The purpose of the trip is to build on last year’s highly successful arts and culture programmes in Washington – the Rediscover Northern Ireland Programme and the Smithsonian Institution’s Folklife Festival.
Speaking mid-way through his visit the Minister said: “Last year the United States enjoyed a feast of Northern Ireland arts and culture. The two arts and cultural programmes in Washington ran back to back for almost five months. During that time important contacts were made with key political influencers, people interested in our music and culture, in tracing family history especially through Ulster-Scots or Scots-Irish connections.
“On my visit to the southern states I am focussing on how we can build more meaningful links with Ulster-Scots communities. I am also concentrating on the music industry with events in Nashville and Austin, Texas.
“Over many centuries music from Northern Ireland helped shape the US music industry and continues to do so through some of our very best artists and groups who are performing here this week.”
The Minister is also meeting a number of civil leaders including the Governors of Tennessee and Texas, Phil Bredesan and Rick Perry, and the Mayors of Greeneville County, Greeneville City and Nashville, Alan Broyles, Darrell Bryan and Carl Deane.
He is also meeting up with Belfast’s Lord Mayor, Jim Rodgers and representatives of Belfast City Council who are in Nashville at the same time promoting social and economic links between Northern Ireland through the Sister City initiative.
“Nashville is arguably the most important music industry centre in the United States and Belfast’s Sister City relationship with the city presents Northern Ireland's music industry with a very real opportunity for creative industry development,” the Minister said.
The Minister’s programme also takes him to Texas for the South by South West Music Festival (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. 4 well known groups and an individual artist are taking part. Exhibitors at the SXSW include Belfast City Council, the Northern Ireland Music Industry Commission and the Belfast Music Writers’ group.
The Minister continued: “The SXSW in Austin is the single largest showcase event in the music industry’s calendar. This year nine Northern Ireland creative businesses are showcasing their products including independent record labels and music and entertainment promoters.
“Northern Ireland is hosting high profile events with guests from the international music industry as well as many influential media representatives.”
The Minister's presence on behalf of DCAL at these important International events is particularly relevant given the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure’s role in developing the Creative Industries.
“Our creative industries are an increasing valuable sector in the Northern Ireland economy and we must take every opportunity to showcase them alongside the very best in the US,” the Minister added.
Notes to Editors:
1. Artists from Northern Ireland Taking Part in SXSW
Foy Vance
Described as ‘the most important solo musician to emerge from Northern Ireland since Van Morrison,’ Foy Vance has a distinctive, cracked soulful voice. His debut album ‘Hope’ was released in August 2007 to critically acclaim. Already with two songs featured in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, Foy counts Pete Townshend and Bonnie Raitt amongst his fans.
The Answer
With over 100,000 debut album sales, award nominations from Classic Rock and Kerrang and notable early success in the last 18 months through UK, Europe, Japan and Australia. Having toured with The Rolling Stones, The Who and Aerosmith, The Answer’s debut album ‘Rise’ has been hailed as a significant and important new contemporary classic rock album.
Oppenheimer
“No.1 Most Likely To Succeed Amongst Irish Music Professionals” – Alternative Ulster
“Oppenheimer are like the Irish Flaming Lips or Mates of State… they’re an incredible new band” – Gary Lightbody (Snow Patrol)
Oppenheimer’s second full-length album, ‘Take the Whole Midrange and Boost It’, is due out on Bar/None Records on May 18th.
In Case of Fire
Equal parts Refused, Muse and The Mars Volta, In Case Of Fire emerge from the blender to 5/5 live reviews and major label A&R managers knocking their door with increasing regularity. Tours with 30 Seconds To Mars, QOTSA and plaudits from every corner make this a name to watch closely.
Driving by Night
Driving by Night have supported Keane, The Thrills, Kings of Leon, The FutureHeads, Faithless, and Arctic Monkeys. They’ve recently played an In the City showcase a UK and Irish tour and have since been locked away in their rehearsal studio, gigging quietly, bringing new tunes to air, and putting the final touches to their long awaited debut album which hits the streets in March.
2. Request for interviews with the Minister and other general media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Press Office Tel (028) 9025 8901 or email: press.office@dcalni.gov.uk Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
3. For details of Belfast City Council’s programme and the artists and businesses taking part, please contact Sue Corbett, Media Relations Officer, Belfast City Council Tel 028 9091 8742 or 07776 170 845
