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Recently, Lead man Bill Whalen of Gleasons Drift candidly spoke to us about the band who the magazine took an instant fancy too. The band’s overall musical presence is what we are enjoying the most about them. If you want to know more, then please read this outstanding spotlight. Here is what formulated.
Isaac: One of the reasons why I was drawn to you guys’ music is your take on the whole Rock genre. Briefly elaborate on how your band came together as Gleasons Drift.
Bill Whalen of Gleasons Drift: My self (Bill Whalen, guitar/singer/songwriter) and Greg Lowe (bass) played for years in several bands, as the story goes many musicians did also. I had a bunch of tunes I wanted to record. We recruited a few friends, played them, had lots of fun and we are still doing it 6 years later.
Isaac: Expound on the name and the meaning behind Gleasons Drift.
Bill Whalen of Gleasons Drift: I grew up and still live in the “coal region” of Northeastern, Pennsylvania. The top of the mountain behind my house was called Gleasons Drift, which I believe was named after a fellow who operated a drift mine there. A drift mine is a gently sloping mine into the side of a mountain. As with the name of the band and with many of my songs, I like to incorporate local dialect and imagery from the area. The coal region is rich with many European ethnic groups who settled in the area when they arrived in our country to work in the anthracite coalmines. The area is rich in traditions and customs from many of these ethnic groups. It is a really neat, if somewhat depressed area.
Isaac: What is the most rewarding aspect to making music currently for you as a group and as individual musicians?
Bill Whalen of Gleasons Drift: Currently, as a group we are doing well, getting some nice exposure and playing some nice shows. As a musician, well it’s just what I do. I am really enjoying the guys I play with and the songs we are writing, most importantly we are still having a lot of fun.
Isaac: What has discouraged you the most about making music?
Bill Whalen of Gleasons Drift: Well nothing has discouraged me enough to stop. It becomes frustrating at times to realize that no matter how much you work and work at it, someone blows into town and has every opportunity fall right on their lap. With art, you must pay your dues, sometimes those dues are expensive! The only other thing that has gotten discouraging is that in a business that is tough to make money in, club owners are becoming increasingly more selfish and difficult to work with. Everyone’s expenses are on the rise and it is getting increasingly more difficult to just cover your expenses as a band. There isn’t a loyalty with owners and bands like there used to be. So to answer that question…nothing has discouraged me from making music, just the music business itself.
Isaac: How do you handle musical disagreement between the members of the group?
Bill Whalen of Gleasons Drift: We are like brothers in the band. In Gleasons Drift, there is a certain diplomacy that we all adhere to. When one of us has something to say, we say it. We all have a tough skin and know that we are lucky to be doing what we do, so we work through disagreements as quickly and productively as we can. Sometime we also yell and break things too!
Isaac: What does being entertainers in today’s world mean to you?
Bill Whalen of Gleasons Drift: Well in today’s world who knows?! I never liked or felt comfortable with the word “entertainer” to describe me or what I do. I play music because I enjoy it; I enjoy the live musical experience. I always felt that if there is a certain degree of integrity and truth in the music and performance as well as a sense of humor that that in itself is entertainment. So being in the role of the “entertainer” isn’t how I approach rock and roll. Being honest and enjoying yourself is where I’m coming from.
Isaac: Do you have a personal philosophy about music? If so, what is it?
Bill Whalen of Gleasons Drift: A philosophy? Well I guess that is what I just said, my philosophy has always been that music should make you feel good, get your feet moving. I always lived for the live experience, seeing a band and playing in the band. That moment when things are happening, when you are experiencing it as it is being created, that is where it’s always been for me. Like I said, when that is sincere and genuine, that is what makes great art.
Isaac: When you are performing live in front of an audience, what are the thoughts that are running through you head?
Bill Whalen of Gleasons Drift: Well, usually I am trying to focus on what I am playing and singing, and always trying to make some kind of contact with the folks who are listening. We try to get the audience to enjoy the show by getting them involved, hoping that they realize that they are just as important to the show as we are. Live music is about the interaction of the band and the audience. I always enjoy bands that make me feel like they are glad we came and TALK to the crowd. Never bought into the “we don’t talk to the crowd” thing. So yeah I’m thinking about the music and what’s going to happen next.
