THE BRIAN GLADSTONE INTERVIEW
by Roy Harper
As Featured in
Outershell Magazine, June 2001. Roy
Harper is the editor of Outershell Magazine. He contacted us a few months
ago to arrange an interview with Brian in his magazine. Its a free monthly
magazine, with some very interesting articles. Contact Roy at OUTERSHEL@aol.com
to get on his mailing list for free monthly e-zine. Their articles on Hendrix
and the Beatles are a must read.
Roy told us the the magazine offers
reviews for submitted material, but they would " no
longer get an interview -- I am reserving interviews for those I
think have some kind of unique music or some kind of musical background of
musical-history importance. Myself, I continue to listen to your CD, and
TOTALLY enjoy it."
Following is Roy's enlightening interview
with Brian. The complete June issue available at the addresses indicated
above.
June 2001 "OTHER"
Music News & Views Vol. 2 No. 28
THE BRIAN GLADSTONE
INTERVIEW by Roy Harper
Brian Gladstone hails from Canada and his current CD is titled 'Back To The
Dirt'.
RH - Your music is 'folk-rock’. What drew you to that genre of music?
BG - I was fortunate to be musically aware during the folk revival in the 60s;
the Byrds came out 'Mr. Tambourine Man'. That was the first time I heard the
term 'folk-rock' - which basically meant rock bands were carrying the messages
of the great lyricists of the folk era. I'm not sure I would put a label on
any musical genre, which may tend to blur or constrict a vision. I was always
drawn to the lyrics and how they reflected and interacted with the politics,
history, mentality, and momentum of the times.
RH - And your music? .....
BG - The music is entirely acoustic, all natural. There were little or no
electronic or digital enhancements in the recording, and we did not do a lot
of punching if. All the off notes are left in. I wanted it to sound like I was
sitting in my living room playing for my friends. I like to write about
topical issues both serious
and social commentaries, with my own personal brand of irony and sarcasm. I
use the guitar playing and instrumentals to paint a picture frame around the
lyrics. The music is my means of self-expression and its expression helps me
find my balance and grounding.
RH - Why Is the CD called 'Back To The Dirt' ?
BG - "Back To The Dirt' has interpretations at many different levels, but
all are basic to our salvation. The Dirt is the earth - natures true
grounding, zero potential, and the point at which all other things are
referenced to. Back To The Dirt can be a prophecy - a vision of our future. We
are all destined 'Back To The Dirt' in some form at a time during or after our
life - be it when we need to be grounded, when we lose touch with our roots,
when we need to bury our toes in the sand. Back To The Dirt will be our
destiny when man has gone too far to upset the balance of nature, and she
reversed the damage done to her
nature balance to restore equilibrium. ' Back To The Dirt' can
be somewhere we visit in our mind when we drift too far away from home. We are
destined back to the dirt, but we have the power to change our destiny.
RH - You recorded and marketed your CD?
BG - Recording and marketing the CD independently (without help from a label)
is a long intense grueling process that will take up every moment of time and
energy. The recording took almost 2 years in my home studio. There was not
really a plan - I wrote and recorded as I went. I would take a week off here
and there to practice guitar or banjo picking, rewrite lyrics, etc. AS I
played all the instruments, the 15 songs probably took over 300 separate
tracks (most of which weren't used).
When the CD was finished, I had no industry
contacts in music, publishing, or radio - and it was then I realized I had to
figure out a way to get exposure. I spent hours a day for many months
searching for radio stations and programs who fit the format, and send them
copies and kept in touch with all the DJs
constantly. I started to get reasonable airplay throughout the USA through the
Radio Folk Organization. I believe that fans have to be made one at a time. I
started going out to open mike nights, playing for strangers and meeting other
musicians. Now I have many fans, and am a regular on the local acoustic
music scene. In addition, I contacted many publications who review acoustic
music, and got some favorable reviews. Then, I sent out the reviews to DJs who
weren't playing the CD, and that generated more airplay. I was signed to the
Comstock label out of Arizona. They've been able to put 'Back To The Dirt' on
playlists throughout Europe. Airplay increased to the level where the CD was
listed in the top 100 Worldwide Mainstream Charts from Nov 2000 to Feb 2001.
It is likely that 'Back to the Dirt' will finally be listed on the Country
Charts expected within the next few weeks.
As an Independent - you own total freedom over all aspects of the music and
marketing. It's an intense process to be recognized, for every step forward
there appears to be two steps back. It requires stamina, and ultimate
unconditional faith and belief in yourself and your ability to succeed.
RH - Do you find that, as far as presenting your music 'out there', you are
restricted in the sense that screaming' rock bands or boy-bands seem to
dominate the music
scene today ?
BG - I don't worry about the audience. They seem to find me, or I seem to find
them. It's not likely my music will have the mass appeal as the genre of the
day - but its roots down to earth ground music. That is not a trend. It will
never change, and people need to hear it. If not, I would just play for
myself.
RH - What kind of experience does the listener get from Back To The Dirt ?
BG - Based on fan mail, Back to the Dirt
makes them smile and think, and offers a vision to the past and the future. I
help people see things and make connections for them - some on very deep
multi-layered levels, and some simple and superficial. I'm told there is a lot
of energy built into the package - which makes sense to me as I packed a lot
of energy into the enclosure. MY CD visits the roots of finger picking guitar,
and shows the power and harmony in alternating and ragtime acoustic bass notes
when played against the steady meter. And most of all - the CD is fun - It's
just good old-fashioned acoustic fun.
RH - Closing comments ?
BG - If you believe in yourself, then don't let any negative comments from
anyone stand in the way of your dreams. If you work hard and are diligent and
thorough, you can achieve anything you want.
For 'Back To The Dirt' and Brian Gladstone, visit his web site www.backtothedirt.com
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***GIVEAWAY*** We have a copy of the CD 'Back To The Dirt' to giveaway.
Just ask for it. Good Luck !
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