Unsigned518 - Episode 161 - Girl Love

[00:00:01] Speaker A: He was born on a Saturday in. [00:00:03] Speaker B: 73 he loves punk rock music fighting the 13 cabin in the dazzle jazz. [00:00:09] Speaker A: Rocking out on the beats Guitar with. [00:00:11] Speaker B: The short wave radio band his motherfucking envy scrolling look at motherfucker cuz here he comes Envy sculling Wearing his orange. [00:00:26] Speaker A: Hat all right, welcome to Unsigned for I am here with Girllove. Hello. [00:00:32] Speaker C: Hi there. [00:00:33] Speaker A: How's it going? It's going well, you know, it's going well. I'm feeling that end of winter grip, like kind of loosening up a little bit. And like, you know, yesterday there was some sun. We were above freezing for the first time in a while. So I'm fantastic. [00:00:51] Speaker C: I saw some birds. [00:00:52] Speaker A: You saw birds? [00:00:53] Speaker C: Wow. [00:00:54] Speaker A: I heard birds. That's about as far as I got, but that was good. But yeah, feeling good. So, you know, we're not here to talk about my hatred of winter and desire for spring. We're here to talk about you and your music. So before we got rolling, I did, you know, preface that we were going to kind of go back and have you tell the story. So I guess this is the point in the show when I kind of hand it over to you. [00:01:18] Speaker C: Sure, yeah. So I was raised by a pair of folk musicians. Actually. I got started with music, singing in the church and I was up there on the stage with a microphone at 4 years old singing God is My Best Friend. But I started writing and performing my own music at the age of 15 and that's when it really started for me. And now 15 years later, I'm still doing that. [00:01:54] Speaker A: And you've been very active in the music scene. I mean, you know, I've been in, I guess like the scene for like three or four years now. But it's like just in like the last year and a half, I've seen your name pop up in so many things. Is it? [00:02:13] Speaker C: Yeah, I've been taking it more seriously lately. Yeah. [00:02:16] Speaker A: And doing very well. [00:02:18] Speaker C: Oh, thank you. I appreciate that. Yeah. Last year I was nominated for my first eddies, which was really exciting. And I actually have. I went to a couple nerfas and I got a mentor through the. That's the Northeast Regional Folk alliance. And I got a mentor and she asked me to write down my goals, which is something I've never done before. I think it's really important to like, to do. Now that I've done it, I just see like, how. How writing something down is a way of like. What's that word? [00:03:05] Speaker A: Manifesting. [00:03:06] Speaker C: Manifesting it? Yes, manifesting it and like taking steps towards what you want every day. So that's, that's definitely something that I've been, been doing and I'm, I'm pleased to hear that. It's like sort of working. That's cool. [00:03:23] Speaker A: And it's, you know, something like for, you know, I'm. I'll be 52 in, in the spring. So like I'm like an old dude, but like back when I was like a teenager playing guitar and writing poetry and writing songs that nobody ever heard. Like, I mean I literally never. I was 30 something by the time I ever played in front of anybody. Like, I just like did it as like what you're saying as that release. [00:03:50] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:03:51] Speaker A: And I didn't. I. It was almost, and it was almost like I just didn't feel the need to play it for anybody because I'm like that's not the purpose. So like, I guess with that in mind, like for yourself. How do you balance the almost like business model of music with the soul of music? If that makes sense. [00:04:18] Speaker C: That is a great question. I kind of enjoy that there is that there's a little bit of the side of music that is more meticulous and a little bit less emotional just because the part of music that is emotional is so deeply and intensely emotional. And so I get very like exhausted by shows and by writing and, and I can get a little bit like burnt out by that stuff. So it's kind of nice that there's like, oh, I just need to like send some emails like today. That's all I need to do. You know, not that it's my full time gig, but it's like, you know, it's getting to be more and more of my what I do. And the fact that there is more administrative stuff doesn't really bother me actually. [00:05:10] Speaker A: Do you find like, like kind of like that same question like with the social media stuff. Like do you handle like doing your own social media and your own marketing? [00:05:18] Speaker C: Social media is a whole nother. I don't like the social media. [00:05:21] Speaker A: I'm like, I'm torn because like my, that's my day job really. Social media. And it's funny because before I got into it as a job. Yeah, I hated it. And like I like wasn't on Facebook. I like wasn't on anything for years. And I've, I like have a different relationship with it