Nothing compares to Dan as he wins top music prize
A TALENTED singer/songwriter from Ovens has beaten almost 600 other hopefuls to the crunch to scoop top spot and a cheque for a cool €1,500 in national competition to find Ireland’s greatest cover version.
Dan Elliot (23) also bagged himself a slot at this summer’s Indiependence Music & Arts Festival to win the final of the 2018 Le Crunch sponsored ‘Apple of My Eye’ song contest with his version of Prince’s ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’.
Dan, who had been studying to be a primary school teacher but left to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time musician, fought off stiff opposition from five other acts, including Cork duo Sparkle, in last Wednesday night’s final at Whelan’s in Dublin.
Ironically Dan, who has been playing his original compositions around the capital’s music scene for the past three years, is set to play his first ever headline gig at the same venue late next month.
Over the years the ‘Apple of My Eye’ competition has unearthed some gems including Cork singer Stephanie Rainey and indie four-piece Brave Giant who have gone on to play some of Ireland’s biggest festivals and venues.
Dan, whose original songs are inspired by an eclectic mix of artists including Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer and David Gray, is now hoping that his win will give his career the boost it needs to follow in their footsteps.
Dan, who is currently working on new tracks in the recording studio said he was stunned when he was announced as the 2018 Apple of My Eye winner.
“It was an incredible feeling to win. To have been picked out of all the acts that played was crazy, everyone was just so good,” he beamed.
“I was standing in the audience when they read out my name and all my friends just leapt on top of me. It was a really special moment. In fact, to say I was stunned would be a serious understatement,” he added.