A Life in Sound: John Davis on Music, Economics and What Really Matters
Guest Overview John Davis, the inquisitive everyman, serves as the perfect foil to economist David McWilliams on Ireland's beloved David McWilliams Podcast. Known for his genuine curiosity and ability to ask the questions listeners are thinking, Davis brings a unique perspective shaped by decades in the music and media industries. Episode Journey Join Martin Nutty and John Lee as they trace Davis' fascinating career through sound - from the music studios of Dublin and London to international ...
Guest Overview
John Davis, the inquisitive everyman, serves as the perfect foil to economist David McWilliams on Ireland's beloved David McWilliams Podcast. Known for his genuine curiosity and ability to ask the questions listeners are thinking, Davis brings a unique perspective shaped by decades in the music and media industries.
Episode Journey
Join Martin Nutty and John Lee as they trace Davis' fascinating career through sound - from the music studios of Dublin and London to international productions further afield. This wide-ranging conversation explores how a music industry veteran transitioned into becoming one-half of Ireland's most successful podcast duo.
Key Topics Explored
- From Studios to Airwaves: Davis' evolution from music production to broadcasting, including his formative years working on studio albums and film soundtracks.
- BBC World Service Years: His international media experience before returning to Irish shores.
- Podcast Genesis: The story of how a childhood friendship with David McWilliams sparked one of Ireland's most popular podcasts.
- Behind the Microphone: Davis opens up about his initial discomfort with being the voice behind the mic and facing live audiences at podcast events.
- The Magic Formula: How the natural chemistry between McWilliams and Davis creates their signature approach - making complex economics accessible without sacrificing substance.
Special Moment
The episode builds to a deeply personal and moving conclusion with Davis delivering a heartfelt "Seamus Plug" for As I Am, Ireland's leading autism charity. This emotional segment reveals a cause that holds profound meaning for Davis personally, offering listeners a glimpse into the man behind the microphone.
Why This Episode Matters
A rare, intimate look at one of Irish podcasting's most recognizable voices, exploring how genuine friendship, professional adaptability, and personal passion combine to create compelling audio content that resonates with tens of thousands of listeners weekly.
Links
- Seamus Plug: As I Am
- David McWilliams Podcast
- Music Extract: Love Shines - Dave Stewart And The Spiritual Cowboys
Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 28; Total Episode Count: 131
00:00 - Introduction
02:52 - Electric Picnic 2025
05:15 - The Music Scene
07:35 - Origin Story - Meeting Macker
10:50 - Starting Out in Media
13:29 - Peak Studio Moment
18:25 - How Media Has Changed
22:03 - Dumping a Morrison Visa
24:01 - Looking Back at 80s Ireland
26:21 - Leaving Music Behind
28:59 - Leaving and Returning to Ireland
31:21 - Stories From the BBC World Service
39:37 - Origin Story - David McWilliams Podcast
44:54 - Podcast Live Events
46:51 - Podcast Uptake
48:18 - Seamus Plug: As I Am
53:55 - Credits
John Davis
Podcast and Audio Producer
John Davis is an innovative Podcast and Audio Producer with a creative script writing and marketing background...and a shelf full of awards to prove it!!!
John co-presents and produces the multi-award-winning David McWilliams Podcast with over 40 million downloads to date.
With over 30 years in the media production industry, John has built a formidable reputation as a Producer & Sound Designer on projects that include, Podcasts, Animation, Radio Documentaries, Live Broadcasting, Audio Logo & Imaging along with Radio Commercials Copywriting and Production.
His work over the years has been recognized through a growing collection of accolades from the Irish Podcast Awards, New York Festivals, PPI Radio Awards, Love Radio Awards, Kinsale Shark Awards, and a Grand Prix Radio Advertising Award 2010, along with plenty of nominations too numerous to mention.
John trained as a BBC Studio Manager working with the BBC World Service on various flagship programmes along with scripting and producing on-air promos for the English and African networks.
Returning to Ireland in 2006 John joined Newstalk FM to oversee audio production and on-air branding.
Prior to that John spent six years honing his writing skills and business acumen in the marketing and PR side of the industry with a number of TV Post Production facilities including Screen Scene in Dublin, and XTV, Telecine & Todd AO in London.
John began his career in Dublin in the late 1980s as a music recording engineer, working all over the world on a wide varie… Read More
