05/09/2007
An Interview with Chris Garneau, Indie Music's New Gay Star
Chris Garneau photographed by Josh Koll in New York City
Last week Towleroad correspondents Josh Helmin and Josh Koll sat down with
twenty-four-year-old singer and songwriter Chris Garneau to
talk about his debut album, Music for Tourists. The indie record, with
Garneau's softly sung vocals and heartrending lyrics, has garnered
praise from mainstream media including The Advocate and National Public Radio, with word also spreading like wildfire
throughout the blogosphere. Originally from Boston, and raised for a
few years in Paris during his childhood, Garneau has settled into the
Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, where he's at work on a
follow-up album and preparing for a nationwide tour that begins on May
12.
How did your debut album, "Music For Tourists," come about?
Duncan
Sheik produced it. I was in the first workshops of Spring Awakening
[for which Duncan wrote the music] when it was being written. I was 16 when they first started it. I did
numerous productions of it with the same
team that is still working on it now. They were like, "Just sing this
song, and that song, but don't
say a word." I was so awkward and I hated acting. Anyway, that's how I
met Duncan. I did these silly recordings in
high school at a studio and I gave them to Duncan, and he said,
"I'm going to produce your record some day." When I moved back to New
York five years ago, we started working on it at his studio. It was a
long process. He's a really busy guy, so there was a lot of
down time. We started when I was about 21, three
years ago.
Originally it was going to be really big and really produced, but the longer the process went on, the more eager I was to complete it, and we didn't really have any money going into it. We were recording everything on our own time, and he was engineering it at the studio in Tribeca. I had the studio to myself for a month, so I would just go in and set up, which I had no idea how to do. I was recording by myself. Four of the songs are just one take.
Do you read your reviews?
I do. I read all of them. I should probably stop. [laughter] It's really hard in the beginning to not do that. I don't know who would do that with their first album, to just be like, "I don't read them." I have to remember half the time that there are people writing to make a point, or to have people just read their reviews. There are writers who sometimes write really drastic reviews, really good or really bad, so it sticks out and people notice it. I understand that that's a factor. I also try and consider that there are writers who truly care about music and really know music, probably a lot more than I know, and there are things I can learn from some reviews. It's a first record, and I was young when I wrote the songs. I don't expect everyone to love it.
While you were recording the album were you thinking about if you were going to be an openly gay artist?
Absolutely Kosher [the record company] asked me "How do you want to deal with press and publicity for being gay? Do you want it to be not mentioned at all, do you want to be out if people ask, do you want to be really forthright?" At that point I wasn't exactly sure. My feeling then was that I didn't want to be the gay piano-playing "fagitor" from Williamsburg who has a new album, "Music for Tourists." If anybody asks, or if gay press wants to run this feature or that, I thought, "Let's do it." I don't feel terribly political. I'm making music and I happen to be gay, and that's what's happening. If you want to hear about it, fine, and if you don't, that's fine, too.
So everybody's going to want to know: Are you single?
Why does everybody ask me that? That's so weird. [laughing, looking embarrassed] My feeling would be like, if I saw someone cute in a magazine or wherever, I wouldn't even care if they were single or not. I'd just be like, "How can I interfere? Who are they in a relationship with, and how can I fuck it up?" [laughter, then a pause] I am dating someone right now. He's a photographer. He just gave me a Polaroid camera -- he mainly does Polaroids -- and he's teaching me how to use it. It has a real lens so you can focus. It's a for real camera, not just a twenty dollar one you can get at a pharmacy.
Did you always know you wanted to be a musician?
When I was really young, and started playing piano, I thought I would want to play music, but I didn't know in what form. When I was in high school I started thinking about what I wanted to do, and it was music. As soon as I started writing music, that's what I knew I wanted to do.
How's the second album coming?
It's pretty much all tracked. There are a lot of big vocals. There's a big choir on one song. There are a lot of big string arrangements, percussion, and horn arrangements. There are a lot of things taken from "Tourists" stylistically, but almost simplified in a way. It's just smarter. It's better. I'm older.