where I just use it as a marketing tool to get a word out. [00:05:46] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:05:47] Speaker A: That's all I use it for. Like, I try not to, I try not to engage. I try not to, you know, like, I mean, there was a while on Twitter, but that's a whole different story. But like, I, you know, I have my views and I, you know, I have my anger about the way things are currently, but I, I almost, like, I just don't want to put that hate out there. Not hate, but like, so I use it for marketing only. And like, whether it's my music, my podcast, or my day job, I'm just like, I use it almost as a commercial. [00:06:24] Speaker C: That's huge. I think it's so important to have boundaries around social media. [00:06:28] Speaker A: Yeah. And I don't, you know, like, I just block. I tell everybody. I just block. Like, if I see, even if it has nothing to do with me, it's pointed at me. [00:06:37] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:06:37] Speaker A: But if there's somebody in my, like, social media network or just someone that's on my radar that says some bullshit, I just block them. [00:06:46] Speaker C: I've been doing, I've been doing that too. [00:06:47] Speaker A: Yeah. Whereas, like, you know, 10 years ago, I probably would have called people out on it. [00:06:52] Speaker C: Right. [00:06:53] Speaker A: And that would have led me down. And again, you know, ask me about Twitter when we're not recording. Like, I got on Twitter. I got on Twitter and off of Twitter in about a three month span. [00:07:08] Speaker C: Oh, no. [00:07:09] Speaker A: I was like, I went from oh, this is fun, to like, I, I cannot do. Like, this is destroying my mental health. Like, I gotta get out of here literally in months. [00:07:20] Speaker C: Yeah, I never, I never got on Twitter. [00:07:23] Speaker A: It was like the, Everything that I just said, it was like the exact opposite. It was like, I'm just here to stir shit and, and to say things to get people mad and, you know, and like, I'm like, oh my God, like, why is everybody so angry? That was Twitter. And that was like pre what it is now. Like, even then it was awful. [00:07:46] Speaker C: Oh, gosh. [00:07:48] Speaker A: But, you know, if you use it correctly, I think social media can be good. [00:07:52] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:07:53] Speaker A: But it's like, it's accessible, you know, like, you have to like, actively be like, nope, you're not allowed to interact with me. Nope, you're not allowed to interact with me. So, yeah, it's tough. It's tough. But it's almost kind of necessary. [00:08:11] Speaker C: But unfortunately, yeah, it's a necessary sort of evil if, if you, you know, if you would even go that far to say it's evil. But. [00:08:21] Speaker A: Like, I would say it's. [00:08:22] Speaker C: I, I struggle with the social media side of things just because I know it's, it's a huge component of growth, especially for artists like me. That are serious about what they do and are moving in the local scene, but want to gain traction beyond it. Social media is just such a huge tool for that. But I'm just. I'm exhausted by it. I just really am. [00:08:57] Speaker A: And I mean, I've even thought of. And, you know, it was funny before we got recording. I'm like, you know, I talk a lot. I've even thought of, like, because I do it, like, as a day job, I do it for Metroland as well, social media. And, like, I've gotten it, like I said, to a way where I'm blocking. Almost, like, blocking out all the crazy stuff and just hyper focusing on one thing and then stepping out. But I've even thought of offering up a service for people that don't want to deal with it. You know what I mean? Like, yeah, like, I can either show you how to do it in a way that's almost hands off. [00:09:36] Speaker C: Absolutely. [00:09:37] Speaker A: But I don't know. [00:09:38] Speaker C: I think that's. People would want that, for sure. [00:09:40] Speaker A: Yeah, I've been. Been thinking about that a lot. [00:09:42] Speaker C: But, yeah, I've been thinking about a Patreon because I think, like, that would be a really good way to, like, engage with people who want to engage with what I'm doing. Um, and. But it wouldn't be as, like, free for all. Like, I'd be creating content that's a little more curated for my audience. [00:10:02] Speaker A: So, yeah, that'd be cool because then, you know, you know, you've got your engaged, your. You know, your people. [00:10:09] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:10:10] Speaker A: That are gonna want to be hearing exactly what you're putting out, and you don't have to worry about the. [00:10:15] Speaker C: The people that just want to talk to my people. I have a friend who makes art in Texas. She's like, a visual artist, and she's been doing really well on Instagram, which is so amazing, and I'm really proud of her. But she gets these, like. She does, like, some. She's a deconstructed