FMM: How did the collaboration with Karise Eden come about?
Greg: I reached out to her last year because I’ve had this concept for a show called Lady and the Tramp. I’m a bit of a lady and I’m a bit of a tramp, sort of it being a one-woman show. I’ve wanted to work with Karise for a long time, so I reached out to her and we started touring together and we really enjoyed working together. When we were on tour, she slipped the demo into my email and I thought the song was amazing. It was like she’d written part of my story in there as well.
It’s very relatable because it is about the music industry. It’s called All That Glitters. You think that everything is all sparkly and fabulous on stage and that’s what you see because we show you what you want to see, but really both of us being, in the machine of a reality television show, particularly her… The Voice was the first season, so big. She had men in suits controlling her career for a long time. And, me too. I had a really tough road, so I really saw myself in. Essentially I took the piano demo to the studio, put my vocals down, produced it up, sent it to Karise and she was really happy with it. We love how it’s turned out and the music video is really powerful. I’m just super proud of the song.
FMM: It sounds like it was meant to be.
Greg: Yeah, my debut album was released a year and a half ago. Original music has always been something that I’ve done. I’ve always used songwriting as a cathartic exercise to get at how I’m feeling. But because of the music industry and the record deals that I’ve had and the things that weren’t right, original music was always pushed to the side even though it’s something that I’ve always been passionate about. So, interpreting other people’s songs has been the majority of my career. Taking on an original song that felt like part of my story, was a no brainer for me. It was really easy for me to find understanding in that song.
FMM: This song is about industry expectations and personal struggles. Was there a particular lyric that felt especially vulnerable for you to write?
Greg: Sorry not sorry, but I learned the hard way. That’s pretty powerful to me. I always felt like I was behind and catching up through school and my entire life. It wasn’t until I hit my 30s really that I felt like I was ahead of life instead of trying to figure it all out. Learning the hard way stems from my childhood and early career. I think I’ve had to learn even harder because I wasn’t given a fair chance as a young, queer person. I was told not to be too gay. I was told to hide and suppress it. That it would hurt my career. I just reached a point when I said f that. That’s what the music video is about – taking my power back. They want to push and suppress that part of me? I’ll burn the whole thing down before you do that to me. That’s how I feel now in particular. Standing here as a 38 year old, who’s had a beautiful career already, I still have stars in my eyes. I have big dreams still. There’s still lots I want to do. I really want to show people just because I’m almost 40, it doesn’t mean my life or my career is over. I’ve still got big aspirations.
And that box doesn’t just represent queer people. That box represents ageism. That box represents anyone that’s a little bit different or have been told you had to be one thing. Someone that I have always been inspired by is someone like Lady Gaga. On one hand, she’ll do a pop dance record, then she’ll do a jazz album with Tony Bennett, then she’ll do a movie with rock music like Shallow. She is not defined by one genre, one style of music, and she’s been embraced for that for a long time.
I was told I had to be one thing. I had to commercialise my lyrics. I even got told once, stop sounding too much like Judy Garland. I was like, what does that even mean? Or that my music was too theatrical. Tell that to Lady Gaga. Tell that to Chappell Roan. The world is changing, and we’re embracing those other parts. For me, it wasn’t that easy. I really did have some struggles there with some record labels that were trying to box me in, and I’m sick of it. And I left. I literally walked away from big deals with a major record label, with an independent label that was… I felt bullied.
In the music video, you see tape over my mouth. That was me. I sat there, I shut up. I did what I was told. I did what I thought I had to. I did go in the studio and record a very not me vocal for a couple of songs. I listened to the music and it was making me miserable. It was horrible. I felt like even with the queer thing, one particular experience that I have with a record label, when there was money involved, they were happy for me to go and sing at the gay events, but only when there was money involved. Otherwise , I was literally told, ‘You don’t have to be so gay.’ Or they’d say things like, ‘Well, I tried to contact this agent, and they said, they’ll keep you in mind for Mardi Gras.’
What is the correct amount of gay? Please tell me what that means. I’m good to look back now and think that was so dumb, but at the time, it was heartbreaking. It was really hard. It was anxiety brewing. I didn’t know at the time that I was carrying so much, and it did not help my my mental state. It was not great.
FMM: Do you feel like music and the industry is becoming more open now?
Greg: Yes and no. I think we still have a long way to go. I still think we can be a bit tokenistic. I think it’s not about ticking a box. Have a diverse lineup because you want to, not because you have to or because you think you need to. Let’s just lead by example. Let’s be the example.
FMM: It’s clear you’ve poured out a lot of emotion in this song. How do you look after yourself when writing about challenging topics?
Greg: Good question. I’m doing a lot better at that now. It did affect me. I did have a really rough period in my life, and I got through that, thankfully. Drugs and alcohol were a part of that, unfortunately. But then I found myself again. Others are not so lucky. I had a lot that I went through, though. This album talks about some of those themes, but the industry part of it was also something. It’s like you walk around with a brick wall and some of those bricks are heavier than others. Eventually, if too many bricks, you’re going to collapse. I collapsed, but thankfully I pulled myself out of that rubble and I was able to rebuild a foundation. And I think I’m stronger now because of it. Would I wish what I went through upon anyone? Absolutely not. But if it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t be who I am now.
FMM: What do you hope people take away from All That Glitters?
Greg: I think the album altogether is a survival album. There’s lots of different songs on there that talk about different parts of my story. Just like I related to Karise’s lyrics and her story in this song, I hope people can relate to their story within my music. This particular song doesn’t have to relate just to the music industry. It can relate to any industry where you’re told to be something that you’re not or controlled or. A lot of industries have terrible things happening in them, or even just relationships that aren’t good for you. You might see a husband and wife that seem happy on the surface, but what’s happening at home is not the same. You know, don’t judge a book by its cover. You have no idea what someone else is going through.