The Least Important Post Ever
Sorry but that was the most boring post ever and had to go. I’m using my blogger’s prerogative to delete and finish on a decent note. Cos I can 
With wider eyes and less of a nicotine habit, I sat down to begin my Irish music blog in mid-2007. Just home from Castle Palooza, my camera cards were full, my dictaphone had chopped interviews with Fight Like Apes and The Kinetiks and my head was absolutely bursting with ideas. Almost two years’ photography experience behind me at that point, I’d come to realise the real display of talent and strength lay in the unity of our domestic music scene.
All my life I’ve had a special, romaticised vision of Ireland. Music played a big role at home, good and bad – My mum always told me Sarah by Thin Lizzy was #1 when I was born in June 1981 and for years I’d tell people my dad was a bassist in a rock band. Imagine my horror to discover it was actually Shakin’ Stevens‘ You Drive Me Crazy.
That back-to-front standard has stood me well over the years – I’m not your well-rounded, balanced music fan. For a start, I’m deaf. Morning, noon and night my ears hiss with tinnitus’ incessant drone, blatting out all sound below a certain decibel. Music, in headphones and right fucking up front at gigs, has been a salve, literal escapism.
I also have two young children and really greedy cats and know that I skated all-too-close to another life of working in a Spar deli. Music literally saved my life and as I fell harder and harder for this bright future, I wanted to repay, devote myself to its cause so it could never truly leave.
I just didn’t know very much about it. I’d need a yellow Dummies book to recount all the lessons and tests Irish music industry required – what the hell do the Virgin Prunes have to do with Estel? Why weren’t Delorentos just a boyband? Why don’t we slag off Paul Brady but Bono’s fair game?
Our musical heritage is based above all, on quality. Once so insular and closed in to itself, Irish music was a hedge school, the old teachers passing on the wisdom of bards with bodhran and fiddle to pupils, that constantly evolving drum beat was all our nation had for many years. Centuries of turbulent politics and a traumatised pattern of immigration fed the rebellious spirit of folk songs to an inevitable climax – the arrival of Rock in the 60s. With such a formidable giant in Irish Traditional, intruders daring to challenge its grasp would need a silver arm to break our own high standards.
And yet Rock triumphed. Thirty short years have witnessed the implosion of tradition, Ireland broke free of hundreds of years musical insulation and now in the 21st Century, our creativity has truly begun to flex. Heavy metal and contraception are accepted, electronica and head shops are found in every town. We are part of this new movement of the moment.
For everyone else, it’s just there. For me, it’s become my whole life, I’m still affected by The Immediate‘s break-up, I loved following the careers of Delorentos, Director and another thousand, memories of great nights with Noise Control, travelling the country with the first strains of ASIWYFA in my ears, gentle glory of Halves and Tenaka, discovering the brilliant Science of BATS and Adebisi Shank‘s Math Rock, string-tugging pound. And so, so, so many more – the student gigs and competitions, hanging out with bands so thrilled and glad people actually came to see them that it didn’t even matter if their music wasn’t great – you’d still have a fun night out. The ones who still always mailed and said hello even if I’d never made it to their gigs – namely Matt Lane.
This becomes a hard post to write when I try to explain why I’m leaving.
As a single mum in an incredibly messy house, I’m really tired of working on a daily-publish routine. It’s too distracting. My kids’ teachers are not impressed.
I wanted major changes to my site that were incompatible. Though I cannot thank Hot Press enough for taking a chance on me, I need to digest all I’ve learned. I want to write…really write. I’d like to try and really challenge myself to cover new ground and make the most of what I’ve learned.
And I don’t want to annoy people for no reason and I can feel tensions building. Like Lily Allen, I need learn when to shut the fuck up. I’ll argue to death for something I believe in…so I’m gonna get my facts straight.
I’ve just been myself though, loving the music, loving the people and the chance to actually involve myself in some beneficial way of paying back all the joy Irish music has brought to my life. All the times I’ve felt a thrill, a drop of sweat on my lens, a smile, a jiffy envelope and wham-bar EP. The brilliant album launches, the crazy parties, the hugs, the spats, the clinking beer bottles. The nights of good sleep because Butterfly Explosion or The Jimmy Cake make far sweeter lullabies than infinite ringing.
