Gina Dootson

Musical Discoveries: Please will you tell us a bit about your background.

Gina Dootson: I was born in Chichester, but moved up North before I was three years old. I grew up in a place called West Bank, near Selby, where my parents owned a market garden. It was a beautiful and quiet place, with lots of open space and I adored it. I loved my childhood, it was full of happiness.

When I was six years old my older sister started piano lessons. I would sit beside her listening and watching as she played. Before long, I was playing the pieces she had learnt. So, I too started piano lessons.

When I was fifteen my Dad bought my Mum a guitar for Christmas, which he hid away in my wardrobe some weeks before. I would sneak it out when no one was around and by Christmas day I could play all the carols. That is when my love for the guitar started. My guitar playing is entirely self-taught and I'm glad I had no classical training. I believe it could have confined the way I play now. I spent hours every night experimenting with chords and weird tunings - the guitar became a part of me.

And what about your musical education and training?

I am trained to grade six on the piano. I have an 'A' grade music GCSE.

Have you any favourite artists? Who do you find yourself listening to all the time?

I have so many favourite artists. But if I had to mention a few they would be: Shawn Colvin - she has an amazing voice and writes beautiful songs. She is one of my all time favourites. I also love Radiohead. Their music is amazing and I could listen to it over and over again.

Alanis Morrisette - her album Jagged Little Pill stands out as one of the best albums in my collection. Her writing inspired me greatly and I feel she had a huge influence on me. Sheryl Crow - her song "All I Wanna Do" was released around the same time I started writing and playing and I have never stopped listening to her music since.

I listen to a wide range of music from classical to pop, from rock to folk. My philosophy is that you should never write any type of music off without listening to it and giving it a chance to be liked.

You worked with Gabriel a few years ago. How did that come about and where did you go from there?

I met Marc from Gabriel nearly ten years ago when Fibbers in York asked us to get a set together for their birthday party gig. We hit it off immediately and have been great friends ever since.

And how about Mostly Autumn?

I met Brian Josh (Mostly Autumn) through Marc. Iain Jennings (Mostly Autumn) is an old school friend of mine who also used to play in my band. I still work with and see both these bands. I often play a set at Gabriel and Mostly Autumn gigs. I've also sung backing vocals for Mostly Autumn in the studio and at live gigs.

3AM Generation received critical acclaim. Tell us about the album.

I have worked with producers in the past that have never really created a feel and sound that I've been happy with. So in 1999 I bought myself a home recording studio so that I could have full control of how the music was recorded and produced. I wanted to do the majority of the performing and recording myself so it took quite a while.

Friends helped me out, especially Marc Atkinson and Andy 'Rob' Swan of Gabriel, who smoothed the edges of the album beautifully. In all it took my 18 months to complete, and it was worth every minute. The response to the album has been wonderful both from the public and the music industry.

Where do you draw the inspiration for your music and the lyrics?

The majority of my songs are written about true feelings and events. Music comes to me quicker and more easily when I am feeling down and alone. Writing music heals me. Sometimes I suddenly find myself playing a song that I have just written, but I don't remember writing it. I feel immensely privileged to have been given the gift of music.

Do you work outside music?

I actually work as a Scientist for a Healthcare company and they are currently sponsoring me to do a full-time MPhil/PhD at York University.

The new EP has also had some really good reviews. Please tell us about how you put the material together and what led to the release.

My managers and I wanted to produce an promotional EP that was both concise and diverse. So we chose three songs that are totally different from each other. "Razor Edge" is a delicate and intense song. "Dinner on Mars" is a catchy band song. "Ricochet" is an energetic song that hopefully shows off my guitar and vocal style.

Your website has recently been reworked. Are you happy with the result? and do you think it is working for you?

The re-working of the current website is temporary. A new and better website, which will be regularly updated, will soon be aired.

I think the internet is a great window for music, especially undiscovered artists. I also think it can be a very effective marketing tool, and I intend to try and use it to get my music to as many people as possible. But I also think it is far too vast for its own good.

Last year you won Best Solo Artist by the Classic Rock Society. What do you think led to the award?

I was so shocked when I won the award, especially since I'd only played a couple of times at Classic Rock Society gigs, first at the 2001 Awards Ceremony and second supporting Rick Wakeman. I did loads of CDs at both gigs, so people must have liked what I did. Martin Hudson (CRS) has been very supportive of my music and I’m grateful to him and all at CRS for the success I’ve enjoyed.

Tell us about your live shows.

I perform a lot in and around York, my home city, as well as regular gigs in London. I have also played as far a field as Aberdeen, Germany and Holland. Thankfully, the response has been great wherever I’ve played. At this stage of my career I’ve been doing quite a few support slots and I’ve learnt that even if the audience hasn’t necessarily come to see me as long as people are there to listen then I’ll play me heart out. I am currently getting a lot more gigs, including festivals, around the country, some solo and some with my band. Once the new site is up and running they will all be on there, but in the interim people can mail me at ginadootson@hotmail.com or my management company at mgmt@sevenfifteen.co.uk.

What about a new album?

Yeh, I really want to start recording a new album soon. I have written so many songs since 3am Generation, so it's just a matter of getting in the studio with other musicians and the right producer. I hope to start recording later this year.

Has your material enjoyed any radio play?

Yes, but mostly overseas. To be honest we haven’t approached UK radio stations yet, but that’s part of the plan for the next few months.

What are your plans for 2003-3004?

My plans for 2003-2004 are to step up a gear on the gig front. I intend to play around the country at different venues and festivals both solo and with the band. I also intend to get the new EP heard by as many people in the music industry as I can - my management company are talking to several interested labels about a possible licensing deal. I'd like to start recording more material and get a new album out in 2004. And above all I intend to carry on writing and enjoying music.

More Gina Dootson
3AM Generation
Edge On

Interview, reviews and HTML © R. W. Elliot 2000-2003
All images © Chris Walkden 2003
Last updated 07 May 2003