Interview with Audrey Gallagher
Hi Audrey, it is an absolute pleasure to have been given the chance to interview you. You are one of my all time favourite vocalists, so to be interviewing you is nothing short of amazing but nerve wrecking at the same time. :)
Thank you for asking me, the pleasure is all mine.
Firstly, a warm welcome from Trance Hub! How are you doing today? What are you doing at the moment?
Thank you. I’m doing great today. It has finally stopped raining after 10 days straight 24/7. At the moment I’m in my PJs drinking tea and doing an interview for Trance Hub.
In my opinion you are most probably known to be one of the first ladies in trance, from your track with Agnelli & Nelson "Holding On To Nothing". I remember hearing that song when I was still a little kid and fell in love with it instantly and most probably from there on my love for vocal trance grew. How did this collaboration come about and would you say this was the start of your career in trance music?
Haha, you just made me feel really old. Chris and Robbie (Agnelli & Nelson) heard some demos from my Lima project (whole other story) that I’d been working on with my former bandmate Neal Calderwood. They liked my voice and got in touch. I hadn’t worked in EDM before, my background is more rock based but I loved the music they sent and went down to their studio with my ragged old 4 track and played them what I’d done and they really liked it. We shot a video in the freezing cold and laughed a lot. After that I really didn’t think too much about it. We had no idea how much people would embrace it.
You’ve had the chance to collaborate with the worlds #1 DJ Armin van Buuren on your track "Hold On To Me". Can you give us a little inside gossip on how this experience was for you?
I was introduced to Armin by John O’Callaghan. Armin had championed "Big Sky" and his support was instrumental in it’s success. He asked me if I would be interested in working with him on his album and I said, okay, sure. He sent me a couple of demos and the one I chose to work on became "Hold On To Me". I was drawn to the feel of the original demo. The guitars were beautiful with an almost "hopeful" sound and I think that’s where I drew my inspiration from. I went over to Holland to Armin’s studio, we recorded the vocals and he made me sandwiches. He was very easy to work with.
Your style of singing has been described as sweet and angelic. Often this sound doesn’t appeal to many people in my opinion – it’s unique and this is what gives you an advantage over the rest. How would you describe your sounds?
My sounds?? I just open my mouth and what comes out, comes out. I don’t really have that much control over it, it is what it is. I completely understand that it may not be everyone’s cup of tea but that’s okay. Unique is good, I’m fine with that. It seems that my voice and my words connect with some people on a positive level and that’s as good as I could ask or hope for.
You collaborated with one of the biggest rising talents, Australia’s #1 DJ TyDi. Can u tell us a little more about this professional relationship? How was it working with TyDi?
It’s always a pleasure to work with TyDi, he’s a really talented musician and I have massive respect for what he does as well as massive respect for him as a person. We get on really well and have become good friends. He knows the kind of music that inspires me to write and he trusts what I do which is hugely important to me.
Out of all the collaborations you’ve done, which one would you say is special to you/your personal favourite and why?
Oh I couldn’t play favourites, they’re all my babies. Every collaboration is special really. It’s an extraordinary thing to see and hear songs take shape from their infancy. Everyone I work with brings something different to the table which is why I choose to work with them. I think each new track becomes favourite for a while simply because it’s new. "Bring Back The Sun" with John O’Callaghan has a special place. John sent a short piano piece to me that he wasn’t sure what to do with. I loved the frailty of it immediately. I was in a pretty dark place at the time having had a severe quad bike accident and shattering my shoulder and I suppose it really reflects how I was feeling at the time.
My personal favourite Audrey Gallagher song has to be "You Walk Away" without a doubt. Can you take us through the process of writing this song and the meaning/inspiration behind it? :)
This was the first song we wrote together. TyDi sent the music to me and as with all tracks I choose to work on I was struck by the beautiful melody and the melancholy in it. To me the music felt that it moved between sadness and anger and that’s where the melodic and lyrical inspiration comes from. It isn’t so much a story but more a series of emotions reflected in the music. That’s what I always aim to do.
Your new track with Mark Eteson "Breathe On My Own" blew up on the charts and has been doing damage in many DJs sets. It’s a favourite and is played in almost all of Gareth Emery’s sets. I’ve heard it live two times and was blown away both times. What were your thoughts when you first heard it live and what is the story behind the track?
The first time I heard it live was when I sang it for the first time in Malta. As writers/vocalists we rarely get to experience our songs "live" in the way that our co-writers/DJs do. They get to see and feel the reaction from people in a way that we very oftern don’t. Mark and I have known each other for a few years and we always talked about writing a track together but never did anything about it. Then, out of the blue, he sent me what became "Breathe On My Own", I fell in love with it instantly. It took a while to nail it the way I wanted to lyrically and vocally but I think it was worth it. I think Mark thinks so too. The support from Garuda and particularly Gareth Emery has been immense.
"Big Sky" with John O’Callaghan is now considered a trance classic. How does this make you feel and how did the song and lyrics come to be?
It’s incredible that the track has taken on a life of it’s own. I don’t think that either John or myself could have anticipated the reaction. It came about completely by accident through a random conversation with Agnelli & Nelson. I hadn’t done much writing in EDM before, not since "Holding Onto Nothing". John sent me the track and it just happened I suppose. Me and my boyfriend were lying in the back garden I think he said something like "It’s a big sky isn’t it" and the rest is history. Thankfully John liked it and it definately sparked my career in EDM.
Talking about inspirations where do you draw your inspiration from? And how do you handle the writers block?
Inspiration can come from anywhere, a line in a book, a chance conversation, anywhere. I have eternal writers block, I don’t find songwriting a very easy process. I suppose it’s like any kind of block, you have to work through it. Very often it’s when you’re on the verge of giving up on it that the breakthrough comes.
