Following the passion was easy as I always had a piano to sit and play or a guitar to pick up and so this is what I naturally to fill my time, I guess the difficulties arose when the transition from musician to producer is required, the pre internet era meant that knowledge in music production and equipment could only be achieved by engaging with others more informed than yourself.

How and when is your passion for music born and who inspired you to become a musician?

I grew up in a musical household, a centerpiece in our home was a record player and a huge collection of vinyl records belonging to my parents. Some of my earliest memories would be curiously exploring this collection of artists like Buddy Holly, Elvis and The Beatles. I was immersed in these sounds and a love of music was born. As I got a bit older there was a profound dance music scene in Ireland in the 1990's that really felt akin to the free spirit movement that happened in America in the 1960's. I became heavily involved in this scene and eventually had my own radio show where we broke new music each week, from this music production just felt like a natural progression for me and although my own taste and style in music has changed over the years I have had a passion for music production and composition since my teenage years.

Was it easy to follow this passion for you, or did you have difficulty? If yes, which ones?

Following the passion was easy as I always had a piano to sit and play or a guitar to pick up and so this is what I naturally to fill my time, I guess the difficulties arose when the transition from musician to producer is required, the pre internet era meant that knowledge in music production and equipment could only be achieved by engaging with others more informed than yourself, Many weekends were spent in audio equipment stores picking the brains of the audio enthusiasts that worked there. Cost was also a factor in the past as home studios didn't really exist as they do today so a full recording studio complete with engineers would have to be hired to record anything at all. Thankfully there's an abundance of technology available today to assist aspiring producers embarking on their own journey.

When the creativity is moving I really want to keep going at the piece while in that moment.

What is inspiration or inspirational to you? How do you live an inspired life?

I find inspiration living in a varied and interesting way. I'm lucky to live in a country surrounded by beautiful coastline with some of the best surfing beaches in the world, I do like to connect with nature in this way whether it's horse riding, kayaking or maybe just hiking through the local forest I always find this is good for the headspace and helps to keep relaxed and creative.

How could you describe your way of composing?

I guess I'm an improviser, I will sit at the piano and constantly try to develop new motifs that invoke emotion, Once i feel I have something that strikes a chord of sentiment or feeling I will tease out string parts in my mind as I play, I will usually have a more complete idea of the finished piece before I formally write out parts for strings etc.

What is most challenging about what you do?

Definitely time management, it disappears too quickly when in the flow of a composition. When the creativity is moving I really want to keep going at the piece while in that moment. I think the longer that's spent on a piece the more likely it is to end up unfinished. It's important to be able to get to the end of a piece of music without falling into the trap of constantly finding more and more ways to improve it and consequently never getting to the finish line.

What are your reference musicians?

There are some giants that I can't help but be influenced by such as Hanz Zimmer, his work is so different from one project to the next so it's great to see no matter what level of success you achieve there is always room to evolve as an artist. I do love film too and am always eager to hear the more nuanced work from composers such as Max Richter married up with the big screen. These guys are so good at their craft I can't help but be inspired by them.

Experimentation is key for me. Getting out of my comfort zone and trying new techniques that I'm not familiar with usually lead to new ideas, be it picking up a new instrument or sampling a tongue drum, there is so much around us that can be used creatively.

Recently your new work "Broken Pieces" came out, can you tell us a bit about it?

The album is a collection of my emotive musical pieces. I see each piece as its own story guiding the listener along an emotional journey but combining to tell a more complete tale using melancholy and uplifting motifs hopefully bringing the listener through the contemplative narrative with me.

What is creativity to you? And: what is your creative process?

Experimentation is key for me. Getting out of my comfort zone and trying new techniques that I'm not familiar with usually lead to new ideas, be it picking up a new instrument or sampling a tongue drum, there is so much around us that can be used creatively. I will keep separate days for experimenting and composing, developing a new process in the middle of a production doesn't work for me

What do you think about today's music scene?

There is such a flourishing scene today especially in the neoclassical field with so many sub genres encompassing the different styles. It's really great to see so many composers of all ages embracing the technology and blending different sounds and techniques. I think this movement of opening up to the very earthy voices of classic string sections amalgamating with electronic performances is really healthy and I'm excited to see where it goes.

What are your goals/dreams for the future?

I have some further musical projects in mind and in the works. As for goals and dreams I have some abstract ideas for live performance combining the audible and visual experience. There are so many possibilities for a full immersive experience and I'd like to explore some of them.

Who is the artist?

Gav Moran is a composer and producer of minimalism and neo classical music combining raw orchestral elements with modern contemporary electronic soundscapes to create an edgy twist on his influences from the classical baroque and romantic eras. Drawing on his experiences growing up in the eclectic cultural melting pot of Dublin, Ireland he sees his music as a spiritual journey. His debut album Broken Pieces takes you through his collection of piano led compositions on a path of melancholy and inspiration.

Listen to "Broken Pieces"