I recently caught up with one of my favourite singers in Lanzarote. Not only she is bubbly and has an infectious laugh but she belts out some notes, I'll tell you. She has some pretty exciting news.
Hello, there. Where are you from originally and do you have a stage name?
Hi, I'm Siobhain Honan from Walkinstown in Dublin. I am known on stage as Siobhain Bell.
How did you end up living in Lanzarote?
I have always loved Lanzarote, having come here on holidays for many years.
In 2004, while on holidays, I was offered a job as a singer in Mulligans, (new town) Puerto del Carmen. I didn’t need to be asked twice and was back within the month. I have been very fortunate to have worked for many years with Mulligans before moving to Charlies, playing with absolutely fantastic musicians.
I am originally from Walkinstown in Dublin and always have had a love of music and performing. I was lucky to have a famous music college on my doorstep, The “Rock School” was founded by U2 and I studied there under some of Ireland's greatest musicians.
Who is your inspiration musically?
My inspiration comes from a vast ocean of artists ranging from Janis Joplin to Dusty Springfield, The Rolling Stones to Tina Turner. If an artist portrays the meaning and feeling of a song and moves me, I´m inspired and they have got me!
I personally like to sing a vast array of up tempo, feel good songs, that have a story and an umph. I sing all the above artists, together with Stevie Nix, Imelda May, Edel, Mary Coughlan, Amy Winehouse, Lana del Ray to name but a few.
What do you like about our island?
I have loved Lanzarote from the first time I came on holidays, not just for the sand, sea and sun, but also for its fantastic landscape, culture and traditions. I also have been extremely lucky to have met a wonderful Canarian man Antonio Torres, the love of my life, we married in 2009 settling in Puerto del Carmen. I am now a permanent fixture here.
Do you have any special projects coming up?
I am working on many projects, having taken time off earlier this year to finish some song writing and to spend some time putting together a new solo act. I am also collaborating with some wonderful musicians on other ventures.
My new solo debut will be in the Harp Bar in the Costa Luz Shopping Center opposite the Hotel San Antonio, Puerto del Carmen on Monday 18th of March and will be there on subsequent Mondays, so hope to see you all.
Upcoming events can be found on my Facebook page Siobhan Bell Lanzarote, so keep tuned.
What is your favourite place in Lanzarote?
When not working I love nothing better than to spend an evening with Antonio and our 3 doggies, be it fishing or rambling the island, dropping in for coffee and tapas on the way.
My favourite island view is watching the sun set over the mountains while sitting on Puerto del Carmen beach. It is a view that dreams are made of and Lanzarote has fulfilled all MY dreams…. A dream career on a dream island with the man of my dreams. What more could a girl ask for.
What else indeed. Thank you very much for your time, Siobhain. And best of luck in your upcoming solo debut.
Although quieter that some of the tunes she brings to life on stage, I'll leave you with Siobhain's version of "The Island" by Paul Brady, which incidentally is one of my favourite song's ever. I seriously recommend going to see Siobhain perform live, you'll thank me later.