The Gleeman Talks His New Mini-Album, His Voice And More

The Gleeman’s Mini-Album ‘You’ll Land Among The Stars,’ out later this month on the 30th January 2026. He very kindly spoke to us all about it:

 

What is your earliest musical memory?

Gee, that’s a tough one, especially in my case being such a bloody long time ago! Hmm, well, from an actively participating point of view, I remember learning to play the recorder in my first years at primary school, but there was another notable musical exposure from a young age. I come from a small Cornish town called Helston, the pinnacle event in its calendar takes place in May each year, an ancient festival which heralds in the spring called ‘Flora Day’. As part of the celebrations, four separate processional dances, spaced out across the day, weave throughout the town lead by Helston Town Band (of which I became a member of for many years on Cornet) playing the ‘Floral Dance’ (those of a certain age may remember broadcaster Terry Wogan’s foray into the charts in the late 70’s with a song of the same name which was written about it!).

 

I was exposed to that repeating tune played by the brass band from year dot and having later participated in all of the different dances across the years and the many times having played it with the band, it is now very firmly ingrained in my soul

When did you begin songwriting?

 

I first started writing songs in my late teens, though not particularly prolifically back then, I did continue to wright songs on and off over the years since, though more so in recent years now I actually have an outlet for them. So I’ve been writing songs now for 35+ years! This is one thing I don’t really understand about the music industry’s ongoing fixation with youth and lack of interest in supporting and providing platforms for new older artists. In most occupations and careers experience counts for something. You wouldn’t expect an 18 year old to be CEO of Barclays Bank because you need to have years of relevant experience and have mastered a number of skills to perform adequately in that kind of position, yet the music industry is still hell bent on focusing all of its efforts in appointing its new superstars from the ranks of the young. Just maybe those that have spent many years honing their songwriting craft, mastering their instruments and soaking up life experiences may just have something worthwhile to say and something to offer the industry and the whole demographic of music lovers out there who would welcome new artists with new music that is likely to be relevant to and resonate with them.

 

You have your new mini-album ‘You’ll Land Among The Stars’ released on 30th January 2026. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

This mini-album came about very organically so there wasn’t really much of a pre-planned approach. Although my debut album ’Something To Say’ only came out in Nov 2024, the majority of it was recorded during 2020 and I continued to write and record in the intervening years (a few songs from this period made it on to the debut also) and particularly in 2025 during which I took a break from releasing, playing live and promoting. The release of ‘You’ll Land Among The Stars’ is the first step of some rather audacious plans for 2026…

 

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

 

The exception is a track called ‘For A Second Time’ which was produced with Will Hicks (who notably produced Ed Sheeran’s global smash ‘Perfect’ among others and who produced ’Something To Say’ with me) and recorded at his studio and was mixed by maestro Ash Howes. The rest of the album was predominantly recorded in my home studio, though some contributions from other musicians were done remotely, and it was also produced by me. I learned so much from working with a pro like Will on the previous album that I felt ready to undertake the producer role myself going forwards. I ended up mixing and mastering the remaining tracks myself also. I don’t recommend it as it becomes a bit too all consuming, though the benefit is that I charge myself pretty competitive rates!

 

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

 

‘Our Teenage Years’ is the first and only song that I have released so far that is a co-write, which happened to be with my son Daniel, which did come about with him somewhat under duress. I was enrolled on an online production course and one of the tasks set was to collaborate with someone to create a song. Times were a still a little ‘covid-y’ so I prodded my live-at-home son to get involved. The opening acoustic guitar riff that carries through the verses is his and it is him playing it on the record. I did try to entice some lyrical contributions from him, you know, in terms of what the song is about and him actually being a teenage at the time I thought it might not be too much of a stretch, but his sole donation to the cause were two words. ’Smoking’ and ‘Pot. Necessarily in that order. And they are two words that I am now going to have to drop in a new vocal and replace to make a more palatable for radio version – thanks Dan!

