NYC-based singer songwriter Aaron David Gleason has had a storied career in the music industry, resulting in the kind of self-assured output that one would expect after 17 years of solid gigging and recording. Clearly, he has solidified his artistic aesthetic, falling somewhere between Josh Groban and Randy Newman.
Being comfy in his own skin has also afforded him the confidence to take risks, and he is one of the few artists brave enough to tackle an idiosyncratic track such as “Rock N Roll With Me,” which originally appeared on David Bowie’s 1974 album, Diamond Dogs. Working alongside original David Bowie band member Mike Garson, Gleason helmed an impromptu jam of the song which was captured by director/editor Paul Chart and director Paul Boyd.
TVD is pleased to present the premiere of the live video in tandem with a Q&A about how Gleason’s intense connection with Garson led to the one-off collaboration.
How did the connection with Mike Garson come about?
I met Mike 13 years ago when my professional name was still Gilly Leads. He was an awesome mentor from day one and what a champ—he played bowling alleys with me at 12 am in Highland Park. Also, Mike and I performed once for my grandparents and their friends—they loved it! Mike was always and is always up for doing something with heart and eccentricity. I think that is our formula, and I think that’s why we are musically attracted to each other. Also, we’re just… intense, but really admire each other’s intensity.
I wouldn’t say we drifted apart, but years went by and we were just doing our own thing. I took a break from music to find myself again. Mike and I would periodically check in with each other.
Was “Rock ‘n Roll With Me” conceived with Mike in mind, or did you know it was the perfect track to collaborate on with him?
When Bowie passed, I really felt the need to get closer to Mike—he contributed to my album Wry Observer [2017] as I was getting back into music. I contacted him again recently, and he suggested we do “Rock ‘n Roll With Me.” He knows that I love the soul and glam elements of Bowie, and that song was one of the first that had both. I knew this was a one time shot and a big shot so I had to assemble the best band possible. I had a lot of help from Brad Lindsay, my right hand man in all things music. He also plays lead guitar on this. Really though, life is short, and this is a bucket list thing for me. I enjoy performing with Mike, but I enjoy hanging with him just as much.
How nerve wracking was it to record live, with cameras capturing the recording process?
Uh, EXTREMELY. We hadn’t rehearsed. It was a high wire act! Crazy. Brad and I worked the song till a form started happening—of course, respecting the OG version. I gave the band some notes (I wanted that breakdown and, in general, wanted to build the song over the whole six-plus minutes or so), and then Mike, being the crazy wild card he always is, suggested the Rubato opening. We went with it, and Michael Jerome Moore basically told me to “cut loose.” I will always be appreciative to him for telling me that. It was a group effort all the way. Sean’s studio was the perfect place, Hunter and Ronelle threw down brilliant backups, and we were so so lucky to have Clay Blair record us, and the esteemed Joe Chiccarelli mix it. We did six full takes, and that was the day. CRAZY! I was exhausted for the next 2 weeks.
What’s next for Aaron David Gleason?
Producing albums for other people. Writing songs for other people. Maybe doing some intimate shows with Mike Garson down the road. Getting more and more activity at my record label Brashtooth Records.