Do you remember your first performance? And If you had to compare you first performance to one of your latest performances how would you describe the differences and in which areas do you think you’ve improved?
I don’t remember my very first musical performance, I would imagine it was probably when I was around 3 years old. My first EDM performance however I will never forget and there are a lot of others who won’t let me forget either. I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared. I was a bit like a rabbit caught in headlights. Over the years I’ve become a lot more comfortable performing and I prefer smaller audiences to the 20,000 I had first time round. I’ve also learned what I require soundwise which is the real difference. What you’re hearing on stage is so important and a lot of venues aren’t set up to take live vocals so it can be a struggle sometimes to get the right sound. It’s getting better though as more and more of us are gigging these days. I’ve learned to embrace and enjoy it now. There is no feeling in the world like personally connecting with people through your music. Sometimes I can barely sing I’m smiling so much.
Recently on Twitter and Facebook, you announced that you are walking away from singing. :( With this announcement you broke many adoring fans’ hearts. What brought on this decision?
It’s not an easy decision to make but when you wake up every day feeling apprehensive and ready for battle it’s not a good place to be. It’s not the music or singing that I’m walking away from, that would be impossible. If I could find a way to make music without dealing with business I’d be in heaven. Music will always be the biggest part of who I am, I can’t breathe without it.
It’s a known fact that the music industry is filled with many ups and downs, haters and lovers as well as industry politics. How do you as a singer deal with all the stress and pressures and troubles?
Obviously I didn’t deal with it well at all. The haters don’t bother me. They used to until I realised it’s the same half dozen people trolling everywhere. My mother always says "While they’re talking shit about you they’re leaving somebody else alone who’s not as able to deal with it" and she’s right. It’s the industry politics that are the killer. That stuff will beat every inch of creativity out of you if you let it. The lovers are like little guardian angels sitting on your shoulder. The only thing you can do is remove yourself from the bad stuff and concentrate on what makes you do this in the first place. That’s not always easy.
I admire the fact that you are not afraid to speak your mind and you always tell it the way it is without beating round the bush. Has this strength of yours ever gotten you into major trouble?
I’m not afraid to speak my mind. I believe in telling it how it is and I make no apologies for that. It gets me in trouble all the time but by the same token the people it gets me in trouble with generally didn’t have any regard for my opinion in the first place.
We constantly see many producers collaborating and producing songs together. However, we never hear of vocalists teaming up and collaborating with other vocalists on a song. Is there a reason for this and what is your opinion on this issue?
Interesting question. I’ve never actually thought about it before. I don’t think there’s any reason for us not doing it. Maybe we’re just busy with our own stuff, I don’t know. It would be interesting to hear though.
I know besides your love for music you have a great passion and love for cars. You recently had the chance to race on the Nürburgring Race Track in NL (I’m jealous and I know a lot of guys will be too). How was this experience for you?
The Nürburgring is not known as "The Green Hell" for nothing!!! It was an incredible experience. For anyone who likes cars it’s the ultimate experience. You have NO idea what’s up ahead. It’s inexplicable, you just have to do it. This thing throws EVERYTHING at you, I remember I swore A LOT. Some people abuse it though and accidents are unfortunately too frequent. I’ve just bought a Mitsubishi Evo as a track day car and my plan for next year is to drive all the major European tracks… Can’t wait. I’m also about to take rally driving lessons.
You also have a huge love and passion for wine and cooking. What’s your favourite dish to cook and how do you go about picking a divine wine?
I LOVE to cook, it’s the most theraputic thing in the world after music and fast cars. I like to cook sharing food. I particularly like cooking Indian/Thai/Chinese food where it’s all very hands on with lots of dishes where a meal can last for hours. In good company there’s nothing like it. I’m taking some cookery lessons at the moment to improve my skills. I’m no chef though, not by any stretch of the imagination. I’m no wine connoissseur either although I should be going by the amount of it I’ve drank!!! I joined a good wine club so that’s quite educational and they deliver to my door so double whammy. Otherwise I buy expensive wines when they’re on special offer (don’t we all??).
If we ever had to make it up to Ireland what in your opinion would we have to do in order to experience proper Irish culture?
Get in the car and drive around this beautiful place. It never ceases to amaze me in its colour. Stop off in random towns you’ve never heard of, book into a B&B, have a pint, listen to some traditional music & relax.
Quick fire
If I wasn’t a singer I’d be… An Oranguatan
A passion of mine besides music… Rugby
One thing I’d love to do before I die… Work in Borneo with Oranguatans
Ice cream or cake? Cake
6 packs or beerbellys? A Beerbelly carrying a 6 pack
You would be surprised to find songs by … on my iPod Dolly Parton
The last place I visited was… My Mums
What did the last text message you received say and what did you reply to it? "What time are you coming over" "Bout 7"
Lastly, do you have any messages for your fans and Trance Hubbers out there, as well as any words of wisdom to aspiring singers/songwriters?
Thank you every single one of you Trance Hubbers for all the amazing support you’ve shown me year in year out. As for "Words of wisdom" the only advice I can offer to aspiring singers/songwriters is to trust your gut and stand your ground. Find your own voice and be comfortable in it.
It was an absolute pleasure interviewing you. Thank you again for giving us the opportunity and taking the time out of you busy schedule to answer our questions. We definitely will catch up soon. :D
PS: Is there no way we can convince you to keep making amazing heart touching songs?
Thank you for having me. We’ll see what the future holds. I’m working on a couple of things that I had already committed to so you may hear them in the not too distant future.
For more info related to Audrey Gallagher check out the following links:
www.twitter.com/audreygallagher
www.facebook.com/AudreyGallagherOfficial
www.myspace.com/aureus20
Written by: Yasmin
I trully love AUDREY is my dream to collaborate with her.