Gavin Holligan

Passing ships launching missiles! (One of my top 8 pet hates)!

2010-12-31T11:28:00.000Z

people who randomly bump into you on the street, then rant, 'Hello stranger, so you can't pick up your phone then?'

Wow, what a statement!

So presumptuous, so ignorant, so arrogant! It wouldn't be so bad if they had called a couple of times and left messages, I am not talking about those ones. I am referring to the ones where neither party has been in touch, or made any form of contacted for several months, or even a year or two!

My virtual translation in subconcious mode, goes as far as..

'Gavin! I was just the other day wondering when I would get the chance to politely put you in your place for not treating my like the royalty that I am! I mean, you haven't called or anything! at one point I thought you were expecting me to pick up my phone and call you so we could catch up, but then, we both know that I am so far above you that I would never dream of doing that!'

"Er, yeah.... I should have called my Lord!" I'll say no more on that! Case closed, end of discussion, and needless to say, I won't be calling them any time sooner!

My Top 8 pet hates..Diary of a London Soul! (part 2)

2010-11-30T10:41:00.001Z

Mobile Phone 'BAD-WUD' syndrome!

Ok so you are angry, had a bad day, your girlfriend lost your ipod on the tube, and to top it all off, you got offended when she told you that someone gave her a wink. But come on, does the whole world have to share in your anguish?
Since mobiles have become a part of our eveyday life, we are all the more surrounded by conversations to an imaginary second person. Just sometimes however, everyone and thier dog somehow becomes privy to the whole picture, because the conversation gets very ugly.
It really does feel uncomfortable listening to a random bloke effing and blinding down his samsung without no regard for his surroundings. The problem is nowadays you dare not ask for them to tone it down, just in case the guy pulls out a little toy to do you severe damage with!

I am probably sounding quite old school here, but when children are around, certain language and behaviour should not be displayed in my opinion.

While I am on the subject of phones in public, what happened to the days when we used to use headphones on the bus? I know loudspeaker is cool when you need to multitask, but come on, must everyone hear what you want to blast?

I do appreciate the value of community and sharing, of course, but most of the time, the songs are so crude and aggressive I spend the time in shock, wondering which part of the tune they are enjoying, because I really ain't feeling any of it!

Yes, mobile phone abuse. Definately one of my top 8 pet hates!

My Top 8 pet hates..Diary of a London Soul! (part 1)

2010-10-26T11:04:00.001+01:00

I don't have time for the box' so get over it pal!

When people get unpleasantly surprised when they find out, that I don't care to watch 'Big brother', desperate housewives or even 'American Idol'!
This is one of those things I guess only the die-hards' will understand. When you want to do something really badly, and do it at the top level, some things just have to give. In other words, to do what I do, TV viewing really has little or no place in my diary!

This is fairly acceptable to me, and perhaps many others; but somehow it seems to frighten and disappoint the living daylights out of some! It's almost as if the fact that I don't watch it, lowers me to some low life status, of which they would rather not be associated with; and in their anguish, they need to find a way to show me that this is really not a good look!

Yes I admit, I can be a bit of a hermit at the best of times, with recording schedules and deadlines to meet, or even when the creative juices are flowing and I would rather not break the flow I am in, but if I lived any other way, then perhaps instead of people complimenting on the quality of my production, musicianship, composition and songwriting, they would of course be able to enjoy a good old chin wag with me all about who slept with who behind who's back on the latest episode of Eastenders!.. er, could be quite cool, but I think I'll go with the first option thanks..

Yes, condescending TV addicts are indeed one of my pet hates!

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ADD YOUR TWO PENCE TO THIS BLOG POST, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS!

MUCH LOVE

My Week on tour backing for Stevie Wonder, (Part 8).

2010-08-19T11:47:00.001+01:00

After waiting for over an hour for the coach, due to some confusion with the call time, we board the coach, destination - Manchester arena.

The journey is somewhat more subdued than the rest, but not at all down to lack of enthusiasm. There were a few changes in personnel due to work commitments, but the journey is very much enjoyable. I am really taken back by the pleasant nature of everyone involved!

