By Kate Birch
Picture this. You’ve bought tickets for a small local gig. As you’re waiting, a young lad from north London shuffles onstage, armed with an acoustic guitar, spouting the words:
“THERE WAS A TIME BEFORE THE INTERNET…it was called the 70’s or something.”
I guarantee that you won’t have seen anything like Gecko before. It’s not often someone can manage to turn their views on immigration (a delicate subject to say the very least) into a song that has an entire room in fits of laughter. Outrageously political lyrics and gentle acoustic riffs don’t seem like the most obvious mix, but he makes it work. From songs about Eastenders, to Rapunzel, to an adorably sincere song about the ignored painting in the louvre. Hilariously sarcastic songs with some pretty serious undertones; Gecko is using his music to say something with a little more depth than just your usual song lyrics.
His sound is clean and honest; just a stripped back guitar and some absolutely ingenious lyrics. Inspirations from lyricists like Randy Newman, Conor Oberst and the Beastie Boys, he was slightly reminiscent of Jamie T, but if you imagine Jamie T with an acoustic guitar and being a lot more charming.
“I love wordplay and humour in songs but also I love raw emotion. If you can combine the two then I’m on board.”
Gecko is currently on tour with Harry Baker and Chris Read, whilst fundraising his “acoustic led” first album with Pledge Music. He seems one of the most genuine and charismatic musicians out there and it would be a huge shame if he didn’t get to produce his music.
Find Gecko on Facebook and Twitter.