 

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

 

My go to acoustic guitars are a couple of Gibson SJ-200’s (one with Rosewood back and sides, the other Maple, so they have different tones) and a Martin D28. These tend to shape the core of the recordings which I then build around. My main microphone is a modelling mic called a Sphere which is great and incredibly versatile, though I’ve also used a sure SM7B on some vocals. I use a Fender Precision bass guitar, you can plug it straight in to the interface and it just sounds amazing.

 

Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

Not sure I really do happy, not on this album anyway! I guess the closest thing would be ‘Our Teenage Years’ which is a semi-fictional nostalgic and wistful look back to more carefree times when life was all just potential possibilities. There’s no real anger on this one either (see future releases on which some of my first ever dis tracks will appear!). Most reflective would have to be ‘My Final Song’, a final goodbye to loved ones and friends.

 

Who were the musicians who were on the album with you?

I played the majority of instruments on this album myself, but there are drum contributions from Charlie Paxson (who notably played drums on James Blunt’s ‘Back To Bedlam’ album, including ‘You’re Beautiful’) and also Ash Soan (Snow Patrol) and a little electric guitar from Fred Abbott (from Noah & The Whale), so I have been very fortunate to have such a great pedigree of contributors. Vocally, I also feel very honoured to have hit-singer and broadcaster David Grant duetting with me on ‘Gotta Get On’. As well as hits as a solo artist and with the band Linx in the 80’s David’s last major duet, ‘Could It Be I’m Falling In Love’ with Jacki Graham, reached No.5 in the UK charts, so I’m taking that as a good omen!

 

Does the album’s title have a specific meaning/significance?

I have three mantra’s that I try to live my life by. The album’s title is the last part of a quote by Norman Vincent Peale which in full is ’Shoot for the moon, even if you miss you’ll land among the stars’, my No.1 mantra. It’s essentially a philosophy to dream big, think big, act big and that if you do that, even though you might not achieve everything you hope for, you’ll still end up in a very good place – an essential attitude I find when trying to navigate the murky waters of the music industry!

 

Was it a difficult album to write?

No. Fortunately I find that writing songs comes very naturally to me. It’s never a forced process, it just happens when it happens. I hope it always stays that way.

 

Who designed the album artwork?

Yep, that was me again (I’m clearly a control freak!) with a healthy dollop of assistance from Photoshop’s generative capabilities. The difficult aspect of it was that thematically and stylistically the artwork had to not just work in isolation (see earlier comment regards audacious plans for 2026!).

 

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

Helston in Cornwall, as mentioned earlier. To describe it in five words I will slightly truncate a song title about it from my ’Something To Say’ album: Will Always Be My Home.

 

How do you look after your voice?

By trying really hard not to raise it toward my son when I am attempting to prise some lyrics from him on a song he is supposed to be writing with me on a theme and topic that is right in his wheelhouse!

 

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2026?

Nothing in the diary as I write, but watch this space!

 

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

To have my dignity in tact and that not everyone has walked out during the set (the former relying very much on the latter).

 

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

Not really, but I do rely on a having a few different guitars with me as I play in a number of different alternate tunings and it is a pain trying to re-tune mid set.

 

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

Elton John, Billy Joel, Queen, Pink Floyd, Dire Straits, Fleetwood Mac, Adam And The Ants, Paul Simon, The Beatles and many more. Don’t eat yellow snow.

 

What makes The Gleeman happy and what makes you unhappy?

I love it when a plan comes together (I’m showing my age), unhappiness is my favoured take-away being shut on the night I have a particular craving for it (my definition of life is: Something To Do Between Mealtimes).

 

Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By Fifth Element PR

The Gleeman’s new mini-album ‘You’ll Land Among The Stars’, is released on Friday 30th January 2026. 

Find out more information here: https://stream.thegleeman.co.uk/stream-1