The Ivors Academy and Help Musicians, with support from The Ivors Academy Trust, have launched a Music Creators Mentoring Programme. Applications for both mentors and mentees are open now until Wednesday 12 August 2020.
The programme will match 50 emerging music creators (mentees) with 50 suitable mentors, providing a huge range of benefits for both groups including:
Guaranteed eight hours of 1-1 online mentoring
6 months free The Ivors Academy membership for all mentors
Online training sessions
Access to online resources, and much more
The programme will take place as part of two groups, applicants can choose which group works best for them:
Group 1: 14 September 2020 to 28 February 2021
Group 2: 12 October 2020 to 31 March 2021
For full information and to apply as either a mentee or mentor visit:
Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht has announced the establishment of a new Taskforce which will see a range of Departments, Agencies and groups working together to promote and develop a vibrant and sustainable night-time culture and economy.
Speaking today, Minister Martin said: “The establishment of a Night-Time Economy Taskforce is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and I am delighted that my Department will be leading and driving this initiative. The importance of working collaboratively with all relevant partners including key Government Departments and Agencies cannot be overstated. I want creative thinking and innovative solutions to the challenges facing the night-time economy and I want every opportunity explored and maximised. I am particularly pleased that Sunil Sharpe of Give us the Night has agreed to participate in the Task Force, as well as the Lord Mayors of Dublin and Cork cities, who have already overseen much work in this area. It is anticipated that Give us the Night and the two Local Authorities will give a presentation on their vision, and their work to date at the first meeting of the Taskforce.”
Minister Martin also said: “I am also asking the Taskforce to conduct an intensive stakeholder engagement process with all relevant sectors and interested parties who have a significant role in the night-time economy to ensure that all views and ideas are considered by the Taskforce. While it won’t be possible to have every interested party on the Taskforce, they can be sure that their views will be heard and will be an important part of the process.”
She continued: “Covid-19 has severely restricted social gatherings and has been detrimental to the night time economy and culture of our cities, towns and villages. However, as the economy opens up in the coming months (dependent on the current health advice), the industry needs to be ready to bounce back and to have as few obstacles as possible to develop and grow. This Taskforce will be well placed to look at all the challenges facing the development of a vibrant night time culture and economy such as regulations, licencing laws, transport, and diversity of cultural activities among other issues.”
This commitment follows work already carried out in relation to this project in 2019 and earlier this year. The Taskforce will be chaired by the Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht and will meet in the coming weeks. It is expected to deliver a report with policy recommendations to the Minister within six months of this first meeting.
The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) today announced an important advancement in their cooperation, with a particular benefit for Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) representing creators in developing countries.
Mr. Gurry, Mr. Oron and Mr. Wegelin explain the effects of the collaboration between their organisations here WIPO Director General Francis Gurry and CISAC Director General Gadi Oron signed an agreement that will allow CMOs to manage their repertoire and share it with other CMOs beyond their borders using CISAC’s CIS-Net international repertoire database.
Under the agreement, CISAC-member CMOs using WIPO Connect, a new software tool developed by WIPO for CMOs in developing countries, will have access to an enhanced solution to facilitate their participation in CISAC’s international information systems network. It has been specifically designed to improve CMOs’ international coverage and boost the earnings of creators and publishers who have their rights managed by those CMOs.
This new CISAC-WIPO partnership follows an agreement signed earlier this year on metadata between WIPO and SUISA, the Swiss authors’ CMO and a CISAC member. Under that agreement, WIPO Connect user societies obtain access to the global system for identifying authors, composers and publishers – the IPI system – managed by SUISA on behalf of CISAC. With this agreement and the new one now concluded with CISAC, WIPO Connect users will be able to share their domestic repertoires on the international information exchange systems operated by CISAC. This will help to accurately identify internationally the repertoire of authors and composers who belong to societies using WIPO Connect, and allow them to be remunerated.
“I welcome these agreements which will pave the way for Collective Management Organizations in all WIPO member states to participate in the global copyright infrastructure and remunerate authors and composers’ for their music that is played abroad,” said Mr. Gurry. He added that “WIPO and CISAC have a longstanding and fruitful cooperation and we share the mission of promoting the creative sector’s contribution to cultural, social and economic development. In today’s global digital content marketplace, providing CMOs in developing countries with an IT solution that is linked to industry databases and tools is essential in realizing this mission.”
