Gavin Bradley

Gavin Bradley is an award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and producer based in Toronto who has worked with artists like Nelly Furtado, Tori Amos and Jane Siberry. Fusing acoustic and electronic elements, his work is identifiable for its signature "warm" piano sound and live strings mixed with filtered synthesizers and other electronic manipulations ¹. Besides production, Bradley is a solo recording artist. His debut album 'Deep Freeze' was released on UMI Records in 2006.

Early years

Growing up in Ottawa, Bradley began studying classical piano at four. At age 10, he obtained a pre-1900 Nordheimer upright piano. Bradley eventually used a sampler to record each key of this oddly detuned piano at many different volumes, recreating a digital version of it to be used as an organic centerpiece in his recordings and later on in his live shows. Also studying jazz saxophone from 14, saxophonists Stuart Matthewman of Sade, Branford Marsalis and John Coltrane were early influences.

In his early teens Bradley developed a strong interest in creating and manipulating music electronically using synthesizers, turntables, tape splicing and effects units. Some electronic influences Bradley cites are experimental Toronto band Syrinx led by Anne Murray keyboardist John Mills-Cockell, early Pink Floyd, Tomita, Giorgio Moroder, Eurythmics, Yaz, Thomas Dolby, Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode, New Order, William Orbit and Björk.

Early Studio Work

In 1991, Bradley relocated to Toronto to study film and music at York University. In 1992 he began an apprenticeship in Toronto recording studio Number Nine Sound and later was an assistant engineer at R&B production house TazzDab Productions. His early production work included remixes for R&B singer Carlos Morgan, Canadian independent artist Jane Siberry and as well as Sony Music artist Esthero. In 1994, Bradley released his first album under the guise of Parade Of Old Souls on Bass-Relief Records. Entitled "Little Locked Boxes" and split into two sections (the proper album and a series of remixes under the heading of "appendices of interest"), Bradley crafted a sound akin to the dark-wave of Depeche Mode yet reflecting the atmosphere of the Toronto ambient-goth scene, with lush synth-strings, brittle piano melodies, and deep vocals lamenting over the arrival and departure of love.

Collaborations

Through Esthero's manager, Canadian Idol judge Zack Werner, Bradley met and began collaborating with Jon Levine, songwriter and keyboard player for The Philosopher Kings. Together they worked with EMI artist Dayna Manning and received a Best R&B Recording Juno Award for JackSoul's 'Sleepless' album on BMG Records. In 2007 they collaborated on 'Calling to Say' for EMI artist Serena Ryder, which rose to No. 1 on the Canadian charts.

Bradley's work on Nelly Furtado's third album 'Loose' brought him to the attention of Los Angeles writer-producer Rick Nowels resulting in collaborations on material for Joss Stone, Kylie Minogue, Charlotte Church and Shaznay Lewis of All Saints. Holly Knight, another Los Angeles writer-producer brought Bradley in to work on material for The Donnas, Alaina Beaton and Joe Elliot of Def Leppard.

Solo Singer-Songwriter Work

In 2006 Bradley released 'Deep Freeze', his first solo album as a singer-songwriter, on Prozzak/Philosopher Kings guitarist James Bryan's label UMI Records. In Canadian newspaper The National Post interviewer Mike Doherty refers to 'Bradley's trademark piano, which sounds as though it were recorded underwater'². In that article, Bradley explains that his breathy vocals and organic piano sound are intentionally set against inhuman, icy beats and sterile analog synthesizer sweeps to accentuate their warmth and humanness by contrast. In 2006 and 2007 Bradley toured the album in Canada with James Bryan's project Sunshine State. The tracks 'In The Way', 'Games', 'Love Song 1968', 'I Wonder Where You Are' and 'Deep Freeze' enjoyed radio play in Canada and the U.S.

House Music Projects

Under the alias Gavo, Bradley has also produced a steady stream of remixes including work for Atlantic Records artist Tori Amos, EMI artist Thomas Dolby and Nelly Furtado. In 2000 his remix of Furtado's 'I'm Like A Bird' was cited as a Dance Hot Plate in Billboard Magazine.

Bradley also maintains ongoing collaborations with Toronto DJ Dwayne Minard with disco-house project Righteous and electro-funk project White Punks On Dope. The Righteous single 'Love Is Love' featuring New York singer MJ White on vocals was released on the prestigious UK-based Hed Kandi label. White Punks On Dope have performed live at various locales around Toronto, including Shane Percy's Candybar party series in 2007. House singles recorded with Toronto DJ Deko-ze have been released on Toronto-based Hi-Bias Records under the moniker Deko-ze'n'Gavo.

