Glenn Valles On the Making Of “The Warden”
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind "The Warden" and the story it tells?
Mental health is quite a concern these days and is a subject that goes unspoken, more often than not. I’ve read quite a few articles about people suffering from different kinds of mental traumas and how badly it affected their lives. As a Songwriter, I thought, the best way I could do something to make people aware of this affliction, was to write a song about it. "The Warden" is actually a Sequel to another song I wrote called “A Troubled Mind” which dealt with a similar subject matter. That song was nominated and won the Clef Music Award last year.
Could you discuss the lyrical themes or messages conveyed in "The Warden"?
This song is about how we sometimes find ourselves “a prisoner of our own mind” because of certain circumstances. “The Warden” is a metaphorical reference to such a situation. This song was written to create awareness of the importance of mental health in these challenging times we live in and also to encourage people to seek help. That’s why the opening lines of the 1st Verse of the song start with a cry for help:
Help me breakout of these shackles
And find freedom from these chains
The metal ones don’t confine me Lord
But the ‘mental’ ones chain my brain!
How did you work with the producer or engineers to bring your vision for this song to life?
I sent the Demo I recorded in my home studio to the producer and conveyed my vision of the song to him. Production is an extremely important factor as it can make or break a song. Therefore, I drew out a detailed pre-production note which had very specific instructions with regard to the genre, the type of vocalist including background vocals, instrumentation, arrangements and production ideas I had in mind for this song. After that, I periodically kept a check to see if everything was on track, suggested changes when necessary, till I finally got what I needed.
What has been the most memorable experience or achievement in your music career so far?
There have been quite a few of them. In April 2022, my song “Karma” won the Great American Song Contest award for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting’ in the Alternative Rock category. Earlier this year my song “Looking Up To Heaven” which I had written as a tribute to my late parents, Edmund and Clothilda Valles’ legacy of love, won the
UK Songwriting Contest in the Country Category. Just last month this same song, also won India’s Clef Music Award. This is the 3rd year in a row since its inception that I’ve won the Clef Music Award – which is quite an honour.
How do you continuously grow and evolve as an artist?
Being a Songwriter who writes in multiple genres (Blues, Country, Pop, Rock, Reggae, Hip-Hop, Rap, EDM, Praise & Worship & a few more), it is quite challenging, since I have to try and nail both the Lyrics and the Melody for each Genre. I try my best to study the elements that define the Genre that I write in, so it’s always a constant learning process for me. I’ve also experimented with a ‘Fusion of Genres’ so to speak, with
“A Troubled Mind” which is a blend of Blues, Rock & Rap. There’s also another song I wrote called “King Of The World” which is a blend of Reggae, Rock & a bit of HipHop. Reviews and feedback help a lot, so it would be really nice if your readers could visit my Instagram account @the_songcrafter or my YouTube Channel Glenn Valles Music and listen to some of my work. I would love for them to write back and tell me what they feel about my songs. Feedback matters to me and will help me grow and evolve as a Songwriter.
e-mail: glennvalles@yahoo.co.in
Robert Silvester On the Making Of “Secret Obsession”
What was the creative process like for this particular single "Secret Obsession?"
The creative process for “Secret Obsession” felt long, we changed so much added bits removed sections. Its morphed into a much better song. I think it was after we added a brass section as a bridge that it really started to work. It gave it this retro/soul feel which I love. After that Rowen spent days recording backing vocals which in their style gives it a haunting edge. Then we added city noises and traffic, I particularly like the taxi beeping its horn at the end. Rowen is such a talented musician, song writer and artist, they are also in Trummerkind and write all the songs for the band. I couldn't or wouldn't make any songs without them just wouldn't be as much fun, Rowen is the maddest person I know, I love that lunatic.
How did you approach the arrangement and composition of the music for "Secret Obsession?"
Both Rowen and I were on the same wave length, I knew exactly the sound and feel I wanted for “Secret Obsession” and I had already written the lyrics, we eventually removed a verse to allow for the brass section.
I recorded the vocals on my phone with no music and emailed them to Rowen, within 2 days the original music was made. Then the long recording, rerecording, deleting, adding a backing track, backing vocals , frustration, tears, laughter and finally when it was ready it was sent to Duncan Chave to remix and master.
How did you work with the producer or engineers to bring your vision for this single to life?
Duncan Chave is a legend, he always knows exactly what we want or what a song needs, he does all the remixing and mastering for Trummerkind, Im the drummer in that post-punk band check us out on Spotify. Duncan really gets the bands sound, so when it came to mixing and mastering “Secret Obsession” he was the obvious choice, he sent me the first master and I was like thats perfect and we released it. Find the right Sound Engineer and listen to their advice, we were so lucky to find Duncan.
