The opening shot for original music

Emerging musicians are set to have a new live platform in Cavan town from which to share their songs with the world.

The inaugural ‘Ambient Music Showcase’ will be held upstairs in the 7 Oaks Cafe on Main Street Cavan next Friday evening, July 4. Singer songwriter Gráinne Conaty is the driving force behind Ambient and she has arranged a great line-up with Indigo’s Ego headlining the inaugural event.

“There is such a plethora of talent in Cavan and across the midlands, I feel there’s an opportunity to create a platform to give that talent a space,” Gráinne tells the Celt.

Ambient comes off the back of Gráinne running a songwriters’ workshop last summer called ‘The Music Society’ in Cavan Townhall Arts Centre.

“That was the same kind of concept, to give people a consistent place to go where they can play music and share what they are working on or what they enjoy doing.

“I want there to be a platform, it doesn’t have to be every month, but at least that it’s running, that it’s there.”

She received a professional development grant from the Cavan Arts Office, which she is using to run Ambient, and that covers the cost of a sound engineer for this pilot run of shows.

As a singer-songwriter, Gráinne’s acutely aware of the paucity of opportunities to air original compositions. For example, Gráinne typically travels to Carrigallen to “have a jam” at the monthly Charley Farrelly Folk Club.

A Cavan forerunner to the Ambient platform was the legendary Cafe Sessions, which many in Cavan will fondly recall. Held in Chapter 1 - then located on Main Street - and organised by pals Joe Keenan and Niall Walsh, the Cafe Sessions saw up and coming acts play alongside the likes of Jinx Lennon, Lisa O’Neill and The Strypes. There were even readings by Pat McCabe and Michael Harding.

Gráinne volunteers that “the beautiful” Cafe Sessions was definitely an inspiration for her project.

She also points to the long-running Ruby Sessions in Dublin.

“I love their format,” she says, noting how they release tickets on a Sunday night for a Tuesday event without the acts being disclosed.

“What I love about it as well is you could almost hear a pin drop in a room - that’s what I really value as a singer songwriter, but also as a member of the audience being able to engage with the message and the sound without the distraction of people catching up verbally or having a few drinks - it’s solely for the artist and the audience.”

The venue impacts the type of performance you can expect, and Gráinne is happy she has found a good one in the spacious upstairs in the new 7 Oaks Cafe on Main Street, Cavan Town.

“The vibe in there is very young, energetic, and optimistic,” she says.

Gráinne has three acts lined up for next Friday evening. First up is Eoin Kenny from Aughavas who she came across at the Charley Farrelly’s Folk Club in Carrigallen.

“Eoin has released his debut EP, ‘About June’, and it is himself and his guitar,” explains Gráinne. “He has beautiful form and very sweet vocals, so I’m really looking forward to seeing him in Cavan.”

Next up is Ciaran McGovern, who is based in Cavan Town and the front man for Mud Wizard, an alt-rock band.

“His vocals are powerful, kind of Led Zepplin-esque - but he has his own folk style as well,” she says, noting that Ciaran’s set will focus on his folk music which is not available online.

Meanwhile Indigo’s Ego, who drew huge interest at Cavan Arts Festival, are set to play a “stripped back” set at Ambient.

“It will be very very different - I get really excited about hearing people play around with music, not just the standard.”

She notes they have a big album launch coming in the Townhall Arts Centre in September (“I just bought my ticket today”), so Ambient will offer the quartet a more relaxed, intimate gig.

While the acts are what you may expect to find on an open mic music night, Gráinne is emphatic on her desire to embrace all styles - hip hop or electronic music, even spoken word, whatever as long as it’s original.

“One hundred per cent yes! The whole idea is to have a voice for everybody who is creative in Cavan and the surrounding circle. I would have found it very difficult to break into any creative circles myself when I was in that singer songwriter space, so the whole idea is to create a boundaryless platform, as much as possible.”

As such, she suggests the bill might not be complete with those “three fantastic acts”.

“If people submit something to me before that I’d love to slot them in for a song or a piece of spoken word or a very short comedic part that they have been working on - so have that 15 minute open mic slot.”

To maintain quality she requires acts to submit a sample to musicsocietycavan@gmail.com

For Gráinne the whole concept of Ambient comes back to the value of creating art.

“For myself writing is a very important and beneficial form of expression, particularly in understanding self and promoting well being.”

However, she says she wasn’t tempted to perform at the show herself.

“I have to keep my organiser head on”, but adds, “it’s definitely not off the cards in the future”.

Ambient Music Showcase takes place in 7 Oaks Cafe on Friday, July 4 from 6-9pm.