Mr. Oron said “We are very pleased to conclude this agreement with WIPO and help support societies in development around the world. WIPO connect has huge potential for societies who currently struggle to take part in our international information exchange systems. With this new tool and the agreement now concluded, WIPO is better placed to support these societies’ efforts to receive royalties from abroad and to provide better services to the creators and publishers they represent.”
SUISA CEO Andreas Wegelin said “SUISA welcomes its agreement with WIPO, which will help identify and document more authors, composers and publishers, especially in developing countries. SUISA and WIPO are both providing training and assistance to music societies in Africa and other emerging markets and we hope that our agreement will contribute to effective and efficient solutions for our sister societies using WIPO Connect.”
We waited two years for Ailbhe Reddy to release her last single ‘Time Difference’ at the end of June, and it didn’t disappoint. Hot Press described the track as a ‘blissful indie-pop arrangement’, Americana UK called it ‘rhythmic, dreamy folk’ and The Last Mixed Tape commented that the song – the first to be released from her long-awaited debut album – ‘feels like the sound Reddy has been working towards.’
Now, just five weeks later, we are being treated to another single by Ailbhe Reddy.
‘Between Your Teeth’ will be released on Wednesday, 29th July on Ailbhe’s own label, Friends of the Family.
It is the second track to be taken from her upcoming debut album, ‘Personal History’, which will be released on Friday 2nd October 2020.
As she sings lyrics like ‘I think too much / I think for both of us’, Ailbhe allows us a further glimpse into her personal life. As a songwriter, her observational style is so honest it feels almost intimate.
Like ‘Time Difference’ before it, Ailbhe wrote ‘Between Your Teeth’ while her body was in one place and her head and heart were in another. Living between Dublin and London, she describes writing the lyrics of the song while taking a train to Gatwick airport on her way home from a studio session.
“It’s about the frustration of being unable to communicate in a relationship,” says Ailbhe. “Both people hold things back because they either don’t want, or don’t know, how to express themselves. While travelling alone I always spent a lot of time thinking too much about past conversations and wondering what words were being held back between another person’s teeth.”
Produced by Erland Cooper and Tommy McLaughlin (producer and touring member of SOAK), the single is just one of many deeply intimate and absorbing tracks planned to feature on her upcoming debut album – set for release via Ailbhe’s own label, Friends of the Family. Three years in the making, her forthcoming album will find Ailbhe ruminating on the rites of passage in life as a young, emerging, queer artist from Dublin.
Wood Quay Summer Sessions returned this month for a series of online lunchtime concerts broadcast from Dublin City Council’s beautiful Wood Quay Venue. Over the last few weeks, the online sessions featured BigSpoon, Cassiopeia Wind Quintet, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and Mick O’Brien and will finish up this week with PowPig.
Founded by Dublin City Council and presented in association with First Music Contact, Improvised Music Company, Contemporary Music Centre, Ireland and Music Network, the Wood Quay Summer Sessions allow music fans to experience an incredible mix of music from new and established traditional, jazz, contemporary and alt-rock acts.
July 30th presented with First Music Contact
13.00 | PowPig
(Lo-fi alt-rock band)
POWPIG (July 30th) PowPig are a dynamic band hailing from Limerick, with band members Anna Marie Rooney, Andreea Mocanu, Laura Drennan and Leah O’Donnell.
The four-piece are as comfortable swaying to the soft and pensive ‘Rosalee’ as they are screaming in their funky ear-worm ‘Birds Of Paradise’. Their most recent releases, ‘Pretty Woman’ and ‘MayDay’ were debuted on a sold out Irish tour with Junior Brother.
An Irish Times “Artist of the Week”, and an Other Voices “Listener’s Choice” winner, PowPig have also supported beloved Irish acts such as Pillow Queens, Whenyoung, and Girlband for two nights in Vicar Street. The girls ended 2019 with a sold out headline in Limerick City and The Irish Times announced PowPig as one of the Top 50 People to Watch in 2020.
