Hoaretraits Ep. 1: Zeitgeist Irland 24 artist A.S. Fanning

Hoaretraits is a new series by photographer and podcaster Neil Hoare, that presents contemporary Irish artists that are part of Zeitgeist Irland 24 – the year’s cultural programme of contemporary arts from Culture Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in Germany. Conceived of by Hoare as ‘audio portraits’, the podcasts explore themes of creativity, imagination and craft in conversation a diverse range of Irish artists living in both Ireland and Germany.

For Episode 1, Neil Hoare talks with A.S. Fanning, a Dublin-born singer-songwriter based in Berlin for several years, and known for his introspective lyrics and deep baritone voice. His music blends folk-rock with gothic and psychedelic elements. His 2023 album Mushroom Cloud explores themes of isolation and uncertainty during the pandemic, layered with rich orchestration. Fanning’s poetic style draws on Irish literary traditions, offering a melancholic, reflective quality to his songs. His earlier works include You Should Go Mad (2020) and Second Life (2016)

Podcaster Neil Hoare is a multidisciplinary Irish artist living in Berlin with his dog Púca. His most recent photographic work ‘A Heimat away from Home’ is a series of portraits commissioned by the Embassy of Ireland in Germany documenting the Irish who made Germany their home since Ireland joined the EU 50 years ago. The experience of photographing so many people across Germany and hearing their stories led directly to the creation of Hoaretraits.