Gavin Fox - Awakened
Gavin Fox is an Irish singer-songwriter whose music empowers and uplifts. In the time and space of the 2020 lockdown, he discovered a hidden talent for storytelling through song. Emotions poured out from deep inside him, resulting in some of the most piercingly compelling and honest songs on the island of Ireland in the last year. His writing has already seen him receive national coverage from RTÉ, as well as Hot Press Magazine, Classic Hits 4FM, Red FM, Shannonside, KCLR and KFM, and international coverage from Music Crowns, YMX, London Peaky, Latin Post, Roadie Music Brazil and Nene’s Butler.
Gavin Fox has been quietly building up a following as one of the songwriters to watch in 2022. ‘Awakened’ is the name of his debut album – named after his experience of ‘waking up to himself’, as he describes it. Hearing his work makes it hard to believe, but Gavin Fox in fact only began writing music two years ago.
This album represents a life changing experience. Fox embarked upon a liberating process of self-discovery at the age of forty. And, in so doing, he awakened a creativity for music and song he never knew existed. He picked up a guitar for the very first time and shortly after started writing some of the most honest and compelling songs you are likely to hear.
“I realised I had created an image that I portrayed to the outside world, it wasn’t the real me – I was constantly comparing myself to others, trying to live up to this persona. It was exhausting. Sometimes the most painful thing you can do is look deep within yourself. If it’s dark, you don’t want to go there again. But it was the best thing I ever did. I now know it is truly amazing what you can find when you awaken your soul.”
This album took 40 years to write. It is a collection of stories. Some are personal. Some inspired by the stories of others. The music style spans alternative folk, Americana and rock, with acoustic guitar at its heart. And, for those looking for more depth, there is meaning in every lyric.
Seen in this way, it becomes small wonder the songs are having the international appeal they have been having. Fox’s songs have an unassuming wisdom woven into their profound simplicity. “I’m proud of this album, and I want to share it, but it’s not about me trying to be a superstar. It’s about me sharing my story and perhaps inspiring somebody else to awaken their soul, to connect with their true self and unlock undiscovered creativity they might have inside themselves.”
In opening track Lay Down Low, previously released as one of the album singles, you hear the elements of Irish trad music, therefore this artist's origin is undeniable. The lyrics are honest, relatable, personal.
Fox shows his vocal range throughout this album, from the deep depths to high notes. He goes from gentle folk songs to the datker rock tracks. The Tale of Broken Man is a perfect example of the latter. A song that paints a vidid picture of the darkness within.
The Journey has a chanson flavour, an introspective track with an evocative melody in which Fox is pouring his heart out. The line "what would my purpose be - exist and expire peacefully" hits the listener in the face with its sincerty and nearly unbearable reality, making whoever hears it realize we only have one life to live and we should make the best of it while we can.
This album is an inspirational collection that can serve as a motivation to anyone who feels it might be too late to follow their dreams and the path they're supposed to be on. As long as you're breathing and you've got the desire in your heart, it's never too late.