You want some advice? Look no further

FMC (The Federation Of Music Collectives)
www.fmc-ireland.com
Created to develop and promote established and aspirant music collectives, the FMC has also become the first port of call for many individual artists. Its CEO, Angela Dorgan, is known throughout the Irish scene for providing no-nonsense information and advice on many aspects of the music industry, from starting a label to getting a publishing deal. Artists who have recently benefited from their advice include Future Kings of Spain, Ten Speed Racer, Turn, Nina Hynes, 8 Ball and Boa Morte.
“The best aspect of my job,” Angela says, “is helping out collectives and musicians and seeing their reaction when they realize we’re not looking for anything back! Contrary to what a lot of people believe, musicians are really grateful when they’re helped out.
“I think it’s great to have labels release stuff locally. It’s amazing how little some bands know when they are signing record deals and once they realise the importance of holding on to copyright, it makes sense to release rather than wait to get signed. With so many releases the record-buying and gig-going public has a wealth of talent to enjoy. The result is that in Ireland we have one of the most eclectic and exciting underground scenes in Europe”.

Music Board Of Ireland
www.musicboardofireland.ie
The Music Board of Ireland is the most recognizable forum for the entire music industry. They work in conjunction with the government to strategically develop the Irish music industry, financially and creatively. The Board is also a source of essential facts and statistics on the economic worth of independent music production and could prove useful when preparing your business plan.
The Music Board of Ireland have outlined a strategy for strengthening the music sector in their report, Shaping The Future; A Strategic Plan For The Development Of The Music Industry In Ireland. In it, initiatives such as provision of music industry education/training, development of enterprise programmes for music business initiatives and enhancement of the BES scheme for music companies are outlined.
When asked if these initiatives were aspirational, Maura Eaton, CEO of the Music Board, says that she is “optimistic that their goals will be realised over the coming years, and these initiatives are action-focused, and that measures of success are outlined in the report”.
In the meantime, there has never been a better time to start an independent label, as the entire industry is shifting to accommodate and celebrate the success of labels like Road Relish, Left Hand, Wet Clay, Catchy Go Go and Independent.

The Irish Independent Music Producer’s Association
www.iimpa.com
The IIMPA does exactly what it says on the tin – it’s a non-profit organization dedicated to the cause of the independent producer. As with the other organizations, its main objectives are to promote music industry education and to raise the profile of music production in Ireland, both on a national and international platform.

Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO)
www.imro.ie
IMRO, a non-profit organisation, strives to protect the rights of member composers and publishers, and carries out the task of collecting public performance royalties for its members. IMRO is also dedicated to promoting new music and music businesses, and they orchestrate various workshops and training seminars, as well as showcase gigs for up and coming artists. Their website has an industry news page, numerous fact sheets, and information on royalty collection.
Keith Johnson, Marketing Manager of IMRO, echoes those sentiments. “Gone are the days when Irish musicians relied almost totally on scoring a major record deal as the key to establishing their career. Acts with independent minds like Damien Rice and The Frames have shown what emergent Irish artists can achieve with the right attitude, good sense and hard work, and others are learning from their pioneering example.
“At IMRO we see the healthy state of Irish music being reflected in our membership rising from last year’s 3,000 to 4,000 and there has also been a significant increase in the number of applications for places on the current IMRO Showcases. There’s definitely a refreshing ‘can-do’ philosophy among the new breed of Irish artists and it’s paying off.”

The Arts Council/The Music Network
www.artscouncil.ie / www.musicnetwork.ie
The Arts Council acts in an advisory capacity to the government on matters relating to the development of the arts. Grants are sometimes available from the Arts Council, as is advice on the industry. The Music Network was created by the Arts Council to develop different genres of music. This website has information on music education and training, plus there is a link to the invaluable Irish Music Handbook, as well as the Directory of Musicians in Ireland.

Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA)
www.irma.ie
IRMA is the official organisation of the recording industry in Ireland. Independent record labels can join and it makes sense to, ensuring that you’re on the inside track in terms of knowing what’s happening at industry level. The organisation lobbies on a national and international level to protect the interests of its members. They are also involved in fighting piracy, which affects royalty revenues flowing both to record companies and to artists, as well as compiling statistics to demonstrate the economic significance of the business to the Irish
economy.