Gareth Dunlop (born East Belfast) is a pop artist from Northern Ireland who is a multi-instrumentalist, engineer and record producer.[1] His distinct songwriting and vocal styles have led to many of his songs' being featured in numerous television shows, films and commercials. In 2013, Dunlop's song "Wrap Your Arms Around Me"[2] was part of the soundtrack for the movie Safe Haven based on a romance novel by Nicholas Sparks. His song was the second best selling single on the album.
Dunlop has worked as a staff songwriter for Round Hill Music, Moraine Music Group, Nettwerk Music Group, Universal Music Publishing Group and is currently signed to Zenith Cafe.
As a songwriter and artist, Dunlop uses influences of synth & dream pop, folk and soul, which can be heard in several films, television shows and commercials.[3] In 2013, Dunlop's "Wrap Your Arms Around Me" was included in the Safe Haven soundtrack and was one of the featured music videos from the film, alongside music by artists Colbie Caillat, Gavin DeGraw, Amos Lee, Brandi Carlile, Ben Harper, and others. Other songs by Dunlop also appear in commercials for Subaru in the US[4] Discover Northern Ireland, See Montery, Amica and Disney Germany. Television shows featuring Dunlop's songs include Nashville, House, One Tree Hill, Private Practice, Switched at Birth, Army Wives, Lucifer, Cougar Town, Love Island and Bones.
Dunlop picked up his dad's old Yamaha guitar at age 14 and began listening to an extensive collection of vinyl LPs and 45s at age 15. He was inspired by artists like The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Jimmy Page.[5] Dunlop started performing at the age of 16 in clubs and festivals around Northern Ireland and the UK where he received recognition as a captivating live performer with "a voice that can tame dinosaurs.".[6] Dunlop has opened for John Oates, Jeff Beck, the Stereophonics, James Morrison, Imelda May, Snow Patrol, Paul Carrack, Jools Holland, Angus & Julia Stone, Nanci Griffithm, the Steeldrivers and others.[6] [7] In 2011, he was chosen to perform in the Belfast Nashville Singer Songwriter's Festival where he was awarded 2011 Young Songwriter of the Year.[5] The festival brought Dunlop to Nashville, leading to US tours and a publishing deal with Moraine Music and Nettwerk Music Group.[8] Dunlop recorded his debut single in Northern Ireland, "Fool's Desire," and his Devil Mocks Me EP with 6-time Grammy winning producer, Brent Maher.[7]
| "Dark Dark Days" | Suits | |
| "A Few Steps My Way" "Together We Stand" "Falling" "Keep Coming Back" "Moving On Never Felt So Good" | Nashville | |
| "Devil Like You" | Lucifer | |
| "Hold On" | The Best of Me | |
| "Reach Out" | Amica Insurance | |
| "One and The Same" | Bones | |
| "Wrap Your Arms Around Me" | Safe Haven | |
| "Trick of the Moonlight" | House | |
| "Going Somewhere" | Subaru Northern Ireland Bureau | |
| "Miss Previously Loved" | Private Practice | |
| "Tangled Up" | Cougar Town | |
| "How Far This Road Goes" | Tourism Ireland | |
| "Despair" | Underemployed | |
| "Deep Inside" | Make It or Break It | |
| "Firefly" | Autism Speaks | |
| "Dreamers" | Private Practice |