Following the brilliant reception to the  Up Close and Personal series so far, we're delighted to present the next show, starring Villagers' Conor O'Brien – available to watch now exclusively on the Hot Press YouTube channel .

As part of a special show, filmed at The Grand Social in Dublin, Conor speaks to Paul McLoone about his Mercury Prize-nominated, Choice Music Prize-winning second album, {Awayland}. Released in 2013, it was hailed internationally, and marked the Dublin act as one of the country’s finest musical talents.

During the course of the conversation, Conor offers fascinating insights into the genesis of the LP, and performs some of the most iconic songs off the project.

Hot Press presents Up Close & Personal with... VILLAGERS at The Grand Social, Dublin.

This is the penultimate show in the series – which is being broadcast every Thursday.

As part of our Up Close and Personal series, we selected six seminal Irish albums, crossing decades and genres, and took a deep dive into each LP. Chronicling important developments and historic moments – from the release of Planxty in 1973 to Villagers' Awayland in 2013 – the Up Close and Personal series explores 40 years of Irish music history, with eye-opening new revelations and reflections shared by the artists at the centre of the albums. For fans, students and practitioners of Irish music, it's an unmissable series.

“These six special events turned out to be absolutely brilliant nights,” Hot Press editor Niall Stokes enthuses. “There was such a sense of occasion, and also of warmth. It was fantastic – and inspiring – to hear the artists recall the circumstances surrounding the release of the records and to hear them talk in detail about the way wonderful songs are written, and great albums come together."

The full line-up, going live at 7pm each night, includes:

• Gemma Hayes – Night On My Side (January 20) – Presented by Lucy O’Toole
• Mary Coughlan – Tired & Emotional (January 27) – Presented by Paul Nolan
• Damien Dempsey – Seize The Day (February 3) – Presented by Lucy O’Toole
• Ash (Tim Wheeler) – 1977 (February 10) – Presented by Paul McLoone
• Villagers (Conor J. O’Brien) – Awayland (February 17) – Presented by Paul McLoone
• Planxty (Andy Irvine & Donal Lunny) – Planxty (February 24) – Presented by Pat Carty

Watch Up Close and Personal with Villagers on the Hot Press YouTube channel:

This special series of intimate conversations, is produced in association with Aidan Shortall of Up Close and Personal Promotions and supported by the Live Performance Support Scheme and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Our thanks to all the participants.