2021, New York, July 2021.
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Signal to Noise Loops 3++ @ ISSTA 2018, Derry, September 2018.
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Signal to Noise Loops i2+: Noise Water Dirt @ CSMC 2018, Dublin, August 2018.
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Signal to Noise Loops i++ Live @ xCoAx 2018, Madrid.
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1967-2017: aspen 5+6 Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.) & the Orthogonal Methods Group (OMG). w/OMG. For the Coastlines exhibition at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) October 2017 - September 2018.
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Noise Loops for Laptop, Improvised Electric Guitar and Dublin City Noise Level Data @ Sonic Dreams 2017, Sonic Arts Waterford, September 30th 2017.
The Body in the Machine: Music Composition & Computer Art w/AI/ML
The Zones Project: Immersive & Reactive XR Environments
Music Composition for Dance & Stage
Sonification & Musification for Performance & Installation
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Idle Hands- A 31-Part Exploration Of Irish Unemployment From 1983 - 2014 In G Major @ the premiere of TIDES: An ISSTA Anthology.
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The Good Ship Hibernia @ Audio Mostly Queen Mary University London 23-26 August 2017.
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The Good Ship Hibernia @ The 2017 ICAD Concert, Playhouse Theatre, Pennsylvania State University, PA, USA 20-23 June 2017.
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Doom & Gloom @ Irish sound Science & Technology Convocation, UL & MIC, Limerick, Ireland August 12-13 2015.
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Doom & Gloom @ Sound and Music Computing Concert, NUI Maynooth, Ireland: July 30th -August 1st, 2015.
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Doom & Gloom @ International Community for Auditory Display Concert, Forum Stadtpark, Graz, Austria: 8-10 July 2015.
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Extensive Structure no 1, The Human Cost, Doom & Gloom @ Contemporary Music Centre Spring Salon Series, National Concert Hall, Kevin Barry Room March 24th 2015.
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Idle Hands- A 31-Part Exploration Of Irish Unemployment From 1983 - 2014 In G Major @ Irish Sound Signal and Technology Convocation @ NUI Maynooth, Ireland August 2014.
Fixed-Media Musical Compositions for Performance & Installation
Other/Earlier Projects
- Public Demonstration of Gestural Control System for UAV (Drone) Flight Trinity College Dublin Open Day 2019.
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Deslitary The Ghost of Lochmarne w/Daniel O'Connor, Online Video/Music, 2013.
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Will & Implementation @ DAWN 2011, DMARC, University of Limerick, 2011.
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Bike @ DMARC, University of Limerick, 2010. Shifting Sands @ DMARC, University of Limerick, 2010 .
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Fúsball @ DMARC, University of Limerick, 2009.
Discography
Label Releases
Independent Releases
Available on: Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music | Google Play | Amazon | Deezer | Tidal
Funding and Awards
Invited Talks & Panels
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In Practice: PhD conference on creative research and careers. Ulster University, Derry, 2021.
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"Whose Music?": Panel Discussion on AI in Music Composition at Music Current 2019, CMC Dublin.
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IoT and AI-Driven Audio in the Smart City: A Rhythmanalysis inspired approach. ISSTA 2018, Derry.
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Data-driven Sound for Raising Awareness, Public Outreach and Insight Generation in Complex Data Sets @ I.NY Creative Education Symposium, Irish World Academy, University of Limerick, October 11th 2017.
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Embodied Sonification @ D.A.T.A: Dublin Arts and Technology Association, The Connect Centre, November 3rd 2016.
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Sounding Human with Data: The Role of Embodied Conceptual Metaphors and Aesthetics in Representing and Exploring Data Sets @ The International Digital Empathy Workshop, Ulster University, October 31st 2016.
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Sound Place and Multi-place @ The Irish Sound Science and Technology Association Conference, Ulster University, September 7th 2016.
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Sonification @ The Connect Centre for Future Networks and Communications, Trinity College Dublin, August 2016.
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Sounding Human with Data: The Role of Embodied Conceptual Metaphors and Aesthetics in Representing and Exploring Data Sets @ Music Technology Workshop 2016, Michael Smurfit Business School, University College Dublin, June 10th 2016.
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Data Listening @ Discover Research Dublin 2015, Trinity College Dublin.
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Sonification and the Digital Divide @ Digital Material Conference, National University of Ireland Galway, May 21st 2015.
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Sonification, Soundart & IoT @ The Arts and Technology Research Lab, Trinity College Dublin, December 12th 2016.
Seminars
Media Coverage
Reviews & Coverage Online
Radio
- Lamenting the Deep. No Place Like Drone, Dublin Digital Radio, July 10th 2024.
- There are 99 miles of caves below the Burren. Whinger. KFJC 89.7FM California, 18th March 2024.
- Thonis-Heracleion, peaceful beneath the waves. Ears Have Eyes - PHONOSTALGIA: from other times and places, 11th October 2023.
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Leviathan. No Place Like Drone, Dublin Digital Radio, October 5th 2023.
- What’s This Called?, KFFP-LP FM 90.3 Portland Oregon, September 30th 2023.
- Piteraq Over Tasiilaq. Brainvoyager Electronic Fusion Episode #419, Modul303, SCIFI.radio & Radio Dark Tunnel 16-17 Septtember 2023
- Leviathan. Popular Culture Process Filter w/ Chuck Nicklow. WRUW FM 91.1 Cleveland, 11th October 2023.
- v5: Breathing Space, The Dylan Hunter Show CKCU-FM 93.1. February 24th 2023.
- opening to the ambient light, Ridgewood Radio with David Weinstein. January 4th 2023.
- Interview about AI in Music Composition on Gwaith Sŵn's Sonic Darts on Resonance.fm, June 6th 2022.
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100 Epoch Opus, Gwaith Sŵn's Sonic Darts on Resonance 104.4FM, February 7th 2022.
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No Light, But Rather. Monthly Diatribe, Dublin Digital Radio, January 20th 2022.
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Signal to Noise Loops: A Quiet Year. Monthly Diatribe, Dublin Digital Radio, October 27th, 2021.
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61years. The ISSTA Listening Room, SARC Radio QUB, 2022.
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Search Party - The Noisy Plug Episode 7
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Sketch 2, Improvised Guitar Take 1 - Glór Mundo 17th October 2018 - Glór Mundo - 93.7fm.
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The Good Ship Hibernia and the Hole in the Bottom of the World - Glór Mundo St Patricks Day Session 2018 - Glór Mundo - 93.7fm.
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Symmetric Relations and Hidden Rotations - Nova Sunday 13 September 2015 - Nova RTÉ lyric fm.
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No Output: Cellular Storm Nova Sunday 11 October 2015 - Nova RTÉ lyric fm.
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Extensive Structure No 1 - Nova Sunday 8 November 2015 - Nova RTÉ lyric fm.
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Excerpts from Fógraim/I Proclaim - Arena Tuesday 5 April 2016 - Arena - RTÉ 1.
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Fógraim/I Proclaim - RTÉ 1.The Good Ship Hibernia and the Hole in the Bottom of the World - Glór Mundo 27th September 2017 - Glór Mundo - 93.7fm.
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Cellular Storm [Excerpt] & The Good Ship Hibernia and the Hole in the Bottom of the World - Glór Mundo 29th September 2017 - Glór Mundo - 93.7fm.
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Sketch 2, Improvised Guitar Take 1 - Glór Mundo 4th October 2017 - Glór Mundo - 93.7fm.
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