Ethan Gold - I declare that I was making something that takes time to listen, and care to understand; In this world where everything seem to go faster and faster in creating music

American singer-songwriter Ethan Gold made his promising debut in 2011 with the album ‘Songs From A Toxic Apartment’. Shortly after, he had a bizarre accident and suffered brain damage. Seven years after that accident there was a cover album 'Live Undead Bedroom Closet Covers' and the following year the instrumental synthesizer record 'Expanses (Teenage Synthstrumentals)' was released. Now, finally, there is a full-fledged second album 'Earth City 1: The Longing'. As the record indicates, it is a first part. And of a trilogy.  On the occasion of the release of the first part, we had a nice conversation with Ethan about his many travels, what this trilogy is all about and also a tip on how to make sure you keep remembering your dreams the next morning. A fascinating conversation it became in any case.

Ethan, you've had a rough time, how are you doing? I also read some bad news on facebook? When I see you, you look so positive, of course I can not ‘feel you inside’
A dear friend of mine, who also was my manager for many years, died last week, totally unexpectedly. So yes, it’s been hard times. My own health? I suffer a lot with depression and those things. But you know, my willpower to survive seems to be very strong. My will to bring my music to the world. My will power to live.  It’s just that I had some very bad moments in my life, setbacks, but for some reason I always find this power to get up and go forward. The funny thing is a lot of my listeners see me as a positive person, though I don’t see myself that way by natural temperament. But the sense of mission always drives me forward, again and again. I will say I’m a fan of not having tragedies. Some people say more difficulties makes you stronger. That’s kind of an old idea. I don’t fully believe in that, or more precisely, that’s an idea we don’t have time for anymore, as a planet. That’s part of what this ‘Earth City’ trilogy is all about. The fact that I have come back after difficulties in life, and built a new life multiple times, I hope I have something to say about this. A friend of mine said he saw my ‘Earth City’ as a metaphor we need now, to rebuild a new civilization, and that it’s something anyone who’s had their life destroyed will understand. My inner Dresden has been bombed several times. It is time to re-build the city inside each of us, and also our civilization’s relationship to our earth. My own city was destroyed, and I’ve come back with songs that I hope will help other people build new lives, whatever their personal destructions might have been. And the new world gets to be wiser.

It’s an eye-opener to everyone … who have bad times to never give up. Can I see it that way?
It is. No I’m not scared you bring this stuff up. It’s a part of the deal you know, of creating music in a marketplace. It’s true there is a dark side. My lightness is the kind that comes from going through darkness. I only hope that my music, and how I’ve recreated a life several times, helps people to guide them through their lives.

Ok, sorry to start about this personal stuff, it’s like you say, something musicians end up talking about. But, let’s go back in time: What was your earliest encounter with music and what about that art form drew you to it? 
I was writing songs when I was very young, to deal with things that were going on in the family. When I was two or three years old I was already making up songs. Later, wherever I would see a piano I start playing on it. Music has always been a part of my life. Music was my hiding place. I pretty much escaped into the ether. I still write in a very, let’s say abnormal way, like there is still that escape or hiding place to cover up myself. Much of my writing happens when I’m sleeping. It is a collaboration between my sleeping life with my waking life. That’s how my writing process goes. It’s often that I get to figure out what the music in my dream is about, and then to structure it in a song, or an instrumental piece. Or into life itself.

It’s funny that you remember you dreams. When I wake up I forget them right after I wake up. But you remember them. How?
You don’t remember you dreams? One of the things that can help to get them back alive is to meditate on this before sleep, and right when you wake up, calmly write everything down that comes to your mind. Keep a pad next to your bed, just to write things down. That can start with just small things, tiny flashes, but over time longer stories will develop. Like watering a little seed on the ground, it opens a whole new world. It will train you to open a door to the unknown part of your mind, or your soul, if you prefer. When you really want to get in touch with your dreams that’s what I recommend.

Thanks for the tip, I keep that in mind when I go to bed. You released a very promising record ''Songs From A Toxic Apartment' in 2011. How was the response to that?
The response to that was great, especially for a true indie release. I’m still an independent artist, but I got some good blog support. Six years after it was released in US, it was released in Europe. In 2017 the ‘Sunday Times’ in London listed it as ‘essential new music’ along with Björk and U2. That was a very nice compliment not only because they were connecting my music with those artists, but also that it was ‘essential new music’ even it was already six years old. That was funny in a way, but yes, the response was in the main very positive about that record.

