INTERVIEW: GLISTEN! (12/15/23) -
One year on from the original release, we sat down today with the artist glisten, talking about the album 'glisten vs the world' as well as what's to come! To celebrate the anniversary of this release, we're also releasing a special version on both CD and Vinyl - more information at the bottom of this interview! Thank you to glisten for joining us, we hope you enjoy!
It's been just about one year since your album, glisten vs the world. How do you feel about the project now, looking back on it?
Its a weird feeling because I like to think that I changed so much and so little in a years time. At face-value its a really good album, and I am really proud of how it turned out. Some of my best work is on that record, and it shows from how hard I worked on it. It took around four years for it to come into fruition, starting back even before I called myself glisten. I put my all into 2022 trying to finish it and once it was done it felt like I had just finished writing a 10,000 page autobiography.
If you could change one thing about the project, what would you do / add / remove / etc?
I wouldn't do anything to it at all. I'm always moving forward because what's the point on dwelling on what could have been? There are so many flaws and things that I would change now to make it better; there are so many things that I would not change at all. 99% of albums have inconsistencies in many forms that you fundamentally cannot change. The past is in the past, and I'm content with that.
What was your favorite part about creating the project? Any standout moments to you?
I really enjoyed the songwriting of it all. Most of it was just me playing different chords on my guitar in my bedroom until it felt natural. Every chord that rang out, every word that came out of my mouth felt like it belonged. The whole album theme of "me vs the world" tied together easily because it was just me and my thoughts, memories, experiences, values etc... My whole life has pretty much been involved in music. My grandfather played guitar to me as a child and I picked it up when I was eight. I even performed at university level. I started writing music at fifteen and haven't stopped since.
Out of all of your songs, (including after and before the album) which is your favorite? Why so?
Before writing 'glisten vs the world' I made a song called 'essential' that was so short but bittersweet. The very first song I wrote for the album was 'what do you bring?' and that is probably still my favourite song off of it: the build-up and chorus hit me like a freight train every single time. However, I do have a soft spot for 'cu2nite ;)' 'can you feel it?' and 'omg thats embarrassing.' As of now, my favourite song is unreleased, and I have no idea when it is coming out.
It's been stated that you're based in Australia, pretty far from the US where most of the "scene" is located - How do you feel this affects your work, both in terms of the scene and it's influence on your work itself?
Yeah, I guess in a sense not living in New York or whatever affects my ability to work with different people to an extent. Like, I can't just go over to another artist's house/home studio to collab because there isn't much here at all. There is no "scene" here. While the internet connects us all and evolves, being the whole reason this "scene" exists, it also feels so restricting. Even when I do shows or tour at some point, you need to create momentum out of a lot more to get the ball rolling. Going from place to place is a lot harder as the cities are spread out and the cesspit of the mainstream radio is filled with the same three songs over and over. It's difficult to become a breakout artist in a place where everyone listens to the same four chord song on repeat.
On the other hand, living in Australia rather than the US gives me a different perspective on life. I've actually been to America, and the vibe is completely different to what it is here. We have completely different world views, quality of life and experiences that lead us to different pathways in creativity.
I'm going to Japan in roughly a months time so I'm hoping the experience and culture will give me some insight to writing.
What's your favorite genre of music - is it the same to your favorite to create? What aspects of that sound stick out to you the most?
I wouldn't say I have a particular favourite genre of music because I will listen to almost anything. However, I do enjoy listening to and making certain sounds.
A particular sound that I love creating contains a collective of similar artists that I love. I can't even put my finger on what to call it but I it gives me a sense of nostalgia and I can name some projects/artists that create this sound:
gabby start/knapsack: in 'buzz of a lifetime,' 'luca,' and 'alex'
clearlew: in 'sora and the guest'
charlie kurata: in 'funcanyoufeel'
patchymate: in 'Avian'
defsharp: in 'infrequent flyers program'
And myself throughout my album, in tracks like 'what do you bring?' and 'cause i cant.'
"Don't overwork yourself - write down ideas that come into your head every now and then, it helps with the longevity of your passion and drive."
Going forward, where do you see yourself taking your sound? Do you have a plan for what to do next or are you just kind of "going with the flow" so to speak?
