Gillian Glover
Myspace: www.myspace.com/gillianglovermusic
Gillian Glover is an exquisite singer/songwriter, with an exceptional sense of melody. Gillian plays with funk band BeatRoot and this is her first solo album; a collection of rocking blues based numbers and beautiful acoustic songs.
Gillian first released recordings were on Roger Glover's 2002 album Snapshot on backing vocals, and lead vocals on the song Bargain Basement. In 2005 she sang backing vocals on the Ian Gillan album Gillan's Inn.
Gillian's new album, Red Handed, was recorded and mixed at Miloco Studios, London, from July 2006 to January 2007, produced by Tom Wilcox and engineered by Ben Thackeray with Roger Glover providing additional production. It was mastered by Guy Davie at The Exchange.
The album is due to be released in April 2007 by Maniac Squat records / distributed by Code 7 via PHD.
Three renowned arrangers contributed string arrangements to Gillian's album: the brilliant Paul Buckmaster (Red Shoes), Joe Mennonna (Singing You To Sleep) and Deep Purple's Don Airey (Go).
Gillian has a highly experienced and talented band, who include:
Woody Woodmansey, drums and percussion Legendary drummer with David Bowie / The Spiders From Mars, playing on the classic albums Ziggy Stardust, Hunky Dory, Aladdin Sane and The Man Who Sold The World. Woody has also worked with Art Garfunkel, Paul McCartney, Dexy's Midnight Runners, among others, and is currently in a band call Cybernauts with Trevor Bolder from the Spiders from Mars and Uriah Heep, and Joe Elliott and Phil Collen from Def Leppard.
Rod Melvin, piano, organ, keyboards, backing vocals Former pianist in Kilburn & The High Roads, working with Ian Dury, with whom he co-wrote the Ian Dury & The Blockheads Top 10 hit What A Waste. Rod has recorded two albums with Brian Eno, including Another Green World.
Claus Bohling, guitar, harmonica Currently in Cornwall-based Elektrum. Stella Danish axe-hero Claus worked with Donavan in the 60s and was in successful Danish bands Hurdy Gurdy (60s) and Secret Oyster (70s)
Michael Giaquinto, bass Currently in punk band Vice Squad and rockers The Chavs. Formerly in Maniac Squat and Who's Who.
Pete Dixon, guitars Famous for being Pete Townshend in Who's Who.
Tom Wilcox, producer Vocalist in The Chavs, formerly in cult 90's punk band Maniac Squat. Producer for Vita Ross.
We interviewed Gillian here....
A) The facts:
A1) What material did you record here at Miloco?
Gillian: My first solo project, 11 songs, fruits of the labour of many men and one woman (me), all of which will magically turn into a tiny little cd.
A2) When is it due to be released?
Gillian: 8th May
A3) Are there any guest artists on this project/are you collaborating with anyone?
Gillian: One thing I love about making music is the collaborative nature it can have. So there are quite a few guests and collaborations. Three of the songs were originally written with Alonza Bevan of Kulashaker. Woody Woodmansey plays drums on all songs (David Bowie / The Spiders From Mars, playing on the classic albums Ziggy Stardust, Hunky Dory, Aladdin Sane and The Man Who Sold The World). Rod Melvin, the genius on the piano who was also instrumental in bringing the music together behind some of my songs that had previously only existed in my head (former pianist in Kilburn & The High Roads, working with Ian Dury, with whom he co-wrote the Ian Dury & The Blockheads Top 10 hit What A Waste. Rod has recorded two albums with Brian Eno). Michael Giaquinto (Currently in punk band Vice Squad and rockers The Chavs) Tom Wilcox (also in the Chavs) was the man responsible for this project being realized. He has collaborated with me on a good deal of the music and the organization of just about everything.
A4) How would you describe the music you're making at this moment in time?
Gillian: It has a broad spectrum which will take you from foot-tapping to dancing to instropection to contemplation. Rock, blues, acoustic, folk. Everyday has a range of emotions. I am perplexed by people who like only one type of music, one type of song.
A5) How long did you spend here at Miloco?
Gillian: We spent just over two weeks in total there, recording and mixing (and general merry-music-making), split up into little blocks over the last 6 months. Part of it was during a beautiful heat wave in June last year - and I didn't even miss the precious sun, which makes only rare appearances in London!
A6) How did you come about working with Tom Wilcox, and what has he individually brought to the record that other producers wouldn't have?
Gillian: I worked at the Whitechapel Gallery a few years ago and met Tom there towards the end of my stint as a 9-5 person. It is important to work with a producer that is a friend, first and foremost. On top of his creative contribution, he also has invaluable patience for things I can't stand like budgets, logistics and organization.
A7) What's it like working with a backing band of such experience? I bet they have some good stories...
Gillian: I have to say that at the inception of this project I felt so far out of my depth working these wonderful musicians. I quickly learned that you could take to word 'musicians' out of that phrase. They are just wonderful. Wonderful to work with, quick to laugh, and yes... always at hand with a good story. The wit of musicians is of a particular sort!
