SIOBHAN MAGNUS

American Idol Contestant Makes Bigtime Step in the Right Direction

Former Idol Contender Siobhan Magnus Releases First Single “Beatrice Dream” from her new solo project – by Terence Burke

NASHVILLE, TN – Siobhan Magnus is wasting no time following up her acclaimed run on last season’s American Idol. In addition to releasing an EP earlier this year with her band, Lunar Valve, Magnus has recorded sides for her first solo project. The four song session is in stark contrast to her Lunar Valve EP. Wistful lyrics blend with Magnus’ distinctive rawness to expose a side of the singer many fans not yet heard.

The project began amid a whirlwind of co-writing with Nashville-based Pacific International Music (PIM) writers; Chaise Flanders, Mitzi Dawn and Producer Michael Flanders. Originating from Australia, Flanders is a Producer/Songwriter, whose past production credits include Jill King, Coles Whalen, Josh Arnold, Garrison Starr, Natalie Howard, and a score of other acts. On working with Magnus, Flanders says, “Siobhan has her own colors she paints with, and I just filled in the blanks on our vast canvas.”

Flanders organic approach to production is illustrated by his close involvement in a project from start to finish. With Magnus, adapting to her sound came first and foremost. The Producer explains, “PIM is just a great creative space….a small group of writers that can change feathers quickly and take a project to the next level.” After choosing four songs from the writing sessions, the basic rhythm tracks were cut at Fireside Studios and then brought back to PIM.

The songs that sprung from the session run the gamut, from whimsical to insightful; self conscious to self-empowering, “Black Doll,” is a poignant mix of eerie imagery combined with quiet hope, sung over haunting beats and driving synthesizers. With lines such as, “People saw me and all they saw was strange,” Magnus comments on the need people feel to label and judge one another, based on appearances.

This theme of feeling ostracized for being different emerges in the first single “Beatrice Dream,” as well. Magnus proclaims “I couldn’t understand why I never fit in. I was living in two worlds full of contradiction.” Set against a funk induced bass groove, Magnus gives the kind of inspired vocal performance that made her a standout on Idol. “Going Down” is a more stripped-down affair, both musically and lyrically, and advocates the acceptance of a lover’s faults to the point of mutual ruin.

Though sonically treading new ground, fans can expect the same sense of balance between sincerity and grit that they have come to expect from the raucous Idol rocker on her first solo effort. The first single, “Beatrice Dream” is available on iTunes.