Queens of The Stone Age Bass Player and Mini Mansions Frontman Michael Shuman has released his new EP ‘MY DEMONS’ under the moniker GLU. I caught up with Shuman to discuss his new project, the EP and his plans for world domination.
‘MY DEMONS’ is an intriguing glimpse into Shuman as an artist. The EP is different and more hip-hop-esque than people might expect from him while still maintaining an alternative edge. I wondered if he was worried or wondered what fans would make of this broadening of his sound.
“Yeah, I definitely wondered if it would work for the fans I already have. But I also think that most of my fans are pretty open-minded and could see the influence from all the bands and projects I’ve done before this. At the same time, I did this wanting to attract new fans that have no idea about my past, and just like this music for what it is.”
We discussed if there was a particular event that made him decide to become GLU or choose to do this solo project. And if he found it difficult to pick the songs for the EP?
“After decades of being in bands, where you are tied to other people’s wants and schedules, I finally thought it would be good to have something where I could do it when I wanted to. On my time. The pandemic accidentally gave me that chance.”
“I did have more songs to choose from, but these were the first ones I created for GLU, and probably because of that they all tie together and live within the same thematic world.”
Shuman showcases a plethora of musical delights within this EP. From jazzy keys to slick lo-fi- hip-hop alongside pop-hued melodies. I asked if he was just pottering about with different sounds or if it was a deliberate imagination of genres and sounds.
“I don’t think you can ever take yourself out of what you do. All the influences, experiences, and tid bits you’ve picked up along the way. So they are definitely all there. But yes, I wanted to make sure it felt somewhat like something you hadn’t heard before. There’s no reason this song shouldn’t have slide guitar solos, harmonies, hip hop beats, and rapping.”
We see Shuman rap on this EP in the title track ‘My Demons’.
“I always wondered if it was in me. But of course there’s always the fear of judgment. I think because I was locked down and nobody was watching, I was privileged with the time to experiment with it and the delivery that felt authentic to me.”
Shuman collaborated with Phantogram’s Sarah Barthel on ‘My Demons’. We discussed how that collaboration come about and if that piece was written with her in mind.
“We have just been friends for a while and I wanted someone to counter the masculine undertones throughout the song. And also having someone that is a bonafide badass pop singer. She delivered the fuck out of it.”
“Not at first, no. But she was the first thought I had when wanting someone to collaborate with.”
Shuman recently released a coinciding video with a sultry, latex-laden Barthel symbolizing the demons that dominate GLU’s thoughts as he satirically raps through a leather ball gag.
“Honestly I just always saw some kind of vision of being tied up for this song. I think because of the sexual, yet traumatic undertones, it felt like the right concept to match the lyrics.”
“Yes, it was uncomfortable and I’m pretty sure I got some kind of mouth injury from it that has lingered to this day. No pain, no gain. “
Another great track on the EP is ‘Cold Sweat’. The song is a chilled tune that displays the swagger and musical wizardry people might know Shuman for from previous projects such as Mini Mansions.
“I started with that simple groove and chord progression. Thought it maybe could just be an instrumental track. Kinda like Funkadelic’s “Maggot Brain”, where it’s just one long guitar solo. But then that chorus melody popped in my head and it start to develop into what it is now. Yet, I wanted to keep it very simple. Verse chorus, verse chorus, out. Less about the lyrics and melody and more about the groove.”
Within this EP Shuman provides some meaningful lyrical content. ‘Night Shif’, discusses the impending doom we feel, generated by the current state of our world while ‘My Demons’ explores how childhood traumas continue to seep into adult life. Both are relatable themes that are well presented through sharp phrases; “ I’m so fucking chill, but I’m quite erratic, emphatic and somewhat problematic”.
“I did take a lot of time crafting these, as lyrics are not my favorite part of writing songs. That being said, a lot of those lyrics come together pretty quickly when you decide on a theme and you roll with it. Also, using lines that are happening in real time. Sometimes I wish I was recording all my conversations with friends. I think there would a lot of gold in there.”
“MOONWALKIN’ is probably my favourite track on the EP. It oozes effortless swagger. Shuman told me which of the songs on the EP he is most proud of.
“Moonwalkin’ is an inside joke I have with my friend, which I won’t get into. But it started with that chorus melody I wrote on piano. It was the start of a different kind of song I was writing, but then realized it slotted in perfectly with the verse groove and melody I had. This track was a bit of that. A patchwork with elements that all worked perfectly together.”
“I think My Demons I’m most proud of, only because it was the first GLU song I wrote. It inspired what is GLU and got me out of my comfort zone.”
Finally, I asked Shuman what he has planned for the rest of the year and if he has plans for a GLU world domination.
“World domination? Yes. Expectations? No. Just chip away everyday and enjoy whatever comes of it.”
Filled with lush textures, eloquent lyricism and expressive soundscapes ‘MY DEMONS’ is a fascinating keyhole glimpse into the many facets of Shuman as an artist. The EP is an immersive experience from start to finish that beckons repeat plays and is simply a must-listen.
Stream ‘MY DEMONS’ below
Author: Danu
