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

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