Interview with Electronic Music Council Founder Natalie McCormack
We speak to Natalie McCormack, founder of Cork-based initiative the Electronic Music Council.
Photo Credit @benanselmi
In this interview, we discuss how she created this movement, how a wide range of people who work in electronic music (not just DJs) can get involved, the importance of community in the Electronic Music Scene, how a movement like this is only possible with a lot of passionate people volunteering their time, energy, and skills, how making electronic music events 18+ creates a barrier for young people who want to get involved, and more!
Connect with the Electronic Music Council: Website / Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn
Connect with Natalie McCormack (aka NATMAC): Instagram / Facebook
Eimear O Sullivan, Musicngear: For our readers, what is the Electronic Music Council?
The Electronic Music Council (EMC) is a community-led initiative based in Cork that supports and advocates for electronic music culture. We work to create opportunities for artists, producers, DJs, and creatives while also building stronger connections between venues, promoters, artists, and the wider public.
At its core, EMC is about community and sustainability. As a team, we organise events, workshops, and cultural projects that showcase electronic music while supporting emerging talent and creating safer, more inclusive spaces for people to participate in the scene.
It is very much a collective effort. EMC exists because of a group of passionate people who volunteer their time, energy, and skills to help grow the culture in Cork. Our shared aim is to help electronic music be recognised not just as nightlife, but as a legitimate cultural and creative movement that contributes to the identity of our city.
Musicngear: You mention on the EMC website that young people often cannot access electronic music culture because events are 18+. Could you speak more on this?
A huge amount of electronic music culture happens in venues that are licensed to sell alcohol, which automatically makes most events 18+. While that is understandable from a regulatory perspective, it means younger people who are passionate about electronic music often have no pathway into the scene.
Electronic music has always been about community, creativity, and participation. Many DJs and producers start exploring music in their teenage years, but if their first opportunity to experience the culture is only once they turn 18, we lose an important stage of development.
It also unintentionally reinforces the idea that electronic music is tied to alcohol consumption rather than creativity or artistic expression.
As a council, one of the things we are trying to do is create alternative entry points. That might mean workshops, youth programmes, daytime events, or educational projects where young people can learn about DJing, production, sound systems, and event culture in a safe environment.
Many members of our team are passionate about this, and we have been exploring ways to expand youth-focused programmes that help young people build skills, confidence, and community through music. If we want a healthy scene in the future, we have to invest in the next generation now.
Musicngear: After you decided to set this up, how did you go about doing so?
It started quite organically. I had been involved in running events and working with artists in Cork for a number of years, and I kept noticing the same challenges coming up again and again. These included fragmented communities, limited opportunities for emerging artists, and a lack of structured support for electronic music culture.
The first step was simply bringing people together. I started conversations with artists, promoters, venue owners, and community organisers to understand what people felt was missing and where we could collaborate instead of operating in isolation.
From those early conversations, EMC grew into a collective effort. A group of people came together who shared the same vision for strengthening the scene and creating more opportunities for artists. From there, we began organising events, building partnerships with venues and cultural organisations, and developing projects that supported both artists and audiences.
It has always been about building something with the community rather than for the community.
Musicngear: What does the day-to-day running of an organisation like this look like?
Day to day, it is a mix of planning, coordination, and community building. That can include organising events, working with venues and partners, supporting artists, managing communications, applying for funding, or developing new projects.
Because EMC is a volunteer-led organisation, the work is shared across a team of people who bring different strengths and perspectives. Some members focus more on events, others on partnerships, programming, or supporting artists.
A big part of the work is also listening to the community and creating opportunities for collaboration. Electronic music scenes thrive when people feel connected and supported, so a lot of what we do is about helping those connections happen.
Musicngear: How would someone go about getting involved? Can electronic artists who are not DJs join?
Absolutely. Electronic music culture is much broader than DJing. Producers, live performers, visual artists, sound engineers, designers, photographers, and writers all play an important role in shaping the culture.
Anyone who is passionate about electronic music and wants to contribute positively to the scene can get involved. That might mean performing at events, collaborating on projects, helping with workshops, or supporting the organisation in different ways.
Many of the people involved with EMC started simply by coming to events and getting to know the community. From there, collaborations naturally grow.
Musicngear: How do you go about setting up in-person events?
It usually starts with an idea or a theme that the team feels would contribute something meaningful to the scene. From there, we look at which venue might suit the concept, which artists would be a good fit, and how the event can create opportunities for both audiences and performers.
There is a lot of coordination involved behind the scenes. That includes booking artists, working with venues, organising equipment, promoting the event, and making sure everything runs smoothly on the night.
One of the biggest challenges with independent events is balancing creativity with sustainability. Budgets can be tight, so we always try to ensure artists are respected and supported while also keeping events accessible to the community.
It is a lot of work, but it is incredibly rewarding when you see a room full of people connecting through music.
Musicngear: What is your favourite achievement to date?
One of the most rewarding things has been seeing people who were new to the scene step onto a stage for the first time and grow into confident artists.
Creating spaces where emerging talent can perform, experiment, and connect with others has always been central to what EMC does. Watching those artists develop and become part of the wider community is incredibly fulfilling.
More broadly, I am proud of the sense of community that has grown around electronic music in Cork. That has only been possible because of the collective effort of so many people who believe in supporting each other and building something positive together.
About Eimear O Sullivan
Eimear Ann O Sullivan is a multi-genre music producer, audio engineer and vocalist. After receiving a Masters in Music Technology from the CIT Cork School of Music, she went on to operate as a producer under the name Blakkheart. Her releases have received critical acclaim from Ireland's biggest music publications, such as District Magazine and Nialler9, alongside receiving heavy commercial radio airplay. She currently works in Cork recording studio Flashpoint CC. Previous clients of hers include the likes of Comedy Central’s Dragony Aunt star Candy Warhol, rapper Darce and Outsider YP. (Photo credit @Fabian Boros)
Contact Eimear O Sullivan at eimear.o.sullivan@musicngear.com
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