2FM/JACOBS SONG CONTEST 2004
Report by Rose Hogan and Nicola McMahon
'You can try to knock
me,
try to block me
but you can't stop me
'cos I'm stronger than you'll
ever know!'
You just have to like that
message. The girl-power thing may be all sugar and Spice Girls but its spirit
lives on with this dynamic group of five girls collectively named 'Dolce Vita'.
Their songwriter, seventeen-year-old Ruth-Anne Cunningham, won first prize in
the 22nd Jacob's Song Contest held in
Friday 27 February saw the
22nd RTE 2FM Jacobs Song Contest where once again hopefuls from all over the
country performed their own songs trying to make it to the final ten. The
atmosphere was electric as the host Gerry Ryan turned on his usual charm with
the crowd.
Each of the ten talented
young composers gave great performances with something to suit everyone's
taste. During the fifteen minute recess, in which time the judges decided which
acts would make the final three, the entertainment was supplied by The Stranded
Circus who have rapidly become one of the most exciting and vibrant young acts
on the Irish music scene.
Ruth-Anne describes the
winning song 'Battleground' as 'an upbeat, feel-good number with a powerful
message. 'Battleground' is a metaphor for 'life' and is for anyone who has been
treated badly or made to feel bad for being who they are'.
We caught up with the
charming Ruth-Anne after her win to see how she felt about the competition and
what her plans are after winning (aside from doing her leaving cert!).
She told us that she wrote
the lyrics for the song some time ago, but hadn't found the right music to go
with it. While experimenting with computer music software last year she found a
violin-based piece that sounded like a war to her ears and so was perfect for
'Battleground'. She hadn't really thought about its potential until the other
band members listened to it and then her father suggested she enter the Jacob's
Songwriters competition.
Ruth-Anne has been with Dolce
Vita for two years now and so success for the group is of utmost importance to
her. She wishes 'for their music to be loved and respected'.
Success seems likely as to date
they have just finished recording a demo of original songs and they have already
had interest from record labels around the world. With first prize of €10,000 worth of Yamaha musical equipment,
an appearance on 2TV and a guest appearance at a MCD concert in their hands,
the future looks rosy as previous winners such as Sarah Packiam and Naimee
Coleman have been signed by EMI records.
Second prize of €4,000 worth of Yamaha vouchers went to
Orlaith Gilcreest from Letterkenny with her song 'Wild Eyes'. Third prize
went to 18 year old Helena Byrne from Kilkenny for her song 'Happenin'. As
a singer/songwriter
Keep an eye out and your ears open for 'Dolce Vita' as they are hoping to release a single and then a record at the end of the summer.
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