I feel like now that we're not stuck inside we've evolved into a "post-lockdown grunge." The hyperpop, digicore, dariacore period of time felt like we were moving a million miles an hour because we had nothing else to do with our lives. But now that we're free, we can slow down, relax, and take a breath.
With the 'glisten vs the world' album cycle coming to a close, my work has become a lot more sinister, strong, pessimistic and narcissistic. I have also felt that change in the last year or so as well.
In terms of actual writing and production I have been leaning into the extremes. A minimalist or maximalist approach really seems like the way to move. I'm taking in so much inspiration from Clarence Clarity's album 'NO NOW' and analog horror in general.
Even in the scene I caught glimpses of where I want to take my approach. The bone-chilling simplicity of 'you don't even know who i am' by underscores scares me to my core and I love that. The final hair-raising scream after the last verse in 'Census Designated' by Jane Remover is something similar to what I'd like to create in my own work.
On that note, any plans for future releases / any info to share with us about them?
My next album is titled envision and that is all I will disclose for now.
Who are your favorite artists, in the scene or out of it, and why? Do you feel they've had an influence on your sound as an artist yourself?
Originally I started listening to music properly through high school and I got into rock heavily as I was playing guitar, playing 'Jesus of Suburbia' by Green Day multiple times in a row because I enjoyed it so much. I then moved on to EDM, listening to Virtual Riot, Alan Walker and Illenium to name a few.
Through those EDM artists I was able to uncover the genius that is EDEN. He is probably my all-time favourite artist as his lyrical and sonic content have an immense amount of depth. Some of my favourites include 'isohel,' 'take care' and 'the love u need.'
After that, I found the scene through brakence and some of my favourite artists of all time are in it.
Jane Remover has become one of the best to ever do it and made my album of the year in 'Census Designated.' The highlights are definitely the title and penultimate track.
gabby start is one of the most interesting and sonically divergent producers I know. His sound is so mathematical, calculated and I really enjoy its style. I can't wait for his next project. I listen to the Goop Fest and Camp Boneyard sets all the time.
trndytrndy is another name I keep coming back to. I keep seeing their snippets on twitter and instagram and it intrigues me to see if they would make a full body of work. I really liked 'the halloween ep.'
I could go on for ages about artists I really enjoy so I'll name drop a few: bh, patchymate, clearlew, tracey brakes, Sam Gellaitry, PinkPantheress, Computerwife, Men I Trust, defsharp, the list goes on...
And, of course they have an influence on my work. Anything I see and hear can create or change an idea in my head. I love drawing things from other artists work and interpolating it into my own. Even in my song 'cu2nite ;)' I asked defsharp if I could interpolate their song 'to get older' in my own.
What's your dream collab(s)?
I wouldn't say I have a "dream collab" because they all are a possibility that could happen. However, I would love to work with some of the people mentioned in this interview: EDEN, Jane Remover, Gabby etc. I would like to chill with some people though. Like sometimes I think, "What is inside Jacob Collier's mind?" or some random shit like that lol.
This question is open-ended, just a space for you to freely discuss or talk about anything you'd like to mention that we haven't covered! Feel free to talk about anything!
Now that you've put me on the spot my mind goes blank... I will give some advice to other artists in saying that enjoying the process rather than treating it as a chore has really helped me mentally. If I'm being honest at most I've made 6 songs since 'glisten vs the world' was completely finished. I got burnt out in a sense but I've really been enjoying my time in the last year. Don't overwork yourself and write down ideas that come into your head every now and then as it helps with the longevity of your passion and drive.
Before we go, is there anybody or anything you'd like to shout out? Thank you!
Ummmmm shoutout caffeinated drinks, shoutout walkable cities, shoutout dissociating, shoutout airpods, shoutout overwatch. Fuck overwatch as well, fuck time zones, fuck paying for daws, plugins and vsts. Once again, thank you for having me and thank you all for reading and listening to my music. <3
Big thank you to glisten for joining us in this interview today!
We're excited to also be releasing the anniversary version of 'glisten vs the world' on both CD and Vinyl today!
You can pick up a copy of the album on your preferred medium here:
https://propyl.store/b/glistenvstheworld
Thank you once again to glisten!
This interview was written by the Propyl Team.
Please contact us @ propylrecords@gmail.com for any questions or inquiries.