Where do you find inspiration for your songs or musical ideas?
I get inspiration from day to day life, something someone says in passing can start the writing process in my mind. “Secret Obsession” was inspired by and written for a dear friend of mine called Chelsea, we were just chatting about wanting a coffee and how cool it is to live in a city by the sea and to just walk about and drink coffee. Next thing Im frantically writing lyrics and creating a story in my mind. After I wrote I want to walk with you in your city by the sea it felt like it should be a song about longing, wanting and unrequited love then “Secret Obsession” was born.
Can you share a memorable experience from a collaboration that enriched your music?
The guy who plays guitar in Trummerkind and for my solo work is called Oli Sturdy, Im not sure he realises but hes a guitar genius. We are currently working on a song called Grey Eyes hopefully releasing later this year. He's currently in Itlay, I had the lyrics written again inspired by a friend of mine and I called him and asked for a Leonard Cohen style sort of acoustic guitar love song. I didnt tell him the words, 2 days later a message arrived he had recorded the guitar it was perfect, I mean perfect the words fitted and it sounds beautiful. I added the lyrics and sent the track to him to listen and we both agreed it sounded awesome, then towards the end you could hear his dogs barking haha, I actually liked the barking dogs, but he has sinced re recorded the guitar. His humour and personality definitley enrich any music we record together.
Im so lucky to have so many amazing talented people to work with and I thank them all for their hard work, dedication and friendship.
Neo & Neo “Behind the Walls”
Neo & Neo might have made memories palpable with “Behind the Walls.” His road-worn voice breaks at the right point, tearing a piece of love from the walls of the past—just a moment longer to stay in its warmth. Neo & Neo surprise you just how much can be expressed through one song. Only a few minutes have passed, but it feels like you have aged years along with it, traveling back in time and stealing what has slipped away from the tip of your fingers. You just know there’s a novel worth of story behind this song.
Neo & Neo’s rich and expressive vocal performance touches hearts, deep in the thoughts of a love well-preserved in memory. From the very first note, Neo & Neo slows down time with an introspective finger-picked guitar like a slow dance down memory lane. You’d want to savor every second. Then the depth of the cello meets the steady counter-clockwise guitar that turns back time. Through a mysterious, fantastic omission of a swirl, the track sweeps you off of the present and drops you into the grand tunnel of time. Technology, love, and fantasy intertwine together, becoming something much bigger than each of them.
But the time-travel tale doesn’t just tell you the story of a man who loved a girl. It encourages you to think back over your life and asks yourself the same question. If you had the chance to go back in time, when would you go? Who would you see again? and who would you see again? Through this spiraling sonic mirror, it’s a reflection that reaches deep into your soul—your most desired longings, regrets, love and joy. “Behind the Walls” creates a genuine moment of contemplation.
Read our interview with Neo & Neo and learn more about his big plan for the future!
Punk Head: I love how you wove time travel into the song's storytelling. What inspired you to write the song in the first place?
Neo & Neo: The song was inspired by many things, for example, the ‘90s tv series Buffy The Vampire Slayer had a specific episode where demons come into town making it impossible for everybody to talk and scream, so they could quietly steal your soul. The song, obviously, was also inspired by a “time machine,” one that I saw at a rollercoaster fair. It made me think about what I would do if I had a time machine at hand, and I imagined I'd go back in time to meet a certain someone earlier, to spend more time with her. So, ultimately, it's a love song, maybe even the most meaningful one I've ever written.
PH: What did you enjoy most about making "Behind the Walls"?
Neo & Neo: In the original recording of the song (release: 2018) I played all the instruments myself, and it was more of an acoustic version with some digital elements as well. Bringing the song alive again with the whole band, was a new and very soothing experience. Moreover, it was a pleasure to work (again) with Nico Schmied, who is one of the most talented people in Switzerland creating music videos and live sessions for artists.
PH: What is your creative vision as a band?
Neo & Neo: “Behind the Walls” (Live at Hardstudios) is the first out of three live sessions. The next songs will come out in May and June. Further than that: I go where my heart leads me. I have a feeling that things will get a bit more exotic, and a bit harder, too.
PH: Who are your biggest influences?
Neo & Neo: The National, The Slow Show, Mazzy Star, Coldplay, Band of Horses, Black Sea Dahu.
PH: What is the one thing that you’d like your fans to know about you?
Neo & Neo: I started to play Guitar with 12, because I wanted to be able to play Cohen's Suzanne