On arrival we are asked to be on standby for sound-check/rehearsal. Stevie and his band are playing through songs and having a laugh, in fact, much like any other band. However, Stevie is very much the one commanding the general direction of things, along with the production manager.

I am in awe of the gift Stevie possesses, it's almost as if he is at one with the sound of music, similar to the way we all are generally at one with our own natural breathing!

The band are obviously noticeably honored to be there and you can see the professionalism they constantly display . As we wait for our moment to participate in the sound-check, Stevie's playful character is very much on show, with jokes and accents flying over his Mic during random outbursts!

After soundcheck, which sounded incredible actually, we all head for dinner. The catering was tremendous! Everything had just the right amounts. I am sure that Stevie being blind gives him a greater advantage with the other senses, including taste! So, t's no wonder as to why this catering company has been touring with Stevie's crew for many years now!

We are then told that we are able to take one group picture with Stevie, which is not what I wreckon we would have preferably opted for, but it was never going to be frowned upon by any of us!

The pic came after a lengthy wait, and was once again very surreal. As he came out, what immediately struck me was the size of this man!! He was towering over me ,and even some of the taller guys of the choral! He was there in front of us, and we were there in awe of him, everyone wondering what to say, and somehow not sure how to tke the moment in, knowing that he could see none of us, and even if he could, it would probably have been the last time for many of us! As he held his hand out, I stretched forward to shake it and noticed the firmness of his grip, which was aided somewhat by the fact that his hands are also huge!
I explained what a pleasure it was to finally meet him, and we took the picture together, which I am sure you will agree looks great!

Looking back over the experience, I remember having a talk with Emily during the soundcheck, as we sat in the front row of Manchester arena, and she like me concluded, that there is this aura about Stevie that is ever so reminiscent of our father, Barnet 'Ron' Holligan.

They are indeed less than a year apart in age, but it was just his playful personality, his authoritive presence and his graceful gentleness, as well as facial features that very much felt like home to us both!

Anyone who has heard my music and its nature, especially songs like 'It's Over' and Beautiful Tale, and even seen my pictures on myspace will testify that my sound, and at times general style and appeal could quite easily at times find it's origins in a classic Stevie album, such as 'Talking book' or 'Songs in the key of life'!
It was for this reason, I took the opportunity of approaching Stevie's Tour Director, who I have known for many years prior to eventaully ending up backing him. I gave him my EP and pleaded with him to play it to Stevie, with the hope that he would simply identify and perhaps even enjoy knowing the influence he has had on my craft as I writer!
Whether he has heard it or not remains a mystery, but I guess that only time will tell.

Then just before we left the arena, the choral sang happy birthday to me, Stevie wonder style of course!

On the way home I was once again left in very surreal place, on the coach having just finished a UK tour performing with a true Genius, the eve of my 30th brithday!

Inspired to the hilt I began to dream even bigger than before, of just what is possible, when you really trust the Great Script-writer, and leave things in His hands!

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog, Feel free to reply or leave comments, and be sure to stop by in the near future, as I will be revealing more true stories from my travels and exploits!

My Week on tour backing for Stevie Wonder, (Part 7).

2010-07-26T11:43:00.002+01:00

So we are on the way to Glastonbury, I have had very little sleep over the past 72 hours, for obvious reasons, and I don't sleep well on coaches, let alone noisy ones, especially when England are playing Germany in the World Cup competition!

When I am tired I either go quiet, or really nutty. This time I went for the quiet mode, though I was at one point very actively engrossed in a conversation with Muyiwa from Riversongz, about Celebrity circles, business affairs and trying to maintain a level of integrity, with both of our backgrounds rooted in all three!

When we arrive, we get to briefly engage with some of the band, who I can recall watching a few times with Stefano in Italy last year, on the 'Live at last' DVD performance at the 02 arena. Once again the energy amongst the choral is electric, even despite England's dreadful exit of the World Cup.

