Seth Glier – Stages

By starrymag | March 10, 2020

By: Matthew Pepe

 

 

 

Q) Your sound is incredibly unique. How would you describe it?

A) I’ve always identified as a writer-song-singer as oppose to a singer-songwriter. Stories are deeply rooted in my sound and why I choose to write sounds. I love all genres of music but there was something about those iconic albums from the late 60s and 70s where people like Jackson Browne, Carole King and Randy Newman were putting these stories into melodies that got stuck in your head and heart. I like to call what I do storytelling pop music.

Q) What inspires you to write the music that you do?

A) It’s usually outrage that lights the fuse. Songwriting has always been a process of trying to understand something in my interior world. That can be a personal relationship or it can be a relationship I have to our politics or climate. Music is where I try to harmonize the everyday dissonance in my life.

Q) Talk about your songwriting process.

A) I’ve become slower about it. I use to write every day and finish a song every day. That did teach me a lot about form and how to not be precious about the process. I don’t write everyday currently but I do court the muse daily. Lately it feels kind of like a rain cloud. I’ll gather up enough precipitation rolling from one activity to the next that eventually the cloud opens up. I think I’ve rushed a lot of good ideas because I had some living to do.

Q) How would you describe your evolution from your first release until “Stages?”

A) I think I tended to be more of a literal writer in my earlier work. As I mentioned earlier, I wrote to understand but in my earlier work I desperately wanted to be understood by others. The more songs I wrote the more I’m able to let that go. There is a power in the abstract and open ended. Interpretations can be far more interesting than concrete understanding. I try not to cross every t in songs and that translates into the production. In “Stages” I used lots of samples chopped up and moved around to texture the journey. I wanted the song to feel sort of like a morning glory unveiling itself to the sun. I wanted it to open slowly yet fearless. I wanted to let the mystery be

Q) When most artists have something to say on a topical subject, they may write one song about it. Your newest two singles were both inspired by Malala Yousafzai. How did Malala inspire you, and will we see more music inspired by her and what she represents?

A) “Stages” was more inspired by my marriage and going through that ritual with my wife. I love rituals and feel they unlock a secret power. That was at least my experience in getting married.

“If It Wasn’t For You” was inspired by Malala. In specifics, it was inspired by an answer she had given a reporter shortly after she accepted her Noble Peace Prize. The reporter asked Malala, “What would you say to the two members of the Taliban who tried to kill you if you ever reunited with them again?” Her answer was that she’d thank them because if it wasn’t for them she wouldn’t be the person she is now. And to deny them love is to deny herself the same. Truth cuts all the way through and when you hear wisdom like that you hold on to it. I wrote “If It Wasn’t For You” later that week with my friend Steve Seskin. We liked the project addressing trauma and transformation in the clothing of a love song.

Q) You have been a national spokesperson for Autism speaks and “Love is a Language” was inspired by a loved one with Autism. As a father of an Autistic child, this song inspired me. What would you like to say to our readers about your advocacy with Autism Speaks?

A) My brother Jamie was born with Autism. He lived his life completely non-verbal and I often refer to him as my greatest non-musical musical influence. Learning how to have a relationship with my brother without words completely transformed how I communicate with words. In one way, my brother made me a songwriter. He taught me that there is language in everything and how to go look for it. The posturing shoulder or the darting of an eye. We are always telling stories. I also believe that those who are marginalized in anyway often have the most vivid stories to tell.

I was thirteen years old when my parents took me out of school and to the state house in Boston to advocate for bills effecting my brothers support services. Sometimes they were for PCA benefits (personal care assistant) or funding cut to the department of disability services. It was fun for me. I was social and out of school. Looking back, these trips gave me a deep awareness at an early age that there was an ecosystem around my family that allowed us to be a family. As I entered into a profession that continues to give me a microphone, using that added decibel level to advocate for others was a natural progression. I believe every spotlight comes with the responsibility to reflect that light into the corners. Into the places that we far too frequently overlook.

Learning my brother’s language is one of the greatest gifts in my life. Even though he is no longer on this plane with me, his language permeates my music and interactions with others.

Q) Not many people can say that they have been on a State Dept. sponsored music tour and are an official music ambassador. How did you get involved at this level, and what does it mean to you personally? What was one of your favorite moments from that tour specifically?

A) On my last tour the state department sent me to Mongolia and I was had learned a little bit of throat singing but wasn’t doing it right. I was in a school for the blind and I asked (through a translator) if one of the students could give me some pointers. This blind man put one hand around my throat and the other on my lower stomach. For several minutes he made sounds that I tried to imitate and pushed on the parts of my body to feel vibrations. It was strangely aggressive and tender. After a few minutes he managed to really improve the resonance of my throat singing. It’s exchanges like that that make this a truly amazing program.

Personally, in times where our whole country is talking about what America is or isn’t. What it should be and shouldn’t be. How it’s great or how it can be better. This cultural exchange of music is the best way I know how to be useful and how to participate in that conversation without being a pundit.

Q) When can your fans expect to see more new music after “Stages” release?

A) Well, I just released a song called “If It Wasn’t For You” on Valentine’s Day and am releasing an acoustic single of that song in March. I hoping to do some recording in Mexico next month as I embarking on another state department tour. I hope to release a few singles in May and June and a full length this fall.

Q) Will we see an upcoming full album or EP?

A) Full album this fall.

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform?

A) I loved performing in Ukraine. Everything about it actually. The people there are some of the most open generous souls I’ve ever met. I also love the Midwest of America. For similar reasons.

Q) How did you come up with the idea to sell Vinyl singles at your shows? Are you a “Vynilphile?”

A) I love the format. Vinyl reminds you how real music is. I especially like the smell of it. The polymers. The fresh card stock. It’s a ritual.

Q) What do you hope fans take away from your music?

A) I hope it makes them feel less alone in the world. I also hope that it brings them closer to their own story. My hope is that my music inspires others to take action in their world, whether that’s a commitment to social justice causes or simply forgiving another person who harmed them. Transformation can come in so many forms of radical action.

Q) If I took a peek at your music collection, who would I be surprised to see in it?

A) A lot of 80s stuff lately. I’m really into this album called Hats by The Blue Nile. Maybe a curve ball would be Raffi. I do listen to a lot of children’s music.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of your music?

A) Thank you for allowing me to make my life work.

 

 

 

 

Watch “If It Wasn’t For You”