The countdown is officially on for the MIX (Music Industry Xplained) Course 2021!

Brought to you by Hot Press, the acclaimed course is aimed at those who want to succeed in music, management, media, publicity, promotion, publishing, record labels, and lots more, within the music, entertainment, events and media space – and is set to return in its online format following last year's hugely successful course.

Recognised by the music industry in Ireland and abroad, MIX is a 13-week series of lectures (one each week) by top professional exponents from the Irish and international music industry. Key subjects include: Record Companies and How They Work; Music Marketing; Publicity; Image Development; the Independent Route; Record Production; Social Media; Music Publishing and Music Online. Also covered are Radio, Working with the Media, Management, Finance, Touring and Distribution, and Music Publishing.

To secure your place on this year's course, just email [email protected] or go to hotpress.com/mix

Every year, the MIX Course's Wrap Night features a lively panel discussion – and back in 2018, Colm Hayes was on hand to share his unique insights into the world of radio.

Colm has been working in radio since he left college – starting out on pirate radio before moving to 2FM and FM104. He later moved to Radio Nova, where he co-presents the breakfast show with Lucy Kennedy, as well as being Programme Director.

"Sitting on the other side of the fence, artists really have to bond with the radio stations they want to be on," he revealed at the Wrap Night. "Picture This are a classic example of this at the moment: they’ve always said, “Yes”, to doing interviews and live sessions. It’s always good if you’ve got a crazy cover you can play.

"Republic Of Loose also knew the value of being a really good friend to the radio station and, in return, we probably gave them that little bit more airplay. Orla Gartland, whose new single ‘I Go Crazy’ is amazing, banged on my door for years at 2fm and we eventually bonded through her love and my love of music. A phone call isn’t enough: you’ve got to call into the Programme Director and if he or she doesn’t open the door, you go back again the next week. Keywest are good: we had a segment on 2fm called ‘Thank Feck It’s Friday’ where food was made and everything, and they really got into the groove of it."

He also offered some advice for emerging bands looking to get airplay:

"In the old days, it was the guy from EMI or Sony accosting you in the lift with 20 CDs," he said. "The bombarding now happens when you open up your computer – everything’s gone digital. Some bands email you saying, 'We’ve released a new album, would you be willing to listen?' and I’m going, 'Just bloody send it!' I’ll probably press ‘play’.

"We won’t play something just because it’s Irish, though," he added. "We’ll judge it against all the British and American music that’s out there. If it’s good and it fits the Nova brand, then we’ll get right behind them: a current example of that being Five Grand Stereo. Years ago we were accused of, 'Oh, if it’s Irish you just wanna throw it out the door and play Beyoncé' but that’s not true. In fact, there’s an advantage to being, say, Keywest because I can pick the phone up and get them in the studio. I’ve tried that a few times with Beyoncé but to no avail."

Just email [email protected] or go to hotpress.com/mix to secure your place on this year's Mix Course.