Gari follows his dream
A LOCAL musician who knows what he wants is being watched by EMI Records as his first single storms up the iTunes charts, receiving 7,000 hits on YouTube in its first week.
c, 28, from Bunratty, has been on the music scene for some time now, having made it through to the final of an Andrew Lloyd Webber BBC talent show and competing against Jedward to represent Ireland in the Eurovision.
The talented singer, who is a DJ for Spin South West and the Trinity Rooms, has now released his first single ‘I Know You Want Me’, which is steadily climbing the iTunes charts, having reached number 44 in the top 200 and number six in Spin South West’s Zoo Crew.
“I’ve chosen this song as the first to release from the forthcoming album because it’s so radio friendly.
“I’ve had a lot of support with it from radio stations. Spin, Clare fm, 98fm in Dublin, Live 95fm and 2fm have all been giving it a lot of airplay.
“People have been downloading it on iTunes in their droves- it costs just 99 cents.
“I’ve also been asked to go on Ruth Scott on 2fm and take part in the Big Busking contest for charity.
“Music is what I love, and if you have enough ambition, the sky’s the limit”.
Gari will also be the headline act in one of the tents at an upcoming three day music festival in Clare, the Village Carnival.
“I was delighted to be asked to headline the Acoustic Tent, considering the likes of Republic of Loose and Keywest are also playing at it.
“It’s the first time the festival is being held in Newmarket-on-Fergus, so I’m excited to be a part of it”.
The Carnival will be held from August 26 to 28.
Having studied Music Management at Ballyfermot, Gari joined Shannon Musical Society, where it was suggested to him to audition for the BBC show ‘Any Dream Will Do’.
“I went up to Belfast for the auditions, but didn’t think I had a chance.
“Next thing I was making it through the rounds and got to the final 25.
“The dancing was my downfall, but there was only myself and another guy who hadn’t come from a musical theatre background”.
From there, Gari went on to take part in the RTE competition ‘Fame’, and secured lead roles in TV ads for Galtee, 3 Broadband and Carlsberg, and is soon to appear in an RTE children’s programme.
He was subsequently contacted by EMI to form part of a four piece band, who competed to represent Ireland in the Eurovision.
“Willie Kavanagh, from EMI, asked me to go for it, and though it wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea, I was delighted to be asked.
“We knew Jedward were going to win because they have such a huge fan-base, but it was fantastic to get the exposure, to go on the Late Late Show and to have the contact with EMI.
“They’re keeping a close eye on the new single to see how it does and it would be amazing to be signed to them”.
The video for the single was directed at Peach studios in Shannon by Abraham Silva, and has received upwards of 7,000 hits on YouTube since it was uploaded, less than a week ago.
“I’m excited about the next single, ‘Gone Away’; it’s much more soulful, totally stripped back, just me and a piano”.
Gone Away will be out in the coming weeks and Gari’s first album is to be released early next year.
