Gagarin

Gagarin is the solo electronic project of Graham Dowdall, a multi-instrumentalist from Lewisham, London, born in 1954 and active until his death in 2024. He works at the experimental edge of electronic music and does not fit neatly into a single genre or scene.

Career

Dowdall begins in music with Manchester cult band Ludus, then plays with Nico through the 1980s. He later becomes a member of Pere Ubu and also performs with Roshi ft. Pars Radio. Under the name Gagarin, he records electronica as a solo outlet, drawing on a wide range of electronic and experimental approaches.

Associated acts and styles

Alongside his work as Gagarin, Dowdall is linked to several other projects and collaborations, including Pere Ubu and Roshi ft. Pars Radio. The name also appears elsewhere for other acts, including a Czech/Swedish electro-screamo band, a Russian group using bayan and other instruments, a disco-punk band from Silesia, and a Milan-based post-rock band.