Stevie goes on to perform and the show is even bigger this time. As we step on stage, the thing that blows me away is the sheer size of the audience. As far as I could possibly see, there were people, all crammed together might I add, and even still I am sure there were just as many there that I couldn't see!!
The performance was incredible and the high after the show was second to none!
I am not sure which my favourite song of the set is, but it's a close call between 'Living in the City'and 'For once in my live'. I am convinced that Stevie's voice is even better live than on record!!
But even after the weight of the second night, the best night was yet come...

Find out why in part 8!!

My Week on tour backing for Stevie Wonder, (Part 6).

2010-07-23T10:58:00.000+01:00

Day 1, Hyde Park,

After arriving home at 4am, a really stressful 48 hours lead up and an early start in the morning; I arrive at the meeting point in Victoria train station, greeted by many of my family and friends, and pleased to know that the choral are a really cool bunch of people!
The coach journey is short but surreal, and the energy on the coach is fresh, which I assumed it would be. Some faces I know and some I don't, but what's really on my mind is, 'what are we singing, and better still what is my part!?!'

As we pull up to Hyde park, I am suprised to see so many old friends and faces I have worked with, all obviously playing with some of the other various artists.
Still all feeling very surreal, you can feel the egos bulging and tension swelling around the place but nothing suprises me these days!
An hour before we go on, we all get changed and have a quick run through of the songs, and everything is sounding lovely.
We are then told that we can go side stage to watch the performances, which everybody is only to happy to do! As I am walking towards the stage, Amy Winehouse pops up from nowhere, and is walking up the steps in front of me with a friend.

Here I am, minutes away from stepping on stage with the worlds most celebrated musician and singer, watching hundreds of thousands of people being blown away by the most amazing songs, and I am taking it all in, standing side by side with Amy Winehouse, stage left! Just so surreal!!!!!

Stepping on stage, the first thing I notice is the intensity of the lighting, as well as the composure of this man, who can see nothing, yet is controlling everything - from the band, to the mood, to the audience, all in a natural effortless way!

We sing two songs, and after coming off stage, I am flooded with phone calls and texts, by people who know me that were watching in the crowd. "Gav, am I right in saying that you just came off stage with Stevie wonder? woooahhh!!!!!"

I can certainly relate to what Erikah Badu once said, "What a day, what a day!"

Find out about the Glastonbury experience in part 7!

My Week on tour backing for Stevie Wonder, (Part 5).

2010-07-21T10:12:00.001+01:00

Thinking quick has now become a part of my make up, and there was no better time to execute this skill than now. So in order of events, my first thought was to text Silvia the guitar player of the band, who had just dropped me to the airport, asking her to call me, as I had limited credit left! She called me and after explaining the situation, she called Stefano, typically regarded as the 'Father figure' of the band, who called me back in seconds. After talking the whole thing through with Stefano, We agreed that the best thing to do was to check some flight options within the next 48 hours. After 15 minutes Stefano called me back, on my Italian mobile, which was now nearly dead, with a list of options, none of which were ideal! The one that sounded most suitable was the flight that was supposedly booked up, according to the check in attendant! Stefano suggested that airlines may reserve the last tickets for online purchases, so even though the flight is declared as fully booked, they may actually still have some seats available to online customers. After little thought and deliberation, I asked Stefano to go ahead with the online booking, fearing that the other stranded folk may actually be trying to do the same thing as me. I thought it would be safer to ensure my chances of being back in time, as opposed to feeling sorry for myself for being in this position! Stefano did the deed, I was once again relieved, this time being that the online transaction went through and I was still going to be there to partake!

There was of course the other small issue of how to get back to my Italian home from the airport because my flight was not until the next day - with no car and very little Italian vocabulary! However I somehow found my way, being the hunter that I am!
The other problem was that I was supposed to be attending a rehearsal with my band as well as doing a Michael Jackson tribute performance the day after my original flight booking, but would now still be in the air on my flight home because of the cancellation. Of course, none of this was able to cloud the fact that come Saturday evening, I would be standing behind Stevie Wonder singing along with some of my favorite songs with such a great legend!

Find out more about the tour in part 6 ...

My Week on tour backing for Stevie Wonder, (Part 4).

