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Photo : Brian David Stevens
Photo : Brian David Stevens
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| “ There’s nobody quite like Graham Dowdall aka Gagarin “ Boiler Room TV 2015 Graham ‘ Dids ‘ Dowdall aka Gagarin has been making music on the edges of the musical galaxy for many years in many guises. As Gagarin he works alone crafting instrumental electronica that doesn’t adhere to any particular scene or style and draws on influences ranging from contemporary classical to techno and every point in between and beyond. The music is atmospheric, melodic and sometimes beaty characterised by a combination of field recordings, gorgeous synth melodies, tough abstract beats and a sophisticated yet accessible approach to composition. Gagarin has released several albums on his own Geo imprint as well as contributing tracks and remixes to a large number of compilations and releases by other acts. His latest album Aoticp was released in Summer 2015 and follows the much acclaimed Biophilia in 2011. As well as Gagarin, Dids is also a member of avant rock legends Pere Ubu for whom he provides digital synthesis, keys and samples , a duo Roshi feat. Pars Radio with Iranian songstress Roshi who create what has been described as “ Welsh-Iranian folktronica “, another duo Low Bias with Rothko leader Mark Beazley and is an occasional member of world beat pioneers Suns of Arqa. He has also released a cassette Outside Broadcast in his given name Graham Dowdall for Touch’s cassette imprint Tapeworm. Graham is also a busy and highly respected Community Musician, Lecturer at Goldsmiths and Trainer, using his musical skills for the benefits of disadvantaged groups across the country. A boy soprano in his early youth he turned to drumming in teenage years before a short career as a community lawyer. Returning his attentions to full-time music making in 1980 with Abracadabra Fools Theatre early adventures in cult Manchester band Ludus were followed by a sustained period playing and co-writing with the legendary Nico of the Velvet Underground. He's since recorded and collaborated with John Cale, Suns of Arqa, Eric Random, David Thomas & Pere Ubu, Bill Pritchard, Roshi feat Pars Radio, Low Bias, Raf and O and many others and has played festival, club and other gigs across the globe for the last thirty five years. The Gagarin project was started in the late 90’s following trips to Russia which included playing at the Tabyk shamanist music festival in Yakutsk and the notorious Britronica festival in Moscow. He’s been working with David Thomas and Pere Ubu since the early 2000s, initially as a guest in 2 Pale Boys then as Sound Mixer before being invited to fully join the band for the last 4 albums (Long Live Pere Ubu, Lady from Shanghai, Carnival of Souls and 20 years in a Missile Silo), numerous European and UK tours and special projects. www.ubuprojex.com Roshi featuring Pars Radio started around 2007 and have released two full length albums plus several EPs, singles and contributions to compilations. Gagarin helped Roshi to realise a re-scoring of Mary Pickford’s Amarilly of Clothes Line Alley at the Southbank, produces the records and contributes beats, field recordings and atmospheres to complement Roshi’s ethereal voice, keyboards and songwriting. www.roshi.biz In the Suns of Arqa he has provided beats and more alongside Youth, Pritam Singh, Arqa founder Wadada and Angel A at festivals including Glastonbury, Big Chill, Eden and others. www.sunsofarqa.co.uk Low Bias have released two albums – the Oak and the Ash, and Spores. www.tracerecordings.com Gagarin is also in demand as a remixer making his unique mark on tracks by a wide range of artists including Robert Logan, You are Wolf, Weird Gear, Blk w Bear, Hybernation, Spaceheads, Cuz and many more. A regular on the UK live electronica scene, in recent times he's played pretty much every event that has arisen in that scene across the country and beyond. His unique live approach uses a combination of hardware samplers, drumpads, effects and ipads enabling him to re-interpret compositions through improvisation into abstract atmospheres, thundering beatscapes and a myriad of other soundworlds. Several interviews on the Sound Vision Words page detail the Gagarin story and much more. All Gagarin and Roshi feat. Pars Radio records are available from our distributor Kudos https://www.kudosrecords.co.uk/label/geo-record-label.html as well as many record shops, webstores and download sites including itunes. For up to date gig and other news please like and follow the Gagarin facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/pages/GAGARIN/81533059428 |
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