Glenn Gregory has teamed up with Stephen Emmer for a fantastic new ballad, that's included on Stephen's brand new body of work.
We got the chance to chat to Glenn about the collaboration and track 'Untouchable', as well as the experience of working not only with Stephen, but with Tony Visconti.
Tell us about your new ballad with Stephen Emmer.
Stephen contacted me via Facebook, Luckily I replied!
He had an idea to create an album of beautifully crafted songs, revisiting the somewhat forgotten genre of “crooning” he wanted to write songs that relied on the vocal talents of the artists, to make emotional and “grand” statements supported by brilliantly composed and arranged orchestral parts but with a modern twist. An impressive and ambitious undertaking but after hearing the first couple of instrumentals that he sent me I felt it was something that could be done.
What creative process went behind forming this piece?
To me it very quickly became apparent that Stephen and I had a strong connection as songwriters, he seemed to understand my voice and also understood where in the composition it should be placed. These are not the kind of songs that I have sung before, they are songs that I would listen to, admire and love but never really think of performing or writing.
As we progressed with the process I think the connection grew even stronger, the more we wrote the better (I believe) that the songs became.
He would send me instrumentals, sometimes with half mumbled ideas for melody and I would sit down and imagine where the words and melody could travel.
The instrumentals were so beautiful I had no problem coming up with lyrics, I always sit with a voice recorder when I listen to an instrumental for the first time, I think the idea that comes across on your first hearing can be the most emotional and truest fit and often I go back and listen to that first run through and use a lot of what is there.
How did you find the experience of working with Stephen?
Easy, emotional, enjoyable and very satisfying.
Tony Visconti produced the track, how was he to work with?
What can I say; Tony Visconti has produced so much of the music that I have loved through my life. It was an absolute dream come true to work with him, a pleasure and an honor.
It was amazing to watch the maestro at work, his eye and ear for detail is not something I’ve ever seen before. He is such a calm unflustered person; the whole studio is a better place to be when he is sat at the controls.
How would you say it compares to your work with Heaven 17?
It’s been an interesting departure from Heaven 17; the writing experience has been very different. With H17 songs Martyn and I are pretty much together for the entire process of writing and both musically, melodically and lyrically share the load. We’ve known each other for a thousand years and kind of know what going to happen before it happens, so writing with Stephen was a big change.
What would you say are some of your career highlights to-date?
This is up there, I love and care about these songs. I have loved and enjoyed working with everyone involved.
The project has some amazing singers and composers and some of the songs that I didn’t write I really wished I had.
I’m hoping that we can get to perform these songs live. That’s a highlight in waiting.
How would you say you've evolved as an artist over time?
I sing better now than I have ever done, I have more confidence in my voice, and am not afraid to write about emotion.
That’s enough evolution for me.
What is it about music that you think makes it such a successful industry and art?
Without music life would be unbearable, you can’t live without art and the industry is just there to take advantage of those two facts.
Are there any other projects you're currently involved with that we should expect in coming months?
I’m in the studio at the moment (literally) writing with Martyn. A new Heaven 17 studio album, the first for over 14 years.
It’s going well and I think we’ll be finished by late summer, autumn... before Christmas for certain I promise.
'Untouchable' by Stephen Emmer featuring Glenn Gregory is out now.