Irish composer Gerard O'Donnell has released his new composition, Solstice. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
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A graduate of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, his compositions are deeply rooted in the rich tradition of Irish storytelling.
Speaking about the track, Gerard says, "Opening the piano to write Solstice was like lifting the lid of a chest of sound from where a whole tapestry began to unravel before me.
"It was written in the wild of night, following unquiet conversations and from that place where there is only music, where there is always music. It led me as much as I crafted it."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I'm an Irish composer and pianist from County Donegal who's a graduate of the Royal Irish Academy Music and Trinity where I studied music. I come from a large family of ten children and we were all sent to piano lessons from a young age. I'm obsessed with the Moon and reflect this in my work a lot.
How would you describe your music?
The music I am currently creating wraps itself around an original story which I've written. Therefore, it is highly narrative or descriptive music and consists of songs as well as instrumental pieces. I'd describe the songs as "moody folk" while the instrumental pieces aim to portray a more epic feel. Although I'm classically trained and studied piano under Hugh Tinney and John O'Conor, there is an indelible Celtic feel to everything I write and so people might say that my music is Irish/Classical or Classical/Irish depending on where your ear is at.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I really love The Irrepressibles for how they approach building their albums which are quite conceptual in how they are put together and they tell a story. There's also a delicacy to what they produce which I find very inspiring. In terms of lyricists, I think Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine) is one of the most important artists of the past 15 years or so as well as being an outstanding vocalist.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Arcade Fire in Dublin many years ago. Incredible gig, amazing staging, operatic performances from every band member and beautiful visuals running throughout. Before that it was all classical recitals.
What was the first record you ever bought?
White on Blonde by Texas stands out in my memory (Mercury Records, 1997). Coming from such a large family where everyone was equally obsessed with their own styles and genres, I tended to 'steal' records from my siblings rather than buy...it was a house where music didn't stop, where Prodigy to Prokofiev could be heard competing in the kitchen.
What's your favourite song right now?
My favourite song changes like the wind (and remember I'm from Donegal) from one day to the next....at the moment I really like listening to Caleb Arredondo's Echo Sax. He's a composer and lyricist and his saxophone music is so evocative. The breathiness to the instrument and the loneliness of it when it plays solo is very impacting.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"I took the stars from my eyes and then I made a map, And knew that somehow I could find my way back, And I heard your heart beating, you were in the darkness too, So I stayed in the darkness with you" Cosmic Love by Florence + The Machine
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
In This Heart by Sinéad O'Connor. It's an acapella piece and despite the absence of instruments, other than the human voice, it weaves such density and builds tension in a way that any orchestra would be proud of.
Where can people find your music/more information?
I'm on all major music sharing platforms, Spotify, Vevo, YouTube, Tidal, iTunes and come follow me on Instagram @gerard_piano.
Alan Corr
