Gavin Strappe on SoundBetter

Gavin Strappe is a Grand Ole Opry featured artist & award-winning musician. Gavin graduated with First Class Honours in Music Performance and is a member of the Irish bluegrass band JigJam which tours extensively throughout North America. ‘Strappe is a phenomenal four-string tenor banjo player’-The Riverfront Times

My primary instruments are the Irish tenor banjo and mandolin.
I am a member of the award winning Irish bluegrass band JigJam and tour extensively throughout North America performing at some of this region’s most prestigious venues including The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN. Our album Phoenix won Best Americana Album at the 18th Independent Music Awards and our most recent album “Across The Pond” has received critical acclaim from renowned publications such as No Depression, Entertainment Tonight & Bluegrass Today. TV appearances including Ireland’s flagship late night show ‘The Late Late Show’.

I have recorded extensively with JigJam as well as featuring as a session musician on a number of Irish Country and folk records. I specialise in the genres of Irish, Bluegrass, Country, Folk and Singer-Songwriter material. I specialise in both songs and instrumentals. If you have an idea of what you want my instruments to play, I am happy to create that while i am also just as comfortable to play what i feel your track needs. I specialise in both solos and accompaniment whether it's rhythmic, cross-picking, tremolo etc.

Upon hiring me you will receive professional service and i will make sure that you are 100% happy with your track. I look forward to working on your project and helping it to sound great! If you have any questions please contact me below :)

Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.

Credits

JigJam

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Interview with Gavin Strappe

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: My latest album with JigJam latest release ‘Across The Pond’ has received critical acclaim from renowned publications such as No Depression, Entertainment Tonight, American Songwriter and The Riverfront Times. My role was playing mandolin and tenor banjo. The theme of ‘Across the Pond’ is to creatively celebrate the deep connection between Ireland and North America through newly composed material that is a dynamic fusion of Bluegrass, Old Time and Irish Traditional music. By also including traditional tunes and songs which are popular amongst the people from both Irish and American traditions, we will add their voice to this transatlantic conversation. JigJam's unique style will be shown to echo the diversified nature of both these traditions and their people. This album has been inspired and composed on themes of immigration, nostalgia, cultural difference and cultural amalgamation. It views the immigrant experience through the lens of pre-immigration, the journey of immigration itself and their life upon having settled in North America.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: My aim is always for 100% client satisfaction. I genuinely care about helping to make your song sound the best it possibly can.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: The vision they have for their project. How I can help them achieve that. Their requested turn around time.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Reach out to me and tell me about your project and your vision for it and how i can help. I'm always excited to contribute to new projects.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Macbook, interface, condenser mic, headphones and banjo
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I graduated with First Class Honours in Music Performance from DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama in 2013 and in 2014 completed a Masters of Education from The University of Limerick. Since then i have been a full time performing and recording musician.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Clean, sensitive and an attention to detail.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Bela Fleck and Gerry O'Connor because they're music inspired as a younger musician and still does to this day.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Good headphones and a good Mic are key.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Bluegrass, Irish, Folk and Country.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I always try to listen as much as I can and i ask myself the question-'Is what I'm playing adding positively to the song?' I think this approach leads to recording parts which enhance the song.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: My aim is always to compliment the song. Every choice i make is about bettering the song-sometimes this requires texture, space, rhythm, etc. If i am recording a solo i want to make it melodic and coherent with the song.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I'll listen to the track numerous times before starting any work. I'll map out the chords and make an arrangement for my instrument and decide what i want to play, where i will play and perhaps most importantly-decide on the parts which i don't need to play.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Universal Audio Volt 2 interface & Condenser microphone, Studio monitor headphones, Grace design Felix Preamp, DAW: Logic Pro X
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Gerry O'Connor, Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, Chris Thile, Billy Strings, The Chieftains, Damien O'Kane.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Adding mandolin and banjo parts to songs ranging from soft singer-songwriter to hard driving bluegrass. Instrumental Irish music on both banjo and mandolin. Solo's on both banjo and mandolin for a range of styles from country, bluegrass and folk.