Drew Johnson (Photo by Tucson photographer Martha Lochert)
Shining Glass’ debut EP, Yellow & Purple, blends traditional and modern elements, drawing inspiration from diverse sources such as Radiohead and Philip Glass. Drew Johnson recorded this project in Los Angeles and Tel Aviv with collaborators including Roger Joseph Manning Jr. and Ken Sluiter. In this conversation, Drew reflects on his path to this release and what lies ahead.
What led you to start Shining Glass and what does the name mean?
I’ve been writing and recording songs for over twenty years with no intention to ever release anything; I would just share them with friends. This must be the natural progression for the music, and I’d like to share it with everyone. Shining Glass has different levels of meaning; on one level it’s an homage to Philip Glass, who is a big inspiration.
The EP features an impressive lineup. How did these partnerships come about and what did they offer to the project?
We recorded *another EP together in 2021 on 2” tape. Ken is an excellent engineer, and his mixes really define the final sound of the album. Roger brought his profound talent to the table, significantly broadening the landscape of the music.
Your music incorporates a mix of traditional and modern elements, from acoustic guitar to synthesizers and oud. Who are some of the biggest influences, and did recording in different locations also influence you?
Radiohead, John Frusciante, The Beatles, and Philip Glass are my biggest influences.
The culture of the studio and the interaction with the other musicians is unique depending on the place, though I can’t say exactly how that influenced the creative process overall. I stayed in the North of Israel in the town of Tzfat and that area definitely influenced my perception in general during the session in Tel Aviv. Ken handled the prep for the LA sessions and it was very productive and relaxed.
Can you tell us about the themes explored in Yellow & Purple? Is there a particular song on the EP that feels especially meaningful?
The lyrics were inspired by the stories and works of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, the great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov. His stories are very deep, containing allusions to Kabbalistic and Hassidic wisdom, and have influenced many writers since being published in the early 19th century.
My favorite song is “Watering Trees”; every verse is representing a different perspective, and it’s a very stark sound but it has a groove.
Now that Yellow & Purple is out, what’s next? Are there plans for a full-length album or further collaborations?
*The EP that we recorded in 2021 on 2” 24 track tape and mixed down to 1/2” 2 track tape, will be released sometime later this year. Vinyl releases for both EPs will hopefully come next year. I’m currently working on new music for a full-length album.