2010-07-19T10:06:00.000+01:00

About 2 hours after hearing Andre explain how upset the groom was, he forwarded a text with a glimmer of hope. The text was sent to him by the bride. The bride turned out to be an ex college friend, from Brits school! The text read,
"Hi Andre, sorry I missed your call, just heard that Gavin can't make the wedding, just wondering if there is a sutable replacement in mind, or if not what do you advise as I don't know anyone else?"

It was the response that Andre had imagined, but of course, Andre was quick to explain the whole situation with his discussion with the groom, and shared that he did not want to let anyone down. The bride however, had made up her mind that Stevie Wonder was the right choice to take, regardless of the fact that it was going to be at the expense of her own wedding reception celebration!

Both Andre and I later spoke, knowing that the replacement was already in place, and we were very relieved that the bride had a totally different tone and outlook, as we were both sure that left down to the groom, who was even mentioning legal action (though no contracts were formed), I would have been obligated to do the wedding reception, and would have done so even just for conscience and peace of mind sake!

So the story continues, with me at the airport, two days before the first gig, after queuing for an hour at the check in desk, thirst kicks in, and so I decide to go for a quick drink at the bar. As I am finishing my pastry, someone, obviously from London judging by the accent, walks past me whilst muttering to her husband directly behind me "I don't like the look of that 'cancelled' sign next our check in desk." Realizing that she was probably on the same flight as me back to london, I looked over to the check in desk that I had left, and sure enough, there was a cancelled sign up! I looked on the electronic flight display above my head to see what that read, and I was not at all happy to see 'cancelled' next to my flight details.
Now trying hard not to panic, I rushed over to the small but growing crowd of people circling this poor check in attendant who was breaking the news to everyone that there was a strike with air traffic control. The questions from angry stranded folk came flooding in, none more important than, "when is the next flight back to london?". The response was one of the most gut wrenching statements I have ever endured! She calmly stated, "There is one tomorrow but it is fully booked, so I would try the other airlines to see if there is one on Saturday, because we dont have any scheduled before then!"

Now I am stuck in Italy, with the biggest engagement of my musical career 48 hours away, and I potentially have no way to arrive back in london for it!
To top it off, I hear a lady in the crowd mentioning to her friend, that she has tickets to see Stevie Wonder at Hyde Park on Saturday, and needs to get back!

Find out how I managed to get back in London on time, in part 5!

My Week on tour backing for Stevie Wonder (part 3)

2010-07-16T12:35:00.000+01:00

I called Andre, minutes later, to find out what was going on, and the long and short of the story, was that as Andre explained the situation to the groom, the response was far from positive, and Andre was met by a very angry response, detailing how much he was disappointed with being let down, after everything had been agreed and arranged, for what was going to be the biggest day of his life.
Naturally Andre quickly realised that perhaps he shouldn't have assumed that the couple would be so sympathic like himself, and perfusely appologised, explaining that he would not ever let the wedding suffer, and had already found a replacement for me. I think more than anything though, the groom perhaps didn't like the idea of someone casaully being swapped around for his special day, and felt that what ever was going to be arranged would have been a second rate mock up!
Andre in his haste to rectify the situation, was only quick to try and slot me back in, as not to both let the couple down, and also not to destroy his credible reputation.

I totally understood, and actually was under the impression that everyone was going to take this stance, to be honest, maybe even Andre. I decided that I would go back to my original plan of doing both engagements if I could, schedules permitting, and if I am made aware that the times conflict, I would simply have to pull out of the Stevie gigs, which was actually if I'm honest, seemed the more likely of the two!

What took place next however, was a divine miracle!

Find out in part 4!!

My Week on tour backing for Stevie Wonder, (Part 2).

2010-07-14T09:25:00.000+01:00

So its the day after the Wonder'ful call, (excuse the terrible pun....) and I a lying in bed wondering what to do with a potential tour with Stevie, and an important wedding day, both falling on the same day!
My first move was to call Andre, with the intention of doing both, if time schedules permit. When I call Andre he is otherwise engaged, so I plot my next move, which is to word a smart text message. The text read something like this..
"Hi Andre I need to speak with you asap about the wedding to find out the times we are required as I have just been called to do a UK tour with Stevie Wonder. Needless to say I would like to do the tour, but need to know if I can somehow juggle the gig and the wedding falling on the same day. Please call when you are free!"

