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Greg Laswell Interview
from volume 01 issue 03 // Michael Rabinowitz
Greg Laswell Interview
Words: Michael Rabinowitz
Photos: Chris Russick
The music by San Diego-based producer and solo artist Greg Laswell is filled with melodious guitar and piano hooks, each hung by poignant story telling lyrics. His debut LP Through Toledo, available 7/11 through Vanguard Records, is filled with songs of heartache, regret, and forlorn. Opening for Matt Costa at The Orpheum on 6/23, the show could have been a morose affair approaching Jeff Beck-ish proportions if not for Laswell’s plucky personality. The singer/songwriter opened up to his audience about the meaning of his songs, performed a unique Cyndi Lauper cover, and declared his love for Richard Marx, all in the stylings of a stand-up comedian. Reax caught up with Greg just after his set.
REAX: You’re very good at breaking down the wall between yourself and the audience on stage. Does that help your overall performance?
Greg Laswell: Yeah, it does. My favorite shows are the ones where the artist makes an effort to connect, not merely get up there and just speak at people, but talk with people. So when people walk away, I want them to think, “Okay, I just met a person and not some guy who is selling music.” And, hopefully, that makes the music more meaningful to them as well.
REAX: During the show, a friend said to me, “Uh oh. He’s going to play the keyboards. Here comes a depressing song.” Is there something about the keyboards that lends itself to sad songs?
GL: Absolutely! (laughs) It’s a piano. It’s hard to do a rock performance on keys, unless you’re Buddy Holly. There is something that is invitingly depressing about a piano chord.
REAX: Does playing “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” break up the depressing piano chords of your performance?
GL: Actually, I was driving in my car and that song came on. And I like Cyndi Lauper, even though the song’s production is a bit out-dated. I was listening to the lyrics, and there are pretty intense words hidden in this crazily produced pop song. So I thought, “I’m going to shine a spotlight on those lyrics.” And to do so, I slowed it way down and screwed around with the melody a bit. It works out. Whenever I play it or open it up for requests, it’s always asked for.
REAX: Do you think it’s missing something without Captain Lou Albano on stage?
GL: Yeah, that’s it (laughs).
REAX: “What a Day” is one of your best songs. It begins on a really depressing note, but slowly rises to this hopeful place. Even at the end you sing, “what a day for a child to be born.” On your website you write about being an uncle for the first time. Is that the hope at the end of the song?
GL: Stuff happened to me about two years ago and Anna was born about 19 months ago. She came along and rescued me. It’s hard to continue down a sinister path when you are forced into the proximity of this beautiful young life. I’m not even her dad and it had a huge impact on me. The very end of that song was an afterthought. It was done and recorded, and I came back to add it.
Learn more about Greg Laswell and his music at HYPERLINK "http://www.greglaswell.com" www.greglaswell.com.
Words: Michael Rabinowitz
Photos: Chris Russick
The music by San Diego-based producer and solo artist Greg Laswell is filled with melodious guitar and piano hooks, each hung by poignant story telling lyrics. His debut LP Through Toledo, available 7/11 through Vanguard Records, is filled with songs of heartache, regret, and forlorn. Opening for Matt Costa at The Orpheum on 6/23, the show could have been a morose affair approaching Jeff Beck-ish proportions if not for Laswell’s plucky personality. The singer/songwriter opened up to his audience about the meaning of his songs, performed a unique Cyndi Lauper cover, and declared his love for Richard Marx, all in the stylings of a stand-up comedian. Reax caught up with Greg just after his set.
REAX: You’re very good at breaking down the wall between yourself and the audience on stage. Does that help your overall performance?
Greg Laswell: Yeah, it does. My favorite shows are the ones where the artist makes an effort to connect, not merely get up there and just speak at people, but talk with people. So when people walk away, I want them to think, “Okay, I just met a person and not some guy who is selling music.” And, hopefully, that makes the music more meaningful to them as well.
REAX: During the show, a friend said to me, “Uh oh. He’s going to play the keyboards. Here comes a depressing song.” Is there something about the keyboards that lends itself to sad songs?
GL: Absolutely! (laughs) It’s a piano. It’s hard to do a rock performance on keys, unless you’re Buddy Holly. There is something that is invitingly depressing about a piano chord.
REAX: Does playing “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” break up the depressing piano chords of your performance?
GL: Actually, I was driving in my car and that song came on. And I like Cyndi Lauper, even though the song’s production is a bit out-dated. I was listening to the lyrics, and there are pretty intense words hidden in this crazily produced pop song. So I thought, “I’m going to shine a spotlight on those lyrics.” And to do so, I slowed it way down and screwed around with the melody a bit. It works out. Whenever I play it or open it up for requests, it’s always asked for.
REAX: Do you think it’s missing something without Captain Lou Albano on stage?
GL: Yeah, that’s it (laughs).
REAX: “What a Day” is one of your best songs. It begins on a really depressing note, but slowly rises to this hopeful place. Even at the end you sing, “what a day for a child to be born.” On your website you write about being an uncle for the first time. Is that the hope at the end of the song?
GL: Stuff happened to me about two years ago and Anna was born about 19 months ago. She came along and rescued me. It’s hard to continue down a sinister path when you are forced into the proximity of this beautiful young life. I’m not even her dad and it had a huge impact on me. The very end of that song was an afterthought. It was done and recorded, and I came back to add it.
Learn more about Greg Laswell and his music at HYPERLINK "http://www.greglaswell.com" www.greglaswell.com.
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