Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Listening to Emil McGloin's "Like the First Time," I feel at ease. His laid back sound is reminiscent of The Beatles' "Mother Nature's Son" or Beck's "Cold Brians," without running into annoying John Mayer imitations.
Wholly unpretentious and unassuming, he bares the corpus of his opus before his audience, without having taken the measure of enrobing himself in the gaudy vestments of ambition. "Wheelbarrow Blues" utilizes harmonious vocal composition along with a soft but steady beat to carry the listener, as if in the back of an old pickup truck, out to the country.
This is not surprising, considering McGloin's North Carolina roots. As a current New Yorker, however, he has managed to make a splash despite the asphalt. He performs in numerous Manhattan venues, as well as other festivals on and around the East Coast. Furthermore, he was named the Editor's Pick on eFolkMusic.org, and "Wheelbarrow Blues" was a final selection in the 2003 North Carolina Songwriter's Competition.
Like Bob Dylan before him, Emil McGloin is essentially a country boy in the Big City -- and although he is gaining momentum here as an artist, his musical style is still very elemental and organic.
For example, since there are no percussion instruments on his album, "The First Time Around," he relies on the natural percussive qualities of his acoustic guitar to provide the rich rhythms of his tunes. In his own words, "This was just me and the acoustic guitar. I wanted a natural feel [and] I didn't use any artificial noises to keep time so I just tried to keep it as accurate as possible."
As an up-and-coming singer-songwriter-guitarist, McGloin has certainly furnished himself with a solid foundation. As former lead guitarist of Bruther Monk, he is no stranger to life as a professional musician; I admit that I positively look forward to seeing him become a bold stroke in the contemporary pop landscape. - The Commentator (Yeshiva College)
Discography
The First Time Around
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Folk to blues, hip-hop to rock, Emil McGloin is a singer/songwriter whose unique voice and talent for the craft of song drives his solo debut, “The First Time Around.” Extending acoustic driven melodies to include beat box (think Rahzel), funky bass lines and imaginative guitar solos, Emil is equal parts Bob Dylan, G. Love and Pete Yorn.
Currently touring the United States in support of “The First Time Around,” Emil’s story is one filled with taking chances and transitions. Originally from Durham, North Carolina – and now calling New York City home – Emil began his musical career as a teenager, playing lead guitar with a close knit group of friends that includes current band members Dan Datiles (beat box/drums) and Ronnie Cruz (Bass). Following his college graduation Emil took a job with MTV’s “Celebrity Death Match” creating the mouths for claymation celebrities such as Britney Spears, Fred Durst, and Eminem. After two years of doing little musically, Emil decided he was not willing to sacrifice his twenties to the 9 to 5 corporate machine in downtown Manhattan. He was determined to live and perform as a professional musician.
Emil’s first solo album “The First Time Around” represents a major step forward for the 26 year old singer/songwriter, “The whole album has a lot to do with me feeling like I might be in a rut and ways to get out of it. It’s about feeling like its time to make the transition from frivolous pursuits to something more substantial.” At the same time silly and serious, the songs on the album tell the story of finding your way in the world and draw influences from a wide array of artists including Muddy Waters, The Beatles, Sly Stone, Prince and David Bowie. Carrying that spirit of versatility to his live performances, Emil is equally comfortable playing solo acoustic sets or creating an organic mixture of sound backed by a full band. His diverse concerts often include upright bass, horn players, and even MC’s – guaranteeing that each live show is full of musical surprises.
As industry-wide recognition of Emil’s efforts continues to grow, so does his songwriting. “I see myself heading into a direction involving thicker textures and less predictable musical turns,” say McGloin. “I want to mix and match musical styles and sounds, and get across in my songs some things that I think are hilarious in real life.”
Emil McGloin currently performs at college campuses, festivals and clubs across the United States in support of “The First Time Around.”
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