Page 14 - Zone Magazine Issue 008

feature interview - ireland
trance army ireland
There’s credit where credit is due and for some, they just don’t get enough for all the hard work and time that they contribute to the scene. This man is one who is deprived of credit, so I decided to take it upon myself to spotlight him and all that he has given up to give the country, collectively some of the best gigs it has ever seen.
We’re talking about Conall O Cófaigh, better known as See O See, best known as Mr Trance Army, a man who has literally soldiered through the past few years, relentlessly searching for new talents and bringing over the lesser known ones, giving Irish ravers the chance to experience them in all their glory. This of course comes with great risks, especially if the artist isn’t as well-known as some of the more prominent acts, also to take into consideration that there’s always certain acts that are literally brought over just to pull crowds, Conall has managed to do both, highlighted top acts on a line-up and boosting them further with fresh talents, and undoubtedly some of the best djs that Ireland has to offer – overall providing a gig that at first glance you can’t possibly believe with your eyes, amazing!
His enthusiasm, hard graft, passion and sincerity have proved to be more than beneficial to his status in the scene as one of the most reputed and dedicated promoters that the country has been so very lucky to have. His troops have come in their hundreds and thousands to support him, selling out gigs across Dublin and giving clubbers a little taste of aural paradise. It’s really something you can’t put a price on, that beaming sense of magic that encourages souls to come together all for the love of music, and what they leave with is an unforgettable night and memories that will last a life-time.
Along with his youth and an impressive résumé, Conall is setting out on a new path, leaving behind a footprint that will never be dismissed. I’ve had the utmost pleasure of working alongside him and his team and colleagues over the past year. It’s been incredibly exciting to have enjoyed such an in- depth insight into his world – that branches off into record label owner, promoter, DJ, music
enthusiast and entrepreneur – many titles of which he should be indefinitely proud of, and what amazes me most is of how he takes it all so well in his stride – modest and devoted – a supreme inspiration.
Briefly summarise the past 5 years of TranceArmy gigs and a few words if you like about your big 5th birthday celebration back in September! What has been your best night to date?
Trance Army was set up back in 2010 with the aim of bringing over trance artists to play in Dublin that other promoters were not bringing over, and to introduce a breath of fresh air into the scene. Over the years the night has just got bigger and bigger. We managed to build up a massive fan base which has enabled us to move into bigger venues and book bigger acts.
In November 2015 we had Paul Van Dyk play for us in Dublin’s biggest venue, The Wright Venue. For me this was really the icing on the cake. 1,100 people in the biggest venue in Dublin. If you said that to me back in 2010, I would have laughed at you!
What drives you to keep doing what you’re doing? What inspired you to set up TranceArmy? Nice things people have said to you, the best thing someone has ever said to you, as a recognised pillar in the Irish Community of Dance?
Over the years I have watched the nights become bigger and bigger. I guess what has kept me driving on is that feeling when you are standing up on the stage and looking down at hundreds of people enjoying themselves because of me. It makes the months and months of hard work and preparation worth it.
Most people (DJs, agents, venues & clubbers) who I have worked with over the years have been very supportive of our night and have always helped spread the word about how great our nights are. However one thing that has always stuck in my head is when John O’Callaghan was asked in an interview with Trackitdown.net what trance night he would recommend in Ireland and he said Trance Army.
Summarise the past 10 years of your
musical journey.
Funny that you should mention 10 years... It all really started musically for me about 10 years ago. I had just started college in DIT and joined the DJ Society. They were looking for a new chairman to run the society and I volunteered. I remained the chairman for 4 years there where I learnt how to DJ and how to run nights as a promoter (Including organising the All Ireland student DJ “Spinoff” competition 4 years in a row). The college were very good to me and even awarded me an “Outstand Contribution” award in 2010.
After graduating from college in 2010, I set up Trance Army Ireland. The success of our night led to a weekly Trance Army Radio show which I hosted on Tonik Radio, and then to a record labels (Trance Army Records).
How important are your peers? Who has supported you throughout? Which artists have been most pleasurable to work alongside?
Peers are everything in the scene. Their attendance is what makes running nights possible. The trance scene in Ireland is like one big family. Everyone knows everyone else from just attending the gigs. The music brings people together in a way that is quite amazing. Best friends, relationships and even marriages all have come from people who met at our gigs.
Paul Coonan is someone I need to mention. He has been there from the start and has helped me run each and every night. Without him there would be no Trance Army. He even came up with the name.
Big ups to Damo Kay our graphics designer , who has also been involved from the start. He has an amazing talent at what he does.
I had the pleasure of hosting the Kearnage night with Bryan Kearney back in May 2015. Together we put on a truly unforgettable night in the Button Factory. That was our third time booking Bryan. It was a pleasure working with him and so good to see how big he has actually become. He is without doubt one of the biggest in the scene right now, and a perfect example showing that hard work really does pay off. John Askew and Mark Sherry have also been very supportive of our night and are both absolute legends.
14 ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE