Margaret Glaspy performs in The Current studio
by Jade
January 20, 2017
Margaret Glaspy released a 7-inch EP in January 2016 that teased the release of her album, Emotions and Math, on April 5 of last year. The album's title proved an apt summary of Glaspy's life over the past 12 months. "Sometimes I feel very heavily both of those things at the same time," Glaspy says. "In travelling or touring or making a record or writing songs, it's a lot of logistics. While it's incredibly creative and emotional, it's also really logistical at times. I feel that way in songwriting, where I have ideas all the time, but making them happen and making songs is a whole other ballgame, so it takes a lot of discipline and also organization for me to kind of do it the way that I like it. So I suppose that speaks to the title [of the album], for sure."
The touring brought Glaspy to Minneapolis last September, where she performed at Palomino Festival at Hall's Island. This week, Glaspy returned to the Twin Cities to play a show at Target Center where the bill included Andrew Bird and The Lumineers. Before the show, Glaspy and her band — Minneapolis bassist Chris Morrissey and drummer Tim Kuhl — stopped at The Current for an in-studio session hosted by Jade.
Recording Emotions and Math was a lengthy process, where Glaspy had spent a lot of time working through various versions of the songs at home. The home-recording sessions energized Glaspy when it was time to go into the studio to make the album. "By the time we recorded the record, it was like I was covering my own songs," she says. "It helps when you're making a record to be decisive and just go for it, because you're on the clock and you've just got to get it done. It definitely taught me how to make the final product."
Jade remarked about the signature growl that inhabits some of the sung lyrics in Glaspy's songs. Glaspy says that's a characteristic that has emerged over her evolution as an artist. "There were never any pointed choices of 'I'm going to sound this way'," Glaspy explains, "but it's just kind of cultivated over time. The older I get or the more I play or sing, I think it will probably evolve for the rest of my life, hopefully."
That evolution continues; Glaspy says a new album is in the early stages. "I'm inspired to get back into the studio and make some new music," Glaspy says. "It's just a totally different lifestyle that I'm engaged in. I'm learning to write on the road and how to be creative amidst all the travelling and chaos."
Use the audio player above to listen to the complete session with Margaret Glaspy.
Songs Performed
"Emotions And Math"
"No Matter Who"
"You And I"
All songs from Margaret Glaspy's 2016 album, Emotions and Math, available on ATO Records.
Credits
Hosted by Jade
Produced by Anna Reed and Derrick Stevens
Engineered by Michael DeMark
Visuals by Nate Ryan
Web feature by Luke Taylor
Resources
Margaret Glaspy - official site