“Tune my body and my brain to the music from the land” David Mallett, Garden Song (1975)
Filmed during the Covid-19 Crisis lockdown in Ireland ‘Music of the Land’ is a seventeen-minute music film featuring original folk songs that draw on the local landscape and soundscape of rural Co. Cork. Funded by the Arts Council of Ireland, singer-songwriter and organic gardener, Laura Ní Carthaigh, performs three original songs that she has written, filmed and edited independently during the lockdown on her family farm and local nature reserve in mid-Cork.
Through the medium of music, Laura wishes to engage the public on environmental issues and encourage viewers to feel inspired and calmed by the natural world during this time of crisis when many people are turning to gardening, growing their own food and reconnecting to a simpler way of life.
The film aims to musically and visually convey elements of hope and peace to the public, but also the pressing need to take action now to prevent further degradation of our natural heritage at a time when climate change and biodiversity loss are urgent issues.
To celebrate her upcoming album ‘Personal History ’Ailbhe Reddy will perform an intimate show live at The Workman’s Club, Friday 2nd October 2020. Proudly presented by Singular Artists. Tickets are available from today at midday via Tickets.ie and Ticketweb.
We waited two years for Ailbhe Reddy to release her last single ‘Time Difference’ at the end of June, and it didn’t disappoint. Hot Press described the track as a ‘blissful indie-pop arrangement’, Americana UK called it ‘rhythmic, dreamy folk’ and The Last Mixed Tape commented that the song – the first to be released from her long-awaited debut album – ‘feels like the sound Reddy has been working towards.’
Now, just five weeks later, we are being treated to another single by Ailbhe Reddy.
‘Between Your Teeth’ is out today, on Ailbhe’s own label, Friends of the Family.
It is the second track to be taken from her upcoming debut album, ‘Personal History’, which will be released on Friday 2nd October 2020.
As she sings lyrics like ‘I think too much / I think for both of us’, Ailbhe allows us a further glimpse into her personal life. As a songwriter, her observational style is so honest it feels almost intimate.
Like ‘Time Difference’ before it, Ailbhe wrote ‘Between Your Teeth’ while her body was in one place and her head and heart were in another. Living between Dublin and London, she describes writing the lyrics of the song while taking a train to Gatwick airport on her way home from a studio session.
“It’s about the frustration of being unable to communicate in a relationship,” says Ailbhe. “Both people hold things back because they either don’t want, or don’t know, how to express themselves. While travelling alone I always spent a lot of time thinking too much about past conversations and wondering what words were being held back between another person’s teeth.”
Produced by Erland Cooper and Tommy McLaughlin (producer and touring member of SOAK), the single is just one of many deeply intimate and absorbing tracks planned to feature on her upcoming debut album – set for release via Ailbhe’s own label, Friends of the Family. Three years in the making, her forthcoming album will find Ailbhe ruminating on the rites of passage in life as a young, emerging, queer artist from Dublin.
Pre-order ‘Personal History’ – the debut album from Ailbhe Reddy – here.
Tickets available for The Workman’s Club via Tickets.ie & Ticketweb Proudly presented by Singular Artists
Dublin quartet Inhaler have just released their cover of Mazzy Star’s ‘Fade Into You’ as the b-side to their recent single ‘Falling In’ and unveil their new video.
The band worked with renowned filmmaker Douglas Hart and producer Antony Genn once again, to create a blissful, laidback, hazy and beautiful video, shot in the studio, during recording sessions for their debut album.
Four friends who formed the band while they were still at school, Hewson, Robert Keating, Ryan McMahon and Josh Jenkinson bonded over a love of similar groups, taking in The Stone Roses, Joy Division, The Strokes, The Cure, Interpol, Depeche Mode and more. They have amassed a diehard fanbase and their tracks have been streamed over 25 million times globally. These songs about finding your way as a young person in the world are connecting on a universal scale. On a UK and European tour at the start of the year, they sold over 10,000 tickets and played to ecstatic, sold-out crowds.
This diploma scholarship will offer one lucky student the opportunity to study a year-long Music Business Diploma course free of charge at BIMM Dublin. If you’re interested in applying for the scholarship, please submit an application to info@nullbimm.ie by 12th August 2020.
