Marc Gallagher – Sad Elephant
“The rays of the morning sun slowly glide on the back of your bed and whisper tell you – wake up, I’m here. When music gives such clean and frank associations, you can be completely sure that it comes from the heart. Thank you -marc Gallagher- For such beauty in an acoustic wrap.” (Automatically Translated with Google Translate)
“Лучи утреннего солнца медленно скользят по спинке вашей кровати и шепотом говорят вам — просыпайся, я здесь. Когда музыка дарит такие чистые и откровенные ассоциации, то можно быть полностью уверенным, что она исходит от сердца. Спасибо -Marc Gallagher- за такую красоту в акустической обёртке.”
-Nagamag.com
Almost a year on from his acclaimed EP “Cartoon Physics”, Manchester-based ukulele player Marc Gallagher is gearing up for the release of his next single “Sad Elephant”.
Born and raised in Nantwich, Cheshire, Marc shaped his musical development with local open mics and gigs, before moving to Manchester and subsequently taking his talents internationally to 11 countries on tours and ukulele festivals. Writing songs about his own experiences, Marc’s latest single stemmed from a medical diagnosis that changed his life.
Marc was diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea in January 2021, a condition in which he frequently stops breathing during sleep, and is thusly unable to adequately rest through the night. The diagnosis provided an explanation as to why the songwriter was perpetually tired, and the supply of air via a machine and face mask has renewed Marc’s energy, and seemingly his creativity.
“As relieved as I was for the treatment I underwent, I was daunted by the permanence of using a machine every night for the rest of my life, especially as a man in my mid-twenties”, Marc said, adding “This song channels my thought process throughout the whole experience, from my pre-diagnosis condition to the realisation of such a lifelong adjustment.”
Since the world returned to live music post-pandemic, Marc has been busier than ever, performing 5-7 times a week with highlights including Austrian Ukulele Festival and a Main Stage slot at Grand Northern Ukulele Festival supporting Jake Shimabukuro-considered by many to be the best ukulele player in the world.
From a production standpoint, “Sad Elephant” finds a middle ground between his prior professionally recorded album “Songs From A Happy Winter” and his homemade EP “Cartoon Physics”, self-recording 30 parts at home while getting it professionally mixed at Voltalab Sound Studios in Rochdale.
Speaking of the influences for this single, Marc said “I recently really fell in love with the music of Dodie, and how she marries the intimate raw playing style with a dreamlike soundscape, it only seemed appropriate to lift from that for a song about sleep!”
Matt Warnes, editor of UKE Magazine writes “In Sad Elephant, Marc Gallagher reveals the mask behind the man, tackling a hidden issue that affects so many with a deftness of touch that leaves you in no doubt of his songwriting skills”
“Sad Elephant” will be released on August 19th digitally via all relevant online and streaming platforms.
Reviewed by Nagamag on August 29, 2022