G D Sweeney
London
CHECK OUT GAVIN ON: www.gdsweeney.com
G D Sweeney dreams in melodies and often wakes up humming the beginnings of a new musical creation and the lyrics are forming before his left foot has stepped into the kitchen to flick the kettle on. He finds inspiration for songs in everyday conversations, observations of people, throwaway quips, and in the poetry of both city and country life.
He is self taught songwriter and musician who eats sleeps and breathes music. His dedication, knowledge, and care of the craft, penetrates his songs, regardless of whether it is a Rock, Pop, Country, Irish, Bluegrass, Ragtime, Swing or a Comedy piece. He charms all those he encounters with his stories, jokes and notes of wisdom, often lighting a dark mood, with some clever comical insight. This probably stems from his Irish roots, in Newry, Co. Down, Northern Ireland.
Gavin has had an unorthodox journey into songwriting, best described starting out as a teenager, when with his hard earned pocket money he entered the music store to buy a saxophone, but walked with a banjo instead! An instrument he has since mastered and still continues to play. The banjo has provided him with a melodic landscape, which he attributes to his ability to write infectiously memorable songs.
Gavin demonstrates versatility in his songwriting, adapting his creations for a variety of applications. He has recently written for established band The South, (formally The Beautiful South, who have sold over 16 million albums worldwide) composing two songs on their 2012 album Sweet Refrains (Devil In My Wine and What’s On Her Mind). In addition he has written for TV shows and affectionately penned Leicester City Football Club’s original Official Anthem. Gavin’s own bands, Swaggar and the Yee Haas, has also been a platform for his original material, which he has performed on various concert stages around the UK.
Whilst his songs are primarily crafted on the guitar, he has also created songs on the 5-String banjo, mandolin, and piano. He has performed and collaborated with many well known musicians from The Specials, The Fun Lovin Criminals and The South, as well as being a respected musician, he is vocally strong and fronts a number of different bands.
Gavin currently resides in London, and has lived in England for 20 years, including time in Liverpool and Leicester. One of his ambitions this millennium is to live in a city that doesn’t start with an L!
An all round creative force, alongside his songwriting and musical pursuits, Gavin has a studied Art Direction/Copywriting, Advertising and Graphics Design in London. He has taught for several years in Creative Arts and continues to teach banjo and guitar.
G D Sweeney is an inspiring influence amongst his contemporaries and his increasing audience. Within seconds you are automatically transported into the worlds that he depicts through his lyrical imagery and musical character portrayals. There is a wonderful old-fashioned quality about his craft. His songs are certainly built to last, and will no doubt resonate for years to come.
G D Sweeney’s tracks
published on