For more about Chris Garneau and his touring schedule, or to listen to tracks from his new album, check out his website and MySpace profile.
Music for Tourists [iTunes]
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 3:45 PM EST by Josh in Chris Garneau, Interview, Josh & Josh, Music, Music Recommendations, News | Permalink
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I always find it disheartening when young, obviously intelligent, people (especially those who are members of a maligned group), say they just aren't political. It basically read "I'm lazy."
Right now, in this country, as an artist, how can one not be political. My god, think of the art that wouldn't exist if in the '60s people "weren't political." It sounds like a nice safe way of avoiding be controversial...when the only people it would be controversial to are those who probably wouldn't ever buy the art anyways.
Posted by: nycredneck | May 9, 2007 4:03:31 PM
He's cute, I should get to Brooklyn more often.
Posted by: Dave | May 9, 2007 4:23:22 PM
He looked so cute, untile he spoke.
Posted by: nuflux | May 9, 2007 4:32:35 PM
i saw chris a few months ago. very sweet and special. can't wait to hear more from him.
Posted by: JB | May 9, 2007 4:52:33 PM
Nice welcome. Why would anyone want to talk to Towelroad after reading bitchy comments like this?
Posted by: Tom | May 9, 2007 4:58:21 PM
Tom: You got that right!
Posted by: Steve | May 9, 2007 5:00:14 PM
Is it weird that I am a little jealous that he knows Duncan Sheik? I have had a crush on him for almost a decade now.
But as for him being (or not being) political, I have found that most folks his age are not these days. It’s like an epidemic of disassociation is ravaging our youth and having pride and confidence in a belief is not that important anymore. But what they don’t understand is the fact that lethargy is still a political stance and a dangerous one. And it might be a shame presently but soon it may turn into a tragedy. What are they going to do when they will wake up in ten years and find that their inaction has left their lives in a state they can’t even begin to fix? Someone needs to wake up and smell the oppression.
Posted by: BVC | May 9, 2007 5:15:00 PM
Very talented and very attractive.
Posted by: James | May 9, 2007 5:16:03 PM
Josh K did a nice interview -- too bad Chris is taken as he and Josh K would make a nice couple!
Posted by: Erik | May 9, 2007 5:16:13 PM
thick eyebrows and dark hair ++
apathetic 1,000 - 's
Posted by: pacificoceanboy | May 9, 2007 5:19:33 PM
Josh K did a nice interview -- too bad Chris is taken as he and Josh K would make a nice couple!
Posted by: Erik | May 9, 2007 5:21:35 PM
i think its cool hes saying i make music does not matter who i screw like a normal artist. HAlf of pop stars are permiscous ass people and no one ask them to talk aout std prevention. Why should he stand for anything other than his music. If need be a gay child can look up and be like hes normal not some novelty activist.
Posted by: sasha | May 9, 2007 6:12:28 PM
I don't understand why people think that just because he's a gay musician he should also be a gay activist.
Posted by: Eric | May 9, 2007 6:20:22 PM
Sasha...if it weren't for 'novelty activists' you wouldn't even be able to go to a gay bar. Prior to Stonewall (well, even after Stonewall, actually) gay bars were routinely raided by police and the bartenders and patrons were sent to jail on trumped up charges. The activists who rioted at Stonewall helped secure many of the freedoms you take for granted. Don't knock the contributions of 'novelty activists' or else you'll soon find yourself in a world where you aren't free to hold another guy's hand or even have a drink at a local gay bar.
Posted by: peterparker | May 9, 2007 6:26:05 PM
Yikes! Listening to his stuff on Myspace he sounds like Sufjan Stevens with no hope!
Posted by: Toto | May 9, 2007 6:30:46 PM
Going by past precedent here, if this poor guy did dare to be "political" he'd either be accused of being strident and hysterical (cf: Larry Kramer) or someone would immediately post a twenty paragraph rebuttal of any comments listing in detail how he's got it all wrong.
