Q&A: Houston in the Blind Returns with "Drifting"
HOUSTON IN THE BLIND IS BACK WITH A NEW SINGLE “DRIFTING”, giving us a preview of his upcoming album, Hide the Glow , Which frontman Charlie Garrett describes as his best work yet.
“Drifting," the lead track off the album is described as a "mirror into the constant change and chaos" of the past decade, the song sets the tone for the album. The track reflects the upheaval Garrett experienced after moving to Los Angeles and the band's break-up, hinting at the broader themes of change and resilience that run throughout Hide the Glow.
Garrett opens up about the anxieties and struggles that fueled the record, including the band's dissolution after relocating to Los Angeles and his own mental health battles. Hide the Glow explores these darker areas with unflinching honesty, but there's also a sense of resilience and hope that shines through.
Read below to learn about “Drifting” and the making of the album, and more.
LUNA: You’ve described Hide the Glow as your best work yet. Can you elaborate on what makes this album so special for you?
GARRETT: Maybe it's recency bias, but I hope the longer I do this, the better I get. I guess part of the reason this record is so special to me, is that it's the first time I didn't let fear get in the way of my creative process. I was willing to visit certain places to find these songs. In the past, I wouldn't have been able or willing to tap into those emotions, much less write about them for consumption. It's not always comfortable, but it's real. It's a challenge for me to stay interested in anything that's not authentic, especially music. Creatively, I'm always seeking connection and the truth, good or bad. I think I accomplished that with this record.
LUNA: The album title Hide the Glow seems to suggest a bittersweet feeling. Can you talk about the specific challenges you faced during the creative process and how they influenced the music?
GARRETT: Yeah, there were a ton. I started the record in 2016 with Gus Seyyfert, not long after relocating from Athens, Georgia to Los Angeles. Houston In the Blind had just released its debut album, Limbs, which was getting great press and opportunities were starting to come our way, but moving disrupted all of that. By the time I started working with Gus, the band as it was no longer existed. That was a lot for me to process. I was dealing with other life shit too, everything just compounded and I fell apart. Oddly enough, the sessions were great. I got to work with some incredible musicians and the 3 songs we tracked are on Hide The Glow. Looking back, it was a nice little escape from what I was dealing with. It took a lot of time to put myself back together.
At one point, I sort of lost interest and became a bit jaded. I still played shows and had intentions of finishing the record, but life always seemed to get in the way. When I was finally able to make the time and space to finish the record, so much time had passed. The experiences from those years, both high and low, definitely influenced the songs.
LUNA: "Drifting," the opening track, is described as a "mirror into the constant change and chaos" of the past decade. Are there other songs on the album that explore specific turning points or experiences?
GARRETT: For Sure. I Don't Believe was written write before I fell off a mental cliff. I could feel it coming, but didn't know what to do. I was like watching a storm creep closer and closer with no shelter in sight. That song explores all of those anxieties. Let Me Go was written at a time when I was trying to process my mental struggles. I remember wanting so badly to feel better, but just couldn't figure it out. Every morning I woke up and felt like I was at war with something inside me. It kicked my ass for a long time. My favorite song on the record is Thoughts Of You, which takes inventory of all the damage I caused, especially to those closest to me.
LUNA: You mentioned confronting "darker areas" of yourself in the lyrics. What was it like embracing vulnerability in your songwriting for this album?
GARRETT: It's tough. For me, it's equal parts cathartic and terrifying. Writing the songs and bringing them to life with my friends was a beautiful experience. Releasing them into the world has been an interesting process. Mental health is a theme that comes up a lot on this record. The last thing I want is to sound self-involved. What I've dealt with isn't a special case. Depression affects so many people. Sadness is ever present in all of our lives. That's not going to change. I came to a place where I'd rather accept it and its influence on my writing rather than avoid it.
LUNA: The move to Los Angeles and the subsequent band dissolution sound like a major turning point. How did you find the strength to keep pursuing music as Houston in the Blind?
GARRETT: Honestly, I have no idea. I've spent a lot of time trying to find something to replace music with in my life because it does feel impossible at times. As silly as it sounds, it always finds a way back into my life. Only recently have I started to understand the sense of purpose creating gives me. Also, I think it comes down to the fact that I'm not good at much else!
LUNA: Despite the struggles, there’s a sense of "hope" on the album. What gives you hope for the future of Houston in the Blind?
GARRETT: That's a tough one, maybe I could give you a better answer after the record comes out! I guess having "hope" is essential in trying to carve out a path as an artist who can have a career solely dedicated to your craft. So far the singles we've released have been well-received, which gives me hope. Throughout the process of creating this record, and playing the songs live, I've been surrounded by incredible musicians who love the music, which also gives me hope.
LUNA: With Hide the Glow out soon, what are you most excited about for the next chapter of Houston in the Blind?
GARRETT: I'm anxious and excited to see what's next. We want to be playing out as much as possible. I've finished writing the next record, so getting back in the studio sooner rather than later would be great. I hope this is just the beginning of the journey, we'll see!
