Artist Psilocyfi, Aka Joel Gloetzner released his debut Single "AT THE MOMENT"
We caught up with Joel Gloetzner, an independent, electronic musician, to talk about the launch of his music career and the elements that drive his creativity. Joel’s ethereal vibe and thought provoking perspectives were a joy to experience as he spoke on what defines him as an artist.
How would you define yourself…
“Defining yourself is the toughest thing. We are born with an identity and then in adolescence we start to question it. It’s a hard question to answer. I wish I could be seen as a renaissance man, trying to do everything and making the best use of the technology around us to make art and learn about reality and learn about myself.”
Where did the Name PsiloCyfi come from…
“I like Sci-fi. My music is pretty electronically driven. I’m something of a futurist.”
How did you get started…
“I always had music in my life, I was whistling before I could talk. It wasn’t until recently, the last couple years where I really committed to making music more seriously. In the meantime I was playing guitar most of my life and finally got my hands on Ableton and began to dig in.”
What sounds are you attracted to…
“I love the blend of organic and electronic type sounds together, I’ve recently watched raised by wolves and there was a sound on it that brought about a mixture of two elements you don’t find together in an organic environment. That blend produced such a deep sound; it’s that type of things that I’m gravitated towards… The sounds that you can’t really quiet place. “
What is your most fulfilling job so far…
“I worked in a group home for adults with disabilities and sharing music with them was very fulfilling. It’s amazing what music can do to connect people. Everybody goes through depressive periods or the excitement of finding something new. Time after time I’d discover music with the people I was working for and we would just get so happy to hear the song that we both liked. Or sometimes someone would get annoyed that someone else was listening to a song they didn’t like. Either way there is a beautiful emotional response and that is what music is about for me. It’s maybe more than emotional, maybe it’s spiritual. “
What is the most challenging thing you’ve overcome…
“I would say maybe dealing with myself, the life that I’m existing in. That’s the most consistent thing. You can’t really get away from yourself. You have to make peace at some point.”
What does this song mean to you personally…
“It’s kind of about that deep sense of loss of a sense of self. The question of that loss stays there for a while. I think the song explores what really happens when things break or when I break or when people around me break. And then what does that mean? Does it mean something, and what is that experience like?
I had an art teacher once who was teaching us how to make an abstract painting. The idea wasn't to just start splashing paint. It was about looking at an object. I started and the teacher came over and looked at what I’d done and said, “What is it that the bottle is doing?”
I said, “Well it’s just sitting there.”
Her response was, “Yeah, but what is it doing?”
Her insistence that it was doing something lead me to a deeper understanding of what’s behind the thing that is not itself a thing. What is a part of your life that no longer exists, or what am I doing in the sense of not doing. I don’t know, there is something more than what is apparently there.
The scariness of putting your art out there in the world…
“In my experience it takes practice. I had a few shows where I was kinda nervous on stage or at least at moments. Acclimating to the nerves and transmitting it back into the music is the way I learned to handle it.”
Some things that inspire you…
“In life? I would say my wonderful partner Lauren. Having kids inspires me to do more with the life that I have. Being In touch with nature and rock climbing. A lot of compelling art comes from introspective processing. Most of the music I’ve written I tend to think of as sketches of moments I was in. Hence the name: “At the Moment.” Instead of trying to control or analyze a particular moment or experience, just put it out there and find the sounds that resonate with that sensation and that deeper knowing and exploration of the universe. That has to be the most inspiring thing. It also helps with depression [laughing].”
What do you have planned for the future…
“With this single being released, I have quite a few other songs I’m working on that will be coming out next year. Whether it’s a full album or an EP or a couple EP’s I’m not sure. With the music climate changing it makes sense to just keep releasing songs and not worry whether it’s an album or not. Otherwise I’m looking forward to finishing school and getting married and seeing my kids be successful.”
What drove you to make this song…
“I had been writing songs for the last couple years but I hadn’t published anything until now. I was trying to find my sound, and trying to understand what it was that I wanted to communicate. Even just to myself. I feel like it’s ready at this point. With this song there is always something I hear that I want to change or improve. I think the hardest part is letting a thing be what it is instead of trying to continue manipulating it. It’s cathartic, more than anything, to let it go.”
Joel Gloetzner AKA Psilocyfi will be releasing more music on all platforms in the coming months as he grows his portfolio of work
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