Musician and radio presenter Fiachna Ó Braonáin is a founding member of Hothouse Flowers, who commence their nationwide tour on Friday, April 10th and finish on Saturday, April 25th.
Are you a saver or a spender?
I wish I were both but, in general, my experience has been that whatever comes in goes straight back out again.
What was the first job you received money for, and how much were you paid?
I worked as a golf caddie in Long Island in the summer of 1984. I was paid $15 (€12.7) per round per player. If you were lucky, you looked after two players, which would double your money to $30. If you caddied for two rounds of golf on any given day with two players each time, you could make $60 on a good day. By the end of the summer, I was able to buy my first electric guitar in Rudy’s guitar shop in Manhattan. I still have it!
Do you shop around for better value?
I certainly shopped around for that first guitar! I went in and out of every guitar shop on 48th Street in New York and eventually found that the Japanese Fender Strat copy made by Fernandes was the best value, whilst also being a quality instrument that played beautifully. I’ve tried to shop around ever since, especially when it comes to big purchases, such as cars, computers or musical instruments.
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What has been your most extravagant purchase, and how much did it cost?
I was once persuaded by my wife to buy not one but two pairs of patent leather Hugo Boss shoes in Brown Thomas. She felt that I should have both the dark green and the mauve shoes as they would suit different outfits and different occasions. There was probably an eagerness to impress on my part, coupled with a desire to believe her when she told me that I was worth it. “You’ll have them forever,” she insisted, and she was right. They’re still in immaculate condition.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
About eight years ago, I bought a second-hand Renault Megane for €800; it was nicknamed the Copper Rocket due to its questionable metallic orange colour. The Copper Rocket transported me and my musical equipment up and down the highways and byways of Ireland, to and from many gigs with little or no mechanical complaint. It even starred alongside me in an episode of Ros na Rún, earning €5 as an appearance fee, so it’s fair to say that the Copper Rocket owes me absolutely nothing.
Is there anything you regret spending money on?
When Hothouse Flowers were recording our Born album in London in 1998, I spent a considerable sum of money buying some home recording equipment. At around €10,000, it was a huge investment for me at the time. It took forever to set up, and while I enjoyed many long hours using it, within several years, I discovered that my €2,000 MacBook could actually record better quality audio and be placed into my backpack to record wherever I wanted.
Do you haggle over prices?
I’ve always found that there’s room for negotiation with highly priced items like cars, for example, or guitars. And there’s always room for haggling at second-hand markets.
[ ‘The only thing I invest in is time with friends and loved ones!’Opens in new window ]
Do you invest in shares and/or cryptocurrency?
I’ve never invested in stocks or shares. As I get older, I’ve become increasingly convinced that the stock market, which is central to our capitalist system of economics, contributes more and more to the divide between those who have and those who have not. And cryptocurrency seems to me to be the biggest scam going.
Do you have a retirement or pension plan?
I’m not planning on retiring any time soon, if ever, so the only plan I have in place is to keep going. Making music, fortunately, has never had any age limit, and looking around me, I think we have plenty of evidence to suggest that making music actually keeps you young. I won’t be investing in a pipe and a pair of slippers any time soon.
What was the last thing you bought, and was it good value for money?
The last thing I bought was a car to enable me to finally retire the Copper Rocket. I’ve never been in a position to buy a brand-new car, so the new car is actually 12 years old, but it’s a very well-maintained Japanese import VW with all the bells and whistles. Was it good value? Time will tell.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
The way my income has worked has always been somewhat of a rollercoaster ride. Every so often, I might land a project that pays quite well, and if a big paycheck comes in, I’ve tended to use it to upgrade some of the more expensive items I need for work.
Have you ever lost money?
I’ve never lost money, but I once had a sum of money stolen, along with a portable audio recorder, my passport and various other items, when my bag was snatched in New York. There was probably a couple of hundred dollars in my bag in unspent per diem. Hopefully, the robber was able to feed himself for a few days, at least!
Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win?
I’ve seen the insides of casinos in Las Vegas, and the sight of hopelessly addicted individuals shoving all of their loose change into slot machines would be enough to put you off gambling forever.
What is your best habit when it comes to money? And your worst?
My best habit is never to exchange foreign currency when I return home from touring. Several years can go by after which you might have a tidy little sum to spend on a nice night out. My worst habit is never to set enough aside for a rainy day, but the cost of living prevents me from doing that.
How much money do you have on you now?
I usually have no cash at all, but for some reason, I have €20 in my wallet right now.
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
