EMA Is A Pillar Of Irish Nightlife
Throughout the years, EMA’s dedication to seeing Ireland’s nightlife flourish, whether it’s behind the scenes or behind the decks, has resulted in her becoming one of the most essential figures in Irish nightlife. EMA joins BLÁTHNAID and Shampain at The Grand Social on October 21, Get your tickets here.
Her craft has taken her around the world. However, EMA has become synonymous with Ireland’s nightlife. Through her work as a manager at beloved club Yamamori Tengu, we have seen firsthand how, if you build it, they will come. By sculpting a nightlife space that puts inclusivity, experimentation and a passion for music first, EMA has turned Tengu into a haven for appreciating the more left-field offerings Ireland’s nightscape has to offer.
“It’s all about longevity, commitment to evolving/adapting & standing on your core principles. A lot of the time people give out about lineups that are not diverse and about spaces not being safe and they gear this frustration at promoters. Yes, promoters need to do better but I’ve learnt that a lot of that weight to make changes at the root comes from the club itself. Venues should have a hands-on approach in order to ensure the parties and the crews coming into the space are working with a shared vision. Are artists being paid appropriately, treated appropriately, do these promoters also care about the safety of their punters, are the lineups diverse, is this promoter taking up too many nights in venues across the city? I think setting standards from lineups, safety, pay and so on builds an environment that can have lasting impact on a scene. One of our taglines is, a club with a conscience. I think these core foundations have helped Tengu flourish.”
A good nightlife economy starts from the ground up. Especially in Ireland, it necessitates ingenuity in order not only to survive but also to thrive. Every DJ needs their first set, and if there is nowhere to platform that first set, how can we expect them to make it to a bustling club? Fix the fundamentals and everything becomes easier. From her time as a selector, we are able to see Tengu as a product of experience and a genuine desire for Ireland’s nightclubs to succeed.
“Firstly for me, it’s all about intimate spaces that are safe, inclusive, platform diversity & embody the local community. You can always feel this in a room when a promoter/venue has prioritised this in an authentic way. Secondly, a warm & impactful soundsystem is a must and minimal production! We don’t need strobes and a light show, all you need is a low red light and a haze machine. Finally, a crowd that’s up for going deep and locking in. All these combined make a perfect atmosphere for a night out for me.”
This summer in particular saw Irish crowds flocking to support their own. A standout for District in particular was EMA’s set at All Together Now. It was a key display of alternative electronic music that doesn’t alienate but instead invites appreciation. Only last year, EMA’s unique selection won a competition to play a slot at Glastonbury, the UK’s biggest festival. Sprinkle in a few NTS appearances and sets in venues as far as China and Japan, and you have one of the most revered DJs in the Irish underground.
“Being able to travel and share music with like-minded people is a big privilege. I’m just back from playing in China & Japan for the first time. You meet total strangers and instantly have a bond because of music. It’s pretty special and I’ll never take any of it for granted. I’ve really met so many life long friends through music. Having worked in big corporate jobs before and feeling like an alien there, I feel grounded working in music.”
It takes a community to bring change in Ireland. But a community can only do so much. It’s now an age-old tale that Ireland’s nightlife restrictions affect everyone. Whether you’re a punter who wants to go on that little bit longer or a promoter who’s working on razor-thin margins, you’re impacted by an outdated vision of nightlife legislation.
“It’s been the same issue since I started going out in my late teens and luckily people like Sunil Sharpe have pushed for change and recognition within our government with the Give Us The Night campaign for many years. Our licensing laws need to change, clubs closing at 3AM is so restrictive & archaic. We also need community art spaces and club spaces where creatives can meet and share their work, this is how rich scenes can be built. Unfortunately we’re also dealing with the cost of living and housing crisis which directly impacts our nightlife economy.”
EMA joins BLÁTHNAID and Shampain at The Grand Social on October 21. Early bird tickets are €1 and include a complimentary drink, with general admission tickets priced at €10. If you want to see the next generation of Irish club culture, you know where to be. Get your tickets here.
Please enjoy Jägermeister responsibly. Visit drinkaware.ie for more information.