Posted by: John C | May 9, 2007 6:41:14 PM
Eric...given that the GLBT community is one of the most misunderstood and mistreated minorities in the world, I personally think that any queer person who has even an ounce of the spotlight has an obligation to the community to use at least a portion of their time there to help the community. Whether they create a foundation to help raise money for HIV/AIDS (as Elton John has done) or simply make sure that in every interview they discuss the obstacles faced by the GLBT community thanks to discriminatory laws/policies, every queer person in the limelight should be giving back.
Posted by: peterparker | May 9, 2007 7:05:48 PM
Well, you see there is this little thing called civil rights. Those heterosexual artists have them all and poor ignorant bafoons like some of the above posters don't. In the eyes of the law you aren't a full human being. Also what few rights the above artist and the above bafoon posters do enjoy were HARD WON with sweat, tears, and YES some blood at the end of a police baton. Talk to some old time act up people. heck, go back stonewall and talk to some of the drag queens that had their heads beat in by police.
Numbnuts who don't understand why every gay male and female should have at least a miniscule amount of political \activism ..... HEY YOU.....are you starting to understand yet?
If not, then will billy bob and holly roller jimmy john come at you with their baseball bats then don't come crying to the gay community for help.
Morons. When and if , atheist forbid, chris gets bashed on the streets of boston....oh the fuck well. Why should the community care? His cute thick eyebrows and singing voice will not go after the offenders. That task would fall to those who actualy aren't self absorbed nit wits and give a damn about themselves, their rights, their community, and the world around them.
When one is part of a minority then one can't just sit back an be apathetic.
Posted by: pacificoceanboy | May 9, 2007 7:16:15 PM
PacificOceanBoy...very well said.
Posted by: peterparker | May 9, 2007 7:23:52 PM
Peter Parker: I sort of agree. But you can give back without being an activist, but I don't want to mince words.
PACIFICOCEANBOY: I'm sure that the next time a homophobe hits me in the face with a baseball bat my sparkling political activism force field will stop it. Or I'll just file a police report.
Posted by: Eric | May 9, 2007 7:30:57 PM
Peterparker what you said in your posts was also very well said. A much nicer version than what I said. You can play good cop and I will play bad cop. :-)
eric, you must not read towleroad often. There are many cases reported here of guys being bashed and the police not responding till the activists get busy with phone calls, pickets, etc. otherwise you might just find your filed police report refused to even be accepted...like one recent case a month ago reported here at towelroad.
Posted by: pacificoceanboy | May 9, 2007 7:40:34 PM
In the event that my police report was refused (which it wouldn't be, because I live in Toronto) I would resolve the issue in court. And yes, that would make me an activist of convenience; only doing something because I've been directly effected. I don't do activism. I just don't want to. Would I donate money to an organization that fights for people's rights? Definitely.
But anyway, I think the original point was that Chris Garneau can choose to not be an activist. Some people just want to avoid being overtly political, which, ironically, means that a bunch of political people are going to be displeased with him. Poor guy; he loses either way.
Posted by: Eric | May 9, 2007 7:59:16 PM
Why can't we just be happy for someone for once? Do we need to nitpick EVERY SINGLE THING?
Posted by: Derrick | May 9, 2007 8:08:00 PM
Your music is very beautiful, Chris.
Posted by: GBM | May 9, 2007 8:09:09 PM
Eric , Toronto!!!!You little shit. You have far more rights and privilages and far less homophobia in canada than we american gays. You in your ivory tower of less homophobia than american gays preaching to us. How dare you! When daily we have preachers saying we are going to burn in hell yet in canada such people get in trouble with the law. You fucker,of course you wouldn't have any troubles with police NOT taking your report if you were bashed. canadian gays have it far far far better than we in america. You should have kept your trap shut on the subject knowing full well you have it better than we.
Anyway; seeing as how heterosexuals won't be buying in droves the music of an openly gay AMERICAN artist, his fan base was, is , and will be predominantly gay. That being the case, the kid just shot himself in the foot with his apathetic attitude. Many gay
americans will not wish to buy his music because of it. Sad for him. his apathy will cost him money and fame
Posted by: pacificoceanboy | May 9, 2007 9:27:32 PM