August 2015

Catching up with Siobhan Magnus

Cape Cod Life  /  August 2015 / ,

Writer: Ann Luongo / Photographer: Kamal Asar and Kelly Cronin Bicknell 

Catching up with Siobhan Magnus

August 2015

Cape Cod Life  /  August 2015 / ,

Writer: Ann Luongo / Photographer: Kamal Asar and Kelly Cronin Bicknell 

Siobhan Magnus sang her way into millions of Americans’ homes and hearts during Season 9 of American Idol

Photo by: Kelly Cronin Bicknell

“I love theater and I love acting” Magnus says. “I have no idea if I’m any good at it, but I love it.” In recent years, she has been approached about a few acting roles, but she has yet to find anything that has interested her. Note to directors out there: if you’re shooting a horror film, Magnus is interested.

Magnus says her mother, Colleen, has always been an encouraging force for her and her siblings. “My mom is a free, creative spirit,” she says. “She is a bookworm. She has encouraged reading throughout our lives.”

In addition to music, Magnus has branched out in another direction in recent years, and today she is the owner of a small retail business that sells jewelry, vintage clothing, records, and more at the Antiques Center of Cape Cod in Dennis. The space is fittingly named Moonbaby Boutique. “It’s just a little thrift booth with a selection of hand-picked clothing, for now,” she says. The Antiques Center handles product sales for vendors, like Magnus, and splits the profits. “My plan is to make accessories and jewelry, as well as customized clothing,” Magnus says. “I would love to own my own store on the Cape one day.”

While she ventures intro entrepreneurship, Magnus’ music career continues to reflect a diverse musical style. She is working on new projects and honing her skill at songwriting. “I usually write lyrics alone or when I’m in a writing session,” she says. “I’m writing with my older brother, Joseph, as well, which we have never tried. So, I’m hoping that the next year sees another original album from me!”

“I have a handful of new songs that I’m hoping to record better versions of, and release them within the next year, including one I co-wrote called ‘Widow’s Walk’ that I performed with the Cape Symphony last fall for Barnstable’s 375th anniversary, and we are currently working on a recorded version for release. It’s a Cape Cod ghost story song,” she says. “I am also doing some recording-session work where I’m a hired gun, singing backup vocals and duets for other performer’s records.”

She also continues to perform in shows across the Cape. On Sunday, August 23, Magnus will sing numbers from the Great American Songbook in a special Ella & Frank show at the Ocean Edge Resort in Brewster. Additional shows include dates at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod on Saturdays, August 29 and October 31.

What does Magnus think of her success—and her prospects? “I’m proud and excited,” she says, “and I’m glad, so far, to make a career out of what I do. It’s very important for me to strive to do what makes me happy.”

To learn more about Magnus, follow her on Twitter at @SiobhanMagnusAI. In addition, her website, smagnus.com, features upcoming performance dates, news, and a free mobile app.

Ann Luongo is a freelance writer from Plymouth whose work has appeared in several print and online publications.

Ann Luongo

A longtime freelance writer and editor, Ann Luongo is a regular contributor to many Cape Cod, South Shore and regional publications including Cape Cod LIFE. She lives in Plymouth with her family and can be found meandering along the shoreline at White Horse Beach or hiking the trail at Ellisville State Park—when she’s not photographing it at sunrise. For Cape Cod LIFE, Ann has written about singer Siobhan Magnus, writer Elin Hilderbrand, and the history of Centerville’s fascinating Fernbrook estate.