How to Start a Podcast – A Q&A with Dave Hanratty from NO ENCORE

As podcasts continue to soar in popularity, Nadene from Fingal Libraries chats with Dave Hanratty, music journalist and host of the NO ENCORE music podcast, about what makes a podcast successful, his favourite interviewees, and how to go about starting up your own.

What made you decide to set up your own music podcast?

Painfully aware that having a podcast is the new ‘I’m writing a novel’ cliché, I pressed on nonetheless. Having popped up here and there on the HeadStuff Podcast, I managed to convince Alan Bennett, overseer of the HeadStuff Podcast Network, to give me my own music show. The network needed one and, as it turned out, so did I.

Beyond the basics of a music journalist without a regular platform at the time seeing an opportunity, it felt like an organic move, particularly having worked for a prominent music magazine for a few years and leaving feeling quite unfulfilled by the experience.

The chance at leading a weekly music show where personality, opinion, honesty and humour would be encouraged to come to the fore rather than be suppressed by another voice felt like a no-brainer. Four years on, we’re still at it. 

What was involved in getting it off the ground; and what kinds of resources do you need to get started?

As I was in the fortunate position of having a direct connection to a new podcast network that wanted to develop a music show. Right place, right time, hopefully right person for the job. The listener can be the judge of that last one. 

In terms of resources; you don’t strictly need to be attached to a network or even have access to a studio. Recording equipment is affordable, so as long as you have a space where you feel comfortable giving it a try, then do just that.

The holy grail of advice I can offer to anyone is simple enough and yet you’d be surprised how often the opposite crops up - your show has to sound good. Proper microphones, careful editing, production software (if you don’t have an engineer, learn by doing) and a method of recording that will ultimately result in something that sounds professional and warm on the ear.

These elements are essential. 

If it sounds like it was recorded in a shed on a cheap Nokia or something, I’m out inside the first minute. You could have a truly unique idea, a thoughtful approach, excellent guests and be extremely entertaining once the microphone is on, but if it sounds like you haven’t bothered, why should the listener? Get the foundations right first. 

Who was your favourite interviewee and why?

We’ve been fortunate enough to have interviewed a wide range of homegrown and international acts to date. It’s a great complaint that it’s impossible to narrow it down to just one candidate here so please indulge me with a few; Slipknot, Lankum, Molly Sterling, Wallis Bird, HEALTH, God Knows, Villagers, Soulé, The Horrors, Hamilton Leithauser, Jape, Ho99o9, Maija Sofia, Delorentos, Paul Alwright/Lethal Dialect… it honestly goes on.

Recently, we were fortunate to be able to call on both Max Zanga of Tebi Rex and MuRli of Rusangano Family at a time when Black Lives Matter protests were sweeping the world, inviting both guys on to the show to offer their perspectives. That was a week where voices beyond our own were of major importance and, hopefully, benefit. We were also conscious not to take advantage of a complex societal moment in time. I hope we got the balance right, and I’m grateful to Max and MuRli for their time and insight.

Gun to the head, I’m a big fan of the Dermot Kennedy episode. I’d been chasing a face-to-face with him for a while, wanting to know what makes him tick. We sat down at a pivotal time in his career and just had a nice back-and-forth. I don’t go in for sensationalism, I want to get to know you and have a real conversation. Sure, I want arresting quotes, but let that come naturally. Just listen to what they’re saying and be present in the moment.

Also, Daithí’s mini-documentary on three full-time composers making music for ads, trailers and video games is fantastic. I can say that because I wasn’t involved!

What, in your opinion, are the main elements of a good podcast?

A tight format - we’ve gotten better at this, but it arguably took some time - alongside knowledgeable, preferably funny and charismatic, passionate hosts who do the show on a regular basis because they want to. Sounds straightforward, but there are many podcasts with boring or disinterested voices and I find that truly baffling.

Take listener feedback on board, too, when it comes. Try to involve them, even indirectly. The best compliment NO ENCORE ever received was from someone who said that the show makes them feel like they’re in their favourite pub talking about music on a Friday night. 

Others have said that the show has accompanied them on jaunts across the world and that it makes them feel closer to home. That’s kind of amazing, and we really love to hear it. Keep things interesting, examine the format, prepare well, do the work.

Why are podcasts so popular now?

The million-dollar question. It’s interesting in that as popular as they can be, a lot of advertisers will instead cling to more traditional forms of media. ‘We love your show, but we’re not going to give you any money’, basically. Not always the case, but it’s hard enough to land a deal in that regard.

I’m digressing there, but, basically, I think podcasts are popular because of a few reasons, independence being at the forefront of it. You don’t need a network or a radio station or a publication, you can just start your own band, so to speak. And in terms of simply listening to and enjoying them; podcasts are great for niche concerns whether it’s wanting to listen to four or five random ones that cover a film you just watched or a game you’ve just finished. True crime aficionados - and there are many of those in the world - effectively have a grim treasure trove available to them. Intrigued by Irish weather and how forecasts come about? There’s a podcast for that, too.

Convenience is a major factor. You’re in control, you decide when to listen, for how often, how much of it, whether it’s on a work commute, in the gym, going to sleep, etc. Easy access and time-dependent purely on your terms.

How do you decide what topics to cover each week?

The format helps us out there in that we stick to a running order of News / Album Review / Top 5 on a chosen subject / Interview where possible and/or relevant. From that basis, it becomes less boxes to tick and more specialist areas to carefully populate. 

Though we prefer to throw a knowing sideways glance in the direction of news where possible, oftentimes there are major stories of a serious nature that cannot be ignored. We try to make both approaches work but usually the news will dictate itself. Aside from that, we like for the top five to be topical where possible, and there’s usually an album that stands out from the crowd in terms of being ‘the one’ to naturally feature.

The running order is there in terms of getting us from A to B, but we’re not tied to a rigid script. Knowing my co-host for almost a decade helps in that regard. Chemistry is everything.

What’s your favourite thing about podcasting?

Having my own platform and thus the creative freedom to explore that. Hopefully creating some kind of community, however modest it may be.

Anything about it you don’t like?

I get those weeks where I’m seriously sick of the sound of my own voice, imposter syndrome, who is even listening to this, etc. Natural creative anxieties, I guess.

What are your go-to podcasts?

I seem to mostly listen to film podcasts, so - Blank Check with Griffin and David, The Flop House, The Big Picture and, if you can stomach way too many references to American sports, The Rewatchables. 

Is there anything the local library could provide to help someone who wanted to start their own?

Audio equipment if it was available. Perhaps even a quiet space to record.

Can you recommend any books or online resources that would help?

Honestly, you’ll find some really good general stuff by searching on YouTube. No specifics come to mind, I find the entire process is learn by doing, something I’m a huge advocate of. But yeah, if you’re stuck, I’d say nine times out of 10 you’ll find some guy or gal on YouTube who knows the perfect affordable microphone or how to soundproof a studio, all detailed in a 10-minute video with whimsical music underneath.

NO ENCORE is a fun and informal podcast in which embittered critic Dave Hanratty attempts to make sense of the music that finds its way to his ears on a constant basis. With tangents.

Twitter: @HanrattyDave // @NoEncoreShow