THE BRIAN GLADSTONE INTERVIEW – by Roy Harper June 2002
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.