Christian, and so she does some, like, satire of Christian media, and she gets, like, death threats and stuff, like, all the time. And I. I also, like, a lot of my songs have, like, religious imagery and themes and. And are using them and bringing those things into a queer space, which is very triggering for people who are not just people who don't have an open mind. And so I just, like, am a little bit wary of success in that area. Just, like, the hate that could come with it. [00:11:16] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:11:17] Speaker C: So, yeah, again, Twitter. Yeah, exactly. [00:11:21] Speaker A: I was just a dude. Like, this is, like, long before I was like a band or a podcast and I got fucking death threats. [00:11:27] Speaker C: Right? [00:11:27] Speaker A: Yeah. I'm like, I'm just a dude that's. [00:11:30] Speaker C: You know, it's just scary. [00:11:31] Speaker A: It's very, very scary. [00:11:33] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:11:34] Speaker A: And again, you know, that's why I like doing my show here. [00:11:38] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:11:38] Speaker A: Here I'm out in the country. [00:11:42] Speaker C: Exactly. [00:11:43] Speaker A: It's safe and I know what's going on. [00:11:46] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:11:47] Speaker A: The world. The older I get, the more I understand people that withdraw from society because I'm like, I'm good. I got my half acre and hang out here and do a podcast for my garage for the rest of my life. Totally fine with that. So I think what we want to do is have you play a song, and I am going to blow up your spot here with the story of the forgotten guitar. Normally I would say, oh, you brought your guitar, but got about 20 minutes away from home and you're like, oh, shit, I forgot my guitar. Don't worry, I have one. And it's nice because I haven't played that guitar in a long time. [00:12:34] Speaker C: It's a nice guitar. [00:12:35] Speaker A: I was like, I really hope it. I hope it does the trick. [00:12:39] Speaker C: Yeah. I'm really grateful that you lent it to me because I. Yeah, I unfortunately forgot mine. This is. It's the first time ever that I've forgotten my guitar. [00:12:49] Speaker A: Right. But see, it makes for a show. [00:12:51] Speaker C: Interview or anything, so. [00:12:53] Speaker A: But yes, it's like an unsigned 518 exclusive. You know, it is. But see, now, forever, I'm part of. Part of the girl love lexicon. [00:13:01] Speaker C: You are. [00:13:02] Speaker A: Someone could be like, hey, have you ever forgotten your guitar? You can be like, yeah, there's one time I did. So what's the song? The first song that you're going to play for us? [00:13:13] Speaker C: This song is called Midwest Sweetheart. [00:13:16] Speaker A: All right, so let's listen to Midwest Sweetheart Girl Love live here in the dazzle den. And then we'll be right back. [00:13:50] Speaker B: My room is empty again the bare walls echo in and I know I'm moving on oh, to where I was we'll meet in Fountain Square say our goodbyes There for you now know my. [00:14:30] Speaker C: Journey is long. [00:14:35] Speaker B: Oh, to where I was amid my sweetheart Saw that I was starless Amid my sweetheart Took me in regardless O Midwest sweetheart I love you in the morning when light breaks over in Genopilia do you think someday I'll find a place that feels all mine? Please don't cry Baby, you've done no wrong oh, I'm the one we fell out of luck and I feel all used up trying to be a better me oh, then who I But I don't know who that is A midway sweetheart Tried his best to woo me amid my sweetheart Almost got through to me but never sweetheart I'm leaving in the morning when light breaks over Indianapolis oh, please don't plead I don't know why Right Please feel wrong to me I can't escape his escape Fanna see so I live as light breaks over Indianapolis dawn breaks over where your house is we're home could be But I'm without it. [00:18:09] Speaker A: Starless all right, that was Midwest Sweetheart Girl Love live here in the Dazzle Den. Now, that one that you just played for us, is that on anything that's currently released? [00:18:24] Speaker C: It is not. It is actually going to be on a release that's coming out this May. It's a live recorded album. [00:18:33] Speaker A: You recorded, like, the whole album live? Like, where did you record it? [00:18:37] Speaker C: I recorded it at Mount Ida Preservation Hall. [00:18:39] Speaker A: I have heard so many. I think we might have talked about this on the. When I talked to you on the phone for the weekend while. I've heard so many things about that place. [00:18:48] Speaker C: A great space. [00:18:49] Speaker A: Yeah. Tell me a little bit about the recording of the live album. [00:18:53] Speaker C: Oh, my gosh. It was so fun. So we had. The space itself is like this big church, so it's very echoey, and, like, it just sounds. It's like. It sounds like a cathedral, really. And