Cork Music Network Proposal

31st Oct 2002

Cork Music Network

   Despite being famously disorganised and suffering from acute "inability to get-it-together" Cork has some of the most talented musical entertainers in the world. In the face of strong arm marketing and PR by big record labels (EMI, Sony et al) who occupy a huge share of the music buying market it is difficult for musicians in Cork to see themselves spreading their wings in the music industry. Of course there are many who play in the wedding/blanket covers bracket who do well, satisfied with churning out "the classics". Indeed they have their place…all credit to them but what about those with more creative thoughts?   
    
    There have been a few success stories in recent times from various genres: Fish Go Deep; Ruby Horse; Bass Odyssey and West Cork girls Switch have all thrown successful shapes at the music industry in varying forms. The recent signing of Boa Morte to a Scottish label provided some much needed relief that Cork can produce credible acts in various genres that are embraced whole heartedly abroad. Unfortunately, due to the convincing power of radio, in most cases it is essential that a band or producer must have evidence of success abroad before being embraced by the punter back home. As the old saying goes, you're never a profit in your own country.

   There are a few questions one needs to ask oneself when it comes to devotion of our great and beloved county. For example if you follow soccer, the chances are you probably have a soft spot for an English Premiership team. You can probably name half the players on the team too. While quite acceptable can you name any Cork City players? To connect: How many up and coming musical acts from Cork can you name? The answer is probably none and you have to ask yourself why.

The CMN Proposal

 A written proposal has been circulating more musical quarters around the county for the last few weeks concerning a new idea to be hosted by PeoplesRepublicOfCork. Entitled the Cork Music Network(CMN) the idea is to maintain regularly updated pages with details of services, equipment, places and persons, both available and wanted. An important feature is that venues, bands, musicians and DJs will be able to update their own slot on the site themselves, giving them the opportunity for promotion, even at short notice.

  The majority of bands and producers in Cork do not communicate with each other, not to mind supporting each others gigs and swapping demos. They may see each other as "competition", but competing for what? A gig on Paul St. on a rainy Saturday afternoon ?! It's time to set sights a bit higher and steer around the excuse of the domination of big labels, PR companies and local apathy.

  The CMN will contain a new PRC music forum where people will discuss and debate the subject. It will also incorporate The Cork Music Directory a place where you can find anyone from bass players to DJs, and anything from venues to rehearsal rooms will be listed for one and all. The most attractive feature of the CMN will be the fact users will be able to update their own profiles, gigs and contact details themselves.

  The CMN must be comprehensive, exclude nobody and must be readily updateable. This is why we believe previous attempts have failed. That's why the CMN proposal has been making it's way around Cork's "music scene" over the last few weeks, drumming out the message, looking for suggestions and lobbying for support. So far the response has been overwhelmingly positive across the board from house DJs to trad musicians and from pubs in West Cork to clubs in Cork City.

  The effort, work and determination required to make the CMN a success will be difficult but we've decided to take it on. There is no doubting of PRC's commitment but everbody's help is needed it to get it right.