Gavin Adrian Koch, performing name GAK, turned the daytime meeting of the PCEC into a soulful ‘Nightclub’ at their meeting on Sunday, January 13. Overcoming the dread of all singers, i.e. ‘morning performances’, Gavin’s clear strong and soulful voice filled the room with significant sound delivered with feeling. Later accompanied on stage by his charming 3 year old daughter Alina, he ‘dueted’ with her ‘the family finger song’ claiming her to be the love of his life.
Ren Lexander, who arranged Gavin’s visit, acted as an interviewer interspersing Gavin’s songs with questions aimed at exploring his entry into the music field and how it then brought him to Thailand.
Gavin related that from the time he could talk he could sing and was surrounded by singing from the early moments of every day. His roots came from that time where he was exposed to gospel, soul and country music. His uncle was a very popular singer in Australia and both parents were singers who met in a band.
Though born in Sri Lanka, his family moved to Australia when he was six. His parents are of mixed race so he has German, Dutch, Sri Lankan, South African and other bloodlines. When told one day that he didn’t look Australian he replied that many don’t since it’s such a melting pot.
A difficult breakup of an 8 year relationship prompted friends to take him to Thailand to cheer up. He did; found a Thai lady and fathered the daughter who makes his life shine.
He started singing professionally when he was 17, and is described by other professional musicians as ‘the best singer in Pattaya’ and ‘the best soul singer in Thailand’. Gavin sang five songs for the club including ‘Man’s World’, ‘Bridge over Troubled Water’, a very special to him ‘Change is Going to Come’ and ending with a brilliant rendering of the Ray Charles favorite, ‘I Can’t Stop Loving You’.
He had troubled years as a teenager and singing was his path through and out of those years. But his music, his daughter and his Christian faith have helped to reshape his life.
Though Gavin lives in Bangkok and performs at several clubs there, he treks each week to perform at La Costa in Pattaya on Monday and Tuesday nights. He also comes to visit his daughter which may be the higher incentive.
After the presentations, MC Roy Albiston brought everyone up to date on upcoming events and then turned it over to the Open Forum portion of the meeting where questions are asked and answered and comments made about Expat living in Thailand, Pattaya in particular. For more information about the PCEC, visit their website at: www.pcec.club.