A8) What do you like about Miloco and what do they seem to offer differently from other studios?
Gillian: Ben Thackeray was priceless. He has a knack of knowing what you're going to ask for before you do and already has it done. He and all the studio assistants made any request come to fruition. Never once did I hear the response that something was not possible.
A9) Please describe Miloco in 12 words...
Gillian: Twelve!!! My goodness! Do you mean a sentence or some adjectives? I'll give you both.
If I had to hide from summer heat, I'd go to Miloco.
Professional
Attentive
Resourceful
Accommodating
Cold (at times, and only in terms if temperature)
Warm (but always in terms of people)
Suggestive (at times, and only in terms of music). Actually, that is not the right use of the word, but you know what I mean!
Persnickety
Edible
Undulating
Dazzling
Crass
B) Favourite album section:
B1) What was your favourite album when you were:
a) 5-12 yrs old? The Kinks, The Who, Cat Stevens, Simon & Garkunkel, Crosby Stills Nash & Young
b) 13-16? Edie Brickel, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Faith No More, Led Zeppelin, Blur, Stone Roses, Suzanne Vega, Tori Amos
c) 17-25? Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Radiohead, Taj Mahal, Bob Dylan, Ellen McCilwaine, Etta James, Bjork,
B2) If you could have been involved in the writing or recording of any one album, which one would it have been?
Gillian: Buena Vista Social Club, I admire the collaborations of Ry Cooder with other musicians. My interest in world music, certainly piqued by my interest in travel, gets greater every year. To bring together some the old, great musicians of a generation and to reignite a spark was a work of passion and dedication and such an opportunity to learn. The album(s) are so well known now and the movie has been made but it still holds true that it was a great feat with great music and great colour. And, of course, you get to hang out in Cuba for a while!
B3) Choose 5 desert island discs?
Led Zeppelin I
Ojos de Brujo - Bari
Etta James - At Last
Lhasa De Sela - The Living Road
Some Muddy Waters - I think I'd need some blues if I were stranded on a deserted island
B4) Which other band or solo-artist has influenced you most over the last 12 months?
Gillian: Hmmm. Can I say two? Lhasa de Sela for her experimental sounds, quirky song-writing and poetry, and her ability to sing perfectly in three languages. Lila Downs for the suberb quality of her voice, capable of sweet soaring, growling, and infusing such depth of emotion.
C) Brainstorming silly questions:
C1) What's the last book you read/what are reading now?
Gillian: Last book - A biography on Taj Mahal. This book - Amusing Ourselves to Death, by Niel Postman. I read this once years ago but wanted to re-read it. It is a little out-dated now but is still a wonderful commentary on how influenced we are by and how dependent we have become on out current prevailing medium of communication - the television. Everything from advertising to newsrooms to religion has through it been transformed into entertainment.
C2) What's the last thing you ate?
Gillian: I just got back from 3 weeks of traveling in Brazil, so my last full meal was in a Churrascaria, where you have an amazing salad bar, replete with sushi (strangely a big thing all over Brazil and my favourite food ever), and are given a card to place by your setting, red one on side green on the other, which indicates if you would like a visit from one of the many waiters eagerly pacing about the place with spikes loaded full of various kinds of fresh meat. It was very good but I am now seriously thinking about becoming vegetarian again.
C3) Any thoughts on what your tombstone might read?
Gillian: I'd rather be cremated and put in a firework.
E) Final music section:
E1) Which is the best gig you've ever been to?
Gillian: My goodness, do I have to pick one again? I refuse. When I was pretty young, Pink Floyd still stands out in my mind for sheer pyrotechnics. I remember learning who Icarus was at that gig. Mose Allison in a little jazz bar in New York Lemonjelly for what an amazing time they gave to an audience. I have never been to such a happy gig amongst a sea of laughter and silliness Tori Amos at the Union Cafe in Islington, London, where I stood outside in a queue of non-ticket holders like a true fan and managed to get in - because I was on my own, I could squeeze into one of the first pews on top of the stage. At every gig of hers I have been to, I am amazed that you could hear a pin drop, so captivated is the audience.
E2) What's the worst behaviour ever witnessed at a gig (your own, someone else's, on/off/back stage)?
Gillian: Fiona Apple in New York where she threw a temper tantrum, tore at her hair, screamed, flailed and left the stage. The audience waited in shocked amazement until her manager came on 45 minutes later to inform us that Fiona would not be coming back on stage that night. She still writes great songs though!
F) The end bit:
Thank you very much for submitting yourself to the Miloco Magazine inquisition; your time, effort and patience is much appreciated.
F1) Before signing off, is there anything else you'd like us to know?
Gillian: No, only a few things I'd prefer you didn't!
F2) Please tell us your website, myspace and general contact details, etc.
www.myspace.com/gillianglovermusic
Gillian Glover was talking to MILC early 2007.
© MILC@Miloco 2007