Listen. Smile. Repeat.
Gail and Karl Hourigan love writing songs, and over the years they've penned songs that travel across different genres, but always with an ear tuned to melodies. Stepping out as the duo “Gail and Karl” gives them a chance to highlight their original songs, and dive into old and new songs by other folk and rock artists.
Their songs have been heard on CBC, college and community radio stations across Canada, and internet radio channels like Accuradio out of Chicago. Performance highlights include the 2008 and 2013 CelticFest Vancouver with The Malarkeys.
They were thrilled to be invited to perform at a Bluebird North songwriters showcase in Vancouver, sharing the stage with Canadian legend Randy Bachman. The evening also featured performances by Amy Sky, Ralph Murphy, Johnny Douglas, Jeff Smallwood, Ron Irving, Ron Hynes, and Shari Ulrich.
"Up close, sharing a songwriters showcase, I found the songs stood out even more....the song structure and performance was right on the money." ...Randy Bachman
"... have accomplished a totally unique sound highlighted with sometimes offbeat and very clever lyrics blended in an acoustic/modern music milieu."...Greg Torrington
The release of their first independent CD, "Real, Real Gone" in 1996 resulted in regular airplay on CBC and college radio. The song "To The Moon" won First place in the Write On Song Contest "Roots/Folk/Worldbeat" category.
That album was followed by another independent release,"Happy Enough", in 2001. Their Celtic album, "Bloody Brilliant" as The Malarkeys, followed in 2010. Since then they've been releasing digital singles on popular streaming services, either as The Malarkeys or more broadly as Gail and Karl.
Karl began writing songs before he could even play an instrument. His earliest influences were his parents' record collection, which included Johnny Cash, The Clancy Brothers, and the Chad Mitchell Trio. Then, of course, there were the Beatles, and his affinity with Brit pop has never waned. The combination of his natural inventiveness, a formal music education (classical and jazz), and many nights performing original songs to diverse audiences, has given him a keen understanding of what it takes to connect with an audience.
Gail started writing songs on piano, and later picked up the guitar. Lately, she has turned to performing on the bass guitar. Gail has years of experience performing her original music in bands in Victoria, Vancouver, and Kelowna (Hoi Polloi, The Slip, Helen Gone and then The Malarkeys). As a creative artist, she is always interested in exploring new ideas and seeing where they lead.
Their songs have been heard on CBC, college and community radio stations across Canada, and internet radio channels like Accuradio out of Chicago. Performance highlights include the 2008 and 2013 CelticFest Vancouver with The Malarkeys.
They were thrilled to be invited to perform at a Bluebird North songwriters showcase in Vancouver, sharing the stage with Canadian legend Randy Bachman. The evening also featured performances by Amy Sky, Ralph Murphy, Johnny Douglas, Jeff Smallwood, Ron Irving, Ron Hynes, and Shari Ulrich.
"Up close, sharing a songwriters showcase, I found the songs stood out even more....the song structure and performance was right on the money." ...Randy Bachman
"... have accomplished a totally unique sound highlighted with sometimes offbeat and very clever lyrics blended in an acoustic/modern music milieu."...Greg Torrington
The release of their first independent CD, "Real, Real Gone" in 1996 resulted in regular airplay on CBC and college radio. The song "To The Moon" won First place in the Write On Song Contest "Roots/Folk/Worldbeat" category.
That album was followed by another independent release,"Happy Enough", in 2001. Their Celtic album, "Bloody Brilliant" as The Malarkeys, followed in 2010. Since then they've been releasing digital singles on popular streaming services, either as The Malarkeys or more broadly as Gail and Karl.
Karl began writing songs before he could even play an instrument. His earliest influences were his parents' record collection, which included Johnny Cash, The Clancy Brothers, and the Chad Mitchell Trio. Then, of course, there were the Beatles, and his affinity with Brit pop has never waned. The combination of his natural inventiveness, a formal music education (classical and jazz), and many nights performing original songs to diverse audiences, has given him a keen understanding of what it takes to connect with an audience.
Gail started writing songs on piano, and later picked up the guitar. Lately, she has turned to performing on the bass guitar. Gail has years of experience performing her original music in bands in Victoria, Vancouver, and Kelowna (Hoi Polloi, The Slip, Helen Gone and then The Malarkeys). As a creative artist, she is always interested in exploring new ideas and seeing where they lead.
Just add drums! That's Jay Dallamore back there.