Fumbally Focus with Áine Rynne, Sober Sessions

Áinne Rynne is the founder of Sober Sessions and is based in FEx Dublin 2.

“A sober session is a live music gig in a new kind of setting. It is a chance for emerging and established musicians, music makers, singer songwriters or bands to showcase material to a willing and listening audience.

Sober Sessions is a big hearted gig and the pilot event to create a collective of change makers who are flipping the image of a non-drinking scene. Our vision is to bring these events anywhere and everywhere: cafés, creative spaces, parks, bookshops, homes, festivals, offices & gardens.

” Áine Rynne

What is the best thing about working in Fumbally?

The best thing about working in Fumbally is the people. Since I have been on the HPSU, I have gotten a huge amount of support, advice and encouragement from the members there. Working in a shared environment allows possibility to flourish, connections to be made and friendships to form-it has to be the way forward!

What advice would you give someone who wanted to start up on their own?

Do it! It takes courage but if you are around the right people, it is amazing what can happen-things can and do fall into place. Of course, there will be bumps along the way but you pick yourself back up and start again. Starting my venture with the support of the Fumbally Exchange has been a hugely rewarding experience and has given me the confidence to drive it forward.

What was the hardest part about setting up on your own?

Initially, it was a lack of confidence and fear of failure that held me back but through talking to people, I realized everyone goes through these and they pass as things evolve. Before going into Fumbally Exchange-the isolation of setting up on my own was hard to manage and it affected my motivation to get things done efficiently.

What was the biggest thing you’ve learned so far?

People resonate with me personally-with my personal story behind setting up Sober Sessions. Having to open up to people in this context has been at times hard but ultimately, it is the spark that will keep this thing alive. I guess, that was an unexpected lesson that I learned!

What is your favourite part of the job?

My favourite part of the job is seeing how people have responded to the initiative so positively-it has been hugely heartening and supportive. Having great people around me, seeing it all come together has been such a buzz. Also, from a community point of view-people's openness to help me, their generosity to share advice has genuinely blown me away.

What do you do to treat yourself?

Lately, myself and my amazing Event Coordinator, Mary Molloy have been treating ourselves to the amazing cheesecake from the Cheese cake shop on South William St-if you haven't tried them...do it, yum 🙂

Interview by Melissa Doran, GoRadiate.ie

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