Frances Black on family, fighting injustice, and memories of Glen Hansard
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What is the podcast’s opening and sponsor message?
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He was just warm and welcoming and I remember when we did the documentary on the woman's heart a few years ago, the first text I got was from Glenn saying, That was really beautiful you know, and I was, you know, chuffed that it was Glenn. Do you know that way you were kind of oh god, Glenn Hanser texted me? You know, I I would have known him and I've done charity things with him and we would have sang songs together at sessions and at parties. But it was just to get that lovely personal thing that I just thought was so lovely. You know, he's a Lovely man and and I just can't believe I just cannot believe he's gone.
Frances Black is one of Ireland's best known singers, born into one of Ireland's best known musical dynasties. Her sister is Mary Black, her nephew is Danny O'Reilly from the Coronas. Her niece is Roshin O, and all of her brothers are great performers too. She also successfully reinvented herself as an independent senator, building a reputation as one of the Shannons' strongest advocates on addiction, mental health, and social justice. So we had invited Frances onto the show to talk. About her fascinating life and career. But the day before this recording we learned of the tragic passing of Glenn Hansard. And Glenn, of course, had a very close association with Today FM over the years with all his live performances and his special, exuberant, inclusive and magnetic personality.
Frances knew Glenn well and was naturally reeling from the news, but she still wanted to come in and record this episode and take the opportunity to pay tribute to someone that had made such a deep impression not only on her but also on the rest of the country, judging by the national reaction to this tragic news. This is a really lovely conversation which fr in which Frances tells me all about Glen Hansard, what a special person he was, her upbringing in the tenements of inner city Dublin, using her position as a senator to fight for social justice, and why she thinks that a woman's heart was the inspiration behind would you believe it? The Spice Girls.
When we were over in London, Woman's Heart performed in I don't know what the venue was, I can never remember the name of the venue, but big venue anyway, the Woman's Heart was there.
How does Frances Black introduce herself and the tribute to Glen Hansard?
And Simon Fuller was there.
Yeah. Yeah.
And a year later then with the Spice Girls. So I still think we were the inspiration for the Spice Girls. My father was a plaster. He was a brilliant plaster. You know, he used to do all the wonderful you know, the real articulate kind of cornices and stuff. I do, yeah. So he was a great plaster but he couldn't get work. There wasn't I just don't remember huge amount of money and I remember her worrying about the dinner. and making sure you know, making sure she had dinner and she would make food out of anything. They built this factory on stolen Palestinian land. It's illegal. And then they're selling these little bottle of these creams for like four hundred dollars to all of these tourists who are coming in on buses.
It's all illegal under international law.
And this went on to be the biggest selling album that ever came out of Ireland. It never came out of Ireland. Bigger than even White Ladder by David Gray.
And I remember when I was told that the album was number one, I'm going, Am I on that? And then w yeah, you're on the
My full chat with singer and senator Francis Black coming up in just a couple of minutes time.
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Chapters
7 chapters
1
What is the podcast’s opening and sponsor message?
0:01–2:55
2
How does Frances Black introduce herself and the tribute to Glen Hansard?
2:55–6:20
3
What memories does Frances share about growing up in Dublin tenements?
6:20–16:19
4
How did Frances’ family musical background shape her career?
16:19–30:46
5
What social‑justice issues does Senator Frances Black focus on in the Seanad?
30:46–43:06
6
How does Frances explain the Occupied Territories Bill and its impact?
43:06–54:37
7
Why does Frances say Ireland needs more social housing and what are her solutions?
54:37–58:18
Speakers
1 identifiedMore from The Mario Rosenstock Podcast
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