Singers' tracks to be played at Cannes

1:55pm Wednesday 5th November 2008

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THREE aspiring Melksham singers are to have their work promoted at the music industry’s equivalent of the Cannes film festival.

Keli Shepherd, 22, Kelly Woolford, 17, and Lauren Dobbin, 12, each submitted a song to Gotham Records, to be considered for a compilation CD of unsigned artists that will be distributed at the MIDEM music festival, in Cannes in February.

Remarkably all three had their songs chosen, despite Gotham Records receiving around 200 every month, of which just five typically interest the company.

Now their songs will get circulated among some of the biggest players in the music business, with the hope being that their talent will be spotted by an industry bigwig.

“It’s fantastic, and takes them to another level,” said Mel Austin, who runs Melodious Music and produces for all three artists.

“It’s one thing to have your friends and family say, ‘That’s really good’, it’s another to have someone in the industry say that.”

Mr Austin, who spotted the girls in talent shows at George Ward School, has high hopes for all three in the future.

Miss Dobbin, whose song “One In A Million” was chosen for the promotional CD, has her own album of original being released at the end of November, and has attracted interest from a major London manager.

Many of her songs are influenced by her mother’s loss of twin boys in childbirth 10 years ago, and the proceeds of the album will be going to the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS).

Her album is due to be launched on November 28 at the Old Bear pub in Staverton, where she will perform tracks live and signed copies of the CD will be on sale.

Miss Woolford is currently working on her second album, due out early next year, and Mrs Shepherd is hoping to release her first album in time for Christmas this year.