Following the series' launch last month with Episode 1, featuring Gemma Hayes, we're thrilled to present Episode 2 of Up Close and Personal: The Podcast – starring iconic Irish singer Mary Coughlan.

More episodes, featuring Damien Dempsey, Tim Wheeler of Ash, Conor O’Brien of Villagers and Andy Irvine & Donal Lunny are set to follow in the coming weeks.

As part of the series, recorded over six nights at The Grand Social in Dublin, Hot Press selected six classic – and enormously successful – Irish albums, crossing decades and genres. The programmes take a deep dive into each LP, with the artist recalling the circumstances of the time, the influences, the songwriting process, the recording of the albums – and much more besides – in the company of interviewers specially selected for each album. The series is produced by Hot Press in association with Aidan Shortall of Up Close and Personal Promotions and with the assistance of the Live Performance Support Scheme and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

Chronicling 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, musicians and practitioners of Irish music at every level, it should be seen as an unmissable series.

In Episode 2 of Up Close and Personal: The Podcast – out now – Mary Coughlan sits down with Paul Nolan for a candid conversation about her lauded debut album, Tired and Emotional (1985). The record catapulted the Irish icon to stardom, and remains a beloved fan favourite now, 37 years after its original release. Mary spoke with her trademark honesty about the inspiration behind the project – and shared compelling renditions of tracks like ‘Double Cross’, ‘Meet Me Where They Play The Blues’, and ‘The Beach’, with piano accompaniment by Johnny Taylor.

Listen to Episode 2, starring Mary Coughlan, now:

A new Up Close and Personal podcast episode will be posted each week – follow us on social media for further updates. See the full line-up below:

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

All episodes are also available now on the Hot Press YouTube channel.

This special series of intimate conversations, is produced by Hot Press, 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.