As we all know, having one job is demanding enough, but FMB member, Ewan Macfarlane of Gormac Construction manages two. As well as being a successful builder, Ewan is also a member of the famous Apollo 440 band.
With his hard hat on, Ewan spends half the year as Project Manager for Gormac Construction, a building company in East Kilbride specialising in bespoke builds, extensions, sunrooms, conversions, renovations and alterations. For the other six months, he sings with Apollo 440.
Struggling to work out how anyone could lead such a diverse double life, Master Builder’s own multi-tasking expert, Nicky Rogers spoke to Ewan in the summer, just before he went off on tour.
Nicky: Tell us a bit about Apollo 440 Ewan
Ewan: The band was founded in London by four scousers. Very quickly one of the guys left the band and returned to Liverpool. I was in London for the majority of the 1990s and shared the same management and label as the band. I used to hang around the studio with the guys and one day when they were recording I put lyrics and a vocal to one of their instrumentals. The rest is history!
The band was soon signed to Sony and our music was used on Play Station games and in movies. We were commissioned to write and record the official theme tune for the World Cup in France in 1998. One of my great memories of that time is playing in front of 1,000,000 people on the Champs Elysees as the French football team celebrated winning the World Cup.
Our last album was released in 2003 and after that we decided to take a bit of a sabbatical. That is when I began to concentrate on my building business. Another band member concentrated on writing movie soundtracks, another producing other artists and the final band member became a fully qualified FA coach!
Nicky: What came first Ewan, building or performing?
Ewan: Performing. As a youngster I remember always wanting to be in school plays and choirs. I did my first solo in front of an audience at the age of six! I left school at 16 and joined my father’s business as an apprentice joiner. Whilst both of my parents were very supportive of my wish to have a career in music they also wanted to ensure that I had a trade to fall back upon if it didn’t work out for me in the music business.
Nicky: What have you been doing this year?
Ewan: We have been preparing for the release of our new album “The Future Is What It Used To Be”. (Listen to a preview at www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfYiqbOY314).
I am just back from touring in Eastern Europe. We were headlining at a number of festivals, notably the Colours of Ostrava Festival in the Czech Republic where we played to 50,000 people.
Earlier in the year I was doing a number of small new build projects. I love the juxtaposition of digging foundations and queuing for a sausage roll at a roadside cafe against the five star hotels and limo’s when we are touring. My fellow band members think I am mad but I love the construction industry. It keeps me grounded.
Nicky: If you had to choose what would it be – performing or building?
Ewan: Performing. It is a very special feeling to be in front of 50,000 people doing what you dreamed of as a boy! However, I am passionate about building. I am a great believer in that the job has to be done right. People, who pay money for your skills, be it performing or building, deserve to get a good job.
Nicky: How can you plan your work schedule – do you plan building around performing or the other way round?
Ewan: It all depends on what is booked in first. I only book things in for a maximum of three months ahead. I will not take on a building project that will last more than three months. In 2012 the band will be promoting our new album so the first part of the year will be given over to that. I am conscious of having to balance the needs of my band members against those of the dozen subbies that I work with on building projects.
Nicky: Which discipline gives you most satisfaction?
Ewan: Building and performing give me equal satisfaction. I see the objective of both of my careers as making people happy. Smiling faces means a job well done whether they are in an audience or at hand over with a completion certificate.
Nicky: When was Gormac Construction started?
Ewan: 2006. In the early 2000s I worked with my brother on large sites as subbies for main contractors. We were so sick of being ripped off by the main contractor and not getting all our money that I decided to set up my own company to specialise in the domestic sector. My building business has developed through word of mouth and personal recommendation.
Nicky: Why did the company join the FMB and when?
Ewan: I joined the FMB in September 2010. I felt the business was now at the stage that we needed to be kept up to date on changes to regs etc. I wanted the business to have the kudos that the FMB brings to a company. I want my clients to know that I am serious about what I do.
Nicky: What are the main benefits of membership?
Ewan: I know that I can pick up the phone at anytime and get a bit of advice. FMB Scotland has been very helpful and has responded quickly when I needed information. He even arranged a personal visit to the Passive House Centre in Rosyth so that I could learn more about that type of build. I am very supportive of the FMB’s campaign to Cut the VAT. I lost two jobs on the one day recently worth a total of £60k because I wasn't prepared to reduce my price for a cash deal.
Nicky: You seem to spend a lot of time in Eastern Europe – does that make it easier to separate your two lives?
Ewan: Apollo 440 has a large fan base in Eastern Europe. We also had a number 1 in Germany, Australia and Japan and we are regarded by many as a legendary dance band. Because we are not as well known in the UK, I can lead a normal life as a father, husband and builder at home in Scotland.
Nicky: What have been the highlights – of both careers?
Ewan: Leaving every building client happy is a highlight. That will never change as I know in the building game you are only as good as your last job. My musical highlight was Apollo 440 headlining with the Prodigy last summer at the Spirit of Burgas Festival in Bulgaria. We played to 80,000 people on a beach. Great memories!
Nicky: Who has been your greatest inspiration (both careers again!)?
Ewan: Most sons would say their mother has been their greatest inspiration and I am no different. My mother was a single parent for most of her days but she still managed to give me everything that I needed and encouraged me to chase my dreams - but still have a trade behind me if I did not manage to make it in the music business. I have a wonderful wife and three kids. They give me all the inspiration I need every day to make the most of my lucky life. Musically I have many influences. I love the classics; Dylan for his lyrics, Freddie Mercury for his showmanship and John Lennon for making a difference. My favourite singer is Ella Fitzgerald - I am hugely influenced by black music.
Nicky: You’re allowed one ‘Desert Island’ track and one ‘Desert Island’ building, what would they be?
Ewan: For pure happiness my Desert Island disk would be “Jamming” by Bob Marley. My Desert Island building would be an old sugar warehouse in Barbados that I shared with Julian Lennon for five weeks. It brings back great memories of banana daiquiri’s and carefree days.
Nicky: Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?
Ewan: I hope and I will be doing exactly the same but with more knowledge of both professions. On the music side I would like to get into the production side. To that end I am just about to start to extend the studio that is attached to my home. On the construction side I want to find out more about Passive Houses. I see that as the future for small builders. We should never stop learning.
Nicky: I have heard that you tour for six months of the year then come home to ‘relax’ by doing development building work – I can think of easier ways to relax to be frank, so is it the sheer contrast of your two careers that helps you switch off?
Ewan: You have hit the nail right on the head. I go from acting like a spoiled teenager with the band and come back to the responsibility of ensuring that a dozen subbies are kept busy and paid on my construction jobs. The band allows me to escape the responsibility [I feel] for others.
Nicky: Thank you Ewan, I thought I was an ace multi-tasker, but you take the biscuit…
If you enjoy a double life, like Ewan, we’d love to hear from you. Contact the Master Builder editor : nickyr@warnersgroup.co.uk
