Hopeful Musicians Go Head-to-Head in Original Song Contest

MU's musical talents vie for grand prize at Music Society event.

The Music Society held an original song contest on Tuesday 17 February in the MSU venue. Open to any artist or band, the event offered, as a prize, the opportunity to produce the song in a private studio with David Avram, a Maynooth University graduate with a double major in Music and Music Technology. 

Two bands, a duo and two solo artists competed. A significant variety of genres were performed, ranging from & Co.’s neo-soul inspiration to Dan Monté’s alternative rock, alongside Andrea and Lee’s acoustic duo, Zack Reece’s fingerstyle pop, and Cammy Stewart’s keyboard performance. 

Everyone is welcome, “even if they’re a SoundCloud rapper”, encourages Megan Purcell, Public Relations Officer of the Music Society. Applications opened two months in advance, and the only requirement is that at least one member of the band be a student at Maynooth University. Most of the material is supplied by the society, it is their yearly event, usually chosen between this contest or the Battle of the Bands. “The difference is that for the Battle of the Bands there are more songs”, explains Megan. “Ttere’s only one original song and it’s only bands”, whereas the original song contest also welcomes solo artists, who get to perform a single song.  

 The songs are assessed by three judges: Alanna Galligan (Music Society alumna, tutor in the Music Department, and music teacher), Francesca Placanica (Head of the Music Department), and Cian Farrelly (Music Society alumnus and vocal coach). “Because it’s an original song contest, we’re mostly going to judge based on the content”, Farrelly explains, “but obviously performance is a very important aspect of it too. So I would think about their delivery, their body language, how they’re presenting the song, lyrics that I find moving or smart or witty depending on the mood of the song.” 

According to Caoimhe McSharry Daly, Vice PRESIDENT of the Music Society, the main goal of the event is to give opportunities to smaller bands and performers. Evan Norman, a member of & Co., one of the contestants, describes it as a “launchpad”. “It’s possibilities that up until now were closed doors”, he explains. “Obviously we’re all studying for ‘real’ careers, but if music was an option we would do it.” The band presented their first original song, called Seánssa Nova; they have been playing it at gigs for a year and are confident with it. Music remains a faraway dream that they hope to one day reach, the event is an occasion to work towards it.  

While & Co was formed before the members started college, other bands like Don Monté are “made in” Music Society. Kike Purslas explains how three of them met during their first year playing respectfully within either the Jazz & Blues band or the Pop & Rock band that are run by the society. Like & Co., the band chose to put “studies and work first”, but with consistent commitment. “I think it’s important that we have a career on the side to fund the band”, explains Adrian Langan. “We need a plan B”. Purslas adds that touring the country for gigs is a big investment and they more often than not lose money in the process. For them, the opportunity to get their song produced can serve to build up their portfolio. The band remains a “hobby” for now, and they are choosing to take their time to develop their sound and build something steady. 

With Don Monté as the runners-up, the event was won by Cammy Stewart, a solo artist on the keyboard. The judges emphasised the variety of songs and the effort shown by all  the contestants, noting the level of potential made the decision hard. Cammy Stewart wins with a beautiful voice and well-thought lyrics and melodies. The young artist has already released a few songs on her Spotify account under the name Cam Ly. 

The Music Society will are back again this evening on Tuesday the 3rd of March at 7:30pm for an open mic night, this time in O’Neills Bar on Main Street. In addition to incoming gigs, the society encourages every student to sing on this open stage.