An Interview With AARON DAVID GLEASON About His Newest Album ‘Wry Observer’!

Aaron David Gleason –he’s the son of Tony Award winner Joanna Gleason and just released his new album, Wry Observer. The album was recorded at Sputnik Sound in Nashville with producer Brad Lindsay (who’s played with Jamestown Revival and Sam Outlaw).

Aaron’s been surrounded by music and entertainment for most of his life, as the son of Joanna Gleason and the grandson of Let’s Make A Deal co-creator Monty Hall. He decided to take a break from music for a few years, as he overcame some personal and professional challenges. The new album  combines his trademark wit with observations from his past few years.

His Upcoming LA show info: 

Hotel Cafe – Main Stage

Feb 17, 2018 10:30 PM

Tickets: $10

More info: https://www.hotelcafe.com/tickets/?s=events_view&id=7332

Learn more about Aaron David Gleason in the following All Access interview:

Happy New Year! Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you?

–Well, it’s my Birthday today and I’m just grateful to be healthy and happy these days.

Overall, how do you think 2017 was for you and your music career? What are you most excited about for this year? Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions? Care to share them with us?

–I woke up from a long slumber. My producer, Brad Lindsay challenged me to get back in the ring and I’m glad he did. I had a tough time when it all went wrong about 10 years ago, and I’m glad I took the steps to come back as a better human, let alone better musician. I just want to keep pushing myself as an artist and keep giving myself as a friend.

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory? Was there a time where you thought of doing something completely different?

–My earliest musical memory was singing old cowboy songs with my dad. I mean, I had the chaps on and everything.

I always like to ask artists about where they came from and how that city or town has influenced them as an artist now. So how do you think your home has affected you and your music today?

–Well LA had me writing a lot of songs about celebrity and movies, haha. I came to New York and started over…then I moved to Tarrytown (25 miles north of New York) and began really digging deeper. I needed to make something with more substance and more bite. I hope I achieved that.

Let’s talk about your just released new album, “Wry Observer.” What was it like putting this collection together? Did anything surprise you about the overall process? Any unexpected challenges?

–The honesty, the good will, the professionalism, the earnestness, ALL were new experiences for me. I’ve never been a part of something that pure, and I totally credit the crew we got together for it. Also, we did it so quickly (7 days) that we had no time to go sideways.

How is this collection an ‘American-sounding record’? How did you go about pursing that musical goal?

–Boy was I an anglophile. Nothing wrong with that, but it wasn’t in my blood–I was approximating it. I wanted to do something in my blood and not be afraid to live with the outcome.

What did it feel like getting back to writing and in the studio after your musical hiatus? Did it all come back to you pretty quickly?

–I was nervous, but I hid it, haha… Actually, my bass player, Nick Bearden, came and gave me this bear hug after my first vocal take. I could tell he meant it and I felt great after that. Oh, I DO belong here.

Can you elaborate on how your single “Last To Die In Battle” came together? Generally, how do you go about writing music? Is there a specific process you try to follow for your songs?

–I’m always “music first.”  I think it’s nuts to be lyrics first, but many do it and I love them for it. That song is tricky. It took me a long time to get the chords to move that way. Lyrically, I just kept thinking about how fragile so many men in power are and how they make us ALL PAY FOR IT. Well, I wrote a song about that phenomenon and set it to the character of Richard III, who famously was small in stature and huge in spite and rage.

How creatively involved were you with the music video for the song?

–Very. But my Director, Jeremiah Kipp also brought a ton to the table. He’s wonderful to work with. Very fast and ferocious.

We are living in a crazy and at times rough world right now so I am curious how you think being a musician gives you the most joy in life today? How do you think that new music being created today is going to reflect these difficult times?

–I mean it’s a fairly healthy escape from this brutal reality which is more and more reminiscent of The Handmaid’s Tale. Music will always reflect the mood of society. It’s a barometer, mood ring, symptom and cure, all in one.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? What musicians would you absolutely still love to work with in the future?

—Bowie, Gaye, Reed, Lennon, Pop, Green, Dylan. Oh, Elvis Costello, if you’re reading this, I’ll carry your guitar case, sir.

What do you hope your fans take away from your music? Do you find that a lot of your music has a greater meaning behind it?

–I think they take away most from the new album because it’s the most honest and vulnerable I’ve ever been.

Where can fans see you perform next? What are some of your first few tour dates in 2018?

–Hotel Cafe — Feb 17 at 10:30!!! Main stage.

Would you like to share anything with our readers about yourself or your music?

–I’ve talked a lot about myself so I’ll say this, write some songs, sing to yourself, make yourself laugh, make yourself cry–just feel, don’t fight it.