Glimmer Has Big Emotions: The Interview (part 1)
Official Facebook Artist page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Glimmer/167881383296605
Offifical Glimmer website:
http://pencilbrainrecords.com/glimmer/
The band “Glimmer” is
taking over the airwaves and everyone’s attention with their brand of electro-pop
along with their evolution along the way. They are a band that takes a metamorphosis
on both their sound and look which keeps them fresh and amazing to watch. This
band stands out in each track and music video. Glimmer’s current album is: “Wouldn’t
Change a Thing” that has created hits/hot music videos: “Big Emotions” “Wouldn’t
Change a Thing”& “Disco Predilection.”
Currently, the band
is getting ready to release an EP of remixes and also another highly
anticipated album with more originally written material. I was able to sit down
for “Let That Beat Hit You!” with Van Hechter the lead singer of the band in Boston and speak about all
things “Glimmer.” Van is a total gentleman and a sharp dresser as we walked
around Boston and sat in the lobby of his hotel
talking about the band, up-coming projects and much more so enjoy the 2
installment interview!
Q. Tell us how the band came about
getting the name “Glimmer”?
A. - We wanted a "disco" name;
"Glitter", "Glitz", "Glam"... We wanted something
humorous, which reminded us of flashing lights and sequins... Then we wondered;
what would the looser version of "super flashy" be? Just a Glimmer. lol.
Sometimes I say it's because meeting my music partner was like a glimmer of
hope in a really really dark career, lol.
Q. Van, you and your band “Glimmer”
are a Montreal based group that is steadily gaining an international fan base,
what do you think makes your band stand-out and are getting exposure over many
others?
A. - What makes us distinct is our very
"out-of-the-box" personalities. Dr. Jerome (my musician) has to be
the most original, self-made man I've ever met. He has very strong, unusual
opinions about EVERYTHING. This translates in his music... I have always been
an outcast, even among the outcasts. I take nothing too seriously. I could
never be among the trendy rebels who are caught up in themselves... A part of
me always says (at parties, at fashion shows); "Really? Are we really such
hot shit?? ---- No we aren't, we are nothing, and none of this is
important"... This translates in my writing and in my voice.
Q. Tell us about how you came about
writing your up-coming sophomore album.
A. - This second album is our first real album, lol. It
reflects who we are, -- like we have come into ourselves... At first we didn't
know each other. And I trust with difficulty... Now I just feel comfortable
with Jerome, musically.
Q.
You have a new single coming out, tell us about it and the inspiration for it.
- "Love to Live", is much about how all humans
feel when they are burning the candle at both ends... Remember; when you were
22???
It's all about over doing everything and going for more... It's like
hyper-living at that age, or extreme-emotion... We shot a very simple video, in
the middle of Montreal for that track, more or less in all the spots where I
personally experienced some of my ultra-living lol.
Q. Your music as of this moment is
electro-pop and your voice is great for it, are there other styles you would
love to venture into?
- We want to explore different genres; all the genres that
we love will eventually be incorporated...
Q. Often male artists have made
statements; DJs are not really interested in playing male dance/pop artists,
only the divas, do you agree or disagree with this and why?
- If you are catchy enough; they will play you. --- And
hey; life is such a bitch for women in many regards, if we get to deal with
mild discrimination here; big deal!!!
Q.
As an openly gay artist, has this made it more difficult to shatter the wall
for success in the music business?
- As an openly gay man; things are harder, period. But I
wouldn't change a thing.
Q.
Do you have anyone in the music industry that is out, that you are impressed by
and think truly paved the way for you?
- Freddie Mercury... I wear a moustache sometimes,
literally in his honor. He scared the shit out of me as a child. But he was
just so blunt about who he was (in his gestures, in his look, in his songs), --
he didn't even need to make statements. He just WAS. I love that man.
Q.
What does it mean to you to be an openly out artist?
- It means I can never go back in the closet again, EVER!
Q.
You done terrific music videos for your last singles: “Wouldn’t Change a Thing”
“Disco Predilection” & “Big Emotions” tell us your inspirations for these
videos.
- "Wouldn't Change A Thing" was a collaboration with my
brother-in-law... I remember I wanted to start off clean and less goofy than I
normally am... I love what came out of that first idea...
But came "Disco Predilection", the sequel... That's where trouble
started lol; in this video, I am almost doing a parody of what I was doing in
the first clip...
From then on; I present a character that is less and less in control of him...
Just like arriving at a classy party which eventually degenerates hahahhaha.
