vessel (2001-2006)
Where equipment and digital recording became more affordable & accessible, I focused on creating solo electronic music using software sequencers.
Assembling and layering microscopic samples - including train sounds I recorded between Clapham Junction and Soho - I recorded my debut album 'Dreaming in Pairs' in 2001/02 and released this through Benge's (Ben Edwards') Expanding Records in 2002 (see expanding website here).
I continued to record and perform music as vessel between 2002-2006 on Expanding (2 albums, 7" and comps), Cactus Island (3" CD EP) and my own, self pressed lp, Pictureland and Pet Shop Boys Back to Mine in 2005. I loved hearing my own music on John Peel's Radio 1 show & Mary Anne Hobbs' 'Breezeblock' & getting a wider audience. Although my music wasn't aiming to be 'live' (I'm not music-trained), I performed many live gigs, usually live remixing versions of my tracks accompanied by my own visuals for a more immersive cinematic experience, which suited my other film-based work.
Solo live gigs as vessel included:
Monkey Chews, Camden (2002)
13th Note Club, Glasgow (2003/05)
Guinness Storehouse, Dublin (26/10/02)
Thomas House, Dublin (28/10/02)
Batofar, Paris
Versus Electronics, Sala Apolo, Barcelona (16/06/02)
The Social (Chris Coco Balearic night), London
Phonica, London
Café 1001, Brick Lane
Village Underground, London
Big Chill House (06/09/06)
Official Album & EP releases as Vessel
www.pictureland.org for latest music / to buy
Title: Expanding Records Vinyl Box
Label: Expanding Records
Format: 17 x Vinyl, LP
Country: UK
Released: 19th April 2021
Genre: Electronic,
Features 2 of my vinyl albums 'Dreaming in Pairs' & 'Resist'
https://www.discogs.com/release/18296650-Various-Expanding-Records-Vinyl-Box-
Title: Back to Mine - Pet Shop Boys
Artist: Vessel (Gavin Toomey)
Track: Tiny
Label: DMC - BACKCD20
Format: 2xCD, Comp, Mixed
Country: UK
Released: 2005
Genre: Electronic, Pop, Classical
Title: Resist
Artist: Vessel (Gavin Toomey)
Label: Expanding Records – eva13:05 & ecd21:05
Format: CD & Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 2005
Genre: Electronic
Title: Dreaming in Pairs
Artist: Vessel
Label: Expanding Records – ecd10:02 & eva2:02
Format: CD & Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 2002
Genre: Electronic
Title: Fold
Artist: Vessel
Label: Expanding Records – evs2:03
Format: Vinyl, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition, Blue Clear
Country: UK
Released: 2003
Genre: Electronic
Title: South
Artist: Vessel
Label: Cactus Island Recordings – CACT 005
Format: CDr, Mini, Limited to 100 Copies
Country: UK
Released: 2004
Genre: Electronic
Title: Pictureland
Artist: Vessel
Label: Pictureland Records – PLAND 01
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited 500 Copies
Country: UK
Released: 2006
Genre: Electronic