JUST A MINUTE: TOM DUNNE.

Byline: FIONA WYNNE

BEST known for being the lead singer of Irish band Something Happens, Tom Dunne now presents Today FM's Pet Sounds. Tom, 38, from Ringsend in Dublin, talks to FIONA WYNNE.

YOU are the alternative Today FM DJ. Do you get sick of hearing of yet another pop act breaking into the charts?

I'm always quite fascinated by the pop charts. Some of them have one-hit wonder written on their foreheads. But who would begrudge them a chance at doing something a bit special with their lives? Most of the time I genuinely don't notice their records anyway.

WHAT is your opinion of Ireland's music scene today?

Better than it ever was, all tastes catered for. If you want to be in a boy band there are lots of people you can turn to for advice. If you want to be a singer/songwriter there are great places to play and a healthy scene to become part of. It is dominated by boy bands but my message to those who hate them would be to form a band, write brilliant, original songs and force them from the charts. Easy.

YOU know the workings of the music industry. Do you think you can only make it big if you are young and pretty?

I don't think it's corrupt, but it is hard to the point of being brutal. If you don't fit for whatever reason you're out. It is as brutal as nature itself when it comes to age and looks. Being young and pretty or handsome are always the first two cards of a winning hand in any walk of life.

SO WHAT is happening with Something Happens now? Are you devoting yourself exclusively to radio?

The band have been on hold for quite a while. We do occasional shows because we love them so much but the idea of writing and recording a new album is a bit scary.

DO you enjoy being a DJ?

I love what I do. From the time I was knee-high I loved music. I don't ever really stop thinking about it and finding new music and discovering new talent is a serious buzz.

WHAT do you think of manufactured bands, talentless or not?

More harmless than anything else. Talented people often have to go to some lengths to be discovered. So if joining a boy band gives you a break you might not otherwise get, go for it. But talent should win out in the end.

HOW is your love life?

I got married in January in New York to the beautiful Audrey McDonald so it couldn't be any better. We actually got hitched in The Plaza Hotel. It was brilliant.

WHO was your best interviewee?

Fran from Travis in a brilliant guy. He's very warm, genuine and is very funny. Kylie Minogue was also an angel. I always think a good indication of somebody is if they take a little time out to say hello to the film crew.

WHAT is the best thing to come out of Ireland musically - apart from Something Happens that is?

Apart from us? It's U2. They set artistic goals and then surpass them time and again.

CAPTION(S):

POP PROFILE: DJ Tom Dunne