The FMC team
Angela Dorgan // CEO
Angela Dorgan is the CEO of First Music Contact, the Arts Council-funded national resource organisation for musicians. First Music Contact also runs the online music portal Breaking Tunes, the annual music industry showcase & conference Ireland Music Week and the Irish music export office, Music From Ireland. A few years ago, FMC established an association of independent music, AIM Ireland.
Angela is on the board of EMEE, the European Music Exporters Exchange, where she was part of a group that devised a global music export strategy for European Music for the European Commission. Angela provides mentoring support to music and export offices around the world. She has a Masters Degree in Sociology from UCC and believes that Arts and Culture are an essential part of the life of every citizen.
Angela was previously chair of the National Campaign for the Arts, who lobby government for increased support, funding and recognition of artists, arts workers and arts organisations in Ireland. During this time, she was instrumental in the lobbying for and design of Pilot Scheme for Basic Income for the Arts.
Angela is a regular contributor and expert voice on music and arts in the Irish media. Angela is a member of the WH Olgivy Culture Collective. She also played the drums. Badly. (her words!)
Suzette Das // Operations Manager
Suzette is Operations Manager for First Music Contact. Part of her role involves co-ordinating artist activity for the Irish export office, Music From Ireland, while also co-managing Ireland Music Week, the annual artist showcase and conference event held in Dublin.
Over the past decade, Suzette has developed a keen understanding of the music industry through her work as an artist and as lead of operations within First Music Contact, who run Ireland Music Week and Music From Ireland.
She strives to bring the artist’s perspective into all she does and is hopeful about seeing a progressive industry come to fruition.
Patricia Cañizares // Communications and Social Media Officer
Patricia Cañizares is a professional digital marketing strategist with a BA in Commercial Modern Music and a Master’s in Digital Marketing Strategy, with experience in executing digital marketing campaigns for artists across Ireland and Spain, Patricia specialises in social media marketing, consumer behaviour, and building impactful online campaigns for organisations and artists within the music industry.
As a singer, musician and digital marketer, her passion and expertise lies in empowering artists and organisations to thrive on digital platforms, ensuring they have access to the best tools to grow and continue building connections with their audience.
In addition to working within the music industry, Patricia has also curated content for events across various industries, bringing a keen eye for detail and a passion for creative engagement to every project.
James Byrne // Information Officer
Born and raised in Dublin, James joined his first band at 15 and spent his formative musical years as an active presence within the city’s fertile underground DIY music scene. He studied music management at college, and upon leaving began working for Dublin’s leading pirate radio station, Phantom FM, presenting and producing a show for the next ten years while promoting various events around the city, including his legendary Doo-Wop club-night, ‘Three Steps to Heaven’.
As a musician, James has spent the last nine years as a recording and touring band member with Mercury-nominated and Choice Prize-winning singer-songwriter SOAK. Previously he spent seven years drumming in Villagers. He continues to be an in-demand studio recording presence.
He runs Any Other City, a label and management company that has been responsible for releasing records by some of the most influential Irish artists of the last decade, including GILLA BAND, James Vincent McMorrow and Villagers.
His wealth of experience and trusted reputation within the independent music sector, in both A&R and artist development, gives James a unique perspective on the skills and knowledge required to survive within the modern music industry.
Gustavo Silva // Finance and Administrative Officer
Gustavo Silva is an ACCA part-qualified accountant who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance. As a Finance and Administrative Officer at First Music Contact, he plays an important role in supporting the organization's mission to empower musicians.
With a foundation in Administration, Gustavo is dedicated to creating pathways for artists to thrive in their careers. His passion for music and finance drives him to act as a bridge, connecting musicians with essential resources that enable them to navigate the complexities of the industry more effortlessly. Through his work, Gustavo aims to simplify financial processes, allowing musicians to focus on what they do best—creating and sharing their art with the world.