- “…is to create my Heraldic Universe quite alone…” have you reached your goal? As I read in your bio, you started playing in a Band and then you created the entity Glampire…would you talk more in deep about this ‘process’ and about your musical career (I must admit this is the first time I listen to your Music and must add that I find ‘The Heraldic Universe’ excellent)?
G: Thank you for the kind words of praise. In the beginning, my intention to go solo was to get as much musesick and business done as possible. With a band, there is always some sort of drama that is in the way of the musesick getting out. After 4 years of Glampire, I came across the book, 'A Private Correspondence'. It is a series of letters between Henry Miller and Lawrence Durrell. It was Durrell's idea of creating a heraldic universe. It seemed very fitting for me as I spend an inordinant amount of time alone creating musesick. The goal I have reached is that I have found my sound - my voice. It is a nice feeling. Though, it is always my desire to change and grow within that, and work towards new permiations of that sound.
- Why the choice of releasing ‘The Heraldic Universe’ on Halloween?
G: It seemed very fitting. I released the previous CD, 'Pretty Scary', on Halloween as well. It is a date that people can remember and it is a fun day that does not exclude anyone for any reason. It is my goal to release a CD on Halloween every year.
- What’s Glampire? Glam Empire? Glam Vampire? Is it all related with your androgynous figure?
G: When I came up with the name Glampire, I knew it was going to be a name people would remember and think about. It is a sumation of two large categories of POP culture - GLAM & GOTH. Not just in the rock n' roll sense, but in the whole of culture... It also allows me to do whatever I want in musical terms - POP, dark, rock, dramatic, dance, dirge... I like having freedom. Despite some people who may feel the name could pidgeon hole me, I think it's quite the opposite. The name makes people pay attention and that is what I wanted it to do.
- To have got a big personality to emerge from the misery of the mass…I am my own God?
G: The quote you are referring to is "To have art nowadays one must have a big personality, pass it through the social mincer get it ready for misery"... " My own God " actually came from the Miller/Durrell book - though it was a different section where Miller describes how in the clarity of all great artists once they discover they are GOD. It's in the sense that they are a creator of there own world, in so far as thoughts, ideals, and decisions.
- And what about the “motto” Peace n Glitta n Phasion?
G: Peace... for we deserve it!
Glitta... for we are all beautiful!
Phasion! Passionate Heightened Awareness Intellect Over Negativity This is a motto for all the people who express themselves in an extravagant way. There are still many people who feel the need to persicute others for the way they have chosen to dress and live their lives. I never tolerated it and I never will.
- Super Sad-Happy again…two titles that, according to me, also express the contrast in your Music: a sort of ‘happy joyless’ pervades your music or it is almost the sensation it gives to me….
G: Super Sad is a reflection of how hard it is to get people in the industry of music to pay attention and do something. It seems that people always have much to say and little to do when it comes to getting to another level in this business. Happy Again? tells the tail of how hard it is to be happy again, which is why the '?' appears in the title. To get up once again from defeat and take on the world with the same fervor is difficult to do. I try my best to stay even, though it is a constant struggle.
- And what about the concept of ‘Love’…love yourself…sell your Love to the world…
G: People should love themselves. It is that simple. Even if life is not going well you will still have that. Many many forces and contradictions circulate in the world and they make people not love themselves. We can change our lives for the better. It may take a long while and be difficult, but it is worth it. '$ell Your Love to The World' is about how our society will devour someone if they have too much power in the name of Love. It seems you can have the power but only if you have it on the side of the church or the government. If someone should rise form the street or it is an artist, a commoner as it were, they get silenced. It has been this way along long long time, almost from the very beginning.
- I read that in the near future you are going to release a Video and then working on a new full-length CD…
G: The video for 'My Own God' is finished and ready for release. It will be part of the fan club package as well as sold individually at glampire.com. There are also many promotional aspects to having a video as well. It is largely a performance video, which helps people see me if I cannot come their city yet - or gets them primed if I am.
The next CD, 'The Soft White Ghetto' is 3/4 finished. I am in the process of doing the vocals, mixing, and putting on finishing touches. It will be released on Halloween 2000.
- Would you like to spend some words on your collaborations? (Past, present and…future?)
G: Recently, I played acoustic guitar on Voltaire's upcoming CD. I was in the house band for two years at Squeeze Box, which was a great time. Psychotica covered 'Breakable' from 'Pretty Scary'. There are a few other things in the works but I will have to wait as they are still in the developmental stage.
- Well, reading the end of your intie for ‘Chaos Control’, it seems we have the same goal: make a lot of money to then retire in an enchanted peaceful place without the chaos of hectic modern life, pollution, etc…
G: Indeed. It seems that is the only way to get it though - to live in the hectic crazy world first, make some money, and then find a place that suits you. In the current state of the world, the tranquil places are harder and harder to find. NYC has many advantages in the way of convenience, though the toll it takes on one's sanity can be great. I have managed better than some, but there will come a time when I will leave for more serene surroundings.
- Well, we are at the end I guess, Twilight Realm greets your Empire and thank you for your presence in our dark pages….
G: It was my pleasure. Thanks for your interest and support of Glampire.
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