This interview was recorded in Rua Red as part of a project I worked on with Al in 2018.

I got commissioned to make a work about Tallaght and Al was the first person I approached to collaborate with. Having both grown up there I thought he would be the perfect person to work on the sound design. Considering we both hadn't lived in Tallaght for years we wanted to look back on what it was like to grow up there during a certain period of time and see how it has influenced who we are. Although Al had never worked on the sound design for an art work before I knew he'd do an amazing job and I was blown away by the end product that he produced.

As part of the project, I interviewed a number of locals who'd gone onto do some great things, with Al being one of them. In this interview he talked about his early inspirations, the club nights he ran, how his music style changed throughout the years and the sense of community which developed through his nights. I have included some of the music which he talks about along with some of the tracks that he used to play. I've also included one of his own remixes and a release on his own Aciitone record label.

Al's club nights were like no other, there was an amazing atmosphere and a great sense of community and he made sure everyone felt part of that, which was something special. His sets at Acii Disco were exceptional and had an energy and vibe like no other, he was the best DJ and promoter in Dublin who brought so much joy and happiness to people. As a person he was warm, generous, caring and funny, he always had time and sound advice for people. He was a visionary and a natural leader with wisdom beyond his years, and I feel very honoured and proud to have worked with Al and to have had him as a friend, he really was one of a kind.

It's a pleasure to be able to share some of his memories in his own words.

00:00 - 04:33:  Michael Lovatt - Third Bass (Al Keegan Remix) (My Own Beat Records)
04:33 - 05:47: Al, Early memories of Tallaght, 4th Year and Kiss FM
05:47 - 08:35:  Mory Kante - Yeke Yeke (Hardfloor Remix) (FFRR)
08:35 - 09:42:  Al, Art class and musical inspiration from art teacher
09:42 - 15:44:  Lemon Jelly - A Tune for Jack (XL Recordings)
15:44 - 18:53:  Al, DJing at the Tivoli, first night he ran in Viva, and setting up 1210
18:53 - 21:06:  Junior Jack - Thrill Me (VC Recordings)
21:06 - 22:45:  Al, 1210 in The Legal Eagle
22:45 - 25:45: Harry ‘Choo Choo’ Romero - Tania (Bambossa Records)
25:45 - 27:57:  Al, the end of 1210 and his style of music changing
27:57 - 32:03:  Blaze feat. Palmer Brown - My Beat (Ambassador Remix) (Kickin Records)
32:03 - 34:54:  Al, Abby Discs, Dublin club nights, minimal and darker music
34:54 - 38:03:  Gabriel Ananda - Doppelwhipper (Truesoul)
38:03 - 41:25:  Al, beginnings of Acii Disco, clown story
41:25 - 44:20:  Jon Virtue - Breadsnapper (Abe Duque Remix) (Aciitone)
44:20 - 47:02:  Al, Acii Disco moves to The Hub, McGruders and other Dublin club nights
47:02 - 51:16:  Lil Mo’ Yin Yang - Reach (Strictly Rhythm)
51:16 - 53:41:  Al, Acii Disco community
53:41-1:00:48:  Duoteque - Adyra (Boxer Recordings)



In memory of Al, we are raising money for two charities, Shannon’s Hopeline and Pieta House, of which Al was a great supporter. All donations are more than welcome, please see the link below.

https://gofund.me/a94e1cc5

It's No Party Without People: An Interview with Al Keegan

Simmer down the wet confetti, the geneticists still aren’t ready to come home so I’m alone for now. One trick phoney to the three act addicts, foreplay takes five minutes, sex is next I guess? “Rock and roll is here to stay,'' my mantra on bank-holidays. A self fulfilling prophecy, oh yes. Make out with the mirror, practice chat up lines and figure out which thin veneer to debut as sincere moi. My fingernails are a frayed knot, my self esteem has caught the cot death. Breathlessly, I’m eager to be redeemed. Still sleep with both arms in the air. Still making room for your hair and head to rest upon my chest, I guess. Still fantasise about the war. Still wolfing down the singular. The Liffey’s swallowed all my pride today. And Spielburg’s in the kitchen stink eyeing my side on the brink. Lining up the shot of his career. My fingers make a square to frame a cinematic, sincere pain. My ego is the Best Boy in the room - woo hoo. 

On the bag, I don’t need that. 
My confidence is my confidante. 

My knuckles white around the stars. I suckle on a teet in bars. The milk careers, and flows, and tastes so smooth. You say you’re crying more than me, as evidence - capacity to feel a higher low, but I’m not sure. I hate myself and want to live, I want to love, I want to give, I want to take and be taken care of. Pock-marks dot the blister field, find solace in fictitious real - the realest thing since genuinity. Don’t be offended by my songs, I didn’t mean a single word. I’d disown them in a second for your touch. The water hits my face and then I’ve convinced my reflection. Pity no one else was in the room. My ears are booming, jaw is chewing, eyes dart towards my mouth, which flies like a flag. I’m making moves, well I’m moving. I saw it in a movie once - a powerplay to wag a tongue like that. Talking at you like a child. Catastrophize my trophy wife. Sweating through the clothes that you’ve just lent me. Snapping at the remote control, the tendrils flip the Chance Channel. And all I have to say is, “I guess, I love you man”. 

On the bag, I’m a made man. 
A made up man, I know I am not. 

I hide in bars. I drown in words. It seems absurd that I’m lonely. 
Make a safe bet - If I left, this party continues without me.

Topher Grace

Sylk - Girl

UNDER THE SUN

hyper pop megamix

Maya Jane Coles - What They Say
Katy Perry/Nicki Minaj - Swish Swish
Lady Gaga/Blackpink - Sour Candy
Charli XCX - Pink Diamond #HIFNRemix
Brooke Candy/Charli XCX - XXXTC
Megan Thee Stallion/Beyoncé -Savage(Remix)
Rina Sawayama - Bad Friend
Slayyyter - BFF
Shygirl - BB
Stefflon Don - Senseless
Tove Lo - Hey You Got Drugs?
Tove Lo - Talking Body (KREAM Remix)
Sylk - What I Really Need
Charli XCX - Claws #HIFNRemix
Lady Gaga/Ariana Grande - Rain On Me
Grimes - Venus Fly

lipgloss on ~ megamix #HIFNRemix

Here's a mashup of Day Tripper and Seven Nation Army, full video can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC3v1FBEma8

Seven Day Tripper (Beatles/White Stripes Mashup)

Trippy one take wonder demo. due to be recorded in studio in Nov 20
#fender #arturia #drumbrute #mininova #pianos

Polly Put The Record On

New solo demo musical adventures by Griff from Dublin Ireland based power trio New Secret Weapon

Polly Put The Record On

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