GOJO’ MUSIC is the term musician / singer-songwriter Gary O’Dea uses to describe his musical output. It became the name of his publishing and record label in 2006. Gary’s influences stretch far and wide across many genres of music…blues / country / funk / soul / reggae and a healthy dollop of rock n roll. He’s never been afraid to blend them all up and serve a musical dish that feeds a healthy musical appetite. Artists such as Ronnie Lane (Small Faces / Faces / Slim Chance) have been a major influence alongside the late great Joe Strummers work with both The Clash and The Mescaleros.
Gary has recorded and worked live with many notables over the years such as the wonderful Martin Stephenson (GOJO’ MUSIC’S debut 4 track EP/CD titled ‘Twenty Years Of Love and Pain…they hurt the same’) that was produced by Martin and released on the GOJO’ MUSIC label in June 2006 to critical acclaim. 2007 saw Gary’s previous back catalogue (originally released via the Birmingham based Anew Music label) made available through GOJO’ MUSIC. This included the CD/Album ‘Love Hounds & Fortune Cookies’ and also the CD/EP ‘Sittin’ On Your Fence’ (which features amongst others…Steve Gibbons / PJ Wright and Gary Lammin). Again these were all received with excellent reviews at their time of release. Gary’s back catalogue of releases are available via his music page on his Bandcamp site http://garyodea-gojomusic.bandcamp.com/
Gary’s musical journeys have seen him tour around Britain many times over his career and also recently in Ireland, plus in past years two music visits to the USA. Gary has appeared with full band line-ups and scaled down acoustic performances / solo performances in venues ranging from intimate little clubs to Civic Halls and Festivals including The Civic Hall – Wolverhampton, The Glastonbury Festival, Birmingham Arts Festival, The Sage Theatre – Gateshead (as part of the SummerTyne Festival) and many more – including the legendary Anti-Folk night at The Sidewalk Cafe – Greenwich Village (East) New York City on a trip out to the USA in June 2008 and California bars and festival dates in 1996.
At the end of 2008 Gary hit the pause button on music…he didn’t know it was to be for the length of time that it was. After a 3 year ‘life’ sabbatical Gary put a ‘toe back in the musical water’ so to speak and in December 2011 played his first gig (solo) in 3 years. Through 2012 he gigged both solo and with additional musicians and released Looking Forward By Thinking Back a reworking of some of his back catalogue, this limited edition album acted as a reintroduction / re-launch nationally of Gary and his songs. 2013 saw Gary playing consistently around the country building up an excellent profile of his warm intimate style. 2014 saw this continue…and in November 2014 Gary began work on the long awaited new solo album of unrecorded songs entitled FLY. Sept 2015 saw the release of the album to critical acclaim along with a British and Irish tour in 2016. Further live dates carried on through 2017 including Scotland and Wales. Further dates around England and another series of Ireland dates were completed in 2018 including Belfast, Galway, Cork, Limerick and Killaloe.
2019 saw Gary perform at the prestigious Troubadour Club in London as well as continuing with dates around Britain and released two download tracks Patricia in March and Time of Your Life in the December.
All Gary’s musical plans (recordings / gigs etc) for 2020 and the first six monthes of 2021 fell foul of the Covid outbreak and were cancelled.
July 2021 and the re-opening up of the country after ‘lockdown’ has seen Gary steadily resume playing live and also return to promoting and playing The Songwriter Sessions in Birmingham – a much championed little oasis of live intimate gigs on a Sunday afternoon – now running once a month from the Craven Arms in Birmingham city centre. Recording / demoing plans for a new album are being put together and will hopefully be able to gear up in the latter part of 2021. Gary’s back catalogue can be is available to listen to for free via his Bandcamp page http://garyodea-gojomusic.bandcamp.com/
Gary O’Dea…
‘a cracking songwriter and singer.’ Martin Stephenson
“like your best mate with added talent.” Janice Long – BBC Radio WM
‘a songsmith and purveyor of fine musical fayre to all who’ll listen…an artist of considerable class and distinction.’ Sean McGhee Rock n Reel Magazine
‘Expressive and skilful slice of life songs from West Midlands troubadour with knack for multi flavoured musical uplift.’ Gavin Martin – Daily Mirror 4****
‘a bit like sliding down into a hot tub after a hard day’ Danny Farragher – FOLK ALL