Having already cemented himself with a vibrant array of releases these last few years, Scottish singer-songwriter Connor McGlave recently returned with his stellar comeback single 'Better Man'.
Capturing more of that warm and emotive aesthetic he has earned a reputation for over the years, 'Better Man' makes for a beautifully rich and riveting return for him. With his wondrous vocals layered across a compelling, acoustic-led production throughout, he is certainly looking to pull on our heartstrings with this one.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The first one I really got into myself was the guitar, like most. I got a guitar as a present, picked it up and that was that. It all kind of spiralled from there as I discovered how good it felt to write things down, to get the thoughts and feelings out of my head and onto paper.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I liked all sorts of stuff when I was younger, all the usual suspects really. Lots of rock like Arctics, Kasabian, Oasis , The View, as well as some of the rave stuff – can’t beat a bit of the old GBX which soundtracked many a weekend for me back in the day. I suppose the surprising one is that I loved swing stuff, the wee guy Ray Quinn on X Factor got me into that when I was a kid. So it is kinda all down to him in a very weird way.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Keane's first album "Hopes And Fears".
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
You’re in my heart - Rod Stewart, such a huge song and just a special piece of art.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Just do it. That’s the only one, when an idea comes, jump on it, get it out of your head there and then in case it evaporates. I really don’t know where the songs come from, I’ll sit with the guitar then it’s kind of like hypnosis. I check out completely and then bang, there’s a song. That’s honestly how it feels. I don’t like to overthink it too much, just appreciate it and go with it.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I still listen to The View all the time, especially the early stuff, those first two albums are just gold. There’s a lot of great music out there right now but there’s an awful lot of shite too. I like songs really more than artists at times, although people like Paolo Nutini, Rod Steward, are the governors.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Gerry Cinnamon, to be part of those mental nights and that movement in any way shape or form would be special.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Easy. Connection. It’s all about connecting with people, in any way. much more powerful, is people coming up to me and telling me what a song means to them, what it says to them, how it has helped them through something huge. I don’t talk about the meaning of songs now really, precisely because of this – I don’t want to take away the meaning someone else may find in my song by saying up front what my thought process was. Who am I to rob someone of a feeling of not being alone in a time they need comfort? This hit me really hard with my first ever song, realising people found their own meaning in the words and then they told ME what it was about. That’s how this should work.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Probably the waiting around, the time everything takes – just how it is I suppose. But when you’ve got a bunch of songs you know will work, not being able to get out and perform them or get them into people’s ears can be difficult. But trusting the process is important being patient.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
A few things really just keep at it – only work with good people, who you value and respect. Ignore the opinion of anyone you wouldn’t ask advice from, that’s really one to live by. I honestly couldn’t care less what most people think of me and that’s a very freeing thing. Also just to trust yourself, your instincts, your judgement, and bring in good people around you to take care of the things you can’t do or don’t know.
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Connor McGlave's new single 'Better Man' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.