I wasn't sure of the reaction I was going to get, but I was really worrying for around 24 hours, as Emily had told me that she needed to have a definate yes or no within the next day!! I didn't want to just say yes without a plan B, as I knew that the wedding was only days away, but at the same time, as the band mates in Italy all kept drilling home, 'Stevie Wonder is not the kind of gig you decline so easily'!

Andre soon after, flooded my phone witht text messages, which were pointing towards the situation working in my favour. The last of which saying, "Best thing might actually be for me to find someone to replace you, I will make some calls just in case.!" By now I am starting to feel a little less pressure, and half an hour later Andre calls me on my Italian line!

The greeting was alot more encouraging than I thought, especially as I thought perhaps there would be a slight ill-feeling of betrayal or panic, but Andre was really pleased to hear this opportunity of a lifetime, had landed straight in my lap! I was fearful that he may see it as a big let down, but he turned out to be really understanding about the whole situation, and had already arranged a mutual freind to step in last minute, in order to relieve me of the pressure of trying not to let anyone down, whilst not turning down a Stevie Wonder tour opportunity.

My concience would not have allowed me to tell him that I just cant make the gig, but Andre somehow figured that this was way to big a chance to let slide, and I realised once again how privilidged I was to be firstly, potentially sharing the stage with such an Icon, and second, the older brother of the Choral director handling the tour!!
Of course I still had to fire off a text of confirmation, which I did straight after the call; I needed not to worry about not being in the country for the rehearsals, as Emily had offered to excuse me for my absense; also indicating the role we were to play as the choral was not at all going to be a difficult or taxing in any way.

About an hour after speaking with Andre, and confirming that I could make the gigs with Emily, I recieved a text that hit me like a thunderbolt! Text read, "Gavin, there has been a major issue my end, I am going to need you to do the wedding we were booked for, please call me asap!"

Find out in part 3, how things got turned upside down, and the dramas of the 3 hours following this panic text!

My Week on tour backing for Stevie Wonder, (Part 1).

2010-07-12T00:52:00.001+01:00

I can imagine the 101 questions running through your head after seeing the title of this blog, none more interesting than "How did Gavin Holligan end up backing for Stevie Wonder, especially when he is supposed to be away working in Italy until October?!"

Well the story goes something like this..

I am dismounting my keyboard and mic stand after what has been a fairly good gig with my friends of the 'Six in the City' band, and decide that I really should give my mother a phone call to say hi, and more importantly happy birthday! Stefano, the drummer of the band, being the kind gentleman that he is, is always giving me the pleasure of using up the remaining few minutes of his free call time at the end of each day, but as i pull away off the stage I realise that I have left my own mobile phone behind at home and I don't know my Mother's number off by heart! So I call my sister Emily, who's number I have managed to memorise, knowing that both her and my mum would be a matter of feet away from each other.

I was glad to hear Emily scream for joy as she answered the call, as we spoke for the first time since my departure to Italy. But what I wasn't expecting was her million dollar question moments later. "What you doing this weekend G?". After declaring that I had a wedding appointment to play for, she casually sighed, "oh, I was going to ask you if you were up for doing some backing vocals for Stevie Wonder." I was like, what are you talking about? She explained she was asked to form a choral for a couple of Stevie Wonder dates, including Hyde Park and Glastonbury, and thought of me! By now I was blown away by the sheer magnitude of this type of engagement, and of course very proud to hear my younger sibling placed in such an honourable post, by any vocalist or vocal directors standards!

Immediately I realised that this call was no ordinary call!!

I was only calling my Mother to share my congrats on reaching another year, and happened to have to call my sister, who happened to be putting a choral for perhaps the greatest singer-songwriter alive, who happens to be my greatest musical inspiration and influence, and happens to be doing some live UK tour dates, within the same week that I happen to be scheduled back in the UK in preparation for my birthday celebration!!