Thanks to all the bands. Thanks to everyone at Hot Press. Thanks to bloggers, to Aoife Indie Hour Nialler9 and Mp3hugger, cheers for great reads from Nick Thinks, Ragged Words and Guess List, Musical Rooms, Thrill Pier and Egoeccentric, Adam Lacey and Drop-D, Asleep On The Compost Heap, deadly photographers Toni Ireton, Roisin Jones, Ruth Medjber, Loreana, Donal and CasaCourtney, and thanks also to Raptureponies, Darragh Doyle, 2UIBestow, Sweet Oblivion and Tenacious Tim.
Apologies to Garageland, Balcony TV, Analogue and On The Record for being a pain in the blogohole. You’re still gayers though.
If you’re sure you’re not sick of me I’ll still write Wrongzo interviews for Drop-D, you can find me on www.myspace.com/yaythenay or mail me at rockeroffher[at]gmail[dot]com.
Big groupie love,
Nay xx
What an amazing post to finish a series of amazing, brilliant and educational posts. I loved coming here – it taught me so much about Irish music, about music in general and your photos were always top notch.
Well done Nay, enjoy the fading but you’ll be missed. Your passion, enthusiasm, knowledge and above all no-bullshit policy will be nigh on impossible to replace. Hot Press must be raging to lose you.
Can’t wait to see what you’ll get up to next!
Ah bugger! Another good music blogger bites the dust – don’t stay away too long though!
Ken / KKM
Nooooo! But I loved your pics so much!! Thank you for your fantastic photos, great words, and awesome encouragements – your comments were always heartfelt and lovely.
Have fun with your munchkins
k nay,
shame to see it go – i’m back in dublin in a few weeks, so i’ll give you a shout then if you’re about
That’s a shame. Best of luck with your next venture, I’m sure we’ll be seeing lots more of you into the future.
All the best Naomi.
Best of luck.. maybe we’ll have time for that hook up soon… take it easy!
Awful pity but if its time to move on its time to move on
Youll be back with a vengeance soon
Ah Nay, sure you’re a legend. You’ve advanced the cause of so many others, and it seems only fair that you should take the chance to advance yourself now. I hope what you have planned exceeds your own expectations, and I have no doubt that your undoubted enthusiasm and energy will bring you success wherever you lay your hat.
Go n’éirí an bóthar leat!
*wibbles* You guys are lovely. Thank you SO much.
Dagnammit noooo not you as well. Managed to delurk myself for this final post. I’ll miss OHR
On behalf of our band and so many others out there, thanks a gazillllion for everything you’ve done, from pictures to promotion to downright pure enthusiasm! You will truly be missed but best of luck in the future anyway!
All the best my new friend!
Best of luck Nay! Like I said many a time you are a fantastic writer and I really hope you go for it. You have opened minds and eyes on this blog and challenged the converted at other blogs! Thanks for all your hard work and you shall be miss on OHR. Keep in touch xx
Damn! gonna miss OHR, why it hasn’t been a feature in the printed HP is beyond me…
All the best Nay
so its done….
nay you have always been an inspiration to me, in so many ways. we became such good friends throw the music, but we will always have the memories of that, and i have the photos in the ‘ill black mail you latter file ‘ haha
i know there is something special out there waiting just for you, and the way you love whole heartily, and put ur self into what you do will only be a pluss for you in all of the ventures you will take on.
chat latter as always
Toni
boo urns, shall no doubt still see you at gigs in the next while. t’is always nice to run into you. talk soon. roisin
Did you think I’d forget to pop over here for a goodbye, you fiend?
.
Not likely. I haven’t posted these words before coz I see them posted elsewhere and cringe a little when I read them but…Great Post!
A fine, verbose, blurt of a sign-off to a blog that I’m on every day.
You’ll no longer be slagged off as ‘that silly little girl from Hot Press’ now over on OTR. Bet you’re sad to hear that
It’s been great and I’ll be reading your stuff at other interweb places, but sadly no longer here..
At any rate, adios, it’s been emotional and keep rocking.
Word.
balls – i’ll have no need to ever check out hotpress.com in the future then
nay yr one of the best!
stay cool.
Gutted!
I’m genuinely chuffed that our blog was referenced in such an excellent post on one of my favourite resources for new Irish music. Your blog has always been at the coalface of what’s happening in emerging Irish sounds, and while the fantastic pics were always the immediate draw to OHR, the quality of your writing left me scratching my head as to why you weren’t given column inches in HP.
