Thas A Fact?

What have Norfolk, heavy-metal guitar and hit BBC show Strictly Come Dancing got in common? Answer: Sean A. McGee. Who may just be the next last word in ElectroTango music.

Sean A. McGee.

Based in Middleton, near King’s Lynn, 38-year old Sean has an established musical heritage (he tells us his Uncle leant The Beatles some of their first band equipment) and has always liked Electro music such as Jean Michel Jarre.  Despite not reading or writing music, he has played in several bands, once being Lead Guitarist in the Heavy Metal band ‘Thirteenth Sign’. Six months after he left the band, they got signed. While the irony of this did not escape Sean, he believed very much that it was fate and the fact served to drive him on with his passion for making music. Sean became a composer for film scores, his most recent work being featured in ‘Beware Of What You Wish For’, which stars Avengers Actress Jane Merrow.

Skip forward, and Sean and his Partner, Linzi, both became big fans of National phenomenon ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. They were so inspired by Strictly dancers Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace that they enrolled in Argentine Tango dance lessons in Swaffham. The impact of the lessons motivated Sean to create some music that he let his dance instructor listen to. Said instructor liked it, commenting that it was ‘perfect to dance to’. This was just the approval that Sean needed to begin his new journey into ElectroTango. Soon after, Vincent and Flavia (by now personal heroes) were attending an event in Cambridgeshire. Sean went along and managed to get in front of them. He told them about his music and mentioned that his ultimate project would be to create some bespoke music for them, composed as they danced and inspired by their movements, rather than their movements having to fit the design of the music. While interested – Sean’s passion was clearly impressive – Flavia remarked that it was a shame about the timing because they were personally seeking a composer just three years earlier. And that was that. For the time being anyway…

Feeling despondent, Sean put down his first track “Three Years Too Late” the very next day. Once again, he played it to his dance instructor who thought it was absolutely fantastic. This spurred Sean on to record further tracks and within 4 months he had an album.

Ultimately, Sean’s greatest wish was to get Vincent and Flavia to listen to his album. He sent it through to them and they happened to listen to it while stuck in traffic on the way to a performance. They loved it and contacted their Agent immediately to give it their backing. Vincent and Flavia officially endorsed Sean’s album, ‘Nebulosa’, and are featured on it’s cover.

Sean and Partner Linzi with Strictly's Flavia and Vincent.

“We love this cd, the mood and atmosphere it creates is fantastic. It’s a pleasure to dance and listen to. The amalgamation of different sounds and instruments really catches the essence of the tango nuevo. Our favourites tracks are Nebulosa de los Suenos, 3 Years Too Late, The Stranger’s Tango and El Espacio Que Deja”, commented Flavia on hearing the album, which was officially released in September 2010.

A Printer by day, Sean describes himself as a ‘blossoming Tango Composer’ by night. To get to this stage he has withstood a good deal of knock-backs, but he now says that he is finally “on the first rung”. We would certainly tend to agree (as, it would seem, do Vincent and Flavia, who described Sean’s album as ‘inspirational’).

Sean’s future in the business certainly seemed assured now. Every September, the River ElectroTango Festival is held at the National Theatre in London. Sean has been asked to perform there next year (2011). He has also had a good deal of interest from some well-established ElectroTango bands.

Sean is also working on a second album plus a Vals Tango (the Tango version of Waltz) track. He says he is toying with the idea of a Waltz album.

The 12-track CD ‘Nebulosa’ is available now from Sean’s website, Vincent and Flavia’s website, plus Dancesport (DSI) International & WRD Music at a price of around £13 plus P&P. Sean tells us it will be on Amazon, iTunes & Spotify by the end of the year. It would certainly make an excellent Christmas present for fans of Strictly or ElectroTango music. Or just those looking to reinvigorate their music collection with an album borne of dedication and passion that you’ll find it pretty hard not to move your body to…

The album 'Nebulosa' by Sean A. McGee.

www.seanmcgeemusic.com