The Scratch - "Everyone has something to contribute"

·33 min·3 clips

Giles asks The Scratch how they've kept their band going for over 10 years amidst all the organizational challenges.

In this episode of 101 Part-Time Jobs, host Giles Bidder interviews the members of the Irish band The Scratch. The conversation opens with Giles asking how the band has managed to stay together for over 10 years, focusing on the organizational and interpersonal challenges. The band members emphasize the importance of maintaining good vibes and communication, noting that they prioritize working with friends and avoiding negativity. One member shares that being in the band forced him to learn how to communicate better and handle vulnerability, which made him a better person. The discussion shifts to external factors, with the band explaining how the 2008 recession in Ireland made it easier for them to commit fully to music, as economic uncertainty reduced pressure to follow traditional career paths. They reflect on finding purpose through music and the downsides of not having that drive. Giles brings up the band's viral 2017 busking video, and the members recount how busking was both financially rewarding and liberating, allowing them to reconnect with the joy of playing music. They describe making up to 400 quid an hour and how it contrasted with earlier struggles in metal bands. The episode then explores the practical side of being in a band, with The Scratch discussing how they delegate roles based on individual strengths, such as one member handling marketing and another focusing on songwriting. They talk about the importance of trusting collaborators, like their manager Amo who learned on the job, and how relinquishing control was a key growth step for their latest album. The conversation concludes with lighthearted stories of past odd jobs, including working in a pub on Paddy's Day, handling hazardous materials in a freezer, and being a stage hand for Metallica. Giles wraps up by promoting The Scratch's new album 'Pull Like a Dog' and teasing future guests on the podcast.

As heard by us

A candid, grounded conversation about care, purpose, and the work inside being a band.

The Scratch's conversation with the host frames band life as a craft held together by care, communication, and the less romantic work of figuring out what comes next.

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Why you'd press play

You want the unglamorous work of keeping a band alive, from caring and communication to street sets and a few quid.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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