The best of luck in all you do in future, and don’t be a stranger!
Ah lads , thanks millions…you are wonderful…as a virtual swinger, I feel I’m losing all my lovers in one go. But it’s all just a ride as this man said it best…
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/BTzNLhxPzjo" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
Will miss you Nay, though I’m sure you’ll still be about
x
Onwards and upwards lady!
Bushie. xxx
So sorry to see you gone Nay! Best of luck in your future endeavors and hopefully see you at a gig soon…..or at least Castlepalooza ’09!
Great post Naomi. Sorry to see another great Irish music blog go. You always displayed enthusiasm and belief that I admired. See ya soon.
ive been staring at this post all week wondering what to write… what can sum up everything about everything which u and ur blog has done for me… but i think its time to step out of this crazy lil Irish bogisphere (thanks for inviting me in tho)… and back into the real world wer it all matters and real hugs count… usual place for coffee this afty my friend?
x
A shame, what’s going on?
Oh Nay am going to miss your posts here! You did a great job here for new bands and I am sure your presence is going to be missed.
Will catch you at some gigs I am sure and around the net at some other places:-)
Bugger.
See ya at some gig soon.
Just want to echo what was said above, i’ll miss your blog for it’s enthusiastic and passionate insight into irish bands. Fair play to you for shining a light on so many great acts that would probably go unnoticed otherwise.
Will you be contributing more to Drop-D? Taking your blog out from Hotpress to continue elsewhere? I hope you keep up the good work whereever you go.
Best of luck, Nay, even if saying “You’re still gayers though” is totally fucking lame!
Your enthusiasm for music, a good scrap and promoting homegrown bands is nothing if seriously commendable. The blogosphere will miss you.
Rock,
Una
x
Nay, Nay and thrice Nay, you cannae just leave like THAT. G’luck in all you do, I’ll shall be keeping in touch though – whether you like it or not.
Johnnie xx
Anthony – nothing really. I just need to time out, think, write and be with my kids while they’re young and nice. Otherwise I’m heading for their living hell adolescence of “you loved your Mac more than me!”
Una – I put that there just for you … ‘lame’ is totally bogus, dude. But thanks!
Thanks everyone, really, really, really. I keep wanting to go back and edit that post, add another band, another funny moment, another realisation and moment y’all inspired me. But the final edit’s done *sigh*. You’re all legends. Come tell me I’m deadly to my face at the Road Records bash in ALT this Saturday. Yes, you may
best of luck with all that you do.
cheers
colin
Nay, your enthusiasm for Irish music is practically incomparable and something I’ve always loved about you and this blog. You’re the business, and you’ll be missed. HP.com is a worse place without you. See you soon. x
You’ll be missed. Maybe not as much as Elvis, Johnny Cash or Mic Christopher, but you’ll be missed.
Nay is my sister and I thought it important to leave a comment on this momentous occasion.
I’ve seen first hand the level of commitment put into all of Naomi’s work with Hot Press. I’ve witnessed the sleepless nights, moments of utter frustration, the continuous motherly sacrifices made and the relentless desire to never give up on making something truly fantastic out of her life.
There have been times when Naomi’s determination to be the best she can be have really strained many relationships in her life. She has given more to this blog and to HP than most over privileged D4-somethings give to their whole lives. This passion and drive comes out of the understanding that life success is not a 6 Series, a pair of Jimmy Choo’s or a Masters from Smurfit but something earned through blood sweat and tears.
I suppose what I am trying to say is that Naomi has gone above and beyond the call of duty throughout her time with HP and hope that this is recognised and appreciated by every one she wrote for, photographed or gave a shout out to!
Long live the Nay.. Yay!
Bye Nay. This makes me really sad.
Crikey! This was unexpected – but you lay out your reasons perfectly well. I’m sad to see this blog go but looking forward to seeing more of your writing (and fighting
) around the internet and elsewhere.
Best of luck with everything – and I might finally meet you in person at the Road gig!
Aoife
x
What a pity, best of look in the future Nay, love from The Kybosh
i stil get private OHR news via gtalk though, right?…right?
Raid Radio needs you Nay!
