With his new EP 'These are the Dreams. This is the Life' released today – a collection of songs "written about the reality of living and working through your dreams, rather than just dreaming them" - Limerick-born Emmet Scanlan is heading out on the road with his band 'What the Good Thought' to play a few gigs in support of it later this month.

Before that, we had a chat about the important and not-so-important issues of the day with him.

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What’s the music that you listened to growing up, that you still listen to today?
Well, the first two CDs I bought were 'The Bodyguard' soundtrack and Meatloaf's 'Bat out of Hell II' - loving the big ballad timeless classics.

When did you first realise that you wanted a career in music?
At the age of 11.My three friends and I had decided who was going to play what in our first band before we even picked up instruments - and our list of demands for playing Slane Castle the following year!

In three words, describe the minute before you walk on stage.
'WHERE IS EVERYONE?'

How do you wind down after a gig?
It is always nice to catch up with people who have made the effort.

What’s the one song you wish you’d written or recorded first?
'Atlantic City' - Bruce Springsteen.

What song of yours are you most proud of?
'Over Again', the new single.

What’s your favourite venue to perform in?
I love the smaller, atmospheric venues dotted around the country - The Crane, Galway; Sin É, Cork; The Greyhound, Kilkee.

Your best and worst gig so far?
TBH, any gig where folk are there to connect is a great gig.

Whose career do you envy, and why?
I don't particularly envy anyone's career – but I really admire those that are in it for the long game, like Ray Charles.

Vinyl or digital downloads?
Would love to say vinyl, but I am a man of convenience.

Give your thoughts on Spotify in three words.
Platform/discovery/future.

You can only have three albums on your phone/in your house at any one time - what three would you pick for today?
'Devils and Dust' - Bruce Springsteen
'Trouble' - Ray Lamontagne
'The Soul Album' – Otis Redding

Name one piece of music memorabilia that you wish you owned.
Tom Jones's little black book.

Name one record, one book and one film that everyone should hear / read / see.
'Ray' - soundtrack and film by Ray Charles
Book - 'Star of the Sea' by Joseph O' Connor.

Pick the director and lead actor(s) for a biopic about your life.
I am a big fan of director James Grey, and Cillian Murphy is great!

You’re ordering take-away, what do you get?
Oooooooh, gotta be shredded chicken and singapore rice noodles from the Chinese!

You’ve been given €100,000 to spend, but only 1 hour to spend it. What do you buy?
A tasty shack in Italy to renovate and cook!

Describe your perfect day off.
Drinks with my wife and a spectacular view: beach, rolling hills, piazza... not fussy, really.

Tell us, in one sentence, why we should listen to your new EP.
It is a genuine piece of work that I have put my all into, on the topic of living your dreams.

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Emmet Scanlan & What the Good Thought's 'These are the Dreams. This is the Life' is out now.

Tour dates:

Nov 10th - Sin É/Crane Lane - Cork
Nov 11th - The Crane Bar - Galway
Nov 12th - Cleery's - Newcastle West, Co. Limerick
Nov 13th - Wigwam - Dublin