Solo discography

DJ Meme ft. Gavin Bradley - "The Sun Is Coming Out"
Gavin Bradley - "Deep Freeze" (Full Length CD)
Gavin Bradley & James Bryan - "And I Love Her"
Gavin Bradley & James Bryan - "Norwegian Wood"
James Bryan & Gavin Bradley - "Kelly"
Righteous ft. Gavin Bradley - "In The Way"

Writing & Production Discography

Anjulie - "Real Man"
Anjulie - "Today"
Dayna Manning - "Anytown"
Deko-ze'n'Gavo - "This Time"
Deko-ze'n'Gavo - "Explosive"
Fritz Helder & The Phantoms - "Greatest Hits" (Full Length CD)
Gavo - "Four-Story House" (EP)
Gavin Bradley ft. Melissa Stylianou - "I Lose You"
Parade Of Old Souls - "Little Locked Boxes" (Full Length CD)
Parade Of Old Souls - "Little Locked Remixes" (EP)
Parade Of Old Souls - "Statues" (Full Length CD)
Parade Of Old Souls - "Monuments" (EP)
Righteous - "The DJ Plays"
Righteous - "Soul Clappin'"
Serena Ryder - "Calling To Say (Merry Christmas)" - Canadian A/C Radio #1
White Punks On Dope ft Ricky Franco - "Emergency"
White Punks On Dope ft. Barbi Castelvi - "I'm Done"
White Punks On Dope - "Destination: House"
White Punks On Dope ft Fritz Helder - "Chemicalz"

Production Discography

Alaina Beaton - "Normal For A Day"
Brother Love Canal - "A New Level" (EP)
Careless - "Close The Door"
Careless - "Never Far"
Charlotte Church - "Safe In My Arms"
Chrissie Hynde & Michel Bérubé - "Laisse-Moi T'Aimer"
The Donnas - "Here For The Party"
Esthero - "Windmills Of My Mind"
Esthero - "Getting Better"
Esthero - "Feelin' Alright"
JackSoul - "Can't Stop" - Best R&B Juno Award
JackSoul - "She's Gone"
JackSoul - "I Miss You"
Joe Elliot - "Wanna Piece"
Joss Stone - "Unbreakable"
Kaci - "I Think I Love You" - UK Top 5
Kurt Stylez - "Car Wash"
Kylie Minogue - "Whenever You Feel Like It"
LeAnn Rimes - "You Are"
LP - "Till It's Over"
L.E.X. ft. Niki Haris - "Give Me The Music"
Nelly Furtado - "Special To You"
Nelly Furtado - "Run Away"
Righteous - "Stay Together"
Righteous - "Unknown Pleasures"
Righteous - "Solace"
Righteous - "MHR"
Righteous ft. MJ White - "Love Is Love"
Shaznay Lewis (All Saints) - "OMG"

Remix Discography

69 Duster - "Candy Girl"
Anne Murray - "Someone Else Today"
Beck - "Mixed Bizness"
Brandy - "Almost Doesn't Count"
Brother Love Canal - "So Far Away"
Carlos Morgan - "Feelin' Alright"
Carlos Morgan - "Get Down To It"
Dayna Manning - "I'm The Girl"
Donatella Movement ft. MJ White - "Love Can Be"
Esthero - "Heaven Sent"
Esthero - "Country Livin'"
Esthero - "That Girl"
JackSoul - "Never Say Goodbye"
James Bryan - "Beautiful World"
James Bryan - "I Left My Heart In Brooklyn"
Jane Siberry - "The Taxi Ride"
Jane Siberry - "I Muse Aloud"
Jane Siberry - "Mimi On The Beach"
Jon Levine - "Hot Girls"
Keshia Chanté - "2U"
Mic Boogie - "Everybody's Doin' It"
Mic Boogie - "Good Look"
Nelly Furtado - "Party's Just Begun"
Nelly Furtado - "I'm Like A Bird" - Billboard Dance Hot Plate
Nelly Furtado - "Try"
The Nylons - "Smalltown Boy"
Michelle Blade - "Crying Over You"
Meeka - "Whatcha Gonna Do"
My Dear Heretic - "I'm Not Driving"
Rhea's Obsession - "Waves (Take Me Alive)"
Senor Kasio - "Big Fake Turkey"
The Philosopher Kings - Supersex 69"
The Philosopher Kings - "Charms"
Public Enemy - "Public Enemy No. 1"
Thomas Dolby - "She Blinded Me With Science"

Tori Amos - "Horses" - Dance Music Authority citation
Tori Amos - "Putting The Damage On"
Usher - "You Make Me Wanna"

External links

Gavin Bradley Official Site

• Gavin Bradley at MySpace
• Apathy Is Boring Profile

Righteous Official Site

• Righteous at MySpace
• White Punks On Dope at MySpace

References

¹National Post Interview
²National Post Interview