Did the accident you had , cause you to change the way you write songs? I have learned to 'listen' to music in a different way due to my congenital hearing problem ; is that also the case with you?
After the accident I write faster. It felt like my brain used to get in my way more before. Many people do meditation, like in Buddhism traditions, to achieve what’s been called ‘no mind’. I experienced that ‘no mind’ by force. But my soul was still very much intact. It was quite an experience having my soul being intact, while my mind had terrifying difficulty following conversations. Words were too fast. I trained myself to write in another way, and a lot songs, for the next five years, come out of that period where my soul was intact but my mind struggled. I used to struggle more with what I want to say in songs, what my mission was. But I feel very clear about my mission now. Whenever the inspiration for new writing comes up, I hold that first sprout very close which makes things far faster.

Did the part of writing down your dreams help yourself in this writing process?
Sure they did, but I’ve been doing this for many years. But yes, writing down my dreams was a rope in the well, that I held on to. Before I could really get back to talking with people, I was writing again. Writing songs and music again. It should be the way they teach music, as food for our brains, but in US they hardly teach the arts anymore in school. Making music, or listening to complex but ordered music, lights up the brain.

Seven years after the accident there was a cover-album 'Live Undead Bedroom Closet Covers' and the year after that the instrumental synthesizer record 'Expanses (Teenage Synthstrumentals)' was released. A satisfying release after the very heavy period? Or shouldn't I see it that way?
For me it was a way to go back to my roots. I just wanted to go honor to my own journey, and also to honor the things that inspired me when I was young. That’s what that cover album is about. The instrumental record is a kind of primitive synthesizer album of strange inner landscapes that get moodier as the record goes, like taking a rickety synthetic boat off into dark waters. I don’t see those records as my main work, but they were something like soil. I just wanted to say ‘hey I am still alive, and I have this soil I can bring to the world’. Something like that.

Somewhere I have read you also doing something with films? Are there any future plans in that direction?
I scored some films in the past, including during my period of silence. I did one in 2018 and one in 2019. Part of it I was not feeling ready to performing again, after my accident. But in general, doing film scores is kind of a different part of me. It’s a job, if you know what I mean. It’s a job where I bring my best understanding of music to someone else’s dream. I try to find the inner meaning of the film, and to give the film a unique stamp. To make musical themes that are memorable, and create for the film its own emotional and sonic universe. It’s interesting as a job, but right now my plan is to focus on my song stuff, for the next five years or more.

I listened to the newest disc 'Earth City 1: the Longing', a first part of the trilogy? Is there a story behind it?
‘Earth City’ evolved as a metaphor for our whole civilization, this great interconnected global city. Each song is like a dream, each album is like a city, and perhaps the trilogy is like a planet; different levels you can look at it. I see the way we treat ourselves as people. There is a lot of self-hatred. People beat themselves up, for not being successful, not being pretty enough, or things like that. This attitude is echoed in how we treat the planet. All these subjects come into the ‘Earth City’ trilogy. It was something bigger than one album. And also, the world culture being so fast these days, I wanted to declare that I was making something that takes time to absorb. Even though each song and each album is complete in itself, you can, if you feel called, go on a deeper journey with me. In this world where everything seems to go faster and faster, making this trilogy is itself another way of making a statement, to wave my flag for more patience in the world. And a slower way of living. The way I see our civilization functioning, it’s been very sick, even before this pandemic we’re living in. Part 1 is the pause where we know something missing in our lives but don’t know what it is. That feeling of being a little bit lost, and being open to change. We can’t quite identify our sadness but we are learning. Parts 2 and 3 I hope will answer a lot of these questions, while also bringing pleasure.

I find it’s a very melancholic record, slightly dark but certainly not pessimistic, is that right?
Yes, that’s very right; You describe it like it is. I agree. It’s melancholic but not pessimistic. The subtitle is ‘The Longing’. It comes of a sort emerging from pain. Like my friend telling me it’s like lives re-building after a war. In re-building, there is a lot sadness and grief, but also there is a current of hope. As you hear in the album. The buildings may have been blown up, there may be poison in the air, but there is also a wind flowing through that gives us a chance to re-build everything anew. It is that moment I wanted to put in this record. It’s an emerging-from-darkness record.

The song “Firefly” even suddenly takes off in a rousing way, again a conscious choice and already a hint of what's to come?
Yes, a bit of a hint for part two energetically perhaps. You’re a good listener. When I listen to albums, like going on a journey, it’s important to keep the blood going. Different tempos, and that kind of things are needed. I wanted to have moments in the records that fuel the energy, and that’s a song that gives a little burst of energy. In every record I really love, there are songs that are completely different. For example ‘Ok Computer’ by Radiohead has some songs that aren’t my favorites but they punch up so others can knock you down. If an album is only one flavor, it gets boring. So you have to slap the people in the face to say wake up! (haha). So, this song is a loving slap in the face.

