Interview with the irish pianist and composer who has recently released his latest album "broken pieces". Johann johannsson, olafur arnalds, philip glass and max richter among his artistic influences.
An original artist who soon began studying and producing music in various genres and styles.
Hi Gav! Growing up, how important was music in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make?
Music has always been a huge part of my life. I grew up in a house where sing songs and storytelling were par for the course. I never really made a choice to be a musician, I learned piano as a young child and when I was a teenager I picked up a guitar and learned to play through trial and error. The technology around music production always fascinated me and still does as it moves at such an active pace. Playing music is just ingrained in how I live my life and it is something I would do even if I didn't have an audience - Having an audience is a privilege I cherish and I’m grateful I get to share what I do.
Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else? If you weren’t a musician today, what else could you see yourself doing? Would you be as fulfilled in life?
This is actually my second life or at least this is how it feels. I was a tradesman for a long time and this is how I paid my bills and supported my passion. To be at a place now where what I did as a labor of love is my primary role is surreal. It would be a lie if I said my life would be as fulfilled if I was still a tradesman as I have had a passion music as long as I can remember, I feel incredibly lucky to be able to do what I do but this genuinely drives me to be the best I can be at my craft and carry on with projects that people enjoy.
Gav reveals us ...
What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?
I’m not sure if it’s a surprise as I am surrounded by really positive people but the support I have received has been absolutely incredible. I guess I have really been surprised at the reach my music has gotten, thousands of people all around the world are enjoying the music I have created. Reading the weekly reports from the different countries and cities where my music is being played is mind blowing. I suppose the unexpected challenge is dealing with the time management of working multiple projects simultaneously, but I love every minute of it - this is my dream job!
Let’s talk about your brand new project. What was the inspiration for this album? How do you think it prepares listeners for more music from you?
For me this album had to be emotive, I have a passion for music that has the ability to transport you to another place for the duration of a track and I wanted to develop my own brand of this contemplative style. I think lovers of this kind of melancholic sound will know emotions will be invoked and encouraged by accompanying me along a musical journey.
What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now? What has social media done for your career?
I’m kind of new to using social media,I’m a really private person and it has really been a learning curve for me but it’s very necessary and I actually enjoy learning and contributing now. It really is the most accessible and immediate way to connect with an audience and show the different aspects of what we do as artists. I’m really enjoying the short story telling that can be achieved intertwining my music with appropriate video and I have found this is a great way to engage new listeners. Getting my music to the ears of thousands of people in a day would not be possible without the likes of TikTok and Reels and I have seen a conversion from these platforms into streams on streaming services.
Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely love to work with in the future?
My music has definitely been influenced by the really nuanced Icelandic composers like Johann Johannsson and Olafur Arnalds, the delicate expression they can convey with minimalist composition is beautiful. I also have a huge respect for Max Richter and going back a bit further Philip Glass - I really developed my love of the minimalist sound listening to these guys. As for who I’d love to work with ..Who wouldn’t want to work with Max? The guy is a legend.
At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?
I really hope people make that emotional connection with the mood of the music, this genre is all about the feeling generated by the listening experience and as a composer it's important to make that connection with the listener.
What are some goals that you have for yourself this year? How close are you to reaching them?
Reworking some of the pieces from the album is a definite goal, I feel some of the tracks have a larger story to tell and this can be achieved through recomposing in perhaps a different time signature or new arrangement and I’m excited about developing these ideas. The work has already begun and I have multiple reworks of a couple of tracks well under way, I hope to be able to share these before the end of this year.
Artist bio
Gav Moran is a composer and producer of minimalism and neo classical music combining raw orchestral elements with modern contemporary electronic soundscapes to create an edgy twist on his influences from the classical baroque and romantic eras.
Drawing on his experiences growing up in the eclectic cultural melting pot of Dublin, Ireland he sees his music as a spiritual journey. His debut album Broken Pieces takes you through his collection of piano led compositions on a path of melancholy and inspiration.
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