"We need new politics in Ireland," says Christy Moore

"We need new politics in Ireland," the Kildare legend states, before going on to excoriate the politicians who have been embroiled in one scandal after another in recent years.

In a hugely entertaining in depth interview, Christy, who was voted Best Irish Male at the Meteor Awards last week, talks frankly about his phenomenal career, which has spanned over thirty years, recalling the heady days of Planxty and Moving Hearts; the great singers and songwriters who influenced him; working with Bono; his days as a bank clerk; and his feelings about the Irish politics and politicians!

“Would you buy a second hand car from Bertie Ahern TD or Ray Burke or Senator Ivor Callely or Michael Lowry TD?" he asks. "Yet, we vote them in. We voted Bertie back in three times. Michael Lowry has topped the poll in Tipperary since 1916. It doesn’t seem to matter what they say or do, just so long as they look after our own. The pump in the yard for the grandfather, the cushy job for the slow brother, a pot hole here, a medical card there – we have a flawed and corrupt system which most people apparently find acceptable. We need new politics in Ireland."

When asked about the difficulty Irish folk artists experience getting airplay, Christy is unambiguous.
“I think they (the radio stations) are pathetic. They just mindlessly follow global patterns and all play the same old fuckin’ shite. They have no sense of adventure."

He goes on to talk about his own experiences in the music industry, how he came to write 'The Ballad of Ruby Walsh' – and he tells Hot Press why he'll never tire of singing the beautiful 'Ride On'.

For the full interview, see the new issue of Hot Press, out tomorrow.