so I was standing on the steps and we had lit candles all around me, and then the audience was in pews. It was really cool. It was like this reclaimed religious space. And I played 12 songs. I wasn't sure if I would keep them all, just because, like, you never know what's gonna happen live. [00:19:25] Speaker A: Right. [00:19:26] Speaker C: But I just listened back with my engineer, and they. It went really well. I'm gonna keep every song on the album and release it in mid May. [00:19:37] Speaker A: And is it something like when you were recording that and, like, you knew you were recording a live album going into it? Do you, you know, leave any room if you needed to do a song over, you know, do you let the audience in on it, or do you just roll with it and whatever happens, happens? [00:19:55] Speaker C: A little bit of both. So I. I let them know that I might be doing songs over again. I had to restart a couple songs because I did, like, the wrong word or wrong chord, but for the most part, I just went all the way through. [00:20:14] Speaker A: I just think, like, as an audience member, that would be. I've never actually been to a recording that I knew was going to Be like an album or whatever. But I think, like, as an audience member, it'd be cool to even hear the different versions of a song or to, you know, to have. And then listen to the album. Be like, oh, that's take two. I can. Because I remember. You know what I mean? [00:20:38] Speaker C: Like, totally. [00:20:39] Speaker A: It'd be an interesting, like, almost like a secret between you and the audience, because if it's not on the album, nobody's going to know. Unless they were there. [00:20:49] Speaker C: Absolutely. [00:20:51] Speaker A: Little Easter egg. So that's coming out in mid May, and It's. You said 12. [00:20:56] Speaker C: 12 songs. [00:20:58] Speaker A: That's quite a. Quite a feat. Now once you record it or before you go in, I guess everything is set up. Is it just like a microphone and your guitar or what's the. [00:21:12] Speaker C: Yeah, so we had a. Or a. A direct into my guitar, we had two mics that were on the floor. Two. Four mics that were, like, in the middle of the room, and then four mics in the way back of the room. So it's going to be all mixed together to layer and hear, like, the different. So you can hear, really hear, like, the. How it felt in the room. [00:21:35] Speaker A: The, like, depth of it. [00:21:36] Speaker C: The depth of the room. [00:21:37] Speaker A: That's really cool. Like, as somebody that doesn't know a ton about sound engineering, it's always interesting to find out how they. How they do that. But. [00:21:44] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:21:45] Speaker A: Wow, that's. That's really neat. And like the Mount Ida Preservation Hall. Is that something that's, like, open to the public? [00:21:53] Speaker C: That's a good question. I'm not sure. I know they have a lot of community events, so I would just follow their Instagram page to find out when those are. But I know they have an open mic right now that happens on Monday nights. Cool. [00:22:08] Speaker A: That'd be such a cool place to. To play, like, in that, like, cathedral style. [00:22:13] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:22:14] Speaker A: Sound. I remember I used to work at a sports center, like, 25 years ago, and I used to go and play acoustic guitar in the racquetball courts, and it was the best. I used to be like. It's like playing inside of an amp. [00:22:28] Speaker C: Like, it's awesome. [00:22:29] Speaker A: It's unreal. You could, like, hear every little. Little detail. I imagine it'd be kind of the same there. That's super cool. So album coming out, 12 songs, all original songs. Yes. And, you know, we don't have to get into it if you don't want it, but I know you've pointed on, like, the. The religious and the bringing it into a queer space. I. I just I guess, like, how does that. Because I'm someone that, you know, I've been open. I'm not a religious person. Like, I'm. I would say I'm an atheist, but it's. That would mean that I care. So I'm just kind of like, I'm not a believer, and I just believe in being a good person. End of story. But, like, yeah, that transition, I guess you said growing up, like, in, like, a church environment to where you are now, how. How much does that shape your songwriting? [00:23:25] Speaker C: Oh, it. It's. It's monumental in my songwriting. The foundation of my worldview came from Christianity, and I learned from Christianity to test everything and keep what is good. And so I've continued to do that with my new. My new set of values that I've picked up along the way with believing in community care and believing in accepting people for who they are, which unfortunately were not. Were not things that I learned in the church, but things that I. That I picked up from the queer community. So my beliefs now are sort of a meld between the core beliefs of what Christ taught