In this interview spotlight, we chat with CHUCK about influences, the latest album, challenges and much more.
Full Q&A along with links and streams below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
Answer to the first one is complicated, but I guess my personality and proclivities formed in Pennsylvania where I lived from ages 12 to 18. I’ve actually lived in NYC longer than that at this point. Let’s just say I’m from America. That’s safe. I create tender tongue in cheek new wave DIY bedroom folk pop.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to stay the course?
I’ve turned to movies and music to escape the harshness of reality since I was a little kid. I haven’t had a hard life, but I haven’t had the most stable one either. I got really into discovering music sometime around 15. That’s when I was exposed to left of center stuff like Aphex Twin, Flaming Lips, Beck, Doves, Boards of Canada etc. At some point I wanted to touch that magic, so I tried to make my own electronic music on a Dell PC that my family used for the internet. I didn’t play any instruments then, so I would just find free programs with keyboards and jam with myself in them and then those were the songs. I came up with a band name, put together two records worth of music, designed artwork, printed CD-R’s – the works! I’ve pretty much been doing that for 15 years, just with different instruments, technology and distribution methods. The motivation mainly comes from a lack of confidence. I think I’ve believed, for many years, that if I could make some impact with my music, that I would have more of a fixed identity or a sense of purpose. That’s what your 20’s is about right? Frantically working to figure out who you are and what you’re supposed to do and how to feel okay about it? I feel much more grounded as a person now, so maybe that’s why I’m retiring haha. I’m sure I’ll make music again, but it won’t be in a search for identity or acceptance, it will just be for the fun of doing it.
How is your new release different than previous ones? Did you set out to accomplish anything specific?
I’m not sure how different it is than some of my previous albums, I think it’s just better on a lot of levels. It does include some big firsts for me. It was the first time I recorded stuff in a studio, got someone else to make the artwork, and had another person sing lead vocals on a song I wrote. Overall, this is the most collaborative album I’ve made. I’ve resisted collaboration in the past, but on Frankenstein, I really wanted other people to bring something to the table, and I wanted to embrace whatever it was.
Do you face challenges as an indie musician in a digital age? How has technology helped you (assuming it helps)?
I think technology for sure helps. The main challenge I face is social media. I feel like it’s a HUGE part of marketing and PR, both of which can make or break you in today’s industry. It’s not enough to make a really good record. Some cream rises to the top, but not all. And let me be clear – I’m not saying my music is that exceptional. But, I think you can get a lot of attention with unexceptional music, if you play the social media game right. I don’t have the time and energy to posture myself on the internet. Maybe I should make a bot to do it for me so I can just read the newspaper and chill. Maybe it’s a false belief, but I just think if I was better at Twitter I could get more exposure or something. On the other hand, the biggest benefit of technology has to be distribution. I know the current music industry sucks for artists, but at least there are easy ways to get your music out there without the help of a label. It’s pretty astounding that anyone, anywhere, can listen to your music as long as they have an internet connection.
Where can we connect with you online and discover more music?
My full discography is available on my bandcamp and you can get updates on my whereabouts from my label’s Twitter. I released three full length LP’s as Charles Griffin Gibson from 2010 – 2012, and then three more plus other random stuff as CHUCK after that. It’s all available on the streaming platform of your choosing.
Anything else before we sign off?
I urge you to go listen to “Rattlesnake” by Fog Lake.
