Tony Gillam
- writer and musician

I'm a singer-songwriter, acoustic guitarist and dulcimer player, specialising in original indie-folk songs and atmospheric instrumentals. As a performer, I have played regularly mainly at Worcestershire music venues, including performances at Worcester Music Festival, the Three Choirs Festival and Worcester Theatre's Culture Cafe. My music has been played on BBC Radio Hereford & Worcester and BBC Radio Shropshire.

 

I describe my musical style as 'indie-folk' as it owes a lot to the contemporary folk of classic singer-songwriters of the 1970s but is also infused with an indie sensibility. Imagine Cat Stevens and Echo and the Bunnymen meeting on Kidderminster's West Coast! My use of the mountain dulcimer, in addition to acoustic guitar, adds variety to my performances and the dulcimer often becomes a talking point as there is a very small number of mountain dulcimer players performing in the UK.

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In the Emptiness 

Released in June 2023, my new ten-track album, In the Emptiness, brings together another collection of highly original songs and tunes, but this time the sound of the mountain dulcimer-playing is even more in the foreground. On tracks like Overwintering and May Be, May Be Not, the dulcimer is the lead instrument, occupying a place where you might usually expect a guitar. On other tracks, like Twelve o’clock High and Instant Poet, the dulcimer – sometimes with effects – adds variety and texture, blending with the guitar and vocals. Available on CD, digital download and streaming. 

Read SLAP Magazine's review of In the Emptiness here. 

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Lazy Oceanography

In 2018 I released my first completely solo album Lazy Oceanography (showcasing original songs and instrumentals from four decades of music-making.) It was described as “quirky and expressive” (SLAP Magazine) and “classic songwriting with unexpected flavours” (Amazon).

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Music tuition and facilitation

My original instrumental music has been used as theme and interstitial music for 'The Mental Health Podcast' (produced by the Mental Health Nurses Association.) For many years I worked in mental health and led an improvisational music group for mental health service users, Kidderminster's Music Workshop Project, which won several awards including a MIND Millennium Award and the international Lilly Schizophrenia Reintegration Award. In more recent years I ran a Music for Wellbeing group in partnership with Dudley MIND. I also teach mountain dulcimer in small groups, in partnership with the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club, a national charity that supports dulcimer enthusiasts.

 

My main practice currently involves solo performance and recording to bring my songs and instrumentals to a wider audience and I'm particularly keen to play in communities where access to original live music may be more difficult. Though based in Worcestershire, I am able to travel nationally and internationally.

 

Videos of live performances, photos and other information about my music can be found on my Tony Gillam Music Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TonyGillamMusic

and you can listen to more tracks on my SoundCloud page at: https://soundcloud.com/tonygillam