Through Toledo and Home Again; Greg Laswell
He is quite possibly San Diego's best kept secret (not anymore!) -- Hailing from Long Beach, California, Greg Laswell decided to pursue a music career after graduating high school. Ever since his decision to move to San Diego, Greg's career has been on a constant incline even amongst the vast talents of the San Diego acoustic music scene - which has been the starting point for the likes of Jason Mraz, Jewel and Tristan Prettyman. Greg recently sat down and talked about his life, his sound, and the healing power of music. 06/28/2007
Greg Laswell – “The Musician”:
How would you describe your sound?
Greg: Hmmm. I've been told the sweetest parts of Johnny Cash mixed with The Beatles and Beck's Sea Change album... Not sure what that means, but I'll go with it.
What kinds of music/musicians were you into as a kid?
G: My first rock 'n' roll album was U2 The Joshua Tree, then came [Guns N' Roses'] Appetite for Destruction and then The Pixies... But really (thanks to my mom), I grew up on The Beatles .
Who are some of you current influences?
G: The Beatles, Radiohead, Pixies and the man in black.
When did you realize your calling as a musician? And how did you get started?
G: I joined choir in high school for a girl. But, in between looking across the choir room at her I realized that I loved singing. I wrote my first song when I was a senior in high school and my choir teacher pushed to have me sing it at my graduation. I remember finishing the song and walking back up to my seat in the audience and thinking "yeah, this is what I will do." Up 'til that moment I thought I was going to be an architect.
What was it like playing in front of a crowd for the first time?
G: I remember being completely and utterly surprised at the reaction... A feeling that has never gone away completely.
You’re from San Diego – which is home to many singer/songwriters, do you feel like that’s an advantage for you in the music biz? Or do you feel like that makes it more difficult?
G: More difficult. The scene in San Diego is very supportive, but at the same time tends to breed complacency. But I am certainly thankful for my start there and would never trade it in for anything.
Which of your songs is your favorite to perform?
G: "What a Day"
What kinds of life events inspired Through Toledo?
G: Mostly my sudden divorce three years ago.
When you look back at Through Toledo, what kinds of changes do you recognize in yourself since the production of that album?
G: Thankfully, these songs have become more and more a statement of "where I was" and not "where I am". Music has a way of healing people... even to those who write the songs. In my case, this album served as a catalyst to face painful circumstances in my own life and grow through them. It also has helped me to easily recognize pain in other people... which I think is a blessing
I first heard your song “High and Low” on The CW’s “Smallville”, and some of your other songs have been featured on other television shows like “The Hills” and “One Tree Hill”. How did you feel when you heard yourself on TV for the first time?
G: "Is that me?"
Greg Laswell – “The Man”:
Who’s your favorite superhero and why?
G: Jesus. Just kidding, Batman. He was given his cards and played them to help other people (p.s. I do not think that I am Batman, except when I have had three Whiskey-Cokes).
Who’s your favorite musician or band of all time?
G: The Beatles. Their songs are simple and timeless.
What’s
your favorite film? and actor? Why?
G: Pulp Fiction because it adequately described to me for the first time what grace is. Actor? William H. Macy.
What’s your very favorite restaurant?
G: Any number of shacks in LA or San Diego that serve Mexican food.
Besides a singer, was there anything else you wanted to grow up to be as a child?
G: A preacher (before I lost my beloved religion).
When you’re not performing or writing, what do you like to do? What are you into?
G: fishing, playing poker with friends and lifting heavy weights (only two of those are true)
Where do you go for inspiration or just to get away from it all?
G: I take a drive up San Francisco Bay about three times a year.
Who is the most exciting person that you’ve met so far? And if you could meet anyone in the whole world…who would you choose?
G: I met and got a few professional photos taken with UFC champion Randy Couture. To me, he reflects what is possible within the human spirit. He went through a divorce, retired and then came out of retirement and regained the belt from a fighter 10 years younger than him. If I could meet anyone in the world it would be my grandpa on my mother's side. I never met him.
What goals do you hope to achieve by the year 2020 both personally and professionally?
G: I'd like to score a few films and write a few screenplays.
Links:
Official Website: http://www.greglaswell.com
Greg Laswell on MySpace.com: http://www.myspace.com/greglaswell
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R E L A T E D
V I D E O S
Greg Laswell
"High and Low" live
Greg Laswell
live at The Roxy
Greg Laswell
"What a Day" live @ WOW Hall
Title: Through Toledo
Released: July 2006
Tracks:
1. Sing,Theresa
Says
2. Amazed
3. Worth While
4. Do What I Can
5. High and Low
6. Same As You
7. Through Toledo
8. I'm Hit
9. Long Way Around
10. Come Undone
11. Your Melody
12. December (Bonus)
Title: What a Day - Single
Released: 2006
Tracks:
1. What a Day
Title: Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Single
Released: 2007
Tracks:
1. Girls Just Want to Have Fun
L I K E S:
coming soon