Rea Garvey | |
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Garvey in 2014.
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Background information | |
Birth name | Raymond Michael Garvey |
Also known as | Rea Garvey |
Born |
Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland |
3 May 1973
Origin | Irish |
Genres | Singer / songwriter |
Occupation(s) | Musician, producer |
Instruments | Acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano |
Years active | 1999–present |
Labels | Universal, Island, Virgin |
Associated acts | Nelly Furtado, Paul van Dyk, ATB, Xavier Naidoo, Reamonn |
Website | Reagarvey.com |
Raymond Michael "Rea" Garvey (born 3 May 1973 in Tralee, County Kerry) is an Irish singer-songwriter, guitarist and solo artist.
In 1999, Rea Garvey formed the band Reamonn. Over the 11 years that Rea Garvey was their frontman, they saw chart-topping success, with a number of gold and platinum selling albums, (Tuesday, Dream No. 7, Beautiful Sky, Wish and Eleven and several sold out European tours. In 2011, after the release of the band's best-of album/DVD "Eleven", and a best-of tour, the band parted ways. Garvey took this time to pursue a solo career, which gave birth to his first solo album "Can't Stand the Silence". This album saw Garvey's transition from Anthem Rock with Reamonn, to Alternative Electro Pop.
As a solo artist, Garvey has written songs for a variety of acts, including Paul van Dyk, Jam and Spoon, Roger Cicero and The BossHoss. Rea has also collaborated with Apocalyptica, In Extremo, Nelly Furtado, Mary J Blige, Jam & Spoon, The BossHoss and ATB. In 2005, Rea collaborated with Nelly Furtado on the track "All Good Things (Come to an End)", for her 2006 album, Loose. The two also toured together in France and the Netherlands during 2007.
Garvey first showed his fascination with electronic music in 2001, on the title track "Be Angeled" for the movie Loveparade. This was the first of many collaborations with the DJ team Jam and Spoon. The song was performed for the first time in memory of Mark Spoon at the start of the Love Parade in July 2006. In 2007, Rea appeared on a track titled "Let Go" for Paul van Dyk's album In Between. Rea has also worked on a solo collaboration with Xavier Naidoo, with whom he recorded Falco's song "Jeanny" in 2002 and "My Child" for his debut album Can't Stand the Silence in 2011. The latter was a multi-platinum success, following the break-up with his former band Reamonn in early 2011.