“My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul.” Psalm 108:1
Alan Gogoll is an instrumental acoustic guitarist from the picturesque hills of Tasmania. Having taken up guitar at an early age, Alan has continually sought to refine his craft and develop his sound to captivate his audience. Invited to play at festivals around Australia such as Easterfest, Cygnet Folk Festival, Taste Festival and Falls Festival as well as receiving critical acclaim on ABC Classic FM, Alan is a truly unique performer.Released in early 2012 Small Giraffes is Alan’s debut instrumental album featuring eleven original solo guitar pieces. Since its release Small Giraffes has received nationwide radio play, placement in several independent films, all to critical acclaim. Friendly Elephants is Alan’s second studio album, featuring 10 original instrumental guitar compositions expanding upon Alan’s signature guitar tuning and songwriting style. Perhaps the most heartfelt description of Alan’s music comes from a young girl who saw him busking and described him as playing ‘Tinkerbell Music’.
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In Alan’s Words:
I held my first guitar when I was 5 years old, incorrectly and out of tune. It was a Yamaha classical guitar that my mum had kept from when she was younger and had taken a few lessons. Soon after I had showed an interest in guitar my parents bought me an acoustic nylon string of my own, one a bit more suiting to my smaller stature and fingers at the time. I started guitar lessons soon afterwards, and went on to learn all my basic chords from A to G, a few songs and even a couple of strumming and finger patterns as well. A couple of years later I discovered what I thought of as ‘thin’ guitars or what the rest of the world knew as ‘electric’ guitars, and although not really sure what to make of them at first, I would soon be the proud young owner of a green Samick stratocaster copy, and it would become a part of who I was.
Archers was a turning point in my songwriting journey. I had just bought a Cort 12 string acoustic guitar, and I think it was the first song I had ever written that captured something of the direction I wanted my music to take. Although it was only the first step, I would spend the next few years working on both my songwriting and guitar technique following this direction. In 2007 I started writing and recording my full length album The Math, and up until the 2011 release of Housebird I would continue to produce works from singles to EPs to albums. Housebird was the most complete album I had produced. It was the coming together of several years writing and recording, and in many ways I think it was the fruition of all my work up until that point.
During those years I also studied design at university before working in the field up until 2011 when I made the decision I had wanted to since I first picked up a guitar and pursue a career as a full time guitarist. I put my trust in God that whatever may happen and wherever I may end up that He would guide me and use my music for His glory. Being a musician usually entails being poor, but I know that my riches are in heaven, and without my faith and the saving grace of Jesus none of what I set out to accomplish and have since accomplished would have been possible.
In 2012 I completed my debut instrumental album Small Giraffes. After a several year long journey exploring both new guitar and songwriting techniques, self examination, refinement and development I had 11 pieces of solo acoustic music that would go on to make up Small Giraffes. For perhaps the first time I felt as though my music had a sense of identity and direction that captured and expressed what I had been trying to for many years prior. My songwriting project Daylight Tremor will always hold a special place in my heart and represent a really significant time in my life. One day I would like to release a follow up album to Housebird and I’m positive that will happen, and am excited as to what direction that may take.
Recorded over the Summer months of 2013, Friendly Elephants is my second studio album, which follows on from the works and techniques I developed and explored in Small Giraffes. I was blessed in having a beautiful signature guitar built from Cole Clark which I used to record this album. Written over the course of a year, Friendly Elephants focuses on the acoustic guitar as a solo unaccompanied instrument. I really hope this album will push peoples perception of the acoustic guitar, all while remaining enjoyable to listen to and even being able to find something within the melodies to identity to. I developed several unique guitar tunings through the writing of Small Giraffes, which I have further used and explored on Friendly Elephants, which I am proud of.
Since the release of Small Giraffes God has opened up many doors for me. I’ve played at festivals like Falls Festival, Easterfest, Taste Festival and Cygnet Folk Festival while receiving regular airplay on local and national radio stations such as ABC Classic FM. I’ve been able to sell well over a thousand albums independently, and sales are increasing all the time! I’ve played for of a few people in coffee shops to hundreds of people at festivals, and each show is just as special, reminding me of the goodness of God in His unfailing love and provision for me.
As I reflect on these milestones of the past few years, I feel truly blessed and in fact know that I am, through all the people that I have met, the friendships that I have made, all the care and support that I’ve been shown and the love that I found one bright sunny day while busking.
I regularly perform at the Salamanca Markets in Hobart, and if you happen to see me there or anywhere for that matter don’t hesitate to come and say hi!
“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy!” Jude 1:24
God Bless!
Alan x
“Beautiful”-ABC Classic FM
“Tasmanian guitar master Alan Gogoll has taken the humble guitar to a whole new level”
-The Mercury
“Alan Gogoll will challenge what you thought possible on guitar”
-Sfuso
“Alan Gogoll’s performance at Hobart Regatta was nothing less than outstanding. What Alan Gogall can do with two hands and a guitar is unbelievable!”-Edge Radio
“So much talent from one person, it’s hardly believable. Yet i watch in awe of the talent he has and the places he will for sure go. Such a great guy, always supportive and striving with music. Guitar tapping takes patience and hours of practice. Well when you watch this guy in action live or down at Salamanca you can’t help but drop your jaw in awe of how much time and talent must really go into the work of this guy. Check out his website, follow his face book and track just how far he will go in the future.”-At the Current
“Alan is an amazing talent, who’s live performances will surely mesmerise you, from the outstanding instrumental skill, to the enchanting music, Alan is one of Australia’s finest emerging artists, and a Tasmanian wonder!”
-Triple J Unearthed
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