FOR SEVERAL DECADES, Cork has been celebrated for its remarkable contribution to Ireland’s independent music scene.
Not only did it produce influential bands like The Sultans of Ping, Microdisney and The Frank and Walters, but it was also a bustling city for live music with venues like Sir Henry’s, in particular, providing the setting for legendary concerts, most notably Nirvana supporting Sonic Youth in 1991.
In March of this year, in The Green Room of the prestigious Cork Opera House, a new live venue came to life. Seanie Buttons Presents has quickly built a strong reputation amongst Cork’s thriving independent music scene having hosted exciting artists such as Elaine Howley, Fixity and Pretty Happy on their stage.
The latter has also been instrumental in the organisation of Seanie Buttons Presents along with Dublin-based promoters Foggy Notions, and Cork natives Elle Kelleher and Emma Barber. Abbey Blake, guitarist and vocalist with Cork-based art-punk trio Pretty Happy, tells The Journal about how her experience as a touring musician has helped with developing an independent live music venue that serves both audience and artist.
“It’s great to be able to run a venue from a musician’s perspective,” Blake says. “You really understand how important a nice venue and calm space is to musicians. Feeling like a venue cares is a huge thing mentally for an artist. If a musician goes on stage happy and relaxed it’s going to be a good show.”
Putting on a good show for music fans both based in Cork and beyond, was one of the core motivations for setting up Seanie Buttons, as Blake notes. “One of the main goals of setting up Seanie Buttons was to create a space that would become a trusted venue for audiences. Think of the Arcadia in Cork during the 1980s; every Saturday night people would go, not knowing the bands but trusting the Arc. We had that growing up, too, from going to The Roundy on a weekend trusting that Jimmy Horgan (of Plugd Records) had booked someone great. I want someone to say to their friends, ‘What are you doing this Saturday?’ and for their friend to reply, ‘Saturday? Sure I’m going to Seanies!’ and find their new favourite band.”
Often, we hear stories about how people were inspired to start a band after seeing an act perform live. Sometimes those shows take place in packed-out arenas, but mostly these romantic tales occur in smaller, sweatier independently run spaces.
When asked about the importance of independent music venues, Blake reiterates this. “Having a healthy gigging community only promotes music. You’d hope someone goes to see a gig, likes what they see and thinks ‘Hey, I could do that too’. Independent venues breed more musicians and ultimately more great music. I think room for experimentation is a really important thing, too. Independent venues provide spaces for experimentation to prosper.”
In the short time that Seanie Buttons Presents has been putting on gigs, Blake has enjoyed being a spectator in the crowd. “I’ve loved the shows we’ve put on,” she says. “I’ve had an absolute grá in my belly watching the bands play; knowing our little country makes the best music in the world. It makes you proud to be Irish and even more so from Cork! The highlight for me has been Elaine Howley’s set. I’ve been thinking about it since the show happened back in late March.”
In the coming weeks, Seanie Buttons Presents’ schedule is filling up with upcoming sets from Choice Prize nominated alt-folk artist Junior Brother and will welcome the revered American songwriter Mount Eerie for a sold-out show on June 10. It’s been an incredible start to Seanie Buttons Presents reign in Cork City and Abbey Blake is excited for the future of the live venue.
“We want to continue booking bands that fundamentally excite us across all genres,” she says. Who would her dream booking for the venue be? “I’m obsessed with the idea of underplays at the moment. Maybe we could try to convince Debbie Harry to make the trip down from Dublin in June?”
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