Naomi, your enthusiasm and passion for music always leapt off the screen. You championed so many deserving Irish bands and it’s a real shame you won’t be continuing this blog.
You haven’t let anything hold you back, and you have two kids, as well! Man, I don’t know how you managed to do it all, but you’re to be much admired for it.
Best of luck in whatever you’re planning to do.
I admired your passion for music from afar. Particularly Irish music. Keep her lit.
I hope to read your work again. Best o’luck in the future (which is unwritten).
Buenos tardes y hasta luego.
ROB SMITH
Buh bye Ms McArdle
sorry to hear about this nay,
hope to see you back bigger and stronger in the future
peace out
A very fine post to bow out on Nay.
I’ll really miss OHR.
No more OHR?
Well, guess I’ll see you saturday anyway
Nay, I remember meeting you at a gig in TBMC (now Button Factory) back in 2005 ish? You explained what you were at and where you were headed. Its been a quick few years since that night but you have probably surpassed all your original targets and objectives …. Well done and hopefully Ill catch you at a gig or otherwise in the future. Best Wishes and disappointed to hear the news, ENDA CASEY/ http://www.gasun.net/wordpress/
*sighs*
Very overwhelmed and shocked by how kind everyone has been. You’re the best part of everything. This would have been a horrid day otherwise. Thank you xx
[...] Another Blog Bites The Dust http://wordpress.hotpress.com/offherrocker/2009/03/06/the-least-important-post-ever/ [...]
C’mon Jim, come say goodbye!
“Apologies to Garageland, Balcony TV, Analogue and On The Record for being a pain in the blogohole. You’re still gayers though.”
hahaha!
Nay, you are the greatest, you’ve got more balls than all other music journo put together,
never stop rattling cages and given it to the man.
Best of luck with your new venture. Go for it!
OHR will be missed though!
Awh it’s a great shame! Loved visiting this site to catch up on my news!What do i do now?!paper?other blogs?pfffffttt!
Hopefully your camera will still work for us Nayski!
Good luck!!
A wise man once wrote “In your wildest dreams you could not imagine the marvelous surprises await you.” OK, it was actually Willy Wonka but I liked the quote and it sums up what I feel is to come for you.
Stay crazy but true x
*Schniff* The tears are welling Nay
That is a truely warming farewell.
But yes, do not let it be a final farewell, onward and upward, please please do keep writing, you’re a poet.
x
Laury
Nay, sad to see OHR winding up. You’ve done a huge amount for Irish bands and Irish music. You’ve also got balls of steel!
Best of luck.
Ciarán
Nay,
What a shame, you had your finger on the pulse of Irish music. Best of luck for the future.
Siobhan
Ah Naynaynay, if you knew how many times I’ve read this blog wondering how you got away with some of those corny jokes and puns…I think everyone forgave your awful sense of humour because you made up for it with such zeal and passion.
I noticed lately that you’ve been getting a lot of stick from other blogs and writers, as you should, you dished it out and have to take what comes back. Fair play for not rising to the personal jibes and sticking to your guns. Nevermind State mag’s latest cheap shot at yourself and the few brave others who dared to voice criticism towards the Choice prize…you were to be admired for refusing to be part of the backslapping brigade. For all the bloggers’ clamour to be individuals, there’s so little in the way of genuine opinion and guts.
I’m quite disappointed to see most of these comments have been made by your regular readers and other bloggers. No mention from the countless bands, labels, promoters and others you gave voice to? Your last news post was just typical of all your work here over time and no other website or paper gave even 10% as much notice and continuing loyalty to Irish bands. I wonder how much of those certain labels and promoter’s success was due to the noise you made on their behalf.
Best of luck to you woman. If only there were more Irish people like you.
My Ghod. U can’t write something THIS good & then just LEAVE. & Bsides, I just found yr blog 2 DAYS ago….
I’m a LONG way from Ireland, but I wanted U 2 know that yr Nthusiasm & joy in the music come thru loud & clear. I wish I could write something 1/2 as Nthusiastic, Xcited & ALIVE as yr farewell post. If U’re going off 2 “really write,” if yr blog was something of a warm-up, my Ghod, what hope do the REST of us have? If yr not REALLY writing yet, 1nce U SERIOUSLY get started yr gonna B GREAT! Yr writing makes me look at my own music-review site & clearly feel that I’m not writing up 2 my potential….
