In 2023 Clare Arts Office presented a series of professional development webinars for those working in the music industry in Clare in partnership with First Music Contact.
First Music Contact is the leading national music organisation for resourcing popular musicians and the independent music sector in Ireland. They deliver projects at key stages of an artists’ development, helping them develop real careers.
This new project, in association with Arts Officers in Clare, Limerick, Kerry and Tipperary, aimed to develop a way of offering equal access to professional development services to musicians in the mid-west as well as developing a framework for supporting artists locally.
This is a musician-first project in which FMC consulted with musicians locally so as to find out what they need to get their music career off the ground or to take the next step – what are the practical things they need and what kind of advice they are after.
Having analysed the results FMC designed professional development panels based on the responses and put together a series of webinars featuring some of the top national and international names in the industry.
The webinars are now available to view below and musicians are reminded that they are welcome to add their profile to our artists showcase to profile their work.
All you ever wanted to know about Funding
Ciaran Walsh (Culture Ireland), Tara Bolger (Arts Council) and Pippa Litttle (Limerick Arts Office) talk about the various funding opportunities which are available from their organisations. Moderator: Jim Carroll
This discussion was recorded in March 2023 as part of the Local Development Plan from Limerick Arts Office in association with First Music Contact. Many thanks to Pippa Little for her help with this project.
An artists practice with May Kay
Musician and TV presenter MayKay (Fight Like Apes, La Galaxie, Other Voices etc) talks to Jim Carroll about her life in music.
This interview was recorded in March 2023 as part of the Local Development Plan from Tipperary Arts Office in association with First Music Contact. Many thanks to Melanie Scott for her help with this project.
How to build an online audience
A masterclass on how to make online marketing work for your act with Darren Hemmings (Motive Unknown, UK), Ceri Dixon (Redlight Management, UK/Ireland) and Nathan Sauramba (Waverton Corp). Moderator: Jim Carroll
This discussion was recorded in March 2023 as part of the Local Development Plan from Clare Arts Office in association with First Music Contact. Many thanks to Siobhan Mulcahy for her help with this project.
Aoife Woodlock (manager, Colm Mac Con Iomaire), Conor Cusack (manager, Saint Sister) and Ben Skirritt (The World Management, UK) tell us what they’re looking for in new acts – and how to attract the manager you need. Moderator: Jim Carroll
This discussion was recorded in March 2023 as part of the Local Development Plan from Limerick Arts Office in association with First Music Contact. Many thanks to Pippa Little for her help with this project.
Claire Beck (Today FM), Niall Byrne (Nialler9) and Liza Geddes (Recode Publicity) discuss the ins and outs of getting media coverage in Ireland. Moderator: Jim Carroll
This discussion was recorded in March 2023 as part of the Local Development Plan from Tipperary Arts Office in association with First Music Contact. Many thanks to Melanie Scott for her help with this project.
A music publishing workshop for newcomers with Dina Coughlan (Tremolo Songs) and Nick Robinson (Kobalt Music, UK). Moderator: Jim Carroll
This discussion was recorded in March 2023 as part of the Local Development Plan from Clare Arts Office in association with First Music Contact. Many thanks to Siobhan Mulcahy for her help with this project.
The DIY approach to the Music Business
Mark Lippmann (Scruff of the Neck, UK), Godknows Jonas (Narolane, Limerick) and Connie Keane (Tulle Records Ireland/UK) talk about the challenges and delights which come from navigating the music industry under your own steam. Moderator: Jim Carroll
This discussion was recorded in March 2023 as part of the Local Development Plan from Kerry Arts Office in association with First Music Contact. Many thanks to Kate Kennelly for her help with this project.
Your Guide to Gigging Outside Ireland
Matthew Covey (Covey Law and Tamizdat, United States) and Claire Courtney (Earth Agency, UK) talk about what acts need to know and should know when it comes to gigging outside Ireland. Moderator: Jim Carroll
This discussion was recorded in March 2023 as part of the Local Development Plan from Kerry Arts Office in association with First Music Contact. Many thanks to Kate Kennelly for her help with this project.