So I’ve been taking so long to post this because I was struggling with the introduction. I never know how personal I want to make this, or how professional. I just decided to go with very personal. The reason you’re reading this is because Greg Laswell is the first artist I’ve heard in a while that’s inspired me to the point of actually requesting an interview.
I listened to his Covers EP for a few months before buying and getting hooked on Take A Bow. He has said that Take A Bow, his latest record, was the first album he made during which he wasn’t miserable. His vocals are steady alto with the occasional dips of a deep baritone. The piano and acoustic guitar only complement his voice. The instrumentation is never overshadowing of his vocal ability. As a result of his song structure and style of writing, I think you’ll find that Take A Bow is no less poignant because its writer wasn’t sad.
Below he discusses his music being featured on Grey’s Anatomy, working with Morgan Page, the album he’s making right now and more.
Your collaboration with Morgan Page, “Addicted”, recently premiered on Grey’s Anatomy. What is the process for working with an artist like Morgan Page? Did you guys work together in the studio or did he send you the music?
He sent me a few instrumental songs and I lit some candles, laid prostrate and let them wash over me. Could you imagine if that was my answer? No, he sent me a few tunes he was working on and I picked my favorite, recorded a melody over it and then we went back and forth like that for a little while. Then towards the end, I was in LA for some meetings and stopped by his studio to add a few more vocal layers.
Speaking of Grey’s Anatomy, I’ve heard quite a few of your songs on the show. That’s how I discovered you. Have you ever gotten negative feedback from long-time fans about your songs being placed on the show? As a fan of mostly indie artists, I notice some negative response in regards to anything remotely mainstream.
Of course there are people who discredit songs or artists based on such things, and I’ve even overheard things like, “He’s a Grey’s Anatomy artist,” which is what it is. I don’t blame anyone for it, I mean I do it worse than anyone… I have this innate need to categorize things instantly and then like or dislike them based on where I’ve already placed them. The bottom-line for me is that the people at Grey’s Anatomy have liked my music for years now and keep “showing” it to people, like you do with one of your friends… the whole, hey-listen-to-this! thing. And I’m simply grateful for it. Whatever negative feedback that comes along with something like that is usually more about the person giving it than it is about the art.
You’re in the studio now working on a new album. Is there anything you try to do differently with each album in terms of writing, pre-production, and/or recording? Or do you have a set way of doing things that works for you each time?
I have found that I am extremely affected by my surroundings. On the last record, “Take a Bow,” I moved my recording studio to a cabin in Flagstaff, Arizona. For this record I moved it to an old church in Maine for 3 weeks. I realize that I will notice more than someone else might, but I think you can hear the effects of each setting in the recordings.
Would you say you write more about your personal experiences or about things that happen around you?
I suppose I’ve made a career from talking about my personal experiences exclusively. This new record is a first-time departure from that, so I’m pretty excited about it.
Is there a single moment that stands out in your mind in when you decided to become a musician; to pursue this career?
Yes. It was the summer after I graduated from college. I had started a teacher’s education program and I was sitting in a high school classroom clocking in my observation hours and instantly thought to myself, “Wait, what the f*ck am I doing? I want to be a musician.” I quit the program that day.
What were some of your favorite artists growing up? Do they influence the music you make today?
I grew up listening to the Beatles with my mom. I used to love Billy Idol when I was really young, then Guns n’ Roses came out and it was heavy metal from that point on…. then the Pixies and Nirvana. I went through a Tori Amos phase somewhere in there, then backtracked to just plain old american rock – Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty… now I don’t really listen to that much music (quite honestly). I listen to it when I run, but that’s about it. I much prefer one of my favorite movies playing in the background when I’m busy around the house, or else nothing. I keep waiting to fall back in love with listening to music, but I haven’t yet.
What are some of your favorite current artists? I see your only ‘like’ on Facebook is Holly Miranda, whom of which, I am a huge fan. Any others?
The last record I bought is Lamb of God… obviously nothing like what I do.
One of my favorite songs ever recorded, by anyone, is your cover of “Your Ghost” (originally by Kristin Hersh). Would you ever consider releasing another covers EP?
Thank you! Yeah, I loved doing that record. And I love covering songs…. I’m sure I’ll do another one at some point.
Thank you for the interview! Good luck with the new record! Can’t wait to hear it!
Thanks, Janay. Good questions by the way. x
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