HAVING BEEN DEEMED “one to watch” in hotpress’ 2001 Annual, Carly Hennessy gets to release her debut single through MCA America on May 8th.

Co-authored by Hennessy and New Radical Gregg Alexander, ‘I’m Gonna Blow Your Mind (Really Wanna Kiss You)’ has already been hailed as “the most promising debut track we’ve heard this year” by US trade bible, Billboard.

They’re not wrong, with the 17-year-old Dubliner underlining why she’s been deemed a “priority” act by MCA President Jay Boberg.

If she looks familiar, that’s because Hennessy starred in a TV advertising campaign for Denny Sausages.

“My face was on trucks, billboards, bus stops, Denny packaging, everywhere,” she laughs. “It still is.”

Despite her obvious teen appeal, Hennessy has no desire to be the new Britney or Christina.

“I want to be edgier with more of a rock image. For me, music has to have character. I want to bring back real music and get away from all this synth stuff. Jay (Boberg) has put me together with a great team of producers and songwriters to make this happen.

Recorded in London, New York and L.A. where she’s currently based, her debut album will be the subject of a multi-million dollar promotional push.

“I like songs with distinct interesting lyrics, songs with a deeper musical quality,” she reflects. “I want to say things I shouldn’t say at my age!”