"On the first album of the trilogy he explores the fascination and confusion we all experience in the very complex world we live in. A world in which we are more connected than ever, yet alienated from each other" I read a review by my colleague at DaMusic, a statement I very much agree with. Agree?
Sometimes journalists can sum up what I do better than I can.  It is a great description. So yes, I agree!

To elaborate on that, which way will the next records go?
I don’t want to say too much because it’s like Lord of the Rings… you don’t want to spoil the whole thing. Generally speaking, Part 2 is higher energy, and it’s about the excitement of the modern world. Part 3 it’s more the global part of it all. Let’s put it this way. Part 1 is personal, part 2 the city, and part 3 the earth. There’s a vague answer to your specific question.

What was your inspiration doing this trilogy?
After my injury I wanted to be a part of the world again, and I circled the globe, visiting a lot cities, from Toyko to Istanbul, Addis Ababa to Antwerp. Each place speaks to the inspiration differently. There is always something special about each city. But the ‘city’ developed as a metaphor for human beings inwardly, and for civilization itself.

Are there any favorite cities?
But in general, the energy of our civilization, good and bad, was an inspiration for this trilogy. On this first album there are two songs that are about specific cities. There is the song ‘In New York’, and another ‘Alexandria & Me’ which is about the ghosts of downtown LA.  How does a parent pick a favorite child?  It’s impossible, that’s the same with all those cities. I enjoy the beauty of all those different energies. You can find things that are unique wherever you are. Edinburgh in Scotland. Istanbul. Osaka.  I have spent some time in Antwerp as well. 

In creating a trilogy, has it been difficult to ensure that each album stays unique and separate?
You will see when you hear Earth City 2 and 3, in 2022 and 2023, that the theme of how we are living on earth connects them. But each has a different energy and different lyrical themes. Each develops from the other. Part 2 is not about longing, and you will feel that shift. I don’t want to tell you too much but I hope you like them too when they come.

How were the first reactions to your new record?
The first reaction has been positive. I’m running my own record label, so getting a huge mass impact isn’t possible, but it’s been quietly positive reactions. I’m getting some good radio play in the US. Also in Germany France and some in the UK. I’m just doing the best I can as an independent artist. But I believe in what I’m trying to bring into the world, and some people are starting to notice. We’ll see.

Your album is a kind of a, how I say, guide to have a slower way of living; But there is social media, Spotify and things. What is your opinion about it?
It’s not my way of living, honestly. I do a bit of those things but it feels like I’m forcing myself. It’s not a natural thing for me at all. I’m a private person and social media is all about self-promotion, or sharing, or connecting in some weird disembodied way. Some people have used my music for their videos on TikTok. I find myself thinking I should try harder with all that. I do it a tiny bit but I’m really not interested in it. It’s a struggle, I prefer a slower, deeper experience. Social media by its design is all about the faster way of interacting. So I do post sometimes, and I welcome people who like those things to follow of course because that’s the world we are in, but it’s not my natural idiom.

In these times you can't ignore it, have these corona times resulted in more compositions? How did you get through those times as a person and a musician?
I spent a lot time in 2020 making music videos. I have made seven videos for this album, many using my phone, and footage submitted from fans or friends, and then doing crazy editing to create something effective. As to writing music, that never stops. I’m writing all the time, whether there is a pandemic or not.

Performances can happen a bit again, also with you? Are there plans for an European tour for example (in Belgium?)
I’m going on tour as soon as possible. But it’s difficult. In California here the masks are back on. None of us know what’s happening. But I’m planning to start touring as soon it’s possible. Maybe after the next album? And touring with all the songs. But right now we are seeming to go backwards again. I look forward to playing in Europe and hopefully Belgium. It’s possible I’ll do some festivals, but it’s more likely all that will be next year.

What are the future plans next to making this trilogy?
Part 2 will be released next year. I have recorded half of it already. Part three will come out next year or in 2023. I’m halfway through both actually. That’s what’s happening in the next years. And I’ll tour with it of course. After that? I have hundreds of songs and always write write, so running out of music will never be a problem.

My last question, what is your final ambition or ‘end goal’? Or are you not busy with that?
After all the time I lost after my accident, I plan to be putting out music a lot more. The real goal I have is making our civilization more conscious, and to help people have more compassion for themselves, for other people, and for all living things. That’s my end goal. 