and then the core beliefs of the queer community. [00:24:20] Speaker A: That's. It's interesting that you can make it work, you know, because, like, when I think of. And again, I'm coming from, like, almost like a. I mean, I guess you could say, like, an ignorant viewpoint of the church because, like, the things you said, you know, not finding the acceptance that, to me, like, at a very young age was what made me go, no, it's not for me, like. Like, no. Like, yeah. So, like, to be able to find that balance is. I don't. You know, I don't know if inspiring is the word, but it's like, it's really cool to be able to have that balance between. To what would be considered opposing viewpoints, I guess, in a lot of spaces. Not all. [00:25:04] Speaker C: You know, it's not without pain that one does such a thing, you know? Yeah. It's difficult to hold both so close, but it's something I'm willing to do. [00:25:21] Speaker A: I applaud you for it. I think it's, like I said, I think it's really cool to have that strength to be able to be like, no, I'm this and I'm this, and that's how it is. So since I was literally just going to be like, since you brought your guitar. So since my guitar is still here, would you want to play another song for us? [00:25:48] Speaker C: Yes, absolutely. And since we were talking about that, actually, this kind of goes along with that. This is a song about trans rights. It's called Stonewall, and it's very near and dear to my heart, and I hope you enjoy. [00:26:02] Speaker A: All right, so let's hear Stonewall Girl Love live here in the Dazzle Den. And then we'll be right back to wrap it up. [00:26:16] Speaker B: The scorch and the ladies in the big wigs. And they're tripping up the feet of the heeled men. Yeah, the fuzz broke the law to get into it with the street folk down on Christopher. When her backs against the watchers start swinging. Cause this love ain't wrong, it's just different. And they're taken aback by her raised fist. Breaks the world lens with the red brick. Oh, oh, oh. Enough, enough, enough? Oh, oh, oh. Love is love is love. Now the passing feels left and right and they're taking away my. You might think it's just a couple little fights. But it all adds up and comes down to life. Now the States where my friends are scared to live in. Cause the masses don't think they deserve it. But my message to every trans person is you are worth it and you are worthy. Oh, oh, oh. And I feel. Enough, enough, oh, oh, oh. Love is love is love. Enough, enough, enough? Oh, oh, oh. Love, love. Now I can hold hands with my girlfriend. It's because of a generation's courage. Don't forget what a person can accomplish. It takes a single fist to raise a red brick. And as long as the breath in my body, I will vote for those in my country to protect and uphold the dignity of our sanctity. Give us equality. Oh, oh, oh. Enough, enough, enough. Oh, oh, oh. Love is love is love. Oh, oh, oh. Enough, enough, enough. Oh, oh, oh. Love is love is love. [00:29:45] Speaker A: All right, that was Stonewall Girl Love here live in the Dazzle Den. And I want to thank you so much for coming out and taking time out of your afternoon to do this and another, like, behind the scenes thing. This was our third attempt at doing this interview because the last two times we got catastrophic snowstorms when you were supposed to come up. So I'm glad that Mother Nature gave us a chance to do this. So before we go, though, I want to give you a chance to say what I refer to as your gratitude. So the microphone is all yours. [00:30:19] Speaker C: Great. Thank you. Well, I just going along with this song, Stonewall, I just want to acknowledge that the rights that we have as a queer community have stemmed from the brave activism of our trans siblings. And right now in America, we need to stand up for and protect those siblings right now more than ever. So I just want to highlight the Trans Youth Equality Foundation. They are a foundation that is in America that helps with giving micro grants to families that have trans youth to help them move to different states so that they can be that they can live in a state where they can get care, medical care, as well as states that are more affirming. [00:31:16] Speaker A: And I'll link to that. You have a link that I can. I'll put it in the show notes. [00:31:22] Speaker C: Okay. [00:31:23] Speaker A: All right. So she is girl Love. I am Andy scullin. This is unsigned 518. See you on the road. Unsigned 518 is produced and hosted by me, Andy Scullin. New episodes are available every week wherever you stream podcasts. If you'd like to help support the show, please like and subscribe wherever you are listening. Or you could buy me a [email protected] unsigned 518 if you would like to advertise on the show, send me an [email protected] and to be a guest on the show, reach out to me through Instagram at unsigned518. Take care of one another and I'll see you next week. [00:32:08] Speaker B: Andy Scullin.