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Singer songwriter sets her sights on stardom

Thursday, 26 June 2008

A RAHENY singer songwriter has her sights set on stardom as she prepares for the finals of an annual song contest in the West of Ireland later this month.
Geraldine Mangan will be one of 13 finalists in the Glinsk competition and she promises that, unlike other competitions, a ‘turkey’ won’t win it.
This year is the 21st anniversary of the highly respected competition and some of Ireland’s best musicians will be travelling to the small Galway town of Glinsk to compete.
Geraldine has been enjoying increasing success since her song, ‘Hello World’ made it to the final selection of the Eurosong 2008 competition before being beaten by Dustin’s infamous entry, ‘Douze Pointe’.
“I am much happier to be in the finals of the Glinsk competition now,” she told Northside People.
“It’s a competition for respected singer-songwriters and unlike certain other competitions where ‘turkeys’ are allowed into the final, this event is based on talent.”
“I have been making music since I was six and have played at nearly every venue in Dublin. It’s what I love to do.”
Geraldine has been involved in the music industry all her life and became a full-time professional musician in 2005, playing gigs at restaurants across the Northside including the Bay in Clontarf and Celestine’s in Donnycarney.
“I won my first teenage songwriter competition when I was just 14,” she revealed.
“Then in 1980, I sang in the National Song Contest when Johnny Logan won with Shay Healy's ‘What's Another Year’.
“I have been pretty privileged to get to work with some great people over the years including Jimmy McCarthy who has been helping with my album work.”
Jimmy McCarthy, a one-time apprentice at Baldoyle’s racing stables, penned the classic ‘Ride-on’, which was popularised by Christy Moore. He has been providing critique and direction for Geraldine and sharing his years of songwriting experience.
“I released a cover album called ‘Favourite Songs Collection’ in April 2006,” explained Geraldine.
“The album was featured as ‘Album of the Week’ on Dundalk 100FM and I received a great amount of media attention.”
Geraldine’s entry for the Glinsk competition is a song called ‘Let Love’, which features on her debut album, ‘This is the life for me’.
"The inspiration for ‘Let Love’ comes from the belief in a perfect love that exists in all of us,” added Geraldine.
“A love that unites everyone and transcends the difficulties and worries of modern day living.
“It’s really like a prayer, acknowledging that if we allow love to take control of our lives, we will have true happiness."
Geraldine’s music has been likened to Nina Simone and Mary Black, while her fan base includes RTE broadcaster Pat Kenny who has a copy of her album and even called congratulating her when ‘Hello World’ made the finals of Eurosong.
Geraldine is currently busy doing promotional work for her new album, which she hopes will be released this September.
She has interest from a number of record companies and is also in the process of selecting a manager.
Fans can catch her unique live performances on Thursdays at the Bay restaurant in Clontarf and Friday nights in Celestine’s in Donnycarney.
Each year 13 finalists are selected from up to 200 applicants for the Glinsk song competition.
Finalists then perform their original works for a panel of judges with the backing of a full orchestra.
Prolific songwriter and novelist, Brendan Graham, will be adjudicating on the night of the final. Brendan was the composer of two winning entries in the Eurovision - ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids’ in 1994 and ‘The Voice’ in 1996.

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