July 5, 2025

The Human Recommendation show is now Weekly!

My radio show 'The Human Recommendation' has gone weekly on Flirt FM and I have started getting into the routine, I'm listening to even MORE music in preparation of more frequent shows.

I endeavour to have a variety and a mix of lesser known with better known artists along side each other. I hope the love for music and discovery really comes through the show.

State of streaming

Emily White's latest “AI Music Is Going Viral, But It’s Not What Fans Want” newsletter was insightful on A. I. and music but made for concerning reading. However I still believe music matters to people and believe that self-directed or human curated music discovery is worth the effort.

But music streaming is definitely a mess at the moment, as even companies like Deezer who are actively developing R&D tools and filing patents for A.I detection software are struggling to keep up with the flood of A.I. generated music. They reported earlier this year that "10,000 ‘fully AI-generated tracks’ are being delivered to its platform every day".

Oldest record shop in the world

Away from the web, I recently spent some time exploring Malta. There is much to see on the island, with a blend of medieval and baroque architecture, narrow cobbled stone streets and impressive historical cultural pieces, and many churches.
But what was especially neat, I visited D’Amato Records which may well be the oldest record store in the world situated in St John’s Street, Valletta.
The shop claims to be the oldest record shop EST. 1885 🤯 and has survived two World wars.

Since visiting I have been reading a little bit more about their claim to be the oldest record shop in the world or whether it was the Welsh shop Spillers, in Cardiff. More reading on that here:

Live music

I went to see Stephen Wilson Jnr in Dublin. I first saw him on BBC’s Later with Jools a while ago and thought he was exceptional. He then he fell off my radar until I watched his interview and performance on the Dan Patrick Show which convinced me to get a ticket.

There was mixed bittersweet feelings, going along to see Gang of Four play Galway for their first and last performance without my mate Dave Allen being there on bass. He enjoyed visiting Galway in the past and I will write more on our friendship in a separate post. Here's to Dave, raising one for you man 🍻.

Gang of Four were in remarkable form as they played the whole of their album ‘Entertainment’ which is unfortunately more relevant than ever with the rise again of fascism, conflict in the Middle East, disaffected youth, exploitation of indigenous peoples.

It was then off to the capital again to go see my Aussie shoegaze pals Fragile Animals play live, it was a lot of fun!

They have an album called ‘Slow Motion Burial’ which resonates with me and should be definitely checked out.

But they're in Europe promoting a new E.P called 'Tourist' which is great and available across the streaming platforms.
It was a whistle stop tour and the band headed on to to play cities across the UK, but I am sure they will be back on these shores again.
A special shout out to the support bands Telekura and Skyless who provided great sets on the night .

I interviewed Victoria, the vocalist and bassist, a few months back and that conversation is available on Mixcloud:

The Human Recommendation interview #25, Fragile Animals by The Human Recommendation | Mixcloud

The Human Recommendation is a biweekly radio show on Flirt FM 101.3 in Galway city showcasing the best of indie & alternative music from Ireland and around the globe. But in this special interview side project, host Damien had the opportunity to chat with Victoria Jenkins from Aussie shoe-gazers Fragile Animals. Victoria spoke about the early years releasing two Eps 'Light That Fades' and 'Only Shallow // Only More', their highly successful debut album 'Slow Motion Burial' which dropped in 2023...

Radio show

Coming up on Monday's show is an eclectic mix of awesome music from a host of super indie acts from Ireland and around the globe.

I especially like when bands recommend other bands, for example I discovered Meltt through another Vancouver band called Wiles when I interviewed them. I love both versions of their 'Swim Slowly' album 😍, as they released an instrumental version of the record that sounds amazing on headphones. I also love the album cover.

To listen along to the show, tune in on Monday on FM in Galway city or stream from the web at http://flirtfm.ie at 8pm IST.

Celebrate music discovery through humans and help reject A.I slop, algorithmic curation now more than ever and join #TeamHuman