Thank you very much for this nice conversation, I hope to see you soon in Belgium …

Gent Jazz Festival 2021 - Tutu Puoane, Lady Linn en Jef Neve - Het mysterie van klasbakken
Gent Jazz Festival 2021
Bijlokesite
Gent
2021-07-13
Jasper Vanassche

Gent Jazz festival 2021 - dag 5 - Het mysterie van klasbakken

Tutu Puoane is een fenomeen. Punt. Tot zover de korte samenvatting van het eerste concert op de vijfde Gent Jazz-dag. Haar leven leest als een roman. Geboren in Pretoria, 1500 kilometer verder verhuisd om in Kaapstad haar droom na te jagen: zangeres worden. Ontdekt door de Nederlandse pianist Jack van Poll, die erg onder de indruk was van Tutu’s relaxte présence op het podium. Zo komt ze ook over tijdens deze druilerige vooravond. Tutu’s kwartet (met ook Ewout Pierreux op piano, Clemens van der Feen op bas en Dré Pallemaerts op drums) maakt heerlijk chille muziek waarbij je helemaal kan wegdromen. Haar stem heeft een enorm bereik, en ondanks het overtrokken wolkendek krijgen we een lekker zomers gevoel.
“I am gonna build it with my voice, that’s the only thing I have got to give”. Maar ze heeft echt wel meer te bieden. Ze werkte reeds samen met toppers als Bart Peeters, maar ook op zichzelf toont ze moeiteloos aan dat ze overloopt van talent. “Somewhere past forever, the world is listening”. Zelden kreeg een voorprogramma de tent én wei zo stil en aandachtig. “Love is Elastic” doet ons zowaar de armen uitstrekken en ritmisch klappen. Even later volgt een nummer in het Xhosa, de Zuid-Afrikaanse kliktaal klinkt die de song helemaal doet viben. 
Afsluiten doet ze met de gevleugelde woorden "I will not live in boxes". Dat klopt ook wel, je kan onmogelijk één label kleven op haar muziek.
Een mix van genres die mensen raakt en laat genieten, het hokjesdenken met gemak overschrijdend.

Na Tutu Puoane is het de beurt aan Lien De Greef, vergezeld van haar partner Filip Vandebril. Lady Linn in duo vormt een intieme variant op haar vertrouwde Magnificent Seven, waar Vandebril ook al de bas verzorgde. Starten doet Lien met een uitgeklede versie van “Never Grow Old”, bij het daaropvolgende nummer gaat ze zelf achter de piano zitten. We krijgen enkele naakte versies van haar bekende nummers, zo komt “Slowly” onder andere heel mooi uit de verf. De oorsprong van deze opener van haar voorlaatste album ‘Keep It a Secret’ is helemaal geen geheim. Het koppel vertelt vol trots hoe ze dit lied schreven tijdens Liens eerste zwangerschap, in volle verwachting van hun eerste zoontje. De prikkelende pauzes in dit nummer doen ons naar meer verlangen.
Lien excuseert zich omdat ze bij de pianonummers met haar rug naar een deel van het publiek zit. Toch benadrukt ze haar dankbaarheid voor het feit dat ze hier mag staan ‘tout court’. Het is duidelijk een thuismatch voor het duo uit Sint-Amandsberg, zo laat “I Don't Wanna Dance” iedereen mee klappen en knikken, hier en daar swingt er zelfs een been vanonder de tafeltjes van vier.
Een cover van Fleetwood Mac en het sterke bisnummer “High” zorgen voor een staande ovatie, en het publiek blijft rechtstaan voor de boeiende afsluiter “Here We Go Again”.

Het is de avond van de girlpower... En Jef Neve. België’s bekendste componist bracht vorig jaar ‘Mysterium ‘uit, een plaat waarvan hij zelf zegt “I invite you to get lost with me in my fantasy world where surprises are never far away”. Verrassend klinkt het wel, fris ook. Een jazzband zonder drummer, maar bijgestaan door drie tenorsaxofonisten (Nicolas Kummert, Bruno Van der Haegen en Andy Dhondt), Pieter Kindt op bastrombone, de Deense Jasper Høiby op contrabas en de Nederlands trompettist Teus Nobel brengt Neve complexe en toch eenvoudige arrangementen. Alles vloeit losjes in elkaar over en vormt een gevarieerd en broeierig geheel.

Wereldklasse van eigen bodem, zo kan je deze avond vol klasbakken nog het best resumeren.
Tot zover de iets langere samenvatting van drie topconcerten.

Neem gerust een kijkje naar de pics op http://www.gentjazz.com

Organisatie: Gent Jazz Festival, Gent