Sparkling with lush purity…
We’re all just individuals trying to find our way in the world, pushing forward regardless of the unstoppable machinations that threaten societal wellbeing. 2020 has reaffirmed that point more than ever, forcing us all to dig deep to rediscover forgotten truths about ourselves and the world around us. It’s a tough task, but Melbourne-based electro duo GL (made up of Ella Thompson and Graeme Pogson) do it in the most graceful of fashions, and their sophomore album You Read My Mind (out now) sees the duo confront life and all of its complex frustrations, channelling it into pure radiance.
The pair walk on sonic water as they craft lush soundscapes encompassing everything from disco to dream-pop, somehow capturing the fleeting magic of a shooting star and seasoning it generously through the ten track run-time. It’s a gorgeous listen, and by the end, you’re gonna be feeling so many emotions (many of which you weren’t even aware existed) that you’re gonna need an extra couple of listens for a proper spiritual reset.
We caught up with the duo ahead of the release of You Read My Mind to get deep on the record, their creative chemistry and escapism through music.
Check it below.
This album literally radiates sunshine and positivity. How do you manage to strike a balance of the two, when the world is as crazy as it is in 2020?
Ella: Thank you! That is intentional, we want this record to let people escape for a minute and provide a little bit of reprieve. Internally, it’s not always sunshine, at times I can get sad and anxious but the more music I make, the more I want it to be a place where I can engage in something positive. Not to minimise or ignore what is going on in the world but respond to it in a way that is cathartic. There are so many songs on the album that explore this paradox, while also staying relative to my experience which is quite lucky in today’s context.
Now, congrats on ‘You Read My Mind’! It’s clear you guys have really refined your craft and pushed yourselves since 2016’s ‘Touch’. How do you think the pair of you have grown since then?
Ella: A lot has happened since 2016 and now we’re at that special release time again, things feel like they have moved in light years but also remained very still. We’ve made a lot of music in various projects since then, I think this has helped us develop musically in many ways. We are both working on our craft everyday and hope to get better at saying what we want to say, and sounding the way we want to sound. I think good collaboration takes time, the magic is when you’re just hanging out and forget that you’re “in a session”.
You’ve said that the album is about “sticking together through uncertainty in a world fuelled by unstoppable forces, accelerating regardless of our choices.” I can’t help but feel like this is referring to COVID. Is that accurate? Or was there other inspiration for the album?
Ella: I think this sentiment always rings true to me while a lot of these songs were written well before the whispers of COVID but coincidentally it applies to right now. The world can be a decisive place where we are taught to be individualistic, our context and communities are so important for keeping healthy.
Ella, your tone and range really flourish throughout the album. It’s really cool to see you embrace the higher points of your register this time around. Was that a conscious decision?
Ella: Thank you :) I like to play with tone in my vocal delivery, I love big tone singers like Donny Hathaway. The way I perform in a recording context is different to the live show, sometimes belting it out at the top of your lungs can sound too harsh on recording but there is definitely a time and a place for that too. Human voices are pretty cool, there’s so much to try and learn. Often, the melodies I hear might cover a big range and then I have to work out how to perform that idea.
Our album will be out this time next week! Here is a taste of 'True', We intend for the song to be heard on many levels and hopefully you can relate in your own way 🔆 pic.twitter.com/ZulluX9TXW
— GL (@STRICTLYGL) September 18, 2020
What were some artists/ influences you drew on production wise? It covers everything from dream pop to disco to funk so well.
Ella: Together we have pretty broad references but there always seems to be a point where these influences intersect. We’re listening to everything from classic boogie, funk, disco, soul to more modern artists like Beach House, Robyn, Empress Of, Solange, Blood Orange , Erika de Casier, Smerz and Bea1991
Do you reckon writing the album itself has helped you both grow as musicians and songwriters? If yes, how so?
Ella: I find working entirely alone can be pretty difficult, it is definitely an important part of the process which makes you more artistically independent but being a part of a band is a unique and special thing. Both these processes work in tandem. There’s really nothing like being in a band, knowing that you’ve got each other’s back and can support each other creatively. When everything flops you still have someone to laugh about it with at the end.
Now concerning the creative relationship between the two of you, how do the two of you write a jam? Give us a quick rundown on the process!
Ella: It varies but there is always a big element of improvisation to our writing process. Sometimes Graeme comes up with an idea and I respond to that, or visa versa. We often come up with ideas from scratch on the spot. When you feel comfortable to make mistakes, that is a good place to be. We’ve made some terrible music that no one will ever hear, often we bring those demos up and just listen and laugh for hours. This can be more fun than making the ‘good music’, we try not to take it all too seriously.
Do the pair of you have a creative second-hand or language you converse in with each other? Are you always on the same page?
Graeme: Yes there’s a bit of gibberish when we’re onto something, but it’s generally more of a feeling. We tend to be onto something if we’re having fun and a chuckle whilst working on it. We have a pretty high rate of being on the same page luckily. There are lots of demos that never quite made it, but that’s not usually due to any disagreements about the direction. It has always felt pretty smooth writing as GL.
Were there any songs on the album that you had to compromise on at all?
Graeme: Not really compromises, but we are open to each other’s ideas and very honest about our opinions. Sometimes things click immediately, sometimes they don’t and you have to decide what you each like, then move forward from there.
You’ve been performing on the online festivals like Isolaid and such. What’s that whole process been like of transitioning the live show into a more digital format?
Graeme: Isolaid was fun and surprisingly nerve-racking. The tech side is all pretty tricky and can add an edge of nervous energy, which potentially makes up for the lack of people in the room. I’m looking forward to stages and crowds again.
After all this time away from the stage, what do you reckon those first couple minutes back on a stage at a festival or headline show are gonna be like?
Graeme: It will be fun and hopefully the adrenaline will help me push through the unfitness on the drums!
Lastly, how do you want people to enjoy the album? Are you wanting them to dance, vibe out or just bask in their feelings?
Graeme: All of the above and however they want to enjoy it is fine. As always, I just hope people have fun listening to GL.
GL’s new album ‘You Read My Mind’ is out now. You can buy/ stream it here. Be sure to keep up with them on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on all of their latest projects.
