Sara Vian
The Frome Music Industry Network

I believe that community spirit is the Holy Grail, and that bringing people together with the right intention enables profound connection and great things to evolve.
As in independent musician, I know how difficult it is to find kindred spirits, gigs, create a website, do the promotion, organise tours, get everyone paid, find a good cd/vinyl pressing agent, artists for album covers etc etc etc, and so I had the vision of starting the Frome Music Industry Network (Fmin).
We were originally called the West Country Music Network but too many people thought we were about country music; and I'd discovered the Bristol Music Industry Network (Bmin) so decided to copy them as they're a lot more established and even have paid memberships! I also discovered the South Coast Music Network in Bournemouth and Birmingnham Music Network, but haven't attended the latter yet.

And it's been a great success. So far we've been able to support William Gets' "Shuffle and Chomp" South African show, Magpie Patrick from Magpie's Folk Cafe is now organising a river festival in Frome's twin town, Chateau Gontier on 25th July 2020, Will Gets' leaving party absolutely rocked and many other collaborations have evolved. There is also usually a guest-speaker and Music Eye films our interviews.
I'm also hoping that we can build good relations with the Bennett Centre to create a more underground artsy music scene as it is a beautiful venue that used to have a great scene in the "Undercroft" before my time in Frome; and there have been some really successful pop-up events there recently.
The Fmin is on the fourth Thursday of the month from 7.30pm at the Three Swans in King Street, Frome usually with a guest speaker from 8pm and we welcomes all ages. Sign up for the newsletter.