Isaac: Why is being an independent musician important to you?
Bill Whalen of Gleasons Drift: It’s important to me because it affords me the opportunity to do what I want, that is about the only thing if affords me! But yeah we have a nice scene within our label. The bands look out for one another and support one another, so despite the fact that no one is getting rich, we have a really creative group of people working together toward a common goal of making quality art. I think that is what being an “indie” artist is all about.
Isaac: Do you think the Internet has altered the path of music as an industry? If so, how?
Bill Whalen of Gleasons Drift: I can go on forever here but I’ll keep it short. Good; more access and easier access to everything. Booking, radio play, everything is quicker and easier, more opportunities also.
Bad; now everyone has a band. All markets are saturated with lots of bad music. That makes it difficult for bands like us, older guys, who have been around for a long time and knew how to book shows etc in the days before the Internet. Now clubs are inundated with gig requests etc so getting good shows becomes more difficult as talent buyers etc have an increasingly more difficult job weeding through the masses. Good and Bad. That’s the tip of the iceberg. I will not rant!
Isaac: Any advice for other musicians out there when it comes to using the Internet as a medium for getting their music heard to the masses?
Bill Whalen of Gleasons Drift: I have no advice, please give me some!
Isaac: What kind of recording software do you use and why do you prefer using it?
Bill Whalen of Gleasons Drift: I use an old analog 4 track machine to get rough sketches of songs on tape. When we record, we let that software up to the recording fellas who we pay to know that stuff.
Isaac: I know that everybody has his or her idea of a dream artist, someone who for whatever reasons that person would just love to listen to and admire. As an entertainer yourself, if you could play with one of your 'dream' musicians, anyone at all, who would it be and why?
Bill Whalen of Gleasons Drift: Well that is some question…the answer would have to be John Lennon or Neil Young. Both those musicians stand for integrity, and are genuine artists in every sense of the word. They work in several media and controlled/control every aspect of their careers. Their music reflects their beliefs and their dreams and ideals while still being grounded in reality and the truth. Hook me up with either of these guys and I would be a happy man.
Isaac: What are you hoping to gain from your experience of being a musician and making music?
Bill Whalen of Gleasons Drift: I have already gained very much. I have been extremely lucky to have been able to play original music in front of crowds for the last 20 years. I have traveled and experienced much of this country and a few others because of music. I have made some great art and I have stayed content and interested in that creation. I have met some great, interesting folks, worked alongside some really creative people and have established friendships that have made me a very wealthy man. (Figuratively speaking of course) And most importantly I am still having a blast doing it.
Isaac: What are you hopes for your music in the year 2008/2009?
Bill Whalen of Gleasons Drift: We hope to keep creating, keep playing shows, broaden our fan base and hopefully continue to enjoy this whole adventure.
Isaac: This is our Shout Out time. Please give props to anyone and everyone that matters the most to you.
Bill Whalen of Gleasons Drift: Well, my wife means the most as she puts up with this rock and roll lifestyle, as well as the folks at Blind Pigeon Records, jerry, josh, nick and all the gig goers and rock and rollers who keep supporting our endeavors. And I must thank the master of the low end, Greg Lowe who keeps me in the groove with drummer extraordinaire Tim “coffee cakes” Jenkins. These two folks make Gleasons Drift who we are and are two of the best at what they do. Thanks fellas.
Isaac: This is Shameless Plug time: Give us some updates on new releases and other projects in the works.
Bill Whalen of Gleasons Drift: Continuing playing shows in the Northeast on our summer “setlists are for posers” Tour, hitting the studio in the Fall for our follow-up to “Nickel Rocket”. Check out all news at www.blindpigeonrecords.com or www.myspace.com/gleasonsdrift.
Isaac: Final Thoughts:
Bill Whalen of Gleasons Drift: Thanks for your time and listening, check us out, stop out at a show, rock and roll, and of course continue to support live original rock and roll. Thanks.
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from Sonicbids artists for general review and feature consideration. some exposure in a modern, inventive publication with an established client base. |
