Biography
Red Lake Magick stands as a commanding force in Irish music, where his roles as producer, engineer, multi-instrumentalist, and performer have left a decisive mark on the scene across more than twenty years. Born in Portlaoise, County Laois, Gary Duncan entered the industry at seventeen inside Dublin’s Temple Bar, taking his first professional step as assistant engineer to Shane McGowan and the Popes at Sun Studios, itself housed within Temple Lane Studios.
That initial immersion in Irish rock and punk led to further positions at Temple Lane’s Apollo Studios as assistant engineer, at Dunamaise Arts Centre as sound engineer, and at Sonic Studios as apprentice. Along the way he secured a Master’s degree from Berklee College of Music together with Avid Pro Tools certification and additional qualifications.
Seventeen years ago he established Red Lake Sound Studios on the Hidden Heartlands outskirts of Ratheven, Portlaoise. The residential facility features Neve preamps, Amphion monitors, and PMC gear, and it now ranks among Ireland’s leading recording locations.
During more than two decades his production work has appeared on releases by Paddy Casey, Jack L, Future Kings of Spain, Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club, and numerous others. Working across rock, pop, metal, punk, and EDM, he consistently applies an acute sensitivity to each artist’s intent, an open revision policy, and sustained inventive input.
Stepping from the control room, he launched the stage project Red Lake Magick by assembling the cinematic alt-metal group Chiral—subsequently renamed Voodoo Labs—with fellow musicians from Laois. The tracks “I Bring Chaos,” “In the Company of Wolves,” “Bones,” and “Uncanny Valley” achieved top-ten placements on Irish video charts, merging punk energy, metal guitar lines, and theatrical darkness.
Performing vocals, guitar, and drums, he has also issued solo material including “Kasha” (Sep 2025), “Strangle My Heart,” and “I Wanna Runaway with You.” Timed for Christmas 2025, the single “Far Away Dreaming” presents a reflective ballad that echoes the emotional terrain of The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York” and Sting’s “I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying.” The narrative follows a chance meeting with an ex on a snowy street; when she asks, “How you been Doin? Everyones been so worried about you,” the reply reveals he has remained present only in her dreams—sleeping, far away, dreaming. The result is an affecting declaration of lasting, otherworldly attachment.
Gary Duncan, known as Red Lake Magick, continues to operate as Ireland’s distinctive sonic architect. “Far Away Dreaming” is available now.
That initial immersion in Irish rock and punk led to further positions at Temple Lane’s Apollo Studios as assistant engineer, at Dunamaise Arts Centre as sound engineer, and at Sonic Studios as apprentice. Along the way he secured a Master’s degree from Berklee College of Music together with Avid Pro Tools certification and additional qualifications.
Seventeen years ago he established Red Lake Sound Studios on the Hidden Heartlands outskirts of Ratheven, Portlaoise. The residential facility features Neve preamps, Amphion monitors, and PMC gear, and it now ranks among Ireland’s leading recording locations.
During more than two decades his production work has appeared on releases by Paddy Casey, Jack L, Future Kings of Spain, Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club, and numerous others. Working across rock, pop, metal, punk, and EDM, he consistently applies an acute sensitivity to each artist’s intent, an open revision policy, and sustained inventive input.
Stepping from the control room, he launched the stage project Red Lake Magick by assembling the cinematic alt-metal group Chiral—subsequently renamed Voodoo Labs—with fellow musicians from Laois. The tracks “I Bring Chaos,” “In the Company of Wolves,” “Bones,” and “Uncanny Valley” achieved top-ten placements on Irish video charts, merging punk energy, metal guitar lines, and theatrical darkness.
Performing vocals, guitar, and drums, he has also issued solo material including “Kasha” (Sep 2025), “Strangle My Heart,” and “I Wanna Runaway with You.” Timed for Christmas 2025, the single “Far Away Dreaming” presents a reflective ballad that echoes the emotional terrain of The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York” and Sting’s “I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying.” The narrative follows a chance meeting with an ex on a snowy street; when she asks, “How you been Doin? Everyones been so worried about you,” the reply reveals he has remained present only in her dreams—sleeping, far away, dreaming. The result is an affecting declaration of lasting, otherworldly attachment.
Gary Duncan, known as Red Lake Magick, continues to operate as Ireland’s distinctive sonic architect. “Far Away Dreaming” is available now.
Singles