There are sometimes in life, when you are carefully reminded, and not in a subtle way, that someone else actually writes the script of our lives, even when we like to think we know the plot best!

There was of course only one major issue. I quickly remembered the night before, and me reading the text that came through on my mobile, which made the whole situation quite complicated, and stopped me in my tracks daydreaming of singing behind one of the most respected musicians of all time!

Text from a good friend and talented musician 'Andre Brown', who had requested my availability from early 2010, reads, "Hi Gav, hope your cool, just reminding you about the wedding we were booked to do is next week (Saturday), the bride and groom have also confirmed that they have hired a Grand Piano for you to play! look forward to seeing you, speak soon bro!"

What would you do next if you were me?

Find out how things transpired, and why I nearly walked away from the chance of a life time.. in part 2, coming very soon!

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2010-04-18T01:33:00.000+01:00

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Alex Holland is gone, but not forgotten.

2010-04-13T10:05:00.001+01:00

Recently a friend of mine, a talented singer songwriter and musician by the name of Alex Holland, passed away after taking his own life at London Bridge. Naturally everyone that knew him or even knew of him was torn to pieces by this horrific news! It seems however that this was not the first attempt, and I was reminded of a time when he arrived at a gig we put on together called Chemistry in Brixton, wearing wristbands, often worn after failed suicide attempts.

As I talk to all those who know him, the frequent question that comes up seems to be simply 'why would someone with some much talent, promise and gifting want to end his own life?' Of course to the average onlooker, who sees the gift first, never realises that the soul carrying it may be possibly burdened underneath it? I look back into history and recall so many other super talents who either suffered from manic depression or some other kind of condition, and either tried to end their own lives or similar.
Donny Hathaway who jumped out of a window after carefully removing the frame from an apartment, and Elvis Presley, who was found with over 10 different pills at the time of his death, are just two of many people who decided that it was all too much.

I think it will be impossible to truly understand what it must be like to suffer from this terrible illness, which is driven by a chemical imbalance in the brain. We simply can't logically fathom what it must feel like, unless we have gone through a similar bout of trauma ourselves. The closest I can get to trying, is to imagine the dull ache and harsh reality of a broken heart, occuring in constant intervals, frequently.. Now that is something I wouldn't want to have live with personally!

Whatever the reason, and whatever the cause, this loss is too huge for any sain to justify, and I and countless others will always believe that what we shared with the beautiful man in Alex Holland, was too precious to now suddenly imagine as a thing of the past never to be repeated. He was loved in life, and will be adored in death.

Thank you Alex, for the wonderfull things you chose to share with us, and the internal suffering you overcame to do so! Though we may 'Keep on keeping on' you will never be 'put to the back of our minds'.

R.I.P My friend.

The EP is finally completed, but why so long?

2010-03-17T22:55:00.002Z

Well after 4 years of writing and recording, I have finally managed to finish and print a six track EP!! (Hooray), but why so long is the question I assume everyone asks... Well put simply, it took a long while to find myself and grow into my own sound!! I have always been writing, but never really considered myself as the person that should be the singer! I guess I need that time to figure out what suited my voice, what I wanted to say, how I wanted to say it, whilst making some half decent music! Pleased to say, I get alot of love for the tracks, with 'Beautiful Tale' usually evoking the most excitment from people, whilst Smiling Down somehow seems to hook onto people without out second thoughts or apologies! One of the other reasons for the project taking so long, is simply that I had to tour and gig abroad often, to keep my head above water! Many times sessions had to be put on hold till both Myself and the featured musician were available to hook up. Anyway long story short, I had to grow during that time, not to mention the fact that sometimes songs have a way of evolving into what you wern't expecting them to!! I am glad for the wait I hope you are pleased with what it has turned out to be, slightly smaller than the usual 10+ track album, but still able to sit comfortably on the 'favourite songs' playlist on itunes I hope!!

Would love to hear what you think? Feel free to leave me a comment!

Click here to check out the songs!