Speaking on the news of the announcement and partnering with IMRO, Alan Cullivan, College Principal at BIMM Institute Dublin said: “IMRO is a vital organisation within the Irish music industry and has been for many years. It always displays unwavering support for Irish artists, both new and established, in their role of collection society, education provider and lobbyist for greater development and investment in homegrown talent.Partnering with IMRO on our new Music Business Diploma Scholarship makes perfect sense for us, as no one cares more about the business of music in Ireland than IMRO”.
Keith Johnson, Director of Marketing & Membership at IMRO spoke about the importance of supporting the next generation of music industry professionals: “IMRO is delighted to continue its partnership with BIMM Dublin in relation to their Music Business Diploma course. It is critical that we support and nurture the next generation of creative thinkers and industry professionals. BIMM graduates are to be found in every sector of the music industry in Ireland, which is testament to the quality of tuition, experiences and industry connections that students are exposed to during their time at this renowned institution”.
WHY CHOOSE A DIPLOMA IN MUSIC BUSINESS? BIMM Institute Dublin Diploma in Music Business course was launched in 2018. This part-time course offers a practical skillset so that you can enter into the world as a future entrepreneur or into employment in areas such as:
Music Promotion and Marketing
Artist Management
Tour Management
Physical and Digital Music Distribution
E-commerce in the Music Industry
Music Publishing and Recording
Live Music Events and Touring
This course is perfect if you have no prior experience of the industry and wish to use it as a foundation for further study or entrepreneurship. You’ll also be taught by expert lecturers – who are still active in the industry – and thrive in a unique, collaborative community that’s seen the likes of Fontaines DC, IDLES and Mabel walk through its doors and into the music industry.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A DIPLOMA IN MUSIC BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIP
Please request an application form by emailing the BIMM Institute Dublin Admissions team at info@nullbimm.ie or call +353 1 5133 666.
Return the completed application form via email to info@nullbimm.ie before 12th August 2020.
Once you have applied, BIMM will contact you with interview details.
You will receive at least 10 days’ notice of your scheduled interview time.
Bring along any relevant material to your interview that demonstrates your experience in music or the creative industries.
Internal applicants are welcome and Skype interviews can be arranged if you’re unable to attend your interview.
Today, Aimée shares the official video for latest single ‘Naked’. Featuring the Dublin singer’s family, friends, followers and fans – the video, shot entirely at home, is set to impact and inspire.
Of this video, Aimée says:
“The message behind my single ‘Naked’ is about finding somebody that loves you for all of the things you are trying to hide. About finding the confidence to be vulnerable and to break down your barriers. And so, the concept of the video is to show these vulnerabilities, flaws, and to show that there is true beauty in doing so.”
During the unexpected lockdown, a time where daily challenges and worries were amplified, Aimée wanted to create a video to reassure her following that they were not alone in feeling less confident and more insecure.
“I decided to create a video that speaks to every single person that feels this way. To let them know they are not alone and they should feel beautiful just as they are. Take away the makeup, take away the layers and love yourself … completely ‘Naked’!”
In the hopes to inspire others to accept their own insecurities and to love their flaws, Aimée invited her online following to be part of the video – which was shot at home by each individual.
“I asked for them to send me videos of themselves talking about their vulnerabilities and sharing their insecurities. I was not expecting the response, I was blown away.
I then sent them all a tutorial on how to shoot their shots, talking them through how to do it from home. What they sent back to me literally blew me away. It exceeded all of my expectations. Hearing people’s stories and seeing all of their beautiful faces inspired me in a whole new way.”
The end result now features 20+ incredibly brave and beautiful people who are sharing their stories with the world.
‘Naked’ is the final single to be taken from Aimée’s debut EP ‘Confession’ which jumped to the #1 spot in the iTunes Pop Album Chart while also reaching#1 in the overall iTunes Album Chart. ‘Confession’ featured pop bangers such as ‘What My Mamma Gave Me’, beautiful ballads like ‘I’m OK’ as well as the top 30 Irish radio hit, ‘Don’t Call Me Pretty’, a pop anthem that received global radio support with numerous stations including The Dominican Republic, Italy, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Nambia, Spain, Switzerland, and 125 stations across the UK.
