Inaugural Drumlinia Music Week to take place

“We want this to be the start of something really special. We want it to be recognised, and for Cavan to be recognised because of it!”

Don Mescall, musician, producer and executive director of Drumlinia Cavan Music Industry Week, added his vision that the event will become a “must go” on the annual Irish music industry calendar.

Drumlinia takes place next week, from Thursday-Saturday, October 12-14.

The inaugural and first of its kind event for the county, held in association with Cavan County Council arts and Cavan Institute, will see eminent industry speakers and tutors share a wealth of national and international experiences with attendees.

The three days will culminate in a series of performances and showcases. On Friday acclaimed Irish Soprano Celine Byrne and her string section will headline a classical concert at Cavan Town’s Cathedral of Saints Patrick and Felim, hosted by presenter Mary Kennedy (RTÉ). The performers will be supported by the Cavan Cathedral Choir, directed by Eileen Tackney, featuring Fr Dara Connolly, Sue Donohoe, and Soloist 2019 winner Cobhla Surlis.

This will be followed by Saturday’s Listening Rooms event, which has high hopes of unearthing the next big musical prodigy or star by providing them with a stage at various unique locations throughout the county town.

Don Mescall moved to Cavan close to three years ago, but says he is “constantly amazed” at just how open and perceptive the county is to embracing opportunities to do something new and fresh.

“There such a strong community spirit here and, originally from a small parish myself, it’s energising to be back in that supportive community spirit that is Cavan at its core,” he told the Celt.

The strength of the arts community in the Breffni county is “rare” in other locations, finds Don.

“There is an artistic flame here. A lot of that has to do with Catriona [O’Reilly, Arts Officer] and her incredible team, and then you meet and get involved with the people at Cavan Institute and you see then that the vibrancy, it’s infectious, it’s everywhere, people trying to make things happen and better for the next generation to come.”

Don says the openness and willingness to push ideas made it so much easier for him when approaching industry leaders such as Willie Kavanagh or Dave Fanning to ask them to come on board for Drumlinia.

“They all know that next year and the year after that, that this is going to be something big and only get bigger. I’m just so delighted there is so much talent, and local talent around, for them to make the most of this opportunity.”

As a songwriter and producer himself, and aside from giving his own now sold-out workshop, Don’s perhaps most excited about hosting local act ‘NoVendors’, formerly KCD, who’ll performing in the Cavan Institute Canteen at the end of Day One.

They’ll be followed by a similarly as-yet unsigned ‘Dirty Marmalade’ on Day Two, while Day Three (Saturday 14) will see The Listening Rooms take place, transforming a selection of venues across Cavan Town as a stage for one singer/songwriter for a 20-minute slot.

The performers have been chosen by an independent adjudication panel, with a live recording taken and a CD produced. One lucky artist will also be given the opportunity to write/record a song at ‘Quivvy Church Studio’ under Don’s guidance.

“This is Drumlinia at its very core. It’s about creating opportunities. I love music, and I love hearing new music. It’s good for the soul. We were inundated with people sending in material, and the quality is outstanding. I see this going further, definitely into next year as we build on this.”

American country singer and songwriter Stella Parton, Dolly’s sister, was involved in helping adjudicate the finalists, as did the award winning Irish DJ John Keane of KCLR FM who has championed Irish home-grown talent for many years on the airwaves.

“The thing about it is you never know where this might go,” says Don. “We could be inspiring the next generation, the next Hozier, the next Christy Moore, or giving focus to the next up and coming band to maybe try approach things a different way. I believe amazing things can and will happen.”

To “inform, inspire, and facilitate connections” for both up-and-coming musicians and those with already established careers is what Don wants to see happen.

The panel of speakers on the first day includes Willie Kavanagh, chair of Irish Recorded Music Association and former MD of EMI Records; Barbara Galavan, publisher, director at McGuinness Whelan Music; legendary DJ Dave Fanning; Chris Kelly, marketing manager, SONY Music Ireland; record label podcaster, TV and radio presenter Lottie Ryan; journalist, broadcaster and PR expert, John Masterson; Mick D’Arcy, marketing and membership, IMRO; Alejandro Jara Weitzmann, CEO and founder of Smart Republic; and Mary Callery, head of drama at RTE and international/executive producer at Shinawil.

The first day is already fully sold out, however a stand by list is being managed by Cavan Arts Office in the event of any cancellations.

Day Two, meanwhile, will comprise of various workshops (€10 entry) facilitated by renowned musicians at Cavan Institute Campus - with Vincent Macklin ‘Live Sound Set Up’; Don Mescall, songwriting; James Shannon, guitar ‘Chet Atkins’ style; Michele Busdraghi, film score and composition; Emanuele Contis, saxophone; Emma King, percussion; Paul Sherry, guitar ‘Solo’; and Daniele Russo, drumming.

The charismatic and multi-talented vocalist, pianist and leader of Europe’s premier ensemble, the London Community Gospel Choir Bazil Meade, will host a vocal choir workshop, and Celine Byrne will lay on masterclass in vocal technique (four participants only – based on selection process) at the nearby Conaty Centre.

“This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some people,” Don says of the workshops, particularly that being hosted by Meade, whose choir recently guested with Elton John at Glastonbury festival. “To have that wealth and level of knowledge, talent and experience in one building, to learn from that is really quite spectacular.”

Speaking to the Celt, Celine Byrne spoke of her growing excitement and anticipation at being involved with the Drumlinia Music Week and ahead of her cathedral performance.

Celine, who has been working with Don Mescall on her forthcoming album out of his Quivvy Church home and recording studio, says that rehearsals have been taking place and those attending can look forward to a night to remember.

“Everything is falling into place, rehearsals are taking place and the talent I have joining me on the night are really spectacular,” explains Celine, who invited both Eileen and Cobhla for an informal rehearsal with her at her Kildare home previously. “It’s a very personal thing to sing with somebody. [Cobhla] has a beautiful voice, and Eileen is great, she knows exactly what she’s doing, and everything felt so natural.”

Celine’s string players will be led by her friend Nicole Hudson.

She also praises the role Don has had in helping organise the event, as well as the team at Cavan Arts Office.

“It’s great to be able to come into something like this that Don had produced, and simply lend my artistry. I’m very spiritual and my faith means a lot to me, so to sing in a space like the cathedral, I see it as a wonderful experience, especially with all the work that Fr [Kevin] Fay has done. I think he’s raised €1 million to date, and I’m thankful we to be able to assist towards funding the next phase of the project.”

Like Don, Celine is confident that ‘Classical at the Cathedral’ can become a successful repeat event, attracting she hopes, the very best national and event international musical talents to Cavan.

Celine, who herself provides a vocal masterclass on Day Two, likens the event to the now world renowned Drogheda Arts Festival, which she says “started in a church with a piano”.

Tickets for Classical at the Cathedral available from Multisound Cavan and online at www.townhallcavan.com