This year one of the open events, ‘’Cause we All Just Wanna be Rock Stars’ is certain to appeal to young people involved in making music in Mayo or who may even by considering making music their career. The talk will take place in Ballina Arts Centre on Saturday November 15 2008 between 1pm and 3pm. On board to offer advice and knowledge to young musicians, bands and music collectives are some of the industrys experts. This will be an interactive talk with lots of opportunities to ask questions. So whether you are wondering how to go about setting up a group, how to book gigs or how to go about making your first demo, all this and more is up for debate in Ballina.
Fresh from being nominated for Best Regional DJ ‘in the Meteor Ireland Music Awards, Jon Richards is currently celebrating 25 years in the radio industry as Head of Production at Galway Bay FM and the afternoon presenter of 3-5 Live! What with all that, and voicing and scripting commercials for Galway Bay FM and other stations as well as narrating DVDs, Jon’s work is never done! Since joining Galway Bay FM in 1989 his In Studio Sessions have now become the stuff of legend, featuring virtually everyone of note in Irish music (and sometimes beyond ), from Damien Rice and Mundy to Beth Orton and Lloyd Cole. As well as being a judge for both the Choice Music Prize and the Radio Advertising Awards, Jon Richards was a founding member of the Irish Independent Broadcasters’ Association and over the years has played a mentoring role in building sound career foundations for future broadcasters. Jon’s championing of Irish talent over the years was recognised in 2001 when he received a ‘Fairplay for Airplay award.
Steve Reddy works with First Contact Music. FMC started life as a cross-border umbrella group for music collectives in Ireland, to promote, encourage and develop the work of music collectives, to facilitate those already in existence and to help in the start-up of new groups. Expansion in the past number of years now sees FMC as the only free and independent information and resource organisation for popular musicians and the popular music sector in Ireland. FMC also co-run the “Hard Working Class Heroes Festival”, which is Ireland’s premier A&R festival, showcasing emerging Irish talent (www.hwch.net ). Music from Ireland is another FMC spearheaded project, building a brand around Irish bands at international music festivals (www.musicfromireland.org ). Most recently FMC have spearheaded the Breaking Tunes project, providing a platform for Irish musicians to showcase their wares to the industry (www.breakingtunes.net ).
From playing accordion in local Ceili bands from the age of 11, Shane Power’s career to date has spanned many musical genres and music industry roles; a percussionist with the RTE Concert Orchestra and National Symphony Orchestra, a soundtrack and Jingle composer, a band manager and a studio owner and Recording Engineer for Donovan, RTE, The Dubliners, Paul Brady and The Thrills amongst others. Currently a member of breakthrough independent band The Guggenheim Grotto (having released two albums and performed three coast-to-coast US tours ), Shane is also technical manager and assistant director of The Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre in Naul, Co. Dublin, where he books and promotes established and emerging local and international artists from all genres.
This event is open to anybody between the ages of 13 and 19 and is free. The number of participants is limited and to get involved you need to call the arts office and book your place to avoid disappointment. The number to call for more information and bookings is 094 902 4444 ext 7560 or 7558, or alternatively you can e-mail: [email protected].