Nobody sez U havta write every day or even every wk, but I know how it feels when kids/job/life gang up on U (even in the NICEST ways) & U have no time left. Was there myself 4 20 yrs as a newspaper reporter. Do what U must, but yr Nthusiasm, Xcitement & emotion R a joy 2 read. I’m sure many music fans there will miss U….
– TAD,
Port Orchard, Wash., USA
Part of me wants to record all this to play on a tape before I go to sleep at night. Makes me feel invincible. Lovely people you. I’m being dead honest, I expected a few “piss off”s.
Adam – Jim said goodbye quite nicely over at On The Record. He’s a very magnamious type, Yojimbo.
Fuck Begrudgers – actually there are quite a lot of comments from bands here and some messages on MySpace and email. I hadn’t seen that State article, thanks for pointing it out. I’ve a good mind to go and kick John Walshe’s arse as I saw him in person since that Choice row and he was all smiles. If ya got something to saaaay….don’t wait six weeks and hide it in 400 words of blather. Cheap shot indeed.
If you’re reading this John, I forgive you, thanks to a lesson in magnamity. However I hereby anoint you the status of those other g****s. At least you’re in good company?
TAD – pleased to make your acquaintance, your blog is kinda deadly
Really sad to hear this.. One of my favourite blogs on the interweb gone
Thanks so much for your support and of course, your amazing photographs. Keep writing!
Phil
You’ll be missed on the blogoshere Nay. So when is the coffee table best of book coming out eh!
Best wishes for the future and sure you wont be gone for long knowing you!
Graham
Best of luck in all your future endeavors Nay.
Thanks for everything. Your blog will be missed.
Hope to see you Saturday.
Eric
Second the sentiment that I have absolutely no reason to come to Hotpress website anymore
Peace out, Nay!
crap, just reading this now, what a damn shame, alas your blog legend has been fulfilled. This link will be missed but thanks for having it at all, you are the Road Records of the Irish blogworld!
best wishes xx
Hi Nay
Sad to hear you’re leaving as you really have been an immense support to all the bands that I love too!
Well done on such a job well done, and no doubt your passion for music will not allow to stay out of the loop for very long. We’ll see you soon for sure.
Best wishes for everything, definitely see you around x
Hey Naomi,
Sorry to see the blog going. You’ll be missed. Passion and opinion about music are to be lauded.
I wasn’t having a go at you in the article darlin, just a general observation, which I stand over 100 percent. x
Guys, it’s been a week and I really, really, really miss everything, you (readers), it (music), them (people).
John – ‘opinion’ is the keyword. That’s all it is.
I hope we all do gigs and fun stuff again. We will. Promise xx
its a good thing i bookmarked this – i get the last word!
Oh no you don’t!
Win.
oh yes i do!
nice to meet you last night Nay. i apologise if I was drunk.
gutted your not doing this anymore. cheers for introducing me to butterfly explosion, tenaka, asiwyfa…
happy trails.
Ah fellas. You’re nuts.
OFTR – you’re a Mulley-bashing highlight of this tenure. Rock on
Thanks for the comments of recent days people, they’re still coming to my email even though they haven’t approved here. Happy St Singing Shamrocks’ Day to you all
^5!!
oh my god, i’m disconnected from the internet for 3 short weeks and when I log back on the WHOLE WORLD HAS CHANGED.
All I can say is NOOOOOOOOOOO! Come back!!
I’ve loved reading your blog and looking at your great snap shots of the Irish music scene, you’ll be missed so much.
x x Sorcha
Hope I see you soon in real life.
x
Hey Nay, I know it’s been a long time since you posted your last post and I’ve talked to you in the meantime, but nonetheless, your blog was amazing. I like that you have no time for mediocrity and your championing of the artists who truly deserve it, to the extent that you had to load up your word-cannon many times. Fair play. I’ve no doubt that every band you talked about and everyone who was introduced to bands thanks to you (myself included) is extremely grateful for your words.
There’s no goodbyes here, more so a hello your future writings – which, by the by, I look forward to. In the meantime, do drop me comments to keep me up to date
See you on Tuesday if you’re gonna pop down, you’ll be on the guestlist +1!
I’m extremely grateful that you read my daffy words. Thank you …sups on me at the next show xx