Memories of Fontaines D.C. | Skinty Fia with Emily Smith

How does growing up with Celine Dion and the Bee Gees evolve into crowdsurfing at DIY punk gigs and running to post-punk anthems? This week, Jamie is joined by his niece, Emily, to spin the acclaimed 2022 album Skinty Fia by Irish rock band Fontaines D.C. Emily shares her journey from her mum's pop records to finding community, confidence, and energy in live rock music. She breaks down how Skinty Fia became her ultimate running soundtrack, the striking album art featuring the extinct Irish Elk, her love for intimate Yorkshire venues like The Trades Club and The Piece Hall, and her take on colored vinyl. EPISODE ROADMAP Early Music Memories: Growing up listening to her mum's favorite pop and disco classics before pivoting toward heavier rock and Black Sabbath. Finding the DIY Punk Scene: How live gigs, local mosh pits, and crowdsurfing helped Emily discover her community and self-confidence. The Running Soundtrack: Why the relentless rhythm and poetic grit of Skinty Fia became her go-to audio fuel for distance running. Intimate Live Venues: Loving Yorkshire music hubs like The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge and Halifax's iconic Piece Hall. Irish Identity & Kneecap: Discussing the raw, controversial brilliance of Irish hip-hop group Kneecap alongside Fontaines D.C.'s dark lyrical themes. Vinyl & Visuals: Exploring the extinct Irish Elk cover art, album packaging, and thoughts on collecting colored vinyl pressings. The Friday Spin: Emily recommends two underground gems spanning ethereal atmospheric soundscapes and international folk fusion. SKINTY FIA TRACK-BY-TRACK HIGHLIGHTS "Jackie Down the Line": A brilliantly dark, infectious lead single driven by brooding basslines and cynical lyrical hooks. "I Love You": A sprawling, passionate love letter to Ireland that explodes into a furious political spoken-word crescendo. "Roman Holiday": A hypnotic, groove-laden track capturing the alien experience of living as an Irish expat in London. THE FRIDAY SPIN RECOMMENDATIONFor this week's Friday Spin, Emily introduces two unique independent acts pushing sonic boundaries: Emily's Choices: Soria & Pinch of Snuff. The Vibe: A contrast of haunting, ethereal dream-pop textures alongside Japanese-based traditional folk instrumentation. CONNECT WITH THE CLUB! Playlist: Listen along to key tracks on our curated Spotify Companion Playlist. Instagram: Say hello and see our latest spins @jamieb1NINE73 Email: Got a music memory or a record story to share? Email us at [email protected] What record gets your heart racing on a run or workout? If you love personal music memories, building your record collection, and dissecting classic album history, hit subscribe and join the club!